sorry to beat a dead horse k-5 kit???

no694terry · 02-06-2013, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

It's weird but I own the 18-250, 18-135, and 55-300. The 55-300's IQ is better than the 18-250. The 18-135 is a terrific lens but is a bit limited at 135mm on the long end. When I know that I need longer I use the 55-300, when I can only take one lens and its nice weather its the 18-250. When its bad weather, no matter what I need, I take the 18-135 (and try to have it with me on outings just in case). If I HAD to only keep one of the the 3 it would be really tough. If it was a call between the 18-250 and the 55-300 - it would be the 55-300 without hesitation. Hope that helps.

The nail I needed. thanks

Originally posted by Na Horuk

I would really suggest you get more than one lens, because I think that is the main point of a DSLR - interchangeable lenses. I understand the appeal of a zoom, but if you are picky about the IQ, you might want to try a fixed focal length, even if a second hand one. For walk around a 40mm or 50mm would be pretty nice. With Pentax you can even get two nice primes for 400usd, which gives you some flexibility and good IQ. Thing is, once you get used to a fixed focal length, you no longer "need" zoom.

Thats about what im working on. I started with the K20 and bought cheap glass for it. I've unloaded most of the cheap glass, leaving just the Tamron 70-300 which still nice, isn't going to make my new cuts. I had a Tamron 90 which i shouldnt have sold. So my new collection to start is the 17-50 and the 55-300. I'll be getting primes from now on and maybe some day a nice F2.8 telezoom to replace the 55-300.

**southlander** · 02-06-2013, 04:31 PM - **1 Like**

My standard carry around set up is the Tamron 17-50 + the Pentax 55-300. A good combination IMO. When used well, the 55-300 can produce good results, and is not particularly heavy or bulky, and holds F4 to about 200mm focal length. Extremely well behaved in regard to purple/green fringing. Holds sharpness well to around 250mm but is still pretty good at 300mm. The 17-50 is a sharp lens and the F2.8 is very useful when visiting museums/historical buildings when travelling.

The 55-300 at 300mm and F8 with a fast moving subject:

And yes, the pciture is the right way up!

**crewl1** · 02-06-2013, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by southlander

And yes, the pciture is the right way up!

Great shot! I was going to say - you need to rotate it

**THoog** · 02-06-2013, 04:51 PM

I'm late, but I'll second (third?) what was said before. The Pentax/Tamron 18-250 is a very useful lens, but the Tammy 17-50 is better in its range (especially indoors) and the DA 55-300 flat-out whips it at the long end.

No one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-250 DC Macro HSM (probably no one has it yet), but it's smaller and supposedly better than the earlier Sigma 18-250, and with the current instant rebate, in the same price range as a used Tammy 18-250.

Docrwm · 02-06-2013, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by no694terry

The nail I needed. thanks

Thats about what im working on. I started with the K20 and bought cheap glass for it. I've unloaded most of the cheap glass, leaving just the Tamron 70-300 which still nice, isn't going to make my new cuts. I had a Tamron 90 which i shouldnt have sold. So my new collection to start is the 17-50 and the 55-300. I'll be getting primes from now on and maybe some day a nice F2.8 telezoom to replace the 55-300.

You're welcome. Just FYI, I also own the Tamron 70-200/2.8 and am happy I kept my 55-300. In good outdoor light the 55-300 does fine and has more reach. Good luck.

no694terry · 02-07-2013, 08:14 AM

Worst part of ordering a new camera and then wa iting for it to get here....getting it then waiting for the battery to charger. Errrrr

update: All charged. First impression is it feel much smaller than my K20, mostly on the left. I dont care for the new green button location, I liked it next to the shutter. The shutter sound is much nicer than the K20, more of a poof, than a clank. being able to use ISO 3200 is awesome. Love the ISO button, although rather it switch places with the green button. I like how it keeps the stats up on the preview screen. I could never find out how to keep those up on the K20, i got very dependant of the upper green screen to remind me of my settings. It seems to have most of the same menu items as the K20 besides some new features and i havent tried video yet so I have some new stuff to learn.

02-07-2013, 08:14 AM	#21
no694terry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 388 Original Poster	Worst part of ordering a new camera and then wa iting for it to get here....getting it then waiting for the battery to charger. Errrrr update: All charged. First impression is it feel much smaller than my K20, mostly on the left. I dont care for the new green button location, I liked it next to the shutter. The shutter sound is much nicer than the K20, more of a poof, than a clank. being able to use ISO 3200 is awesome. Love the ISO button, although rather it switch places with the green button. I like how it keeps the stats up on the preview screen. I could never find out how to keep those up on the K20, i got very dependant of the upper green screen to remind me of my settings. It seems to have most of the same menu items as the K20 besides some new features and i havent tried video yet so I have some new stuff to learn. Last edited by no694terry; 02-07-2013 at 02:27 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Q. When is a K-5 + kit lens not a K-5 + kit lens	Roughrider	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	25	01-09-2012 07:26 PM
Need help to confirm that my new K-5 and kit lens is not a bad copy	kkx	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	12	01-07-2012 02:53 PM
All those dead beat little people.. NOT	jeffkrol	General Talk	2	08-05-2011 10:09 AM
Beating a dead horse DA15mm vs 12-24mm zoom	Jeff Bennett	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	19	03-04-2011 11:22 PM
For Sale - Sold: K-7 Kit WR kit, Kx White kit, FA50mm 1.4, Voigtlander Nokton, K7/5 Grip	Rory	Sold Items	19	02-28-2011 10:16 AM

02-06-2013, 03:29 PM	#16
no694terry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 388 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm It's weird but I own the 18-250, 18-135, and 55-300. The 55-300's IQ is better than the 18-250. The 18-135 is a terrific lens but is a bit limited at 135mm on the long end. When I know that I need longer I use the 55-300, when I can only take one lens and its nice weather its the 18-250. When its bad weather, no matter what I need, I take the 18-135 (and try to have it with me on outings just in case). If I HAD to only keep one of the the 3 it would be really tough. If it was a call between the 18-250 and the 55-300 - it would be the 55-300 without hesitation. Hope that helps. The nail I needed. thanks Originally posted by Na Horuk I would really suggest you get more than one lens, because I think that is the main point of a DSLR - interchangeable lenses. I understand the appeal of a zoom, but if you are picky about the IQ, you might want to try a fixed focal length, even if a second hand one. For walk around a 40mm or 50mm would be pretty nice. With Pentax you can even get two nice primes for 400usd, which gives you some flexibility and good IQ. Thing is, once you get used to a fixed focal length, you no longer "need" zoom. Thats about what im working on. I started with the K20 and bought cheap glass for it. I've unloaded most of the cheap glass, leaving just the Tamron 70-300 which still nice, isn't going to make my new cuts. I had a Tamron 90 which i shouldnt have sold. So my new collection to start is the 17-50 and the 55-300. I'll be getting primes from now on and maybe some day a nice F2.8 telezoom to replace the 55-300.

02-06-2013, 04:31 PM - 1 Like	#17
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	My standard carry around set up is the Tamron 17-50 + the Pentax 55-300. A good combination IMO. When used well, the 55-300 can produce good results, and is not particularly heavy or bulky, and holds F4 to about 200mm focal length. Extremely well behaved in regard to purple/green fringing. Holds sharpness well to around 250mm but is still pretty good at 300mm. The 17-50 is a sharp lens and the F2.8 is very useful when visiting museums/historical buildings when travelling. The 55-300 at 300mm and F8 with a fast moving subject: And yes, the pciture is the right way up!

02-06-2013, 04:32 PM	#18
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by southlander And yes, the pciture is the right way up! Great shot! I was going to say - you need to rotate it

02-06-2013, 04:51 PM	#19
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I'm late, but I'll second (third?) what was said before. The Pentax/Tamron 18-250 is a very useful lens, but the Tammy 17-50 is better in its range (especially indoors) and the DA 55-300 flat-out whips it at the long end. No one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-250 DC Macro HSM (probably no one has it yet), but it's smaller and supposedly better than the earlier Sigma 18-250, and with the current instant rebate, in the same price range as a used Tammy 18-250.

02-06-2013, 05:56 PM	#20
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by no694terry The nail I needed. thanks Thats about what im working on. I started with the K20 and bought cheap glass for it. I've unloaded most of the cheap glass, leaving just the Tamron 70-300 which still nice, isn't going to make my new cuts. I had a Tamron 90 which i shouldnt have sold. So my new collection to start is the 17-50 and the 55-300. I'll be getting primes from now on and maybe some day a nice F2.8 telezoom to replace the 55-300. You're welcome. Just FYI, I also own the Tamron 70-200/2.8 and am happy I kept my 55-300. In good outdoor light the 55-300 does fine and has more reach. Good luck.