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03-08-2011, 09:34 PM   #1
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Location: Gilbert Arizona
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Looking for advice

Just joined up yesterday and thought I could use your advice.
Just ordered a k-5, and have a k-x. My current lenses are
Pentax da18-55 kit lens and a tamron 28-300. I am thinking
about the da*16-50 and the da55-300. B&H has them on sale
for $1100.00 for the pair. Would it be worth the expense?
I just laid out $1500.00 for the k-5 and battery grip, so am
a little leary of spending the extra dollars. I'm not adverse to
spending the money if I gain sharpness & contrast.
What do you guys think
Dennis

03-08-2011, 10:11 PM   #2
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You are considering two zoom lenses that overlap with your existing zoom lens. If you go ahead with these zoom lenses, you woud be better off to sale your original lenses.

However another approach could be to consider some prime lenses instead of zoom lenses. Pentax has some superb prime lenses: the DA Ltd series, the FA Ltd series for example. The sharpness and IQ of these prime lenses are superb and you shoud consider a couple of prime lenses. Even possibly some fast primes with large aperture (low f).

There are also some nice 3rd party zoom and prime lenses not to ignore.

Based upon my own, limited experience, I would suggest to consider the FA31mm f1.8 Ltd, a superb prime with the highest score in the in-depth reviews of this forum.

Food for thoughts,,,
03-08-2011, 10:12 PM   #3
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Those 2 lenses will certainly be much better than your existing two, and you get WR with the 16-50.

I have both a DA*50-135 and a DA 55-300. I almost never use the 55-300 as the 50-135 is so good and 135 is usually enough for what I shoot. The 55-300 is an outside on a sunny day lens, IMHO the 50-135 is far more versatile due to its wider aperture.
03-08-2011, 10:23 PM   #4
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If I was in your shoes, I would get the new lenses and sell your old zooms and maybe look at finding a used FA31/43/77 prime or possibly a decent flash if you don't have one yet (depending on what you shoot of course).

03-08-2011, 10:44 PM   #5
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Upgrading those 2 lenses will make a difference. A used 12-24, 40 Limited and the 55-300 would do nicely.
03-08-2011, 11:06 PM   #6
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Original Poster
If I get the new lenses I will be selling the old ones. I feel I need
zoom lenses as it cuts down on the amount of equipment to
carry. In 2008, I broke my back in 8 places and while I can
get around ok, I can't carry alot of weight, and my mobility
is a bit limited. Add to the fact, I'm old and lazy, zooms are
easier for me. I do a lot of zoo shooting and the 55-300
would be excellent for that. I have a sigma 170-500 I could
use for wildlife, but would have a very hard time walking in open
country. Thanks for your input
Dennis
03-09-2011, 01:25 AM   #7
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If budget is an issue, you can consider 3rd party (Sigma/Tamron) alternatives for the DA*16-50. From hearsay, they are very good. And they are a lot cheaper.

The DA55-300 is a no-brainer; get it !

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