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02-27-2011, 03:25 PM   #16
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I know you said a zoom but every photographer should have a "fast 50". So, the FA 50mm 1.4 would be my choice.

Or if you really want a zoom. I would get the Pentax 12=24 or Sigma 10=17. You already have a good range above that with te 2 lenses you have.

Just my .02.

02-27-2011, 04:08 PM   #17
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wow! you guys gave me lots to think about! now it's all really clear as mud! LOL!
02-27-2011, 04:17 PM   #18
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Apologies for those that are bored of seeing these pics, but they may help the OP'er get an idea of how large/small some of the suggested lenses are:

L to R: DA 15mm, DA 21mm, FA31 mm, DA 40mm, DA70mm. The FA 31mm is the same height as a kit 18-55 for reference (but significantly heavier)


L to R: DA*50-135, DA 55-300

Last edited by twitch; 02-27-2011 at 04:26 PM.
02-27-2011, 04:23 PM   #19
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The FA Limited trio are the reason to shoot Pentax. For that much money you can get the FA31 which is oft considered one of the very best lenses ever made... for any system. Then you will have a baseline for comparison to all other glass you might get.

If portrait is more your thing, get the FA77 Limited, which is my favourite lens ever.

02-27-2011, 04:27 PM   #20
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I guess what I was hoping for.....was that there was a couple of particular lenses that everyone agreed on having.....I think my kit lenses are ok, but I would really like to have that wow factor....ya know, super sharp, excellent bokeh, etc.....I do have some great manual lenses, but for functions, I really wanted something fast and auto......
02-27-2011, 04:34 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by twix23919 Quote
I guess what I was hoping for.....was that there was a couple of particular lenses that everyone agreed on having.....I think my kit lenses are ok, but I would really like to have that wow factor....ya know, super sharp, excellent bokeh, etc.....I do have some great manual lenses, but for functions, I really wanted something fast and auto......
Zooms go down to only f2.8, so if you can live with that, the Tamron 28-75 is good for "functions". That would leave you enough (almost) to the get the Pentax 12-24 for "landscapes" (and a lot more). I would get the 12-24 if only getting one lens because you at least have the other focal lengths.

Someone suggested the 3 FA Limiteds, but there are actually 4 DA Limited (15, 21, 40 and 70). All of them go for $1890, but you could start with the 15 as you don't have that FL at all, and the 70 which is good for functions at f2.4 and complements the 18-55 which is a bit short and slow for portraits perhaps.

Last edited by SpecialK; 02-27-2011 at 04:46 PM.
02-27-2011, 04:48 PM   #22
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If you are serious about doing weddings, you should get the DA*16-50 and DA*50-135 pair. Primes are hard to shoot with at weddings, because you have to keep swapping them around, and you'll miss shots.

02-27-2011, 05:12 PM   #23
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ouch on the price for both! if you could only pick one???
02-27-2011, 05:13 PM   #24
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oh, I did forget to mention that I have 2 Kx camera bodies
02-27-2011, 05:18 PM   #25
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50-135 for image quality, 16-50 for focal range usefulness. I'd tend to go for a Tamron 17-50 and the Pentax 50-135, that would be $1200 I think. I tried buying the DA*16-50 but after 2 bad copies I gave up.

Last edited by twitch; 02-27-2011 at 05:29 PM.
02-27-2011, 05:19 PM   #26
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DA*16-50 is your standard zoom. It will be your bread and butter lens in weddings. Useful both for group photos and portraits. At its best stopped down to f5.6 but that shouldnt pose you a problem with K-x and its fantastic high iso performance.

Edited to add that you should not buy this lens from mail order, but absolutely must buy from a local retailer who gives good warranty service as you may have to go through a few copies before you get a good one! When you do get a good one, its really worth it.

The lens is a real looker as well, thats important when you are a new wedding photographer and you want people to take you seriously.
02-27-2011, 06:45 PM   #27
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thank you so much everyone for all your feedback.....lots to think about and more research to do....I have my homework cut out for me!
02-27-2011, 09:16 PM   #28
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Trish - I've noted your comments throughout the thread. If you are keen on Weddings (and that is a whole other question) then you need to use what the Pros use - 95% are using fast zooms (2.8) and for a reason. You don't have time to 'zoom with your feet'.

Tamron 17-50/2.8 - there is some FF/BF with the lense so check a couple fo copies, get the best one, then adjust in-camera for BF/FF. This will cover group shots and is also a great landscape lense.

Sigma 50-150/2.8 - you should still be able to get this lense. It has HSM so is faster focusing that the Pentax 50-135 and just as silent, has a little extra reach and importantly a longer guarantee and you do not have to worry about the SDM failing. Superb range for portraits and just about everything else !

Those two lenses, one on each of your Kxs will cover 99% of everything you have indicated you are interested in !
02-27-2011, 09:44 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by twix23919 Quote
I def want great glass! I like to photograph both portraits and landscapes....price....perhaps 1200 tops??
I'd look at getting the DA* 16-50 and 50-135 both then. I believe you can pull this off for maybe a little over 1200.

The 16-50 is going to be good for landscape and sometimes good for people. The 50-135 is going to be good for people and sometimes good for landscape.

Really with the two of these lenses in hand, there's not much you cant shoot, unless you want to get way out there with some telephoto.
02-27-2011, 09:49 PM   #30
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I have never had any complaints with the AF speed of my 50-135. It is like a bagful of primes, the optical quality is so good! And I wouldn't hesitate to shoot wide open with it either. The DA*16-50 and the DA*50-135 are a matched pair, together they look like the bees knees. Pentax glass rules.
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