New Lens for Fiance

[LudoTheGreat]

My Fiance is going to be gone for a while, so I think it should be safe to post this now. I know nothing about photography or cameras, but it is her thing. She recently broke her lens that she had been using and it really upset her.

I guess what I need to know is where do I start looking for a new one to surprise her with? I know that her camera is a Pentax K100D and that the lens was a 35-80mm K Mount? I'd like something decent, but at the same time reasonably priced. If anyone could point me into the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.:hail:

 

[Johnboy2978]

If her lens looks this: http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=175

then it's just a poor kit lens. You would do just as well getting another kit lens like this one if you're looking to spend the same amount of money:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277623-REG/Pentax_27707_SMCP_FA_J_28_80mm_f_3_5_5_6.html

I would look for a little nicer lens, but lenses get pricey very quick so it depends on what you wanted to spend.

 

[LudoTheGreat]

It looked exactly like that. I'd love to be able to spend more on one, but I have no idea where to start. What would be the next step up from that one?

 

[Johnboy2978]

It really depends on your budget and what she already has. If you are wanting to replace the lens that covers that same focal length I went with a Sigma EX 24-70mm which runs about $430:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/350968-REG/Sigma_548109_24_70mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html

If you just want to replace the lens w/ equal quality the one I posted originally is an equal quality kit lens.

A really nice lens to have though that is reasonably priced is the 50mm 1.4:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40755-USA/Pentax_20817_Normal_SMCP_FA_50mm_f_1_4.html

It's fixed focal length where the one you questioned was a zoom lens. If she doesn't have a 50mm I'd go for this and forget the zoom lens.

 

[LudoTheGreat]

Perfect that is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you a million Jonboy!

 

[elemental]

As a fellow Pentax system user, I can say that that 50mm f/1.4 is something I would love to receive as a gift, though it is quite different in usage than a 35-80mm. The Sigma would be closer to what she lost, and would also be an excellent lens.

I wish someone would buy me glass like this. She'll be very thankful.

 

[prodigy2k7]

I would get the sigma for a good replacement. She will be very happy

 

[LudoTheGreat]

Would a Sigma 24-70mm f3.5-5.6 UC Aspherical lens suit be a decent replacment for the kit lens she broke?