Possible New Pentax User

The Pentax K20D grip will fit with a very small modification I believe.
There was a thread about it a little while ago.

It's your money, but personally I would buy fewer lenses, but better. Do you really need three lenses that cover 20/21mm?

I'd go for the 12-24, 16-50 and 55-300.

If you're not too hung up on ultra wide-angles you could leave the 12-24 until after Christmas. 2010, that is.

G

If you can find the Samsung 12-24 anywhere I would be tempted to buy it now. It seems that they might be going out of production.

I recently moved from the k100 to the k20

what a difference, entirely different camera and took me about two months to get used to the differences. Only regret is that I didnt upgrade sooner.

If your budget can stretch - get a 10 - 20 mm zoom, outstanding the difference from stock 18-55mm kit zoom

Hi Chris - looks like you're getting a pretty good set up there! From memory the 16-45 plus GX20 was a steal, and I agree the 18-55WR for wet days is great value, and the 55-300 is the best of the reasonably priced lenses covering that kind of focal range.

I would try hard to find a Samsung grip rather than Pentax one if you can - because you know it's going to fit and you won't have any warrantee problems from using something that wasn't supposed to be used, should anything go wrong down the line. Park Cameras may be able to help as they used to sell the Samsung SLRs - they might have some still in stock.

For ultrawide, I have the Sigma 10-20 and like it very much, but the 12-24 covers a more useful range for some people - straying into normal wide angle territory and therefore likely to stay on the camera more of the time. If you can get one, I'd probably get the 12-24 and not bother with the 21mm DA Ltd.

If you've any money left over and want to go down the prime route, I'd prioritise the DA Ltd 35 macro (don't have it, but everyone loves it) and the DA Ltd 70. The latter also gives you a nice short telephoto that is usefully faster than the 55-300 zoom. I don't see that the 21mm adds much value to the other lenses that you are considering, apart from size.

Enjoy whatever you get!

Jon

Yeah the Samsung with the 16-45 is only £550 which seems good to me, am I right?
I'm still swithering, have tried to get hold of another Sony A700 but it looks like it will cost around £600 body only for a new one, wheras I could pay the £550 and get what I feel it possible a better DSLR and also get a good lens for £50 less than the A700 only.
I have seen some Samsung Grips available on Ebay from South Korea so I may go for that option.

Is the Samsung 12-24 the same as the Pentax 12-24?

Just noticed that the GX20 is £725 on Play with the 18-55mm lens and £809.99 with the 18-55 and 50-200, makes my £550 look even more of a steal!

It only makes it a steal if you actually buy it

£725 is well overpriced anyway, especially when you consider the K-7 price now.

Chris,

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

For that price, you are getting an unbelievable deal. Just do it!

Yes the Samsung and Pentax 12-24s are the same, and are highly regarded.

I do remember a comparison test with the Sony when both cameras came out (in Amateur Photographer I think). The K20D won - it's image quality was simply better.

Are you going to buy it now?

Well I've not been able to get into Jacobs in Oxford St to get it, however the manager of the Edinburgh Jacobs has indicated that he may be able to get it shipped to their store for me, which would be good!

Are you sure that the Samsung version have the same coatings?
I thought that wasn't 100% certain last time, would like to have conformation on that.

Well my camera should be in the Edinburgh store by Monday, can go and pick it up
next week!

Just to ask I know that here we have a classifieds section for used kit and lenses, but how easy is it in general to get hold of second hand Pentax gear? Is there a wide supply?

SRS have a reasonable stock Chris.