Kit lenses, which ones are good?

ozlizard · 05-30-2011, 04:27 AM

My son has expressed a desire to follow in his fathers footsteps and try some landscape photography (he is 16).

He has asked me what gear to get (up to $1,500) but I soon put him straight that he doesn't need to spend that much!

I will suggest Pentax (or course), but not sure if he wants another brand.

Was thinking of the Kr with one or two kit lenes for under $1,000.
So what are the kit lenses like and what would you all suggest?

bobmaxja · 05-30-2011, 04:37 AM

The DAL 55-300 is very good as a kit lens

**Ash** · 05-30-2011, 04:46 AM

I agree mate.
What I have going with me on my travels (K-5 + 18-55 + 55-300) has served me well and given me great results.
A K-r with those lenses would be a good investment, and gives him room to improve (in terms of wide angle lenses) in case he chooses to take landscape photography more seriously.

jeztastic · 05-30-2011, 04:52 AM

The DA 18-55 is a good lens, and wide enough for landscape. Especially if he gets a cheapish tripod too, and then he can use longer shutter speeds and stop down to f8 for very good sharpness.

Edit: check out the kit lens club thread for lots of good landscape shots on the 18-55.

ozlizard · 05-30-2011, 05:35 AM

Thanks guys that sounds like a great option. Will let him know.

GibbyTheMole · 05-30-2011, 05:40 AM

The DA 18-55 is indeed a great little lens. I use it a lot for a walkaround lens. Good contrast & crisp detail.

paperbag846 · 05-30-2011, 06:05 AM

Get him the KX and a kit lens DA II or WR ... great landscape photography for 500 bucks.

Any modern produced kit lens is "good" from Pentax. They changed formulas a while back but you can't buy them new anymore.

ozlizard · 05-30-2011, 07:32 PM

Do you think the Kr and 2 lens kit represents the best bang for buck for an entry level setup? Compared to Canon or Nikon?

**Ash** · 05-30-2011, 07:47 PM

Can't beat the K-r + 18-55 + 55-300 for value.
Even the K-r + 18-55 + 50-200 would be excellent too, but the 55-300 would be better in more ways than one.

05-30-2011, 04:27 AM	#1
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903	Kit lenses, which ones are good? My son has expressed a desire to follow in his fathers footsteps and try some landscape photography (he is 16). He has asked me what gear to get (up to $1,500) but I soon put him straight that he doesn't need to spend that much! I will suggest Pentax (or course), but not sure if he wants another brand. Was thinking of the Kr with one or two kit lenes for under $1,000. So what are the kit lenses like and what would you all suggest?

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05-30-2011, 04:37 AM	#2
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	The DAL 55-300 is very good as a kit lens

05-30-2011, 04:46 AM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I agree mate. What I have going with me on my travels (K-5 + 18-55 + 55-300) has served me well and given me great results. A K-r with those lenses would be a good investment, and gives him room to improve (in terms of wide angle lenses) in case he chooses to take landscape photography more seriously.

05-30-2011, 04:52 AM	#4
jeztastic Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canterbury Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 596	The DA 18-55 is a good lens, and wide enough for landscape. Especially if he gets a cheapish tripod too, and then he can use longer shutter speeds and stop down to f8 for very good sharpness. Edit: check out the kit lens club thread for lots of good landscape shots on the 18-55.

05-30-2011, 05:35 AM	#5
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Thanks guys that sounds like a great option. Will let him know.

05-30-2011, 05:40 AM	#6
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	The DA 18-55 is indeed a great little lens. I use it a lot for a walkaround lens. Good contrast & crisp detail.

05-30-2011, 06:05 AM	#7
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Get him the KX and a kit lens DA II or WR ... great landscape photography for 500 bucks. Any modern produced kit lens is "good" from Pentax. They changed formulas a while back but you can't buy them new anymore.

05-30-2011, 07:32 PM	#8
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Do you think the Kr and 2 lens kit represents the best bang for buck for an entry level setup? Compared to Canon or Nikon?

05-30-2011, 07:47 PM	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Can't beat the K-r + 18-55 + 55-300 for value. Even the K-r + 18-55 + 50-200 would be excellent too, but the 55-300 would be better in more ways than one.