Faster lens

With my new K20D came 2 lenses, 18-55 and 50-200. I guess a standard bundle. I wish to take some indoor live music pictures, preferably without flash. I understand that ISO should be cranked up to 3200 or more and use a lens that will go down as far as 2.8 or 1.4. Any suggestion where I may find a reasonably good deal?

It might be nice to have a FA 50mm f1.4 (currently on offer for £299 at SRS) or the rather more expensive 55mm f1.4 DA* but you could try with your 50-200mm and see what happens. Best to do this perhaps before you spend a lot of money?

I know these lenses are not that fast, but with a high ISO you might be surprised at what you can achieve. A test run at a relatively unimportant event would give you some ideas.

Take a look at the older manual-focus A series lenses, if you find that your zooms aren't fast enough. The Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 is a superb lens and will work with all modes on your DSLR. It'll cost a good deal less than the FA 50mm and is a lot more compact than a zoom.

I'd love an F/FA 50mm or a DA 40mm but simply don't have the money!

johnriley: yes, indeed. I will try my 50-200 first.Also will have a look at the suggested lenses.
thanks to all

Dangermouse: have found the following on ebay: Will it do, please?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SMC-PENTAX-A-50mm-f-1-7-FAST-PRIME-LENS-FILM-DIGITAL_W0QQi...

[quote:3496ace15f="karlh"]Dangermouse: have found the following on ebay: Will it do, please?

]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SMC-PENTAX-A-50mm-f-1-7-FAST-PRIME-LENS-FILM-DIGITAL_W0QQi...

Yes that's the one

Many thanks. will bid and see what happens

K

K
Please remember that THIS IS MANUAL FOCUS so you will need a focus screen for your camera.

James

pink?what does all this entail and where can I get it? Is 'focus screen' the proper name for this item?

pink:
I assume that this is the item?

http://www.pixmania-pro.co.uk/uk/uk/656934/art/pentax/matte-focusing-screen-for....

Karl, I would suggest you wait on the split prism focus screen and see how you get on. You might find you are able to achieve accurate manual focus by eye or with the aid of the confirm focus 'beep' and 'hexagon' in your K20D.

James is correct in that a split prism focus screen will definitely help but a decent one will cost more than the A 50 f/1.7

Thats the standard screen already fitted in your K20D

If you are will to spend the money then the DA*16-50 and DA*50-135 are both f2.8 and work well for band photography. Most of my band photography is from the 'pit' so if I had to chose one of these lenses it would be the 16-50.

If the lighting is of a good standard then I find I rarely need to go above ISO800 and if its a constantly lit set then ISO400 can be OK; but 'pub' standard lighting will probably need ISO1600 or more.

Because the lighting can be very varriable I use centre spot metering and focusing off the performers faces as it is usualy the face that I want in focus and correctly exposed.

I was shooting two bands last year which had very strong strobe lights which when in use made it almost impossible to shoot towards the stage - so when those lights came on I turned around and shot the audience using the strobes as flash!

Like Greytop I dissagree that changing the focus screen to one with a split prism focus aid is essential with a manual focus lens as the green hexagon can be used for accurate manual focusing even with manual focus lenses.

If you have reasonable eyesight then a split focus screen is not necessary by any means. One of THESE can be quite handy though and that's a very good price.

So that's why I'm so bad at manual focus!