Newbie ... convert from Nikon??

Hi guys,

Been calling all over the place today and no-one near me has a K20d. Decided to go to a pro centre in Altrincham to have a look at the K200 and some lenses. Felt nice and chunky, and the lenses looked gorgeous as well. I asked if they offered finance, and because they do not, I can not afford to purchase from them unfortunately. Same with SRS Microsystems.

It looks like I am going to have to go with either Jessops or Warehouse Express. Jessops is good because I can take the camera back if there is anything wrong (but I don't like Jessops as a brand). Warehouse Express is good because it is not Jessops, but would not be able to bob into one of their shops.

Anyway, will assess that and see who I can knock down in price most!

So, I have chosen the K20d with a 16-45mm lens, which leaves a single focal length prime to go with them. I just want to exhaust all avenues before pulling the trigger on the 50mm f1.4 FA, so what do you all think of these other alternatives?

- Pentax 35mm f2.8 Macro Limited Lens - £330
- Pentax 40mm f2.8 SMC DA Limited Lens - £235
- Pentax 50mm f1.4 FA Lens - £169
- Pentax 50mm F2.8 SMC D FA Macro Lens - £380
- Pentax 70mm f2.4 DA Limited Lens - £349

Macros look interesting as I have always wanted to get into a bit of Macro photography with insects and things, but perhaps I am best off getting a second hand lens for "playing around" with. My brains says just get the 50mm f1.4, but I like the look of the "Limited Lenses"!!! Always have liked the idea of spending more money when something else will do the job perfectly well.

Anyways, best do some work ....

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks, James

What about the 35mm f2, nice and wide aperture and less telephoto than the 50mm?

Mike

It all depends on your style of photography. I wouldn't double up a focal length though if the budget is limited, so I would perhaps think about the 100mm f2.8 Macro instead. This will add something to the range offered by the 16-45mm. 50mm is not different enough IMHO.

Don't forget eBay for second hand lenses...

Hi John,

Nice recommendation - that would do for my Macro as well as for a good portrait lens!

Will look at second hand once I have mastered the original 2 I will be buying.

James

I find the 28-70 f4 a good compliment for the 16-45... if you can find a good copy second hand (check the rear lens element, there were a few dogs with that model), but it is a stellar performer....and cheap.
the 100 mm macro is a huge value and amazing perfromer.
in fact here's the gear (not counting back-up, this is my everyday, everyjob kit) I make my living with:


16-45, 100mm macro, 28-70, 10-17, and 50mm1.4

Nice gear!

Does anyone know what Pentax's long term plans are re: bodies? Is anyone worried by Sony's intent on World domination?

Just wondered whether a full size sensor is in the pipeline - what comes after the K20d except better LCD / HD video???

James

A recent (2008 ) release and one that's been tugging at my heartstrings a lot! Very highly rated by all who use it including some well respected members of the photographic community who aren't usually noted for hyperbole. It's a "normal" focal length on APS-C sensors (so a great walk-around lens) and happens to feature 1:1 macro - what's not to like? On the downside, the f2.8 max aperture only gives you 1 stop advantage over your 16-45.

Teeny-tiny pancake lens. Good optically and has its fans, normal-ish field of view on digital, very well made. The cons are the f2.8 aperture being only one stop faster than your f4 zoom and you need tiny fingers to move the focus ring manually...

Old school 50mm acts like a 75mm on digital (good for portraits) and is 3 whole stops faster than the f4 zoom - in other words, it lets in EIGHT times as much light (2x2x2) as the DA16-45. Not as nicely finished as the Limiteds but just as good optically and for much less cash. Perfect for low-light work and razor-thin depths of field.

A proper 1:1 macro but I'd probably spend a little extra and buy the longer D FA 100mm as it'll give you something in a focal length you don't already have, is great for portraits and makes a very good mid-telephoto for general use. Again, f2.8 is only one stop faster than the zoom (although macro lenses rarely go faster than this).

Beautiful portrait lens capable of delivering stunning pictures. At f2.4 it's one-and-a-half stops faster than the DA16-45 and is staggeringly well made (like all the Limiteds). Small, but not too small to use (like the DA40 can be). Will also extend your telephoto range beyond that offered by the DA16-45 so giving you new territory to play in.


In summary, all the lenses above are good so I would possibly start with the camera and the DA16-45 before evaluating what I think is "missing" - then go shopping again...

Wow - thanks Hefty1, you know your lenses.

Thanks, James

Whilst I am thinking about it - how weather proof is "weather proof", bith on the K20d body and also the DA* lenses with weather sealing? Can they handle a downpour, or just light rain?

Thanks, James

One of our members has tested them in the shower, so a downpour should be fine!

They should take a downpour in their stride (I've certainly used the K10D in one and that was *without* a weather-sealed lens attached - I just used a plastic bag and some elastic bands around the bayonet mount to stop anything dripping in there). The only thing they won't put up with is total submersion - they're designed to withstand water but not pressure...

Oh, well thanks a lot! Just read that piece and now I'm wanting one of those!

Dan

Yeah me too!

Yep, I've run the K10D with DA* 50-135mm under the shower, as well as being caught in a freakishly quick approaching thuderstorm that was much harder than my shower at home. Was out in that for probably more than fifteen minutes with only the slightest evidence of moisture on the seal of the the PC socket door. (nothing further inside). That was with the DA* 16-50mm.
Also been in milder rains several other times.


I think you can trust the ads for being weatherproof to truly mean weather proof. (hurricanes might be another story, but then the camera would likely be the least of your worries if caught in one)

Of course, with the istD and a normal lens some years ago, I was on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls with the camera simply rubberbanded through a hole in my free poncho. (Now THAT IS WET!) The camera stayed dry, so weather proof is convenient but not necessary. Plastic bags work great!

A little sideways of the thread, but i was reading through all of this & was interested re: 50mm lenses. Seemed to jog my memory a bit. I recently bought an old 35mm SLR (Phenix!) from my local charity shop for the princely sum of £10. Just wanted it as it's fully manual & a great (cheap) learning tool. Anyway, i double checked the lens that's on it (and that came with the body included in price) and it's a 50mm f1.7 ... excellent! I know it won't fit my Pentax, but nice to have in the armoury so to speak.