Best lens combination for 1k

Seeking opinions for combination of lenses with a cap of 1k for my K5.
This should include - a prime, macro and zoom;my only preference to start with is Pentax SMC 50mm, f1.4 FA - else I am open to ideas!
Main purpose is natural history photography + scenery and my number of posts reflex my experience!

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Andy from Ossy

DA 55-300 best value zoom you will find with some quality. any of the 90-105mm macro lenses(pentax,sigma,or tamron). looks like you have decided on the prime. if you don,t want to be changing lenses often then the next best zoom is tamron or pentax 18-250mm if you can find one .welcome to the wonderful world of pentax

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K5 and the odd lens or 2

there are macro lenses for sale on classified section at the moment all at bargain prices from the philanthropic members on here

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K5 and the odd lens or 2

Interesting little task you have
What form is the natural history taking ?
Are you doing closeups of objects ?, what size?
Pete

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K-5
some len

Close to the Edge
Down by the River

Small to smallish... insects to birds...no wildebeests or mother-in-laws yet!

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Andy from Ossy

I would save some money for later,
then you can buy shotgun if later you want/wish to shoot,
wilderbeests or The mother-in-law..

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k-5, K-5ii, 50 f1.4 af,17-70 f4, 100mm macro wr,10-20 siggy, 100-300f4 siggy, 300f4,
60-250f4,15mm f4, 55-300mm,18-55mm

My first Q would be why the 50/1.4 ? No problem, it's a fine lens, but it's not a landscape lens unless you are into stitching (a good thing).

There are many good landscape lenses and these absolutely do not have to be AF since trees don't run very fast. My go to landscape lens is an adapted Zeiss 28/2.8 which cost me £250 but there are some excellent older Pentax lenses around 28mm that would do the job perfectly (28mm is preferred because most FL below that introduce varying amounts of distortion whereas at 28mm it is imperceptible).

That said the Tamron 17-50/2.8 (ca. £299) is a great lens for many subjects, extremely sharp, and would get you off to a flyer. The 35/2.4 (ca. £139) is another excellent lens, and at a great price, and it's AF too. Just about wide enough for some landscapes but if you stitch then you're home and dry with this one. Older Pentax 28mm lenses will cost you well under £100 and you should remember that focusing to infinity starts at around 4metres at f8 on a 28mm so AF isn't necessary for landscapes.

The 55-300 (ca. £259) is a no-brainer to cover the long end. It's just got great IQ for the price.

For macro I'd skip a dedicated lens for now and buy a Raynox 250 (ca. £50) for insects or Raynox 150 (ca. £40) for flowers and the like, or buy both ! They will clip onto most lenses and are amazing value for money (and have great IQ).

If you add the FA50/1.4 (ca. £220-250), you are already set on, then you are still well under your £1,000 limit whichever combination of the above you choose.

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http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0

Simple Sigma 50-500, covers it all and a grand is what tit will cost from SRS

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My Flickr link

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)

K-5 IIs, K-7 (100,000 clicks)
My Lenses (or what's left after the arrival of the 300*)
Pentax DA*16-50 - DA35 f2.4 - A 50mm f1.7 - FA50 f1.4 - DA*300 f4
Sigma 24mm f2.8 - 70-200 f2.8 - 180mm Macro 1:2 f2.8 (ancient but spectacular)
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.4 Macro

Macro?

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Nothing to see here, move along please ....

Thanks for all your responses and advice. I am not exactly in a rush - I am just doing the research for future upgrading. Such a breathtaking array of types, codes etc - and that's before delving into quality:value for money!!!!!!!

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Andy from Ossy

I know it doesn't cover proper macro, but I've seen some awesome closeups of dragonflies and the like with it and it gets it in the bag early doors. Wish I had done it.

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My Flickr link

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)

K-5 IIs, K-7 (100,000 clicks)
My Lenses (or what's left after the arrival of the 300*)
Pentax DA*16-50 - DA35 f2.4 - A 50mm f1.7 - FA50 f1.4 - DA*300 f4
Sigma 24mm f2.8 - 70-200 f2.8 - 180mm Macro 1:2 f2.8 (ancient but spectacular)
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.4 Macro