Next lens for K-7 user

A.F.AW · 02-19-2013, 07:43 PM

Hi Guys,

I have had my K-7 for about 3 years now and feel I need a bit more diversity with my lens choices. My favourite and most used lens is my Pentax SMC 50mm 1.4. I also have the DA 18-55 stock lens that came with the camera, however I don't like the limited aperture at length. I also have a Sigma DG 28-300 3.5-6.3, which was an early acquisition that I now never use, frankly that purchase was a mistake.

I want a two lens kit, which will consist of my 50mm and one other lens. I take quite a lot of photography of food, however want some wider angle shots for traveling and feel that the DA*16-50mm f2.8 would be a good fit.

Let's say money is no factor, what are your recommendations for a fairly un-specialized photographer who wants a bit more range. Would a wider prime lens be a good match for my 50?

Thanks,

Alex

Billk · 02-19-2013, 08:40 PM

I have a 43mm F1.9, 77mm F1.8 and 200mm F2.8, all of which I use very regularly. I mostly shoot wildlife so the 200mm is usually on my camera. I also do a lot of people photography, using all three lenses.

Sitting unloved in a cupboard are a 16-45mm F4, which gets very occasional use for flowers as it does macro, and a 55-300mm f4-5.6, which just never gets used any more.

I guess my favourite subjects take me in the opposite direction to yours - ie: tele instead of wide.

It does sound like a wide prime - say around 30mm - might really suit you. However, I can see that a quality zoom at around F2.8 would be very versatile.

kaiserz · 02-19-2013, 09:12 PM

I think the DA* 16 - 50 would be an outstanding lens for your needs.

kev.pride · 02-19-2013, 10:28 PM

Why not read the attached review, which will give you some insight into the performance of the various 2.8 16-50 available.This would seem a good versatile lens options for food photography.

DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Laurentiu Cristofor · 02-19-2013, 11:06 PM

Some years ago I picked the Tamron 17-50/2.8 for this general purpose use. It is a great versatile lens, but some time after that I decided that I can live without zoom capability, so now I stick with a few fast primes for vacations.

BTW, PF has reviewed these fast zooms here (boy, was it hard to find this link).

A.F.AW · 02-20-2013, 04:14 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. Second question, if I were to go a prime lens of shorter focal length than my 50mm, what would be some good options?

Lurch · 02-20-2013, 04:19 AM

Both 28mm and 35mm seem popular these days.
I managed to cover off both with the Sigma 20mm-40mm with I luuuurve. It practically lives on my K5 these days.

(PS; if you think of selling the 28-300; lemme know

)

A.F.AW · 02-20-2013, 05:02 AM

I need AF too.

**apologies for the spam, as a new member they don't let me edit posts...

**ivanvernon** · 02-20-2013, 05:07 AM

I really like my Sigma 30 mm 1.4, which of course is equivalent to 45mm on full-frame, a great prime lens for lots of low-light, inside work, even including portraits. For more money,I also like my Pentax 43mm ltd. I second the recommendation of the Tamron 17-50mm constant f 2.8, excellent for inside parties and gatherings for ease of use in ambient light, and also a great "walking around" lens for its focal length coverage. As a walking around lens, it is wide enough to do architecture and landscape, yet narrow enough for portraiture. There are reviews of all these lens on this site, of course.

**NaClH2O** · 02-20-2013, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by A.F.AW

Thanks for the advice guys. Second question, if I were to go a prime lens of shorter focal length than my 50mm, what would be some good options?

If price is no object go for the FA 31mm ltd. It is a stellar lens and still in high demand even after 12 years (it came out in 2001) It is an auto focus lens. And a true jem.

NaCl(the only way I'll part with mine is at death)H2O

02-19-2013, 07:43 PM	#1
A.F.AW New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 6	Next lens for K-7 user Hi Guys, I have had my K-7 for about 3 years now and feel I need a bit more diversity with my lens choices. My favourite and most used lens is my Pentax SMC 50mm 1.4. I also have the DA 18-55 stock lens that came with the camera, however I don't like the limited aperture at length. I also have a Sigma DG 28-300 3.5-6.3, which was an early acquisition that I now never use, frankly that purchase was a mistake. I want a two lens kit, which will consist of my 50mm and one other lens. I take quite a lot of photography of food, however want some wider angle shots for traveling and feel that the DA*16-50mm f2.8 would be a good fit. Let's say money is no factor, what are your recommendations for a fairly un-specialized photographer who wants a bit more range. Would a wider prime lens be a good match for my 50? Thanks, Alex

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02-19-2013, 08:40 PM	#2
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	I have a 43mm F1.9, 77mm F1.8 and 200mm F2.8, all of which I use very regularly. I mostly shoot wildlife so the 200mm is usually on my camera. I also do a lot of people photography, using all three lenses. Sitting unloved in a cupboard are a 16-45mm F4, which gets very occasional use for flowers as it does macro, and a 55-300mm f4-5.6, which just never gets used any more. I guess my favourite subjects take me in the opposite direction to yours - ie: tele instead of wide. It does sound like a wide prime - say around 30mm - might really suit you. However, I can see that a quality zoom at around F2.8 would be very versatile.

02-19-2013, 09:12 PM	#3
kaiserz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NoVa The "burg" Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	I think the DA* 16 - 50 would be an outstanding lens for your needs.

02-19-2013, 10:28 PM	#4
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Why not read the attached review, which will give you some insight into the performance of the various 2.8 16-50 available.This would seem a good versatile lens options for food photography. DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

02-19-2013, 11:06 PM	#5
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Some years ago I picked the Tamron 17-50/2.8 for this general purpose use. It is a great versatile lens, but some time after that I decided that I can live without zoom capability, so now I stick with a few fast primes for vacations. BTW, PF has reviewed these fast zooms here (boy, was it hard to find this link).

02-20-2013, 04:14 AM	#6
A.F.AW New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice guys. Second question, if I were to go a prime lens of shorter focal length than my 50mm, what would be some good options?

02-20-2013, 04:19 AM	#7
Lurch Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 582	Both 28mm and 35mm seem popular these days. I managed to cover off both with the Sigma 20mm-40mm with I luuuurve. It practically lives on my K5 these days. (PS; if you think of selling the 28-300; lemme know )

02-20-2013, 05:02 AM	#8
A.F.AW New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 6 Original Poster	I need AF too. **apologies for the spam, as a new member they don't let me edit posts...

02-20-2013, 05:07 AM	#9
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	I really like my Sigma 30 mm 1.4, which of course is equivalent to 45mm on full-frame, a great prime lens for lots of low-light, inside work, even including portraits. For more money,I also like my Pentax 43mm ltd. I second the recommendation of the Tamron 17-50mm constant f 2.8, excellent for inside parties and gatherings for ease of use in ambient light, and also a great "walking around" lens for its focal length coverage. As a walking around lens, it is wide enough to do architecture and landscape, yet narrow enough for portraiture. There are reviews of all these lens on this site, of course.

02-20-2013, 06:20 AM	#10
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by A.F.AW Thanks for the advice guys. Second question, if I were to go a prime lens of shorter focal length than my 50mm, what would be some good options? If price is no object go for the FA 31mm ltd. It is a stellar lens and still in high demand even after 12 years (it came out in 2001) It is an auto focus lens. And a true jem. NaCl(the only way I'll part with mine is at death)H2O