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06-27-2013, 11:42 AM   #1
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Lens Choices

Ok, Im in the market for a new lens...maybe two.. and this is what I'm looking at, a 10-17mm fisheye, DA* 60-250mm, or DA *16-50mm? As a little information as to what lenses I already have and older Pentax 1.8 50mm, Sigma 10-20, Pentax kit 18-55 and 50-200, Sigma f2.8 105 macro, Pentax f4 300, and Sigma 150-500 in the bag. Half the time now I struggle to figure out what I feel like shooting with, but the lenses in that 18-250 range really seem pathetic after using DA* glass. I thought I would get some opinions from people on here that may have some experience with these ranges. Oh yeah, they will be mounted to a k7 and a k5 as well. Thanks for the input.

06-27-2013, 12:13 PM   #2
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its time to go limited
06-27-2013, 12:26 PM   #3
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DA*55 might be nice, or a FA 31/43/77. Or are you partial to zooms?
06-27-2013, 12:43 PM   #4
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go new sigma 18-35 f1,8 (;

06-27-2013, 12:53 PM   #5
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DA10-17 + DA*16-50 + DA*60-250 sounds good. I already have the first two.. Maybe five years from now IŽll be able to get the third.
06-27-2013, 01:08 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by yellowbrick Quote
DA*55 might be nice, or a FA 31/43/77. Or are you partial to zooms?
The zooms cited are all good (well, I do not have the 60-250, but I hear good things about it). That said, I would second yellowbrick's suggestion to get one/some of the limiteds or the DA*55/1.4 - this, in part, as I'm addicted to fast glass, and in part as the FA Limiteds are just awesome optically and beat (IMO) any zooms in terms of IQ.
06-27-2013, 02:00 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by jjeling Quote
Ok, Im in the market for a new lens...maybe two.. and this is what I'm looking at, a 10-17mm fisheye, DA* 60-250mm, or DA *16-50mm? As a little information as to what lenses I already have and older Pentax 1.8 50mm, Sigma 10-20, Pentax kit 18-55 and 50-200, Sigma f2.8 105 macro, Pentax f4 300, and Sigma 150-500 in the bag. Half the time now I struggle to figure out what I feel like shooting with, but the lenses in that 18-250 range really seem pathetic after using DA* glass. I thought I would get some opinions from people on here that may have some experience with these ranges. Oh yeah, they will be mounted to a k7 and a k5 as well. Thanks for the input.
I suppose the first question is what you intend to do with your images. Viewing on a monitor? Sharing on the Web? Large prints?

Other questions: What is your skill level? Do you use a tripod? In other words, are you getting the most out of what you already own?

Before blowing a bunch of money on lenses, it's wise to make sure it will do you some good.

06-27-2013, 02:27 PM   #8
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The idea is that I have a great income right now and want to make the most of it. If you want to know my skill level look at my flickr page. My name on flickr is the same as it is here. The only reason I was looking at zooms is I hate switching lenses all the time. It really is a pain. Tripod(s) = yes. Monopods etc. Etc. My photography style changes from landscape, wildlife, to urban, abstract, and light paiting. Really I just shoot whatever I'm in the mood for. I thought zooms would be the biggest bang for the buck as far as good glass cover different focal lengths. If I buy the glass now, I wouldn't need glass for a while. Essentially I'm buying now for years to come. Limited primes would be nice, but again, there is nothing more frustrating missing a shot when you are fussing around with changing lenses. That's why I carry 2 cameras.
06-27-2013, 02:27 PM   #9
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The fisheye is going relatively cheap. It's one of my favorite lenses.

https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/detail_page.cfm?productid=21580&mfg=Pentax&show=yes

I'm leery of SDM lenses, though the optics seem nice.
06-27-2013, 03:40 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by jjeling Quote
Ok, Im in the market for a new lens...maybe two.. and this is what I'm looking at, a 10-17mm fisheye, DA* 60-250mm, or DA *16-50mm? As a little information as to what lenses I already have and older Pentax 1.8 50mm, Sigma 10-20, Pentax kit 18-55 and 50-200, Sigma f2.8 105 macro, Pentax f4 300, and Sigma 150-500 in the bag. Half the time now I struggle to figure out what I feel like shooting with, but the lenses in that 18-250 range really seem pathetic after using DA* glass. I thought I would get some opinions from people on here that may have some experience with these ranges. Oh yeah, they will be mounted to a k7 and a k5 as well. Thanks for the input.
I have all three of those lenses and they make for a very nice high quality kit. I owned those before starting to buy the primes. Now I have a choice to either haul the larger zooms or the primes. The choice is yours.
06-28-2013, 11:17 AM   #11
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Your thinking completely changes when shooting with primes. It's less about taking the shot, and more about setting it up in the first place. I've read it here many times, zoom are for taking pictures, primes are for making them.

Why not try a limited prime? If you buy used here, and don't like it, you can sell it for what you paid and be out nothing. If money is not much of an object, get the 15, 31, 43 and 77. Maybe pick one to start. I started with the 40 Ltd., and it is wonderful. I've added the 35 and the 15.

If you are set on a zoom, replacing your 18-55 with the Tamron 7-50 seems the best place to start. Optically better than the *16-50.
06-28-2013, 01:45 PM   #12
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I have the 10-17, it's a great little fisheye. I rented it for a couple weeks then kept an eye open for a used copy. I don't use it frequently, but it's unique. I rented a Sigma 8-16, and really liked that too - just about as wide, but very different.
If you don't have a WR lens, I'd seriously consider adding one to your kit.

I've rented the 60-250 and wasn't able to give it a real workout. It is pretty heavy, though, if that's a consideration.
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