K-x Kit Lens question
Posted 09/05/2010 - 20:34 - Helpful Comment
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L in this case does not stand for "Limited" which is Pentax's top-of-the-range lenses. Not sure what it does stand for though, probably "light" as they have plastic not metal K mounts and so on, and do not come with a lens hood.
There isn't, as far as I am aware, an 'L' version of the 55-300mm lens so that should be OK. The 18-55 would be the DA L 18-55/3.5-5.6 AL so check the description of the items for sale. If in doubt, just check with the vendor.
Not sure why this is seen as penny pinching of the highest order. Lens hoods used to be optional extras!
K.
There isn't, as far as I am aware, an 'L' version of the 55-300mm lens so that should be OK. The 18-55 would be the DA L 18-55/3.5-5.6 AL so check the description of the items for sale. If in doubt, just check with the vendor.
Not sure why this is seen as penny pinching of the highest order. Lens hoods used to be optional extras!
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Posted 09/05/2010 - 20:45
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Thanks womble for that quick reply.
" Lens hoods used to be optional extras! "
Really ! I have owned slr's from three different makes, luckily I have never come across this before. So are you saying the 55-300mm kit would be the same specification as if I purchased a stand-alone version, i.e metal mount and lens hood. ? I think I saw the 55-300mm lens hood on the Pentax store for £30.00 (gulp)
Ed
" Lens hoods used to be optional extras! "
Really ! I have owned slr's from three different makes, luckily I have never come across this before. So are you saying the 55-300mm kit would be the same specification as if I purchased a stand-alone version, i.e metal mount and lens hood. ? I think I saw the 55-300mm lens hood on the Pentax store for £30.00 (gulp)
Ed
Posted 09/05/2010 - 21:02 - Helpful Comment
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Canon lenses still come without a lens hood I believe, don't know about other makes.
As for the versions.
There are 2 version of the 55-300 lens, one is the original DA 55-300 that one comes with a hood, metal lens mount and quick-shift.
Pentax had the "brilliant" idea to remove some features to make the lens lighter and cheaper and that's the DA-L version, that one doesn't have a hood, metal lens mount or quickshift.
Optics of both versions are the same.
You can buy both version in the shop.
DA
DA-L
As for the versions.
There are 2 version of the 55-300 lens, one is the original DA 55-300 that one comes with a hood, metal lens mount and quick-shift.
Pentax had the "brilliant" idea to remove some features to make the lens lighter and cheaper and that's the DA-L version, that one doesn't have a hood, metal lens mount or quickshift.
Optics of both versions are the same.
You can buy both version in the shop.
DA
DA-L
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Posted 09/05/2010 - 21:07
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Bojidar doesn't list a DA-L version of the 55-300mm... unusual omission!
K.
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Posted 09/05/2010 - 21:20
Link
Thanks to you both for your informative replies. It seems pretty obvious that all the twin lens kits will comprise of the DA-L versions although most sellers do not state this, e.g from Amazon UK
" Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera (Twin Lens Kit 18 - 55mm and 55-300mm)
Maybe I will just get the body and spend a little more on fully featured lens.
Ed
" Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera (Twin Lens Kit 18 - 55mm and 55-300mm)
Maybe I will just get the body and spend a little more on fully featured lens.
Ed
Posted 09/05/2010 - 21:35 - Helpful Comment
Link
Phone up SRS, they are pretty good at sorting people out with exactly what they want.
K.
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
Posted 09/05/2010 - 22:50 - Helpful Comment
Link
Assuming you want a hood for the 18-55mm, don't buy a genuine one. I have a Chinese-made copy that fits perfectly and cost me around £10 delivered. See here.
Exactly the same shape, clicks on reliably, and shows no signs of being brittle or falling off. Assuming the one in that link is from the same factory it'll be fine.
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with the DA L lenses, they are optically identical to the non-L versions. You're not getting a lower spec by buying them, you just have to buy a lens hood separately.
Exactly the same shape, clicks on reliably, and shows no signs of being brittle or falling off. Assuming the one in that link is from the same factory it'll be fine.
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with the DA L lenses, they are optically identical to the non-L versions. You're not getting a lower spec by buying them, you just have to buy a lens hood separately.
Matt
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
Posted 09/05/2010 - 23:01 - Helpful Comment
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Bojidar is still catching up with recent releases Kris, he'll get there eventually.
I wouldn't be put off by the lack of hood or plastic mounts. The lenses are the best you'll get in the price range and better than some more expensive ones from other manufacturers.
I wouldn't be put off by the lack of hood or plastic mounts. The lenses are the best you'll get in the price range and better than some more expensive ones from other manufacturers.
Cheers, HG
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
Posted 10/05/2010 - 07:17
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Thanks again all, very helpful and informative. I am encouraged by my 1st contact with this forum, I know from experience a friendly helpful user forum can be a great asset to the camera of your choice.
Regards
Ed
Regards
Ed
Posted 10/05/2010 - 14:10
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Edradour wrote:
Thanks to you both for your informative replies. It seems pretty obvious that all the twin lens kits will comprise of the DA-L versions although most sellers do not state this, e.g from Amazon UK
" Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera (Twin Lens Kit 18 - 55mm and 55-300mm)
Maybe I will just get the body and spend a little more on fully featured lens.
Ed
Yes you're right the K-M and the K-X get the DA-L lenses in their kit but the other cameras have DA lenses and the K7 even gets the DA WR version.Thanks to you both for your informative replies. It seems pretty obvious that all the twin lens kits will comprise of the DA-L versions although most sellers do not state this, e.g from Amazon UK
" Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera (Twin Lens Kit 18 - 55mm and 55-300mm)
Maybe I will just get the body and spend a little more on fully featured lens.
Ed
If you would get lenses separately you could look for the DA 16-45 instead of the 18-55, the DA 16-45 is a bit more expensive but worth the money though.
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Posted 10/05/2010 - 19:56
Link
I managed to find both my hoods for kit lens for a tenner. There were a few shops selling, just gotta look hard. Most places seem to sell the hoods for the price you can get the lens for!
Is the WR that different (apart from obvious) to the DAL?
Is the WR that different (apart from obvious) to the DAL?
Posted 10/05/2010 - 20:15
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WR is weather-sealed, different lens coating and has quick-shift, metal lens mount and a hood.
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
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7 posts
16 years
I'm a newbie here. Hopefully about to purchase a K-x with the 18-55 and 55-300mm 'kit' lens. Did I read somewhere that both these lens are 'L' (limited) versions and among other cost saving omissions they are not supplied with lens hoods ? this seems to be 'penny pinching' of a high order.
Thanks in anticipation for any replies.
Ed