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Lightbox23 · 03-26-2015, 02:54 PM

Hi all, my name is Ed and I'm still novice user but starting to experiment with cheap lens deals I find, looking to learn more.

DeadJohn · 03-26-2015, 03:10 PM

Welcome. What lenses do you already have? What photographic subjects interest you the most (landscape, portraits, macro, etc.)?

Lightbox23 · 03-26-2015, 11:52 PM

Hi DeadJohn,
Thanks for the welcome, good to virtually meet you.

I started out with a kit 18-55mm WR and having thoroughly enjoyed it, can't sense much improvement in my photos.
Tried a couple of £5 bucket lenses, (Clubman 80-200mm f:4.5 - f:5.5, & a Prinzflex 80-205mm 1:4.5) to which washed out colour retro fun gave me a little fun and interest.
Just recently picked up a Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR (IF) Macro which is a good enough all day lens for shooting marine life on cycle rides, and a (relatively) exciting Pentax 80-200mm f4.7-5.6 that have finally started to yield some impressive shots on long range and very crisp images.
Love to take nature, landscapes, family, events, action, architecture.
Still not sure of many glossary terms!
Would love to discuss good lenses as ready to invest in serious kit.
Should the K5 still be enough?

**TER-OR** · 03-27-2015, 05:40 AM

Welcome!
The K5 is very capable, you have plenty of room to learn. If you find a A or M series 50mm lens for cheap, pick it up. You'll have some fun with these old kit lenses, they're quite good. This is a hobby where you can take your time and figure out what you wan to do, then learn how to do it.

DeadJohn · 03-27-2015, 05:47 AM

The K-5 is enough. Much more than enough. For every 100 things wrong with my photos, 99 are my fault and only 1 is the K-5's fault

If you're looking for used lenses, check the PF marketplace. Perhaps a used Pentax DAL 55-300. It has more reach and better image quality than the 200mm lenses you've found. You should be able to find one under $200 USD.

The most important thing is to practice. The 18-55 can give good photos especially when there's enough light to set the aperture (aka "stop down") to f/8.

Keep reading PentaxForums. You will see questions answered before you even knew to ask them.

**Kerrowdown** · 03-27-2015, 11:36 AM

Welcome to the forum, we can all certainly help you spend your money on lenses.

03-26-2015, 02:54 PM	#1
Lightbox23 New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 4	Pentax K5 amateur user Hi all, my name is Ed and I'm still novice user but starting to experiment with cheap lens deals I find, looking to learn more.

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03-26-2015, 03:10 PM	#2
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Welcome. What lenses do you already have? What photographic subjects interest you the most (landscape, portraits, macro, etc.)?

03-26-2015, 11:52 PM	#3
Lightbox23 New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Hi DeadJohn, Thanks for the welcome, good to virtually meet you. I started out with a kit 18-55mm WR and having thoroughly enjoyed it, can't sense much improvement in my photos. Tried a couple of £5 bucket lenses, (Clubman 80-200mm f:4.5 - f:5.5, & a Prinzflex 80-205mm 1:4.5) to which washed out colour retro fun gave me a little fun and interest. Just recently picked up a Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR (IF) Macro which is a good enough all day lens for shooting marine life on cycle rides, and a (relatively) exciting Pentax 80-200mm f4.7-5.6 that have finally started to yield some impressive shots on long range and very crisp images. Love to take nature, landscapes, family, events, action, architecture. Still not sure of many glossary terms! Would love to discuss good lenses as ready to invest in serious kit. Should the K5 still be enough?

03-27-2015, 05:40 AM	#4
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Welcome! The K5 is very capable, you have plenty of room to learn. If you find a A or M series 50mm lens for cheap, pick it up. You'll have some fun with these old kit lenses, they're quite good. This is a hobby where you can take your time and figure out what you wan to do, then learn how to do it.

03-27-2015, 05:47 AM	#5
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	The K-5 is enough. Much more than enough. For every 100 things wrong with my photos, 99 are my fault and only 1 is the K-5's fault If you're looking for used lenses, check the PF marketplace. Perhaps a used Pentax DAL 55-300. It has more reach and better image quality than the 200mm lenses you've found. You should be able to find one under $200 USD. The most important thing is to practice. The 18-55 can give good photos especially when there's enough light to set the aperture (aka "stop down") to f/8. Keep reading PentaxForums. You will see questions answered before you even knew to ask them.

03-27-2015, 11:36 AM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,866	Welcome to the forum, we can all certainly help you spend your money on lenses.

Pentax K5 amateur user

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