Welcome to the list, Jon! In the zoom/prime debate, I'm on the zoom side. In most cases, unless you make a lot of big enlargements, you won't see the difference, and you'll be able to get the precise framing you want. The only prime lenses I have are the F50 1.7, which I use occasionally for low-light shooting, and an old Makinon 500 f8 mirror lens. The rest are zooms: FA20-35 f4, FA28-70 f4, FA28-200 f3.8-5.6 (my snapshot lens), and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX-APO.
For everyday use, the Pentax 28-70 f4 may suit your needs. It's sharp, and you may be able to find a new one on sale, or a used one at a good price. Hope this is helpful. Pat White
