New member and having alot of fun with my (new to me) K-x.
I am very much a gadget guy and LBA comes naturally to me. I have picked up a number of prime lenses (Vivatar 28 f2.8, m-50 f1.7 and Vivitar 135 f2.8) and holy crap the pictures are much better than the 18-55 and 55-300 that came with the K-x.
I find myself shooting primarily at 18mm (architecture and landscapes), 50mm (my kid and dog) and 300mm (birds). I've also used the 28mm prime, which I think I would enjoy much more except the focus ring is quite stiff. I use the 135 from time to time for portraiture and "action" shots of my kid. I "think" I would enjoy macro shooting, but I'm going to try it out using cheap extension tubes first.
In 2-3 years, I anticipate purchasing a slightly used or discounted new K-5 (I don't buy cutting edge gagdets)
I have three problems: First, all of these prime lenses are manual. I like the manual focus (in most cases I prefer it to AF), but I despise using the stop down exposure. Second, I would like to retain a single zoom for "point and shoot" use. Third, I really can't justify spending alot of money on the prime lenses for the amount of use they'll get.
So, my thinking to support my LBA. First, sell the existing primes and the 55-300, that generates ~$400. With these funds, purchase a 300mm f4 A-mount (or a 200mm and a teleconverter). In the meantime, keep my eye out for reasonably priced 50mm, 28mm and 135mm A-mounts and purchase as they become available, assuming they run me $50 - $80 a pop. Finally, save up cash and find myself a 16-50 DA* at a decent price for a high-end all purpose zoom, in the meantime hold onto the 18-55 kit, which isn't so bad.
I have overcome my initial LBA impulsiveness and would like to build-up a sensible lens kit and don't mind canabalizing what I currently have. I open up my thinking to comment and opinion. Who sees holes in my approach? Are there other options I'm not considering?
Thanks in advance. I hope this doesn't constitute a rehashing of old posts, as I know this is pretty typical stuff. But who doesn't like talking about lens?
Gareth