Pentax as walk around camera

alexgn · 07-14-2008, 12:59 PM

Would the K20 and a couple of lenses from the Limited range make a good walk around camera?

The pancakes of high opitcal quality appeal to me. You can have one in your pocket and the other mounted on your camera. Yet to cover the range well, unless shooting very wide or very long.

I am considering 35mm f/2.8 or 40mm f/2.8 & 70mm f/2.4.

Could you please comment on my choice?

Could someone please paste here links to your favourite images captured on these lenses if it's not too much to ask?

Thanks!

*Michaelina2* · 07-14-2008, 01:15 PM

You will be very pleased... GREAT selection.

If I had it to do over again, I'd make the same picks and add the DA 55-300 when I needed more reach (It's fairly light and works as a walk-around, too).

Good choices... Go for it!

BTW: While it helps to have talent, for the most part, it's in the glass. Using good glass, you can produce spectacular photos with all of the camera bodies (K110D thru K20D). What the bodies offer is marginally more convenient controls and slightly better chance at getting that hard to capture subject. There are many examples where folks do really well using the most basic K110D and 'Limited' lenses.

alexgn · 07-14-2008, 01:29 PM

I was considering everyone's favourite the 31mm FA f/1.8 lens. I don't know if it's optically better on digial SLRs than the 40mm f/2.8 Ltd. It's wider which is good.

Any comments on this lens in combination with a DSLR?

volosong · 07-14-2008, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by alexgn

...
I am considering 35mm f/2.8 or 40mm f/2.8 & 70mm f/2.4.

Could you please comment on my choice?

Between the 35 and 40, go for the 40. If you consider the FA35/2.0 instead, then it is a more difficult choice. To those, add the 21/3.2 pancake. Together, the pancake Limiteds would make a nice, compact travel kit.

*jzamora* · 07-14-2008, 03:27 PM

I use the three pancake limiteds and love doing it. It covers everything i shoot. If i were to buy them again and had the money i would get the 35mm over the 40mm. Although the 40mm is smaller and lighter, the 35mm gives much more usability with the macro capabilities.
--JZ

I would provide some samples but i am on my Macbook which doesn't have my photo gallery.

*WMBP* · 07-14-2008, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by alexgn

Would the K20 and a couple of lenses from the Limited range make a good walk around camera?

Maybe, although it depends on what you expect from a "walking around" camera. The K20D body is not small, even without the grip. Some of us with big hands like that about the K10D/K20D bodies but prefs vary. I know some folks like the Nikon D40/D60 in part because the bodies are quite compact. And not bad cameras, either. Cameras from Sony and Olympus are also smaller (I think). Not in the K20D's class overall, but you didn't ask "What's in the K20D's class?" you asked what's a good walking about camera.

If I'm just going to take a walk with my wife and want to carry a camera around just in case, I don't grab the K10D or the K20D - I grab the *ist DS. I usually keep the Pentax 35 f/2 on the *ist DS and this combo is more compact and also seems less threatening to subjects than the larger cameras.

And then there's the whole lens question. A lot of people in this forum ask the question "what's a good walking around lens?" and the answer they are looking for is the Tamron or Pentax 18-250 zoom.

If you want small, the K20D isn't small - compared to some other dslrs you could buy and probably be very happy with. The pancake lenses are definitely small, though and that's a plus. On the other hand if you want maximum versatility - another way to think about this problem - you probably want a zoom, or perhaps you should even consider a high-end compact fixed-lens camera.

Will

MJB · 07-14-2008, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by alexgn

..........Could someone please paste here links to your favourite images captured on these lenses if it's not too much to ask?

Thanks!

Check out this link..

James Wei :: Photography

go to his equipment and select the lens you want to review. I love this gentleman's work. He helped inspire me to buy my Pentax just through looking at his website.

Enjoy the day.

*falconeye* · 07-15-2008, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by alexgn

Would the K20 and a couple of lenses from the Limited range make a good walk around camera?

As some people have mentioned, a *istDS with DA40 can't be beaten (well, not with an APS-C DSLR). It still fits into many pockets.
The *istDS (6 MP) is 125 x 92.5 x 66 mm (0.76 liters)

A better image quality comes with the K200D, as well as SR:
The K200D (10MP) is 133.5 x 95 x 74 mm (0.94 liters).

The K20D (15MP) is 141.5 x 101 x 70 mm (1.00 liters).

The DA40 is 15 x 63 mm (0.05 liters).

The ultimate "P&S" SLR, of course, is the *ist:
The *ist (100MP+ **) is 122 x 84 x 63.5 mm (0.65 liters, 425g incl. lens!).

--
(**) based on ADOX CMS 20 B&W Film

alexgn · 07-15-2008, 12:40 PM

Thanks for your replies.

I am also considering the K100D and the K100D Super. I found K100 Super for $500. Is this a good deal?

Also, how would you rate Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 on Pentax K1** cameras? Are there any issues with AF?

Thanks again.

*hwblanks* · 07-15-2008, 06:40 PM

Between the K100D and K100D Super, I'd get the Super model, if I were you, as it has both the dust sensor and SR and supports the higher-end SDM lenses (ie--*16-50/2.8). If the K100DS you've found for $500 is brand new, then it is a good price; if it comes with the kit lens, it's an even better deal.

I haven't used the Tamron 28-75, but if you go over to the lens forum and do a search for threads, you'll be able to find a lot of info and pics on it.

Another option you might consider would be the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 macro. For around the same price as the 28-75, you get a wider range, plus better closeup capabilities. Don't let the variable aperture turn you off, as this lens can produce some sharp pics.

Here are some of my better examples:

HTH,
Heather

whitedogone · 07-15-2008, 08:07 PM

You can get the k200d kit for around $560 AR from Amazon. Add the pancake of your choice. WDO

alexgn · 07-15-2008, 10:08 PM

How is the K200D better than the K100D Super? Higher resolution and more noise?

pentkon52 · 07-16-2008, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by alexgn

Would the K20 and a couple of lenses from the Limited range make a good walk around camera?

The pancakes of high opitcal quality appeal to me. You can have one in your pocket and the other mounted on your camera. Yet to cover the range well, unless shooting very wide or very long.

I am considering 35mm f/2.8 or 40mm f/2.8 & 70mm f/2.4.

Could you please comment on my choice?

Could someone please paste here links to your favourite images captured on these lenses if it's not too much to ask?

Thanks!

Yes it makes a good walk about camera.

Since buying Nikon Dslr equipment for my equine work, i wanted something not as large as a D1H etc. Big and very noticable.
The istD and now my K10D fit that bill very well.
For the first year, i had the A28 lens attached an was all i used, espesially if wondering around downtown Toronto for stree shots.

Dave

alexgn · 07-16-2008, 06:29 AM

I wished I did not ask my questions here. I was going to buy the K20D, now I am considering other options again.

alexgn · 07-16-2008, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by hwblanks

Between the K100D and K100D Super, I'd get the Super model, if I were you, as it has both the dust sensor and SR and supports the higher-end SDM lenses (ie--*16-50/2.8). If the K100DS you've found for $500 is brand new, then it is a good price; if it comes with the kit lens, it's an even better deal.

Heather, thanks for your comments.

I just found that Adorama sells the K200D for $600 and I can claim rebate of $10. Esentially, the same price for each camera but the K200D is the later model.