Yesterday I was at the camera store. Having the need to buy a camera to replace my destroyed K5 and DA15 lens, I was armed with comparison tests and various reviews in my head. The camera was easy, I just pointed at the K3 II and said I'll take one of those. The lens was not so easy. It went something like this:
- First I tried on the DA15 which I've owned before except it was an older one. It felt familiar despite slightly different colours on the lens.
- I then asked to try out the Sigma 10-20 (the newer one with the motor). It was huge and heavy. I didn't like the size or weight of it so I passed on that.
- I then asked for the 12-24 but it was in the back. So I asked, just for fun, if I could try the 20-40 Limited lens while she searched for the 12-24. That was a mistake. The 20-40 was so nice; balanced; and it felt like a gem in my hands. The zoom ring was perfect. The viewfinder image was brighter than with the Sigma on it. I've never noticed that before. I didn't want to take this lens off but, it's expensive and I have a Sigma 18-50 and Pentax 18-130 so why would I buy a 20-40? Reluctantly I put it back while she arrived with the 12-24.
- I tried out the 12-24 and it was nice. However I couldn't shake the feeling that if I buy it Pentax should soon bring out a refreshed HD DC version of the 12-24 and I would not be pleased. I am getting tired of the sound of the screwdriver motor.
- I tried out the DA 16 and then asked for the 20-40 just so I could feel it again. It was still wonderful. Totally inappropriate for me as most images I take are between 15 and 21. I reluctantly put it back again.
- For kicks she brought out a huge beast of a lens which is likely the new Pentax 70-200. It was one of those with the handle for holding the lens rather than the camera and it cost as much as a reasonable used car. That was fun but nope.
- For kicks again I tried out the new 55-300 with the pulse motor. It was the lowest priced Pentax lens that I looked at yesterday by at least $200. The image in the viewfinder looked great. I know that that reviews have nothing but great things to say about the lens optics and value and recently I've been thinking it would be nice to have something longer than my 18-130. However the zoom felt terrible. it moved in jumps like the way a wrench feels like when tightening a bold such as a car wheel nut. I couldn't get over that feeling. Sure the price is low but this is something nobody should be selling. I didn't like the fact that the zoom had to be unlocked with a little button but I could get used to that. I couldn't get used to the lurching zoom ring. Maybe this is just a bad copy and I hope so because this will not attract customers to Pentax. It was "just for kicks" anyway so I put it back.
- Back to the DA15. It was at a good price for a Limited lens and I always enjoyed my old one so I decided to go with that. If the price comes down on the 20-40 I might pick one up. If Pentax updates the 12-24 I might pick one up unless they double the price.
So there you have it. A 45 minute lens ecstasy in the camera store and I walk out with a camera that looks and feels like my old K-5 (that's a good thing) and a lens that is very similar to my old DA 15 SMC. Maybe I'll go back in a few weeks just so I can hold the 20-40 again, (just for a few minutes....).
I didn't say that there was anything of practical value in this post. Just one man's experience in a camera store with money in his pocket.