New lens advice
Posted 21/12/2024 - 21:45 - Helpful Comment
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On my old K-50 my favourite lens was a mint secondhand HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro, a really great lens.
Cheers
Mike
Cheers
Mike
Posted 21/12/2024 - 22:04 - Helpful Comment
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Can't disagree with Mike, the Pentax 35mm f2.8 macro (either version) is a superb lens with a focal length the equivalent of a "standard" lens on Full frame and the advantage of the macro focus range too. If you'd prefer a focal length that isn't covered by the kit lens then the DA 15mm f4.0 has a lot going for it - the ultra-wide angle is great for some types of landscape and street photography. Both of these can be picked up second hand for quite reasonable prices.
LennyBloke
Posted 21/12/2024 - 22:48 - Helpful Comment
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Yes, the 35mm macro is a superb lens. If you would prefer a zoom, the 16-85mm is a significant step up from the 18-55mm. The difference between 16mm and 18mm at the wide end is greater than you might think, while 85mm gives a useful increase in reach at the long end. And the image quality is very good, too. I have the 16-45mm, 18-55mm and 16-85mm zooms and it's the 16-85mm that is invariably attached to the camera. Of course, if you could find a Kf + 16-85mm kit, or negotiate a 16-85mm instead of 18-55mm...
Steve
Steve
Posted 21/12/2024 - 23:36 - Helpful Comment
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Don't dismiss the Kit Lenses, for the money they are excellent lenses. Until a year or two ago almost all my landscape work was done with the Pentax 18-55 kit lens. Looking back at the photos I took they were amazing. I now use a Pentax 18-135DA for my walk about landscape photography but only because it gives me that extra zoom in case I spot some distant wildlife. To be honest the images dont appear any better than what the kit lens produced. This was with the 18-55 kit lens on my first Pentax a K7 link
Posted 22/12/2024 - 11:48
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Here's another thought. If you find yourself frequently going for wide angle shots and wishing that you could get even wider, there are ultra-wide zooms that will take you down to 10mm. I have a Tamron 10-24mm, there are also Sigma zooms in the 10-20mm range. And, of course, there are the Pentax 12-24mm and 11-18mm zooms. Any of them would complement an 18-55mm or 16-85mm nicely, and with a 55-300mm would make a nice, general purpose 3-lens set. Some of the ultra-wides are no longer in production so would have to be bought used, the Pentax 11-18mm is in production and reputed to be very good but is very expensive. However, beware. Getting good ultra-wide photos is trickier than many people expect. Perspective can look odd (although actually accurate) and it's more about getting the right balance between close and distant things than having as much of a grand vista in the frame as possible. Even a huge but distant mountain range can look small and less than imposing at 10mm .
And in case you (or anyone else) is wondering why I have 3 zooms of similar focal lengths, here's the story. The 16-45mm came as a discounted package with my first DSLR, it's a lovely lens, I used it a lot, but it's not weather resistant (WR). The 18-55mm was bought when I wanted something that was WR and didn't want to spend the earth. However, the 16-45mm was still used more often because I really like what 16mm can give. Eventually, I got fed up with having to change lenses to get a bit more reach than the 16-45mm gives so the 16-85mm was bought. I did consider the 18-135mm, but I really, really like 16mm. None of the lenses were therefore acquired because of image quality, they are all good enough for what I need (and probably what you need, too), the deciding factors were practicality and photographic preference.
Steve
And in case you (or anyone else) is wondering why I have 3 zooms of similar focal lengths, here's the story. The 16-45mm came as a discounted package with my first DSLR, it's a lovely lens, I used it a lot, but it's not weather resistant (WR). The 18-55mm was bought when I wanted something that was WR and didn't want to spend the earth. However, the 16-45mm was still used more often because I really like what 16mm can give. Eventually, I got fed up with having to change lenses to get a bit more reach than the 16-45mm gives so the 16-85mm was bought. I did consider the 18-135mm, but I really, really like 16mm. None of the lenses were therefore acquired because of image quality, they are all good enough for what I need (and probably what you need, too), the deciding factors were practicality and photographic preference.
Steve
Posted 22/12/2024 - 11:58
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How about a " Nifty Fifty " a 50mm F1.2 0r F1.4 FA lens, let your feet to the zooming, I know its close to your 18 - 55 but the wider aperture will open up soooo many opportunities, landscape / portraits etc, add a set of extension tubes and it'll be great for macro.
There will be plenty used on the web, or my pref have a look at SRS Microsystems for a good used example.
There's one currently available for £149 and a warranty
There will be plenty used on the web, or my pref have a look at SRS Microsystems for a good used example.
There's one currently available for £149 and a warranty
Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Posted 23/12/2024 - 00:10
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The A series 50mm macro is a stunner of a lens. It will go down to macro levels and it can produce superb detail from distant scenes. I often put it with an F series 1.7x auto focus adapter to get both AF and a splendid 80mm job. (80-90mm primes cost an arm and a leg). This combination always goes on holiday with me because it is so versatile.
Posted 23/12/2024 - 10:21
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davidwozhere wrote:
The A series 50mm macro is a stunner of a lens. I often put it with an F series 1.7x auto focus adapter to get both AF and a splendid 80mm job.
Killer combo.The A series 50mm macro is a stunner of a lens. I often put it with an F series 1.7x auto focus adapter to get both AF and a splendid 80mm job.
Best regards
Too far from a shore.
Posted 23/12/2024 - 12:15 - Helpful Comment
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Limiting myself to AF lenses I would second the votes for the DA 35mm Limited and the 16-85mm. The former is the best landscape prime I ever had for Pentax but if you buy then make sure that focus is completely accurate at infinity. If you read through the reviews on the US forum you'll find some that state it's not sharp at infinity but it is, you just have to make sure that AF fine-tuning is spot-on as it's very sensitive.
The 16-85mm is probably the best overall Pentax lens I owned for landscapes as it's got a great range, excellent sharpness, colour and contrast and it's weather resistant. The caveat for that lens though is that it's prone to mis-focusing at the wide end - the camera will confirm focus but the image will sometimes not be properly focused, to an extent which may or may not be visible in the viewfinder. This can happen with virtually any camera or lens but on my K-3 it happened more with this lens. So just make sure you confirm focus after shooting (which is a habit you should have anyway, especially for landscape).
The 16-85mm is probably the best overall Pentax lens I owned for landscapes as it's got a great range, excellent sharpness, colour and contrast and it's weather resistant. The caveat for that lens though is that it's prone to mis-focusing at the wide end - the camera will confirm focus but the image will sometimes not be properly focused, to an extent which may or may not be visible in the viewfinder. This can happen with virtually any camera or lens but on my K-3 it happened more with this lens. So just make sure you confirm focus after shooting (which is a habit you should have anyway, especially for landscape).
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 23/12/2024 - 15:08 - Helpful Comment
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Another vote for the 35/2.8 Macro here. It's the first taste of 'premium' that I got with the system. Stunning quality and the macro feature is a big bonus.
I'd also recommend the DA15 like LennyBloke mentioned for the extra width, or possibly one of the autofocus 50mm lenses. They're all brilliant.
I wouldn't buy something longer than 55mm unless you really need the reach. In that case, a nicer kit lens is recommended (18-135 or 16-85). Both are excellent lenses.
When you pick your preferred lens, put a 'looking for' thread up on the forums - you'll probably find someone with a copy to sell!
I'd also recommend the DA15 like LennyBloke mentioned for the extra width, or possibly one of the autofocus 50mm lenses. They're all brilliant.
I wouldn't buy something longer than 55mm unless you really need the reach. In that case, a nicer kit lens is recommended (18-135 or 16-85). Both are excellent lenses.
When you pick your preferred lens, put a 'looking for' thread up on the forums - you'll probably find someone with a copy to sell!
All the gear with no idea
Posted 27/12/2024 - 14:15
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Just to update everyone ( as if you all cared ha ha ) I purchased the Pentax KF with a Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens and 55-300mm f4.5-6.3 HD DA ED PLM WR RE Lens
Posted 27/12/2024 - 14:17 - Helpful Comment
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You've covered a great focal range with 2 superb lenses - now get out and enjoy them
LennyBloke
Posted 27/12/2024 - 17:49 - Helpful Comment
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That should keep you happy for a long time .
Steve
Tess89 wrote:
as if you all cared ha ha
Ah, but we do. We're a very caring bunch on this forum, as well as being friendly and helpful. as if you all cared ha ha
Steve
Posted 27/12/2024 - 23:50 - Helpful Comment
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Agreed Steve, we do care! And also a great choice of lenses that should serve very well.
Best regards, John
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