New user, looking for advice please

Hi all

Have had my p30 for about 10 years now and started with a pentax zoom (poss 28-80mm with quite a cool little macro option), which died after some years because of Peruvian sand. I currentlly have a centon 35-80mm lens which my dad bought for me which after only a couple of years is getting rather wobbly and now leaves one side of the photo slightly out of focus.

Its all manual focus but with an automatic/manual aperture and shutter setting, which I like.

I want another flexible zoom lens which will last (I do a fair bit of travelling), although I'm not bothered about the macro option. I also like the option of the automatic shutter and manual. I'm a photographic enthusiast, but know little about hardware,what advice does anyone have?

Cheers

Richard

Richard,

I'd suggest you checkout the second hand suppliers:
www.mxv.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
www.ffordes.co.uk
www.lcegroup.co.uk
www.clocktowercameras.co.uk

They usually have a nice selection of manual focus Pentax (and compatible) lenses. You should be able to get some nice replacements. Worth mentioning that most offer 3 or 6 month guarantees and a 14 day evaluation period (though you pay postage).

Matt

Thanks Matt

Great sites, any particular lenses you'd reccomend?

Cheers

Ricchard

Particularly good is the SMC Pentax-A 35-70mm f4. It has a fairly simple construction (7 elements in 7 groups) which gives good contrast. It has a constant aperture of f4, handy for flash work and exposure calculations. It focuses continuously down to a 1:4 magnification, almost a macro lens. Definition is good at full aperture, becoming excellent as you stop down.

All in all, one of my favourite A series lenses, and ideal for the P30.

Also see here for recommendations by a group of very knowledgeable Pentaxians:
http://stans-photography.info/
And don't overlook Ebay as an excellent source of inexpensive second-hand Pentax lenses.
George

I would go with John on this, I have used the Pentax-A 35-70 zoom on my Super A and P50 cameras for years and it is an excellent all rounder.