Zoom lens comaptibility with Pentax *istDS
Posted 07/06/2014 - 15:00 - Helpful Comment
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There are a few Pentax lenses that don't have the screw-focus connector and are SDM only. Just offhand I think the 17-70mm and 18-135mm are perhaps the only ones so far. They can be used, but will be manual focus only.
Auto exposure is not a problem with any of the modern lenses and indeed with any lens with an A on the aperture ring.
Two lenses might do the job, the 18-55mm and 50-200mm. Alternatively, substitute the 55-300mm for the longer lens.
The 16-50mm and 50-135mm combination might also be useful, but the reach is less and they would be considerably more expensive.
Auto exposure is not a problem with any of the modern lenses and indeed with any lens with an A on the aperture ring.
Two lenses might do the job, the 18-55mm and 50-200mm. Alternatively, substitute the 55-300mm for the longer lens.
The 16-50mm and 50-135mm combination might also be useful, but the reach is less and they would be considerably more expensive.
Best regards, John
Posted 07/06/2014 - 15:30 - Helpful Comment
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I bought my son the same camera (used) and it works great with the 18-55 kit lens that came with my K-r. Given your request for a replacement I would agree with John and suggest the Pentax DA50-200. Highly underrated and being virtually given away if you drop on one at the right time.
Good luck
Good luck
Steve
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Posted 07/06/2014 - 15:38 - Helpful Comment
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For a low-cost option, look at Sigma.
70-210 / f4-5.6 in Pentax KA mount. Yes, it has the A setting.
Screw-drive auto-focus, plus a good sized ring for manual focus.
We are talking about £30 here.
I used one on my MZ50, K100, K200, and then it had an attack of fungus. It went to someone here who just wanted the AF mount.
So I got another one to use with my K20.
The only downside that I am aware of is that the rubber on the zoom and focus rings could be a touch more durable.
Geoff
70-210 / f4-5.6 in Pentax KA mount. Yes, it has the A setting.
Screw-drive auto-focus, plus a good sized ring for manual focus.
We are talking about £30 here.
I used one on my MZ50, K100, K200, and then it had an attack of fungus. It went to someone here who just wanted the AF mount.
So I got another one to use with my K20.
The only downside that I am aware of is that the rubber on the zoom and focus rings could be a touch more durable.
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Posted 07/06/2014 - 16:46
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Thanks very much indeed folks. These comments have really helped me - pointed me in right direction for further internet searches and helped me to understand the different lenses available.
I already have the 18-55 lens (bought it with the camera in 2004) so I think the 50-200 fits the bill very nicely.
I have looked at the Sigma but have found it easier to track a reasonably priced Pentax 18-55 - over to my wife now (special birthday present I hope)!
I already have the 18-55 lens (bought it with the camera in 2004) so I think the 50-200 fits the bill very nicely.
I have looked at the Sigma but have found it easier to track a reasonably priced Pentax 18-55 - over to my wife now (special birthday present I hope)!
Posted 07/06/2014 - 18:45
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Look at the classifieds here, and/or use the classifieds to create a 'WTB'. You could be lucky.
Posted 07/06/2014 - 19:31
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Pentax F lenses are inexplicably unloved with low prices despite their excellent optics. They'll give you full compatibility and excellent results with your *ist DS
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
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5 posts
12 years
Tynemouth
I have a Pentax *istDS (purchased 2004) and an old (about 1985) Vivitar 70-210 zoom lens. I cannot use automatic exposure or autofocus with this combination and would like to buy a similar (in terms of zoom range) zoom lens that does allow me to use them.
Originally I thought that the smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 lens would meet my needs. The camera manual (admittedly dating from 2004) suggests that DA lenses with an A position on the aperture ring can be used with autofocus and auto exposure functionality. However, information about this lens on the internet (PentaxForums) suggests that it doesn't have an aperture ring, that it uses the KAF3 mount and only works on SDM-enabled bodies (listing some examples, but not mentioning the *istDS). It also says "no autofocus with the *istD series - although I'm not certain, I assume that the *istDS is part of the *istD series (since I can find no mention of a separate *istDS series).
So I suspect that this lens / camera combination will not allow autofocus and presumably auto exposure.
Can anyone advise me of any Pentax or other zoom lenses that will be fully compatible with the *istDS.