Lens recommendation?

kevinfox203 · 01-28-2008, 06:13 PM

I orignally posted this to dlsr discussion but now realize this might be the right forum...
New to forum, just bought K100D 18-55 mm kit. Beginner to (d)SLR photography. Intend to use camera for pics of dogs, outdoors, 5-20 feet away. Including some closeups. Landscape background in most cases. what kind of lens would you recommend as my first purchase? Keep in mind i want to remain under $300 U.S. and the lens will be my only addition to the 18-55 mm for a while.
Thanks

Tbear · 01-28-2008, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by kevinfox203

I orignally posted this to dlsr discussion but now realize this might be the right forum...
New to forum, just bought K100D 18-55 mm kit. Beginner to (d)SLR photography. Intend to use camera for pics of dogs, outdoors, 5-20 feet away. Including some closeups. Landscape background in most cases. what kind of lens would you recommend as my first purchase? Keep in mind i want to remain under $300 U.S. and the lens will be my only addition to the 18-55 mm for a while.
Thanks

That's a tough one, but I'm going to say the DA 50-200mm. This is a lot of zoom lens for a very reasonable price (about $220). That way you have all your bases covered from 18-200mm in the most economic way possible. BTW the kit lens is probably the best value of any lens out there.

Tbear · 01-28-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by kevinfox203

Amazon currently has this lens for 99.99 thru Ritz Camera, good deal yes, but any comment on seller?

Holy cow, if that is real, that is one heck of a deal!!

Update: Just checked Amazon (USA). Price is $199 through Calumet which is reputable retailer. This is still a great price.

Tbear · 01-28-2008, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by kevinfox203

Amazon.com: Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Wrong lens. We were talking about the DA 50-200mm, not the 18-55mm kit lens. You indicated that you already had the kit lens.

kevinfox203 · 01-28-2008, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Tbear

Wrong lens. We were talking about the DA 50-200mm, not the 18-55mm kit lens. The OP already had the kit lens.

oops, sorry , need to be more careful on cut and paste searches

Tbear · 01-28-2008, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by kevinfox203

oops, sorry , need to be more careful on cut and paste searches

Heh, no problem, happens to us all eventually.

Mike Bokeh · 01-28-2008, 07:40 PM

If you want to stay under $300, and stick with Pentax lenses, I have to agree with Tbear, and recommend the DA 50-200.

It's a good lens, and will give you pretty good close ups at 20ft. In fact you may not need to rack it all the way out to 200mm for what you want to do.

Other than that, you could get a 50mm prime for about $200 new.
20817 Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Standard Auto Focus Lens

Here's an example of what the 50-200 can do.

Good luck.

Mike

01-28-2008, 06:13 PM	#1
kevinfox203 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central Canada Posts: 156	Lens recommendation? I orignally posted this to dlsr discussion but now realize this might be the right forum... New to forum, just bought K100D 18-55 mm kit. Beginner to (d)SLR photography. Intend to use camera for pics of dogs, outdoors, 5-20 feet away. Including some closeups. Landscape background in most cases. what kind of lens would you recommend as my first purchase? Keep in mind i want to remain under $300 U.S. and the lens will be my only addition to the 18-55 mm for a while. Thanks

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01-28-2008, 06:30 PM	#2
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by kevinfox203 I orignally posted this to dlsr discussion but now realize this might be the right forum... New to forum, just bought K100D 18-55 mm kit. Beginner to (d)SLR photography. Intend to use camera for pics of dogs, outdoors, 5-20 feet away. Including some closeups. Landscape background in most cases. what kind of lens would you recommend as my first purchase? Keep in mind i want to remain under $300 U.S. and the lens will be my only addition to the 18-55 mm for a while. Thanks That's a tough one, but I'm going to say the DA 50-200mm. This is a lot of zoom lens for a very reasonable price (about $220). That way you have all your bases covered from 18-200mm in the most economic way possible. BTW the kit lens is probably the best value of any lens out there.

01-28-2008, 06:38 PM	#3
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by kevinfox203 Amazon currently has this lens for 99.99 thru Ritz Camera, good deal yes, but any comment on seller? Holy cow, if that is real, that is one heck of a deal!! Update: Just checked Amazon (USA). Price is $199 through Calumet which is reputable retailer. This is still a great price.

01-28-2008, 06:43 PM	#4
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by kevinfox203 Amazon.com: Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo Wrong lens. We were talking about the DA 50-200mm, not the 18-55mm kit lens. You indicated that you already had the kit lens.

01-28-2008, 06:46 PM	#5
kevinfox203 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central Canada Posts: 156 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tbear Wrong lens. We were talking about the DA 50-200mm, not the 18-55mm kit lens. The OP already had the kit lens. oops, sorry , need to be more careful on cut and paste searches

01-28-2008, 06:47 PM	#6
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by kevinfox203 oops, sorry , need to be more careful on cut and paste searches Heh, no problem, happens to us all eventually.

01-28-2008, 07:40 PM	#7
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608	If you want to stay under $300, and stick with Pentax lenses, I have to agree with Tbear, and recommend the DA 50-200. It's a good lens, and will give you pretty good close ups at 20ft. In fact you may not need to rack it all the way out to 200mm for what you want to do. Other than that, you could get a 50mm prime for about $200 new. 20817 Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Standard Auto Focus Lens Here's an example of what the 50-200 can do. Good luck. Mike