Zoom tele lenses and fisheye

Hi!

I have a Pentax *ist analog system camera with a 28-80 mm lens. But I want to have a new lens to make the range larger. I've been lokking on then Pentax 75-300 mm. Does anyone have any experiences of that one? Or do you have any other suggestions? I do also want a fisheye lens, but I do not know if I can afford a new one.

Where can I find godd internet shops with cameras and lenses? Both new and used?

I also want to buy the *istD too, but that one seems to be too expensive for me, or is it woth its cost?

Thank you everyone!

Regards/Magnus, Sweden

I can't comment on the 75-300mm lens, but I expect Pentax lenses to be of a good standard. As regards a fisheye, you can get the result very cheaply by buying a fisheye converter, which is an auxiliary lens that fits into the filter thread of your main lens. With a 28mm it gives a fisheye effect. With a zoom set at 28mm it may not be so satisfactory as with a prime 28mm, but a second hand one might not be too expensive and could be worth a try. At least you could experiment with the effect before buying something better.
For second hand lenses eBay can be a good choice, but you need to buy carefully. I have had some superb lenses from eBay and sometimes some less than good ones, but at least the price has been modest.
The *istD is one of the best digital SLRs and an obvious choice if you already have Pentax lenses. The price seems to be moving slowly downwards. I am taking a wait and see stance, but I will buy when the price excites me!

I think that was a great tip, but how does a converter works? I have not find anyone on internet.

Anyone who have other tips for internet shopping for cameras and lenses, I prefer European sites like UK, Germany, etc...E-bay I think is too risky.

When a lens is cheaper than another, I've seen it can be a great wide between the prices on lenses, what is it you are paying for? What is the greatest differences between a Pentax lens which cost approx $200 and a lens with the approx same range but it costs like $700?

Regards, Magnus

Front of lens converters gather light from a wider angle and project it through the camera lens. Telephoto converters are also available.

IMHO there is nothing dangerous about eBay providing you take sensible precautions and know what you are bidding for. Check sellers feedback carefully. No seller wants negative feedback, so most transactions will be fine. Don't forget that eBay is now a European company as far as we here are concerned.

Most manufacturers offer lenses for amateur use at low cost and other ranges for professional use at usually much higher cost. These more expensive lenses may have more glass, different glass types, wider apertures, more substantial manufacturing and so on. You do get what you pay for, but some cheaper lenses can be remarkably good as they are made in huge qualtities and this brings down the unit cost. They may not take the knocks so well, but the results could be indistinguishable from much more expensive optics.

Hi Magnus

You can't beat eBay for secondhand lens prices at the moment. Most sellers are like ourself's, just ordinary folk trying to sell on unused or unwanted items. The power sellers are pretty good as well, to date I have only had one problem buy from a seller in the states. I have put a Pentax kit together that I would never have dreamed of owning (apart from splashing out on a *istD from Park Cameras) paying shop prices. Examples of what you can get from eBay, I recently got a near mint Pentax A 50mm f2.8 macro for €111, this would probably cost me around £150-200 in any shop, also a SFXn kit with FA 50/1.7, FA 135/2.8 & Sigma MF 24/2.8 for £103, I will beselling the SFXn body on a a later date, I only wanted the lenses.
If you decide to go the eBay route, be selective and have a good read og the sellers feedback before making any bids, I really don't think you will have much problem and the pocket will be that much deeper.

Hi Magnus!

I can offer you a 80-320 zoom made by Pentax. It is good, working well and looks like new. You can say that is excellent, first-class, prime, superior... It come with the multi-coated sky filter and a rubber lens shade. It is in the box and was use very little.
I dont know for the price? Any suggestion :

Regards - Saso

Hi Saso!

I am very interested in that lens. But I can not say that I know exactly what price it is worth. I can buy it in Sweden for approx £195 incl. shipping.

What would the shipping cost be if I buy it from you? How do we make the payment?

And I have to ask you, of course, why you are selling your lens?

Mail me if you are still interested in selling...!

Regards, Magnus