These are 5 MUST-HAVE lenses for Pentax K3 [In 2023] 📸

For shooting wildlife, landscape, portrait, and macro photography at the highest level, one needs to be equipped with suitable Pentax K3 lenses.

Although Pentax K3 is a reliable camera with its 24.4 Mpx APS-C CM

OS sensor, an autofocus system with 27 points, and 8.3 fps continuous shooting is still a camera that relies on lenses for the best photographic experience.

If you are wondering which lenses fit your Pentax K3 in the best possible way, keep reading. I have done thorough research to bring you the five best lenses for Pentax K3.

Best Prime Lens for Portraits

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 allows extra-fast shutter speeds with perfect control of field depth. With an angle of view of 47 degrees and a weight of only 7,8 OZ, the lens represents a compact solution for portrait photography.

This prime lens for Pentax K3 takes good photos, but you always want to use a good hood since the front element is well-exposed to extraneous light if you wish for excellent contrast.

Generally speaking:

The image quality is excellent, particularly in low-light and high-contrast environments. Fringing is barely noticeable, and it only occurs in outdoor light.

The f/1.4 aperture allows photographers to take photos in unusually low-light situations without a flash, not to mention remarkable bokeh effects.

For portrait photography, the large aperture will enable me to capture the slightest changes in my subject’s emotions. I did interior photo shoots with this lens and was impressed with the outcome.

Although the lens is made of plastic, it feels solid in the hands.

Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 is an excellent lens for capturing landscapes and structures.

First and foremost:

The angle of view at 12 mm is incredible, and the distortion is minimal. There are no optical faults at 24 mm, a moderately wide angle, like color fringing at edges or high, unnatural contrasts.

The lens is made primarily of plastics, yet it feels solid and well-made. It is also lightweight, so it is easy to carry around.

The focusing system is internal, and the lens barrel does not extend. On the other hand, manual focus operates quite smoothly.

The focusing distance is 30 cm, making this wide-angle lens for Pentax K3 an excellent choice for interior and landscape sessions. I was satisfied with the image quality.

All the images came out well-exposed with a decent number of small details. I am content with the sharpness, even at the maximum aperture.

Pentax 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 has a new HD coating to optimize light transmission and minimize reflections.

The lens is weather-resistant, while the SP coating protects the glass elements. The autofocus system is fast and silent, but the internal focusing shortens the sufficient focal length to focus closer.

The built quality of the lens is quite excellent. The materials feel rugged and dependable, and the design does not seem cheap.

The Pentax lens, in the matter, is the short zoom lens, which means you can shoot landscapes, streets, architecture, and much more while getting phenomenal results. The image quality is better than satisfactory.

Images come out nicely exposed and with an extraordinary level of sharpness. The main point of this all-around lens for Pentax K3 is its versatility.

I used it for various types of photography, and it performed well in all cases. Although the aperture is not so wide, don’t let it deter you from buying.

Bottom line:

The lens gave good results in low-light situations throughout intensive testing in all light conditions. And since the maximum aperture is set at a high notch, you can count on consistent sharpness throughout the shooting range.

Pentax 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Resets a short minimum focusing distance at 0,95 m, while the electromagnetic diaphragm control system ensures quiet sound operation during video recording.

The lens has a weather-resistant construction with a super protective coating on the lens front surface.

I was impressed mainly by the color rendering of this Pentax K3 telephoto lens, which is exceptional in all regards. Images were well-saturated, with natural colors and fine details.

Of course:

The sharpness is excellent as well. I didn’t have any problems with sensitivity, even at f/4.5. Image quality is good throughout the zoom range. At 300 mm, I could spot softness at the edges of images, but I had no trouble correcting it in post-production.

The matter lens is my favorite solution for numerous applications, especially for long-range and fast-moving actions.

Autofocus is responsive and accurate, with virtually zero hunting. It is easy to grab the focus ring without switching when you need to change to manual.

From an ergonomic perspective, it is not too heavy, though it packs a severe zooming capability. However, I recommend having a tripod for a more intense photo session.

Pentax 100mm f/2.8 is a weather-resistant lens with an incredibly rounded aperture. The lens blades work in favor of a beautiful defocusing effect at wide apertures.

The super coating on the front repels dust, water, and grease, which means many photographers often get their gear dirty.

Of course:

The lens features a maximum 1:1 image magnification ratio. I was delighted with the physical manufacture of the lens.

The primary material is metal, and though I was not gentle while testing this Pentax K3 macro lens, I didn’t face any damage. The pictures taken with this lens came out pretty crisp and clean, with excellent brightness and a fair amount of detail.

Due to its extreme focus throw, it can hunt now and then, but that is the only objection.

I tested the lens for its portrait capabilities and was not disappointed with the results. The subjects in focus are sharp, while the background is smoothly defocused.

I was content with the results when I used it for purely macro work. Images were clear, with no visible distortions. I mainly shoot small insects and flowers, and if your definition of macro photography aligns with mine, you will be happy to purchase this lens.

Best lenses for Pentax K3 – Wrapping Up

Pentax is well-known for being just a slightly different camera manufacturer from other major players in the industry.

I am especially fond of features such as weather resistance and nicely made viewfinders.

Pentax K3 is quite a good camera that packs some of its predecessors’ best features and improves it further. As owners of this camera know, it is a powerful piece of hardware, yet it can be pushed further even more. Pick out any Pentax K3 lens from the list and get going.

Hopefully, this article will help you get the best lens for Pentax K3 within your budget.

However, if you are still not sure which lens to choose, feel free to post a comment below. I will do my best to help you with any further questions.

Make sure to read other articles from the LensesPro blog, such as Fujifilm X-T200 lenses and lenses for Nikon D200.

Happy shooting!