What is a good basic lens for Pentax K100D?

[bascom]

I am considering buying a Pentax K100D camera body which has 1.5x crop factor. I would like a basic lens for it like a kit lens. I would like to spend < $100. Are any of these good? Are there better options?

B&H used lens:
$70 Pentax Zoom 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Takumar-F Autofocus Lens

$80 Pentax Zoom Super Wide Angle SMCP-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR

Amazon.com
$50 Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00004ZD30/ref=sr_1_olp_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246395793&sr=8-9

[TheWengler]

I doubt you'll find anything good for less than $100. The answer depends on if you want wide angle or a little more reach, but I'd probably go with the 18-55 as I prefer that range. Here are some user reviews from Pentax Forums.

Pentax 28-80mm (http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=177&cat=45)
Pentax 18-55mm (http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=148&cat=43)
Tamron 28-80mm (http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/showproduct.php?product=355&cat=76)

[AlexMonro]

28-80 probably isn't wide enough, being equivalent to 42-120 with the 1.5 crop factor.

The Pentax 18-55 AL isn't bad for a kit lens, though the mk. 2 version (16-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II) is better if you can find one.

Other standard zooms that perform well and you might be lucky enough to find 2nd hand within your budget include the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 and the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.

There are detailed reviews of these lenses, as well as many others, at SLR Gear http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php.

[pas49ras]

28-80 probably isn't wide enough, being equivalent to 42-120 with the 1.5 crop factor.

I agree with AlexMonro on this statement...If you had to chose I would go with the 18-55 which isn't the greatest lens around but for the money it's a great buy.

[bascom]

Thanks for the tips. I do see the Pentax 18-55 AL mk. 2 on amazon but it starts at $130. I will settle for the Pentax 18-55 AL if I buy a K100D.

[speaklightly]

The Pentax 50-200 mm lens also remains a good bargain as well. It is very sharp and it is selling for about $(US) 180.00 to 200.00.

Sarah Joyce

[John_Reed]

I'd go with the 18-55, which translates out to 27-82, a good "basic" range for anywhere from scenery to portraits.

And HI, Sarah Joyce! LTNS!