Pentax zx 50

KathyP29440 · 03-28-2015, 08:47 AM

I need some advice please. I have a pentax zx 50 and need to know what types of lenses I can use. This is a beginner camera for me and I want to start slow. Thanks in advance kathy

antipattern · 03-28-2015, 11:53 AM

What kind of photography do you want to do? Do you mind manual focus? What's your budget?

I have the MZ50, which is the European version. Back when I started I had a Sigma 28-105mm zoom, which was nice. Later, I got a Miranda 50mm f2.0 lens, which I took some really nice photos with. It was manual focus, but the MZ/ZX will confirm the focus for you. So you are essentially just a motor for the lens... :-)

fuent104 · 03-28-2015, 12:26 PM

It's all about what kinds of images you want to make. The fine folks here can help you figure everything else out.

KathyP29440 · 03-30-2015, 07:50 AM

Hi, antipattern,
I think mainly film, I think its more challenging and I am going to be setting up a dark room in the future. My budget for a lens is approx $50-$100 . Like I said Im still pretty new and I want to see what Im interested in. I like nature shots and kids.

Kathy

antipattern · 03-30-2015, 03:14 PM

Hi Kathy,

it depends on how much skill you want to develop.

For the start, I would recommend getting a 50mm prime lens. There are loads and loads of them out there and they can be had for real cheap. As said, I had the Miranda 50mm f2.0 which I picked up for £10 in an antique shop. You might be able to get hold of a Pentax A50/1.7 or a Pentax A50/2.0 for a good price, too. They will give you a few more options with regard to automatisation. However, note that none of these lenses offer zoom and they require manual focus. However, they will help you learn photography much better because of this and they offer beautiful pictures in lower light and beautiful creamy backgrounds. The latter can make finding the right focus point quite difficult as well.

Later on, I would recommend buying a 28mm or a 35mm lens and maybe an something in the range of 70-135mm. The former will be nice for wide angle landscapes and the latter will be good for portraits.

However, if you want to play safe you may want to consider buying a zoom lens. Something like the Pentax FA 35-70 or the the FA 28-70. I can also recommend the Sigma 28-105 UC-II.

You may also want to check out the review sections and look at sample images. Since flea markets and car boot sales are never predictable, this is probably the best resource available.

Good luck!

03-28-2015, 08:47 AM	#1
KathyP29440 New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 4	Pentax zx 50 I need some advice please. I have a pentax zx 50 and need to know what types of lenses I can use. This is a beginner camera for me and I want to start slow. Thanks in advance kathy

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03-28-2015, 11:53 AM	#2
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	What kind of photography do you want to do? Do you mind manual focus? What's your budget? I have the MZ50, which is the European version. Back when I started I had a Sigma 28-105mm zoom, which was nice. Later, I got a Miranda 50mm f2.0 lens, which I took some really nice photos with. It was manual focus, but the MZ/ZX will confirm the focus for you. So you are essentially just a motor for the lens... :-)

03-28-2015, 12:26 PM	#3
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	It's all about what kinds of images you want to make. The fine folks here can help you figure everything else out.

03-30-2015, 07:50 AM	#4
KathyP29440 New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Hi, antipattern, I think mainly film, I think its more challenging and I am going to be setting up a dark room in the future. My budget for a lens is approx $50-$100 . Like I said Im still pretty new and I want to see what Im interested in. I like nature shots and kids. Kathy

03-30-2015, 03:14 PM	#5
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	Hi Kathy, it depends on how much skill you want to develop. For the start, I would recommend getting a 50mm prime lens. There are loads and loads of them out there and they can be had for real cheap. As said, I had the Miranda 50mm f2.0 which I picked up for £10 in an antique shop. You might be able to get hold of a Pentax A50/1.7 or a Pentax A50/2.0 for a good price, too. They will give you a few more options with regard to automatisation. However, note that none of these lenses offer zoom and they require manual focus. However, they will help you learn photography much better because of this and they offer beautiful pictures in lower light and beautiful creamy backgrounds. The latter can make finding the right focus point quite difficult as well. Later on, I would recommend buying a 28mm or a 35mm lens and maybe an something in the range of 70-135mm. The former will be nice for wide angle landscapes and the latter will be good for portraits. However, if you want to play safe you may want to consider buying a zoom lens. Something like the Pentax FA 35-70 or the the FA 28-70. I can also recommend the Sigma 28-105 UC-II. You may also want to check out the review sections and look at sample images. Since flea markets and car boot sales are never predictable, this is probably the best resource available. Good luck!