Ist DL2 Lens - choosing lenses

Hi

I've just bought the DL2 kit with the 18-55 zoom. Now considering kitting myself out with a range of second hand M or A lenses for landscapes, portrait and nature shots.

I'm on a tight budget!

Any advice on which primes / zooms or combinations thereof would give me a flexible kit?

Thanks.

First, welcome to the forums

There's plenty of choice

If you want manual focus, then I would suggest choosing the "A" series lenses (they have an "A" setting on the aperture ring). They're much easier to use with the DSLRs.

A good start for a prime is the SMC-A 50mm/f1.7
You should be able to pick one up for very little money, and it'll be lovely and sharp
The SMC-A 50mm/f1.4 is a lovely lens, but will be around £90.

Of course, you can use the SMC-F and SMC-FA series autofocus lenses, but the primes will usually start around £60 and go up.

It might be best to describe what you want to do so we can make a more specific recommendation?

Matt

Matt, thanks for your reply.

There are three main ways the camera will be used.

Photographs of:

Mountains, beach and sea views on the West coast of Scotland.

City-scapes, buildings and historical monuments.

Distance action photography of dogs doing agility work.

And, the usual point and shoot at family events!

Regards


Clive

Hi Clive, and welcome as well..

the 18-55 is a good little lens that will do all the landscape and wide angle stuff, so all you really need is a telephoto zoom, say the 80-320 FAJ(?) or the 100-300 FA. The 80-320 is regarded as the superior lens here, although I have't used it, and the price will probably reflect that. The 100-300, which I do have, will be cheaper, I think I paid about £50 for mine, and it's a perfectly good lens for the money.

I have plenty of other lenses, but if I had to use only two, these would be them.. (I'd want to have to choose three though)

Cheers

Liam

I'd say a fast prime for low-light work is the next on your list. The 31 Limited is a beautiful lens, but it's pricey. A used 50mm f/1.4 A or M would give you one of the finest lenses ever made, and until the news really gets out about the K10D, you should be able to get a deal on a used one.

I 'third' Matt and Arthur Dent's recommendation for the 50/1.4 A - it's a gorgeous lens, easy and pleasurable to use on the ist D cameras and gives absolutely cracking portraits. I've rarely used another lens on my ist DL since my baby daughter was born! I doubt you'd find one for less than £100 nowadays but it's well worth that level of outlay. The SMC 24/2.8 A is another great lens, equivalent to 36 mm on a DSLR which makes it a useful standard lens - might be in the region of £150 for one of these beauties though.

Thanks.

I'm going to look for a 80 - 320 FA and 50mm f/1.4 A to get started.

Also, I've been offered a 35-80 A secondhand for £25. Is this a worthwhile lens to have as it covers the 55-80 gap between the other zooms? It seems like a very good price, is it?

The 24/2.8 looks like an interesting option too. (I'll start saving!)


Regards


Cli

The 35-80 is not particularly good, but not bad, either. If the focal length suits you, then for £25 it's an OK buy, in my view.

G

Thanks George, Juno, Arthur, Liam and Matt.

I feel much better prepared to go and shop now!

Cheers


Clive