Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
08-07-2013, 08:46 AM   #31
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Billy Joe's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 374
Well, I got into this digital camera world because my daughters were born. Had an old SMC 35mm 2.8 and a Sears 135 in a box with my old film cameras... did some research and they would fit the Pentax DSLR so I bought my first one a K100d. (Had I realized at the time the lenses were worth about 50 bucks I might have gone with a different system) haha...

Like you, I shot fast MF primes, I blew off the kit right away. As even my cheap primes had a 'look' the kit did not have. As babies they are easy to shoot with MF so I picked up a smc 50 1.4 and a vivi close focus 28mm...
As they got toddler'n, MF was a bit challenging. So I bought the FA50 1.5... but when you want to catch full body shots of them doing something cute... the 50mm is too long indoors. At the time there were no wide AF lenses in my price range except the FA 35 and I could tell from my MF 35mm that it was not quite wide enough.
That is how I ended up with the Tamron 28-75. It truly became my workhorse lens for the family shots. The FA50 barely got used after that. F2.8 is fast enough with these new sensors and ISO 6400... The noise is fine, not blotchy like the p&s cams, and I think adds to some of the intimate shots. The tammy is also pretty good with bounce flash (I have the old vivitar too, that I also bought for macro work)

Once the kids got tired of me taking pics of them in needed to go stealth... and the 55-300 works great for catch shots of them playing outdoors without interrupting the play. Your FA 80-320 does the same thing for you.

I still use my MF lenses for all the artsy shots, and because in my opinion it puts me more into the photos and each lens has it's own qualities.

But, if you like me and money does not grow on trees... for the grab and go lens for school functions or birthday parties... etc etc the tamron is a good choice.

But that darn DA35.2.4 at $181 would be calling me big time. 8^)

Another option to consider is the DA 40ltd pancake. The can be had pretty cheap used... Very stealth, and sharp as can be, Plus the fastest AF speed lens I have used.

08-07-2013, 08:54 AM   #32
Veteran Member




Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,047
I find the 40mm xs/limited to be the perfect lens. Being 40mm it is not quite so close up as the 50's and has 2.8. It also has a decent minimum focus distance.
08-07-2013, 10:13 AM   #33
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Billy Joe's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 374
can the 40mm xs be used on a mirrored DSLR?
08-07-2013, 10:29 AM   #34
Master of the obvious
Loyal Site Supporter
savoche's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lowlands of Norway
Posts: 18,309
QuoteOriginally posted by Billy Joe Quote
can the 40mm xs be used on a mirrored DSLR?
Yes, no problem.

But for the OP: I agree that the 35 f/2.4 is a lot of lens for the money. If you want faster there is a FA 35 f/2, or for a lot more you can have the FA 31 f/1.9 Limited.

Or have a look at Sigma. They have a 35 and a 30 f/1.4, and 28 f/1.8, I believe.

08-07-2013, 02:05 PM   #35
Veteran Member
slip's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,535
If you need to save cash, then the da 35 or da 40 xs would be good choices
If you thinking zoom, then a 17-70 is a good compromise as far as performance and price.My wife uses hers all the time and has great results.
for all out performance, I am taking my DA*50-135 to my grave

good luck

randy
08-07-2013, 03:20 PM   #36
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 107
Original Poster
I'm starting to think i should buy the 35 and 50mm lenses while they are on sale.. Seem like pretty standard lenses to have in a kit... Gah.. Lens decisions, how does anyone ever decide

Last edited by dmbaile2; 08-07-2013 at 05:56 PM.
08-07-2013, 04:22 PM   #37
Veteran Member
slip's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,535
QuoteOriginally posted by dmbaile2 Quote
I'm starting to think i should buy the 35 and 50mm lenses while they are on sale.. Seem like pretty standard lenses to have in a kit... Gah.. Lens decisions, you does anyone ever decide
The other half does that for me


Thanks

Randy

08-07-2013, 11:58 PM - 1 Like   #38
Master of the obvious
Loyal Site Supporter
savoche's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lowlands of Norway
Posts: 18,309
QuoteOriginally posted by dmbaile2 Quote
Gah.. Lens decisions, how does anyone ever decide
It's quite simple. You just buy one more.

And one more.

Always one more...
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
50mm, k-mount, lens, lenses, pentax lens, primes, slr lens, smc, takumar
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
If I was going to buy a second Nikon DSLR Jetsam1 Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 8 08-04-2013 01:21 PM
Please help, i am about to buy a k-30 and i need some advice (mabe a lot). carlosodze Pentax K-30 & K-50 15 05-20-2013 11:11 PM
Hi I'm icy. I am going to buy a Pentax K-?? icy Welcomes and Introductions 3 06-18-2011 06:58 AM
Okay, I am going to buy one, but from where? Allison Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 28 03-25-2011 05:28 PM
WHAT DO YALL THINK? Expensive to have 2 systems! But I am going for it! luke0622 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 18 06-23-2010 06:49 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:59 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top