Stick with the kit lens or go for the prime?

lastdodobird · 11-05-2007, 06:34 PM

For my first DSLR, I've basically narrowed down my options to these two choices:

1) K100D kit

2) K100D body + DA 40/2.8 ltd

I live in the Philippines, I don't order online, and foreign contacts are limited so the availability of the full line of Pentax gear isn't that good. Regardless, I've already found places where I could purchase both option #1 and #2.

As far as pros and cons go, this is what I've gathered and what matter to me:

K100D kit:
+ significantly cheaper
+ more flexible focal length
+ great "bang for the buck" for a kit lens
- more bulky than the prime
- inferior image quality

so basically, taking the opposite of that...

K100D body + DA 40/2.8 ltd:
- more expensive
- i will be missing the wide angle
+ better at low-light photography
+ superior image quality (than the kit lens)
+ more portable (it can serve as a walkaround lens)

What do you guys think? Did I do the pros and cons evaluation right?

I've been going back and forth with this and I can't zero in on a firm decision. Even those I've asked for advice are pretty much split in the middle.

and · 11-05-2007, 07:00 PM

The 40 is a good lens, very sharp and contrasty. But its too small for some. Having only hte 40mm and nothing else is quite limiting imo. Although having a prime can be a good learning experience. The build quality of the 40 is also very nice.

Normally I would recommend to start out with the kit, and see what focal lengths you like. Or to go with the 16-45 f4 instead of the kit, the image quality is better than the kit lens although its not as fast as the prime, then again the da 40 isnt exactly a speed demon its more of a small lens, I normally see the 16-45 sell for not much more than the 40. Also if I would go with just 1 affordable prime lens Id get the FA 35 instead of the DA 40. its a bit wider, close to normal lens on dSLR, and it has the speed only a prime can give you, whereas the da 40 has a speed just equal to good zooms.

joele · 11-05-2007, 07:47 PM

Agreed the FA35/2 would be my vote too if you want a prime that gives a reletively 'normal' FOV on your DSLR..

dantuyhoa · 11-05-2007, 08:52 PM

How long have you been shooting ? If you are "new " then I would stay with the kit lens just to see how you like it . It's not a bad lens . There are many other aspects of the digital photography to learn for a first timer . After , say 6 months , you will learn to know what lens will fit you ! Just my 0.04 USD ( adjusted for inflation and weak dollar

). Good luck .

dugrant153 · 11-05-2007, 10:02 PM

I own the DA 40mm Limited F2.8 lens you're looking at. I'm going to go with what others are saying here and start off with the 18-55mm kit lens, or the 16-45mm lens. Even with the 18-55mm lens, I've been able to get some really nice pictures.

That being said, I love the DA 40mm Limited. I've managed to get some crazy sharp images with it! But I would say for your, start with the kit lens. Once you learn how to use it, you can take some pretty decent images with it.

lastdodobird · 11-05-2007, 10:25 PM

Originally posted by dantuyhoa

How long have you been shooting?

Well, I've been shooting for the past year or two as a casual hobbyist with my P&S cam, and I wanted to focus more on this hobby as well as upgrade to a DSLR.

I don't know how to describe how much I understand the craft. If sample pictures would help, here are two of my favorites of mine:

Thanks for all the inputs thus far!

axl · 11-06-2007, 01:23 AM

I'd stick with the kit...
It's not bad lens at all as has been documented by many posters on this forum and in many reviews. It's very good for starter IMHO. You maybe will feel it's limitations soon, but then to start only with 40mm is even more limiting, I think. And if you'll go with DA18-55 save some cash, you can buy whatever other lens you want later...

Nesster · 11-06-2007, 06:52 AM

I'd suggest sticking with the kit lens as well - although, if you run one of those utilities that tells you what focal lenghts you've used across all your photos, and it tells you most of them have been at the 40mm equivalent...

lastdodobird · 11-06-2007, 04:12 PM

wow... 50-50 division O.o amazing

roentarre · 11-08-2007, 12:26 AM

I will stick with kit lens.

ddhytz · 11-08-2007, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by lastdodobird

wow... 50-50 ...

Not any more.
The kit lens is a very good start.

little laker · 11-08-2007, 01:32 AM

I'm not voting,

I feel that the best thing would be get the kit lens, and also buy some affordable, used, decent quality prime.
There are plenty around.

lastdodobird · 11-08-2007, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by ddhytz

Not any more.
The kit lens is a very good start.

hehe. 60-40 now. if things go as planned, I'll be picking up my kit in a couple of days

are Ansmann Rechargeable Batteries and Battery Chargers reliable and recommended?

kjao · 11-08-2007, 04:47 AM

I would say stay with the kit lens as well. I actually went from the kit lens to DA16-45 and back to the kit lens (had to buy it again since I sold the first one!). That said, DA16-45 is a better lens but I don't feel it is worth the $300+ more cost (my opinion only) and I prefer to stick with inexpensive zooms and use primes if I need speed and/or quality.

cheers
Kenny

JamesD · 11-08-2007, 08:27 AM

Definitely stick with the kit lens. It's ability to allow you to frame your subject without having to move (which is often impossible) is an incredible advantage.

View Poll Results: Stick with the kit lens or go for the prime?
K100D kit	49	59.76%
K100D body + DA 40/2.8 ltd	33	40.24%
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll

11-05-2007, 07:47 PM	#3
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	Agreed the FA35/2 would be my vote too if you want a prime that gives a reletively 'normal' FOV on your DSLR.. Last edited by joele; 11-06-2007 at 02:58 AM.

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11-05-2007, 06:34 PM	#1
lastdodobird Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 128	Stick with the kit lens or go for the prime? For my first DSLR, I've basically narrowed down my options to these two choices: 1) K100D kit 2) K100D body + DA 40/2.8 ltd I live in the Philippines, I don't order online, and foreign contacts are limited so the availability of the full line of Pentax gear isn't that good. Regardless, I've already found places where I could purchase both option #1 and #2. As far as pros and cons go, this is what I've gathered and what matter to me: K100D kit: + significantly cheaper + more flexible focal length + great "bang for the buck" for a kit lens - more bulky than the prime - inferior image quality so basically, taking the opposite of that... K100D body + DA 40/2.8 ltd: - more expensive - i will be missing the wide angle + better at low-light photography + superior image quality (than the kit lens) + more portable (it can serve as a walkaround lens) What do you guys think? Did I do the pros and cons evaluation right? I've been going back and forth with this and I can't zero in on a firm decision. Even those I've asked for advice are pretty much split in the middle.

11-05-2007, 07:00 PM	#2
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	The 40 is a good lens, very sharp and contrasty. But its too small for some. Having only hte 40mm and nothing else is quite limiting imo. Although having a prime can be a good learning experience. The build quality of the 40 is also very nice. Normally I would recommend to start out with the kit, and see what focal lengths you like. Or to go with the 16-45 f4 instead of the kit, the image quality is better than the kit lens although its not as fast as the prime, then again the da 40 isnt exactly a speed demon its more of a small lens, I normally see the 16-45 sell for not much more than the 40. Also if I would go with just 1 affordable prime lens Id get the FA 35 instead of the DA 40. its a bit wider, close to normal lens on dSLR, and it has the speed only a prime can give you, whereas the da 40 has a speed just equal to good zooms. Last edited by and; 11-05-2007 at 08:10 PM.

11-05-2007, 08:52 PM	#4
dantuyhoa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,245	How long have you been shooting ? If you are "new " then I would stay with the kit lens just to see how you like it . It's not a bad lens . There are many other aspects of the digital photography to learn for a first timer . After , say 6 months , you will learn to know what lens will fit you ! Just my 0.04 USD ( adjusted for inflation and weak dollar ). Good luck .

11-05-2007, 10:02 PM	#5
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059	I own the DA 40mm Limited F2.8 lens you're looking at. I'm going to go with what others are saying here and start off with the 18-55mm kit lens, or the 16-45mm lens. Even with the 18-55mm lens, I've been able to get some really nice pictures. That being said, I love the DA 40mm Limited. I've managed to get some crazy sharp images with it! But I would say for your, start with the kit lens. Once you learn how to use it, you can take some pretty decent images with it.

11-05-2007, 10:25 PM	#6
lastdodobird Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by dantuyhoa How long have you been shooting? Well, I've been shooting for the past year or two as a casual hobbyist with my P&S cam, and I wanted to focus more on this hobby as well as upgrade to a DSLR. I don't know how to describe how much I understand the craft. If sample pictures would help, here are two of my favorites of mine: Thanks for all the inputs thus far!

11-06-2007, 01:23 AM	#7
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I'd stick with the kit... It's not bad lens at all as has been documented by many posters on this forum and in many reviews. It's very good for starter IMHO. You maybe will feel it's limitations soon, but then to start only with 40mm is even more limiting, I think. And if you'll go with DA18-55 save some cash, you can buy whatever other lens you want later...

11-06-2007, 06:52 AM	#8
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I'd suggest sticking with the kit lens as well - although, if you run one of those utilities that tells you what focal lenghts you've used across all your photos, and it tells you most of them have been at the 40mm equivalent...

11-06-2007, 04:12 PM	#9
lastdodobird Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 128 Original Poster	wow... 50-50 division O.o amazing

11-08-2007, 12:26 AM	#10
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	I will stick with kit lens.

11-08-2007, 01:10 AM	#11
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	Originally posted by lastdodobird wow... 50-50 ... Not any more. The kit lens is a very good start.

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11-08-2007, 01:32 AM	#12
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I'm not voting, I feel that the best thing would be get the kit lens, and also buy some affordable, used, decent quality prime. There are plenty around.

11-08-2007, 04:07 AM	#13
lastdodobird Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by ddhytz Not any more. The kit lens is a very good start. hehe. 60-40 now. if things go as planned, I'll be picking up my kit in a couple of days are Ansmann Rechargeable Batteries and Battery Chargers reliable and recommended?

11-08-2007, 04:47 AM	#14
kjao Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 423	I would say stay with the kit lens as well. I actually went from the kit lens to DA16-45 and back to the kit lens (had to buy it again since I sold the first one!). That said, DA16-45 is a better lens but I don't feel it is worth the $300+ more cost (my opinion only) and I prefer to stick with inexpensive zooms and use primes if I need speed and/or quality. cheers Kenny

11-08-2007, 08:27 AM	#15
JamesD Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Definitely stick with the kit lens. It's ability to allow you to frame your subject without having to move (which is often impossible) is an incredible advantage.