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11-19-2012, 09:33 PM   #1
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How to Spend $400

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I'm trying to get the most bang for my $400 bucks this Christmas and was thinking of a lens to compliment or replace my current stash. My camera is a K-x with the following AF lenses:

Tamron 28-105 f/4-5.6
Tamron 100-300 f/5-6.3
Pentax 18-55 (kit lens came with K-x)
Pentax 35-80 (used kit lens I got on a whim)

Only Manual lens that matters: Pentax 50 f/1.7 (I got with my ME Super - lens in sweet condition)

I was thinking of the Pentax SMCP-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ($355 at B&H) or the Pentax Normal SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 ($360 at B&H). I'm open to other suggestions that would round things out. I find myself taking a fair amount of landscape, people/portrait but I like to be open to trying new stuff so like the idea of covering my bases. To be honest, I've been leaning to the 50mm. I'm not in love with the kit lenses I have as they don't impress in the sharpness arena.

Any help is greatly appreciated. - RS

11-19-2012, 09:40 PM   #2
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The F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 would be a very good replacement for the 35-80. It and the DA 55-300 can be had for ~ $400. That said, the FA 50/1.4 or F 50/1.7 can be picked up from time to time from the market place for well under $300.
11-19-2012, 09:48 PM   #3
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One area that your lens stable is not covering at all is macro. I am personally quite fond of my Tamron 90mm/2.8. I use it for people/portraits almost as much as for actual macro/closeup work. They can regularly be had for under $400 on eBay. For example ...

New Tamron AF 90mm F 2 8 Di SP Macro Lens F Pentax DSLR 725211727149 | eBay
11-19-2012, 10:11 PM   #4
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Are you disappointed in you current 50? I like Blue's 35-70 suggestion, it' worlds better than your 35-80 and they go for <$45 often. It also has a mild Macro setting. The 55-300 is a very under-appreciated lens IMHO. There have been several used copies on the marketplace for around $275+-, remember the DAL is optically the same as the DA. Your 28-105 is another underappreciated lens, I only sold mine because I got the DA18-135WR and thst made it redundant.

11-19-2012, 10:24 PM   #5
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Have you considered a constant 2.8 zoom such as the Tamron 28-75 or 17-50? Either will give better low light ability and IQ than what you have in your current zooms IMO.
The 28-75 has a great portrait range, and the 17-50 would work for landscapes too.
11-19-2012, 11:20 PM   #6
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You pretty much have a wide variety of focal length in your arsenal, you've covered 18 - 300 already. The question is, what focal length do you usually shoot? And then go from there. But If I'm in your situation and I have the same gear. I would get myself a tamron 28 - 75 2.8 (I got mine second hand for around $300, it's a beast Zoom for the price) or, I will try to get a DA35 and a DA50 1.8 The DA 35 is a very sharp lens, that I would even consider as my walk-around lens or even my landscape lens. And then the DA50 1.8 is a no brainer as a portrait lens.
11-20-2012, 03:35 AM   #7
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If I had that collection of lenses and focal lenghts I would probably go for a nice prime, giving you the best IQ possible because you already are flexible enough with your current setup.

11-20-2012, 05:52 AM   #8
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No ultra wide, how about a sigma 10-20. I think there are a couple in the market place for < 400.
11-20-2012, 10:19 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by FlashMuller Quote
If I had that collection of lenses and focal lenghts I would probably go for a nice prime, giving you the best IQ possible because you already are flexible enough with your current setup.
Like a DA35 and a DA50 1.8 right (;
11-20-2012, 10:47 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by riff Quote
No ultra wide, how about a sigma 10-20. I think there are a couple in the market place for < 400.
That's close to what I was thinking. Put that lens on the camera and what you see in the viewfinder is totally different than any of the other lenses. Yes, the DA 55-300 should be better than the Tamron 100-300, but it will look kind of the same until you shoot some side-by-side comparisons.

My suggestion is a used DA 10-17mm fisheye zoom. I like fisheyes better than rectilinear ultrawides, but that's a minority view. It's the same idea, something you haven't seen before.

If those are too "out there", the FA 50/1.4 may not give you a different viewfinder, but you should get different photos because it's so much faster than the zooms you have, without manual focus.
11-20-2012, 01:38 PM   #11
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I recommend the DA 35mm f2.4 and an external flash with tilt, bounce, HSS and off-camera capability.
11-20-2012, 06:14 PM   #12
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You folks are bad-@$$... thanks for the input. Audiobomber read my mind about needing a flash (didn't include it in the original message), so I've decided the game plan is one of the following:

I agree with the idea of a prime lens so go with the DA 35mm f2.4 and add to my Xmas list the Metz 50 AF-1 flash to replace my anemic (and non-tilting/swiveling) Pentax 201Sa. That brings me to about $410. Or go with the 35mm & 50mm lenses and get two primes right away and wait for the flash. Two lenses is very tempting!!

If I go the flash option I'll plan to add the DA 50mm 1.8 in the near future to get me a 50mm with autofocus. I love the idea of the wide angle Sigma 10-20 to add a new eye on the world.

With all this input I have plenty on my wish list for then foreseeable future. Thanks again.
11-20-2012, 07:18 PM - 1 Like   #13
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i would say you are missing some fast AF primes.
35mm/2.4 would be my suggestion, you can find one at $150 now. (i have one and it is still my fav)
also, with a tamron 28-75/2.8, you can get rid of your lens 1,3,4. unless you really need something wider than 28mm. f2.8 is just so great for walk around.
the 55-300mm you mention is great too, if you find yourself using long focal range often.

for me, i would switch your whole set except the M50/1.7
and get the tamron 17-50, DA 55-300, DA 35/2.4
it will be a big AF speed, aperture speed, and image quality upgrade to you.
plus you won't find yourself needing to upgrade to more expensive lens too soon in the near future.
another good thing is they are "budget" lens, it is possible to fund it if you can get rid of your current set.
well, it's just my personal thought, hope that helps
11-20-2012, 07:21 PM   #14
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Depending on how you like to space your primes, you might find a used DA40 for the price of the 35 + 50; that baby Limited took over for both those focal lengths in my kit. But that's a whole 'nother issue, once the Limited addiction begins...
11-20-2012, 07:22 PM - 1 Like   #15
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Some people love telephoto. It takes a certain kind of person to use those lens. Not me! However I think everyone at some point needs a super wide lens. If I were you I would consider the Sigma 10-20 (Variable aperture version). Very sharp and amazingly useful tool!!

Another option is the 8mm fisheye by Rokinon. Probably one of the most fun lens I've used!
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