Migrating to DSLR - need lens suggestions

hardwired · 08-26-2007, 09:14 PM

So far I think I will get the following:
M 28/3.5
DA 50-200 (for lightweight)

Maybe I should have gotten the kit lens for an inexpensive lightweight and wider option but will toy with the Vivitar. I don't see the point in the Vivitar long term due to the limited range and transformation to only effective 30mm film. Probably will replace this with DA 16-45/4 or Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 at some point.

Not sure between the FA35 and DA40. The DA40 is less expensive and smaller to fit in a pocket, but looks odd and is a bit slower.

Abbazz · 08-26-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by hardwired

How do you think the Sigma 17-70 might compare to an FA 28-70?

Sorry but I have never tried the Sigma. It seems bigger and heavier than the small FA 28-70. It might be a good alternative if you really need the wider view and the 1 stop brighter aperture at 17mm. From 28mm to 70mm, the Pentax is probably just as fast, or even faster than the Sigma, which doesn't have a constant aperture throughout the zooming range and ends up with f/4.5 at 70mm.

I would keep the FA 28-70 as a carry around lens and add a small prime to cover the wide end (Zenitar 16/2.8, Pentax FA 20/2.8, Flektogon), as you already have a very good Pentax F 50/1.7 for portraits in available light.

After that, you will only have to add a 100mm macro and to find a good telephoto lens at an affordable price -- which is a real challenge!

Cheers!

regken · 08-27-2007, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by hardwired

So far I think I will get the following:
M 28/3.5
DA 50-200 (for lightweight)

Maybe I should have gotten the kit lens for an inexpensive lightweight and wider option but will toy with the Vivitar. I don't see the point in the Vivitar long term due to the limited range and transformation to only effective 30mm film. Probably will replace this with DA 16-45/4 or Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 at some point.

Not sure between the FA35 and DA40. The DA40 is less expensive and smaller to fit in a pocket, but looks odd and is a bit slower.

I like what you are doing. Have you looked at Stan's Pentax Photography
in regards to the K 35mm f3.5? Check out the database on this forum for the same lens, https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=34&cat=26

Regars,
Ken

barbosas · 08-27-2007, 04:17 AM

Check my signature for my lens..

As a recently new to DSLR, i bought the k100d with the kit lens, after that i bought the 50-200 to complement the kit lens, for primes i have the FA35 wich is excellent, and i sold recently my F50 because i didn't used it that much (it was a tad long for indoor use).

This is a good starting combo, the 18-55 + 50-200 are great for general use, and the FA35 is excellent for indoor and low light use and has a great FOV. They're all AF, i don't need to be very skilled to use them

Now that i have a few more skills in photography, i bought a few old M42's to play with, i use them in the k100d and an old M42 camera that i had from my father.

this my opinion wich came from my experience

sry for the bad english

hardwired · 08-27-2007, 06:29 PM

OK, I goofed

It didn't register that I could have gotten double rebate ($100 off) if I had purchased the DA 50-200mm with the K100d

Previously I was thinking the Sigma 70-300 would be my long zoom, but it is substantially heavier than the Pentax DA and starts at 70mm.

I just received the K100d in the mail. So I am now debating returning the k100d and ordering the DA 50-200 lens as a kit. Hopefully the etailer will show some mercy and get both on the same receipt without paying the shipping, as I already paid for an expedited ship.

I also can add the kit DA18-55lens for another $66...Yea or nay?

Of course it is killing me that the K100d is still in the box untouched

The saga continues.

trumpyman · 08-27-2007, 10:26 PM

Hi n welcome.Just thought id join in and vouch for the Sigma 17-70. Great IQ and sharp thru the entire range,a gr8 lens.Good luk which ever way u go.

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-28-2007, 02:22 AM

Originally posted by hardwired

Finally broke down and ordered a Pentax DSLR, the K100D!

I only purchased the body as I have some lenses from my Pentax film SLR days and was not sure on the kit lens.

Here is what I currently have:
Pentax F 50mm f1.7
Pentax FA 28-70mm f4 Zoom
Vivitar Series-1 19-35mm f3.5-4.5 Wide Zoom
Tokina 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 Zoom
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super

How would you rate these lens with the K100D?
These were used with a ZX-5n some years ago before I switched to a non-slr digicam for convenience.

I have been looking at picking up some wider primes due to the 1.5x crop and possibly a walkaround zoom with better range and optics than the kit DA 18-55mm lens.

Here is what I am considering and appreciate your thoughts:
Pentax DA 40mm
Pentax FA 35mm
Pentax A 28mm
Sigma 18-125mm Zoom

In looking at the line up, I would have to ask if all these are autofocus or not before commenting further.

If they are all autofocus, I would go for a ultra wide zoom first, It is something you don't have in your kit and I would assume that you origonally bought the vivitar 19-35 because your 28mm lower limit on other zoom's was not wide enough. with the crop factor of 1.5 of the ASP-C sensor in the digital cameras, your 19mm will have the field of view of a 28mm lens.

Try any of the following. Sigma 10-20, Tonkina or Pentax 12-24 mm.

The only other thing you might want to get at some time is a slightly faster long lens, but this would depend upon use and shooting interests

hardwired · 08-28-2007, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

In looking at the line up, I would have to ask if all these are autofocus or not before commenting further.

If they are all autofocus, I would go for a ultra wide zoom first, It is something you don't have in your kit and I would assume that you origonally bought the vivitar 19-35 because your 28mm lower limit on other zoom's was not wide enough. with the crop factor of 1.5 of the ASP-C sensor in the digital cameras, your 19mm will have the field of view of a 28mm lens.

Try any of the following. Sigma 10-20, Tonkina or Pentax 12-24 mm.

The only other thing you might want to get at some time is a slightly faster long lens, but this would depend upon use and shooting interests

They should all be autofocus types, except maybe the Vivitar which I'll have to double check.
I can get by with 17-18mm on the low end.

calicojack · 08-29-2007, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by hardwired

Brian,

Any idea how many of your shots were under 40mm?

No, not really. I'm fairly sure that about 50% if not more. In my style of vacation shooting, I take a lot of "this is what the eyes see" wide angle shots and conpliment them with tight details.
Brian

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-29-2007, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by hardwired

They should all be autofocus types, except maybe the Vivitar which I'll have to double check.
I can get by with 17-18mm on the low end.

Are you sure???

If you can get by with 18-19mm on the wide end, then why, with a film camera did you buy the vivitar lens in the first place?

I reiterate my earlier statement, that due to the crop factor of the APS-C sensor in the Pentax cameras, 19mm will give you an image that is equivelent to 28mm on film. I never found 28mm wide enough when I shot film.

08-27-2007, 03:32 AM	#18
regken Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangor, Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,377	Good choices!! Originally posted by hardwired So far I think I will get the following: M 28/3.5 DA 50-200 (for lightweight) Maybe I should have gotten the kit lens for an inexpensive lightweight and wider option but will toy with the Vivitar. I don't see the point in the Vivitar long term due to the limited range and transformation to only effective 30mm film. Probably will replace this with DA 16-45/4 or Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 at some point. Not sure between the FA35 and DA40. The DA40 is less expensive and smaller to fit in a pocket, but looks odd and is a bit slower. I like what you are doing. Have you looked at Stan's Pentax Photography in regards to the K 35mm f3.5? Check out the database on this forum for the same lens, https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=34&cat=26 Regars, Ken

08-27-2007, 06:29 PM	#20
hardwired New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Original Poster	OK, I goofed It didn't register that I could have gotten double rebate ($100 off) if I had purchased the DA 50-200mm with the K100d Previously I was thinking the Sigma 70-300 would be my long zoom, but it is substantially heavier than the Pentax DA and starts at 70mm. I just received the K100d in the mail. So I am now debating returning the k100d and ordering the DA 50-200 lens as a kit. Hopefully the etailer will show some mercy and get both on the same receipt without paying the shipping, as I already paid for an expedited ship. I also can add the kit DA18-55lens for another $66...Yea or nay? Of course it is killing me that the K100d is still in the box untouched The saga continues. Last edited by hardwired; 08-27-2007 at 06:37 PM.

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08-26-2007, 09:14 PM	#16
hardwired New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Original Poster	So far I think I will get the following: M 28/3.5 DA 50-200 (for lightweight) Maybe I should have gotten the kit lens for an inexpensive lightweight and wider option but will toy with the Vivitar. I don't see the point in the Vivitar long term due to the limited range and transformation to only effective 30mm film. Probably will replace this with DA 16-45/4 or Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 at some point. Not sure between the FA35 and DA40. The DA40 is less expensive and smaller to fit in a pocket, but looks odd and is a bit slower.

08-26-2007, 09:24 PM	#17
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by hardwired How do you think the Sigma 17-70 might compare to an FA 28-70? Sorry but I have never tried the Sigma. It seems bigger and heavier than the small FA 28-70. It might be a good alternative if you really need the wider view and the 1 stop brighter aperture at 17mm. From 28mm to 70mm, the Pentax is probably just as fast, or even faster than the Sigma, which doesn't have a constant aperture throughout the zooming range and ends up with f/4.5 at 70mm. I would keep the FA 28-70 as a carry around lens and add a small prime to cover the wide end (Zenitar 16/2.8, Pentax FA 20/2.8, Flektogon), as you already have a very good Pentax F 50/1.7 for portraits in available light. After that, you will only have to add a 100mm macro and to find a good telephoto lens at an affordable price -- which is a real challenge! Cheers!

08-27-2007, 04:17 AM	#19
barbosas Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Photos: Gallery Posts: 683	Check my signature for my lens.. As a recently new to DSLR, i bought the k100d with the kit lens, after that i bought the 50-200 to complement the kit lens, for primes i have the FA35 wich is excellent, and i sold recently my F50 because i didn't used it that much (it was a tad long for indoor use). This is a good starting combo, the 18-55 + 50-200 are great for general use, and the FA35 is excellent for indoor and low light use and has a great FOV. They're all AF, i don't need to be very skilled to use them Now that i have a few more skills in photography, i bought a few old M42's to play with, i use them in the k100d and an old M42 camera that i had from my father. this my opinion wich came from my experience sry for the bad english

08-27-2007, 10:26 PM	#21
trumpyman Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 248	Hi n welcome.Just thought id join in and vouch for the Sigma 17-70. Great IQ and sharp thru the entire range,a gr8 lens.Good luk which ever way u go.

08-28-2007, 02:22 AM	#22
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by hardwired Finally broke down and ordered a Pentax DSLR, the K100D! I only purchased the body as I have some lenses from my Pentax film SLR days and was not sure on the kit lens. Here is what I currently have: Pentax F 50mm f1.7 Pentax FA 28-70mm f4 Zoom Vivitar Series-1 19-35mm f3.5-4.5 Wide Zoom Tokina 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 Zoom Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super How would you rate these lens with the K100D? These were used with a ZX-5n some years ago before I switched to a non-slr digicam for convenience. I have been looking at picking up some wider primes due to the 1.5x crop and possibly a walkaround zoom with better range and optics than the kit DA 18-55mm lens. Here is what I am considering and appreciate your thoughts: Pentax DA 40mm Pentax FA 35mm Pentax A 28mm Sigma 18-125mm Zoom In looking at the line up, I would have to ask if all these are autofocus or not before commenting further. If they are all autofocus, I would go for a ultra wide zoom first, It is something you don't have in your kit and I would assume that you origonally bought the vivitar 19-35 because your 28mm lower limit on other zoom's was not wide enough. with the crop factor of 1.5 of the ASP-C sensor in the digital cameras, your 19mm will have the field of view of a 28mm lens. Try any of the following. Sigma 10-20, Tonkina or Pentax 12-24 mm. The only other thing you might want to get at some time is a slightly faster long lens, but this would depend upon use and shooting interests

08-28-2007, 09:02 AM	#23
hardwired New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge In looking at the line up, I would have to ask if all these are autofocus or not before commenting further. If they are all autofocus, I would go for a ultra wide zoom first, It is something you don't have in your kit and I would assume that you origonally bought the vivitar 19-35 because your 28mm lower limit on other zoom's was not wide enough. with the crop factor of 1.5 of the ASP-C sensor in the digital cameras, your 19mm will have the field of view of a 28mm lens. Try any of the following. Sigma 10-20, Tonkina or Pentax 12-24 mm. The only other thing you might want to get at some time is a slightly faster long lens, but this would depend upon use and shooting interests They should all be autofocus types, except maybe the Vivitar which I'll have to double check. I can get by with 17-18mm on the low end.

08-29-2007, 03:23 AM	#24
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by hardwired Brian, Any idea how many of your shots were under 40mm? No, not really. I'm fairly sure that about 50% if not more. In my style of vacation shooting, I take a lot of "this is what the eyes see" wide angle shots and conpliment them with tight details. Brian

08-29-2007, 05:04 PM	#25
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by hardwired They should all be autofocus types, except maybe the Vivitar which I'll have to double check. I can get by with 17-18mm on the low end. Are you sure??? If you can get by with 18-19mm on the wide end, then why, with a film camera did you buy the vivitar lens in the first place? I reiterate my earlier statement, that due to the crop factor of the APS-C sensor in the Pentax cameras, 19mm will give you an image that is equivelent to 28mm on film. I never found 28mm wide enough when I shot film.