All Forum Comments
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Looking to purchase *ist D and need lens advice at 17/06/2007 - 18:50
Quote:
Hey guys. Been reading the forum here for the last 2 or 3 days deciding between the 100D and *ist D. Looks like the *ist D will be the choice.
However, I need a little help on lens choice. I am new to photography, not just digital.
I'm located in the USA and have found on ebay a few kits. They each come with some nice goodies like a case and lens and cleaner and so on.
The lens choices seem to be SMC FAJ 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Zoom Lens and a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Autofocus Digital Zoom Lens. or for slightly more, the 28-80 plus a Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens.
I'm planning to take pictures of women. The main idea being somewhat ero-art, full body shots. Not so much portraits though at least some of that.
Also, wouldn't mind sneaking in some urban shots and some nature stuff when models aren't available.
So, with that in mind, would anyone be willing to make a suggestion and perhaps a surface level explaination (or in depth, if so inclined) as to what the differences are in these lenses?
Thanks for the wonderful site and informative posts.
Thanks you.
It sounds as though most of your work will require artificial light - in other words, flash.Hey guys. Been reading the forum here for the last 2 or 3 days deciding between the 100D and *ist D. Looks like the *ist D will be the choice.
However, I need a little help on lens choice. I am new to photography, not just digital.
I'm located in the USA and have found on ebay a few kits. They each come with some nice goodies like a case and lens and cleaner and so on.
The lens choices seem to be SMC FAJ 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Zoom Lens and a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Autofocus Digital Zoom Lens. or for slightly more, the 28-80 plus a Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens.
I'm planning to take pictures of women. The main idea being somewhat ero-art, full body shots. Not so much portraits though at least some of that.
Also, wouldn't mind sneaking in some urban shots and some nature stuff when models aren't available.
So, with that in mind, would anyone be willing to make a suggestion and perhaps a surface level explaination (or in depth, if so inclined) as to what the differences are in these lenses?
Thanks for the wonderful site and informative posts.
Thanks you.
For that you need a lens with a fixed aperture because where you have a controlled setting the only sensible approach is to use studio flash. In turn, that means setting the lens to a fixed aperture on manual.
My advice is to buy a 16-45 on Ebay, and a couple of flash heads, stands, and brollies or softboxes. It's what you'll end up doing eventually, so you might as well get it right from the beginning.
Also, consider a prime lens like a 50mm. They are fast, so allow lovely soft-focus backgrounds. 50mm is also a very good portrait length on digital.
I'm afraid this is going to cost you more than you thought, but don't be afraid to buy second-hand or from Hong-Kong.
Forget these kits that American retailers love to sell. Most of them contain stuff you don't want. It's just a way for them to shift some slow-moving stuff, and it's slow-moving because nobody wants it.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Looking to purchase *ist D and need lens advice at 17/06/2007 - 17:48
Quote:
Fine I will clear off and leave you to your ivory tower philosophies.
Translation: Now that I've got what I wanted, I'm off to start another fight somewhere else.George Lazarette wrote:
G
Well that is not irony, that is downright offensive! Cut yourself often with that tongue George.Quote:
John, if you want to disagree with me fine, but don't try and score points off me by ripping my words to shreds as that makes it a much more personal attack.
Oh dear. Another disciple of Tony Blair and Joseph Goebbels.John, if you want to disagree with me fine, but don't try and score points off me by ripping my words to shreds as that makes it a much more personal attack.
G
Fine I will clear off and leave you to your ivory tower philosophies.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 19/06/2007 - 11:25
Quote:
John, if you want to disagree with me fine, but don't try and score points off me by ripping my words to shreds as that makes it a much more personal attack.
Oh dear. Another disciple of Tony Blair and Joseph Goebbels.John, if you want to disagree with me fine, but don't try and score points off me by ripping my words to shreds as that makes it a much more personal attack.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 18/06/2007 - 23:55
Quote:
I've got the 10-20mm and am very happy with it - I don't use it a huge amount, but it's there when I need it. I couldn't justify the expense of the 12-24 Pentax for the amount I'd use it.
There's a discussion about it here: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4388, along with links to other discussions and pics.
I also have the 105mm EX macro and am highly delighted with that.
One thing about the EX range is that they are very well made, beautifully sturdy, with none of the 'wobble' that the DA zooms tend to have. I don't think sticky-tape is used anywhere. I can't vouch for the non-EX Sigmas though.
Dan
Wobble seems to be a feature of one particular FA zoom, the 24-90. However, this is a superb performer, so it doesn't appear to make any difference.I've got the 10-20mm and am very happy with it - I don't use it a huge amount, but it's there when I need it. I couldn't justify the expense of the 12-24 Pentax for the amount I'd use it.
There's a discussion about it here: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4388, along with links to other discussions and pics.
I also have the 105mm EX macro and am highly delighted with that.
One thing about the EX range is that they are very well made, beautifully sturdy, with none of the 'wobble' that the DA zooms tend to have. I don't think sticky-tape is used anywhere. I can't vouch for the non-EX Sigmas though.
Dan
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 18/06/2007 - 18:27
Quote:
George, I have no desire to get into an argument over this as although I do not post much on here, I have read enough to have respect for you and your knowledge, but I do not think one person can ever give an objective opinion as it is always based on the prejudices of personal experience.
My comment is based on seeing that a question about the 10-20 on epz gets around a 90% 'good lens' response where as on here 90% will tend to say buy the 12-24 because...
I am sure the 12-24 is a good lens, but taking a snapshot of a broader user base, the consensus would appear to be that the Sigma is better value than most if not all other offerings in that focal range, irrespective of the manufacturers it is compared to.
If we are just going to go on personal experience then I have 3 sigma ex lenses and 2 non ex and all have been fine and I therefore have no issue with recommending them.
I would be interested to know when your bad experience with a Sigma lens occurred and if it was an EX or more consumer orientated item.
My Sigma was not very expensive, and it was bought quite a long time ago - 1994.George, I have no desire to get into an argument over this as although I do not post much on here, I have read enough to have respect for you and your knowledge, but I do not think one person can ever give an objective opinion as it is always based on the prejudices of personal experience.
My comment is based on seeing that a question about the 10-20 on epz gets around a 90% 'good lens' response where as on here 90% will tend to say buy the 12-24 because...
I am sure the 12-24 is a good lens, but taking a snapshot of a broader user base, the consensus would appear to be that the Sigma is better value than most if not all other offerings in that focal range, irrespective of the manufacturers it is compared to.
If we are just going to go on personal experience then I have 3 sigma ex lenses and 2 non ex and all have been fine and I therefore have no issue with recommending them.
I would be interested to know when your bad experience with a Sigma lens occurred and if it was an EX or more consumer orientated item.
But my view, as somebody who reads every post to this forum, is that a lot of people here use Sigma lenses very happily, and that such people probably outnumber the opposite camp by a considerable margin.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 18/06/2007 - 17:31
Quote:
I am not going to do myself any favours on this forum by saying it, but if you want an objective opinion on sigma lenses this is not the place to ask. Someone will be along in a moment to tell you their quality control is poor closely followed by someone else telling you only pentax will do.
You are wrong to use the word "objective". There is nothing more objective than direct personal experience, and I have owned a Sigma lens (puchased new) which contained a front element connected to the rest of the lens body by sticky tape. It eventually came unstuck.I am not going to do myself any favours on this forum by saying it, but if you want an objective opinion on sigma lenses this is not the place to ask. Someone will be along in a moment to tell you their quality control is poor closely followed by someone else telling you only pentax will do.
Other objections to Sigma have been mentioned here frequently, but it cannot be denied that they get it right sufficiently often to have become the dominant independent lens manufacturer.
Furthermore, the anti-Sigma camp is balanced by a large number of people here who do use Sigmas without reported problems.
So, to be objective, you will find a broad range of views on Sigma here, based on both favourable and unfavourable experiences.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 18/06/2007 - 00:09
Quote:
Hi
Have considered the pentax lenses however cost is an issue. I believe I can get both sigma lenses for around £600 whereas the pentax zoom alone is over £500.
I tend to use ebay for lower cost options simply because there are too many scam artists operating on there.
Regards
Sean
There are certainly SOME scam artists on Ebay, but not very many when it comes to photographic equipment, at least in my experience.Hi
Have considered the pentax lenses however cost is an issue. I believe I can get both sigma lenses for around £600 whereas the pentax zoom alone is over £500.
I tend to use ebay for lower cost options simply because there are too many scam artists operating on there.
Regards
Sean
I have bought a car and a lift on Ebay, as well as some expensive camera gear, and never had a problem. The secret is to evaluate the seller before sending a large cheque into the blue, and if there is any doubt, collect and pay cash.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 17/06/2007 - 23:54
Quote:
Don't forget that Pentax make a range of very high quality optics that work seamlessly with the K10D.
SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm f4 and
SMC Pentax-DA 100mm f2.8 Macro
might suit you very well.
And don't forget Ebay. The vast majority of second-hand lenses sold on Ebay are in very good condition indeed. Amateur photographers tend to look after their gear.Don't forget that Pentax make a range of very high quality optics that work seamlessly with the K10D.
SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm f4 and
SMC Pentax-DA 100mm f2.8 Macro
might suit you very well.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Help on lens at 17/06/2007 - 17:53
Quote:
Was this what you were referring to? What do they actually do? Are they useful?
They are useful for people who don't know what they are doing, and they are an indicator of the main target market for this camera.Requestor wrote:
So i am obviously missing something here, what is it ?
Edit: I notice from the specs that the 100D has a bunch of exposure modes listed as "(1) Auto Picture mode; (2) Portrait mode; (3) Landscape mode; (4) Macro mode (5) Action mode; (6) Night scene portrait mode;"So i am obviously missing something here, what is it ?
Was this what you were referring to? What do they actually do? Are they useful?
People who DO know what they are doing see the omission of idiot modes from the *ist D and K10D as a plus, not a minus.
But whomever the camera is aimed at, it is well-designed, well-made, and capable of superb results.
The K10D is better in all departments, and thus commands a higher price.
The OP is perhaps unaware that the shake reduction system in the K10D is more powerful, as is the AF system.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on K10D Vrs K100D at 17/06/2007 - 11:13
Hey guys. Been reading the forum here for the last 2 or 3 days deciding between the 100D and *ist D. Looks like the *ist D will be the choice.
However, I need a little help on lens choice. I am new to photography, not just digital.
I'm located in the USA and have found on ebay a few kits. They each come with some nice goodies like a case and lens and cleaner and so on.
The lens choices seem to be SMC FAJ 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Zoom Lens and a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Autofocus Digital Zoom Lens. or for slightly more, the 28-80 plus a Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens.
I'm planning to take pictures of women. The main idea being somewhat ero-art, full body shots. Not so much portraits though at least some of that.
Also, wouldn't mind sneaking in some urban shots and some nature stuff when models aren't available.
So, with that in mind, would anyone be willing to make a suggestion and perhaps a surface level explaination (or in depth, if so inclined) as to what the differences are in these lenses?
Thanks for the wonderful site and informative posts.
Thanks you.
Edit: After speaking with my gf I felt I should add why I chose the *ist D. I like the idea of the two wheel access to features without going deep into menus. I take that feature and lose the image stability feature of the k100D. As a beginner, is this a wise move? Also, from my readings the *ist D appears to be the more professionally spec'd camera, but maybe a tad slower at moving images from the camera buffer to the memory card.
Also, the benefit of the *ist D 'grip'. Not sure I remember why that is beneficial but seems important to most *ist D users. And, there is the wireless flash control of the *ist D. So, altho I use the beginner friendly image stabilization and a bit of processing speed, seems to me still that the *ist D is the better choice. The prices are relatively the same.
Thanks again.
I don't think it is true that most people prefer the grip on the *ist D (or K10D, for that matter). I use Pentax because I appreciate small cameras, not bricks, and adding a chunk onto the bottom of the camera seems a strange thing to do.
You certainly won't need IS if working in a studio.
G