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**UncleVanya** · 04-07-2015, 11:38 AM

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Originally posted by lextextrapper

I have a tripod but it's old and not real sturdy. What should I look for in a good tripod?

Solid, sturdy, light enough to carry, easy to mount and discount the camera.

**lmd91343** · 04-07-2015, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by lextextrapper

I think I've decided to add the following two lenses for my trip to YS.

1) Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens

2) Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Zoom Lens for Pentax DSLRs W/APS-C Sensors

Talk me out of it if you don't agree with the choices. :0)

Good start!

The 55-300 for more distant fauna and the 17-50 for close fauna, thermal features, and landscapes. I'd also take an UW for some of the geysers.

**jrpower10** · 04-07-2015, 02:59 PM

I've been happy with my Mefoto Globetrotter tripod. Light, plenty of load capacity, and a hook to hang weight if you need it for stability/dampening. I hear Sirui tripods are good value as well. Both makes fold up small for travel.

**K(s)evin** · 04-09-2015, 07:20 AM

You are going fairly early in the season, so snowstorms are a very real possibility. Moreso at higher elevations, but it can, and does, happen anywhere in the park. So pack appropriately for you and your gear.

And...do not plan on getting anywhere in the park quickly. Two lane roads with lots of buffalo/elk/animal jams in addition to LOTS of slow RV's!

Get up early to beat the traffic and have a wonderful time!

lextextrapper · 04-09-2015, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by K(s)evin

You are going fairly early in the season, so snowstorms are a very real possibility. Moreso at higher elevations, but it can, and does, happen anywhere in the park. So pack appropriately for you and your gear.

And...do not plan on getting anywhere in the park quickly. Two lane roads with lots of buffalo/elk/animal jams in addition to LOTS of slow RV's!

Get up early to beat the traffic and have a wonderful time!

Me and the kids are hoping for some snow! We live in central Texas and rarely get to see snow.

**lmd91343** · 04-09-2015, 05:21 PM

Enjoy your trip!

I was in a snow storm July 25 on one visit.

Kevin's advice about time of day and traffic is spot on. Also in the morning you'll get better photos.

formercanuck · 04-09-2015, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by lextextrapper

Size and weight are not factors for me. I want to be able to get that wide angle view, but I also want to be able to reach out and capture wildlife that might be out of range for the 55-200mm. I would also like to able to use them in low light situations.

Well... if that's the case, I'd have the following (might need to see about rental or used):

Option A

1. Wide angle on the camera - probably get a used/KEH 28mm f/2.8 lens
2. Rent a Pentax 60-250mm or Sigma 50-500mm

Option B

1. 18-135 mm WR (this is an area where WR may be important)
2. $100 Rokinon/Samyang refractor or tele 500mm - yeah - I have one, and its 'ok'. You can get a 2x tube for it if needed.

I suspect you'll probably have the 18-135mm on most of the time.

lextextrapper · 04-10-2015, 11:38 AM

How would one of the older Pentax MF lenses work for me on the K-30? I could pick up an older manual focus wide angle and macro lens pretty cheap on eBay.

**lmd91343** · 04-10-2015, 12:54 PM

As for macro lenses, you are in luck! The older MF Pentax macro lenses are near perfect and cheap! They will operate just fine. The non "A" K mount lenses will be slightly easier to mount, but the Super or SMC Taks will be easier to use, having two exposure modes compared to the K mounts one manual mode. I have the SMC Tak 100mm and 50mm and the Super Tak 50mm (1:1 version). I would not part with these for anything!

As for the older UWA lenses, that is harder due to the 1.5 angle of view crop factor. You have three choices: the astronomically priced 15mm; the poor performing 18mm fisheye; the dark 17mm f11 fisheye; and the 17mm f4 fisheye. With the 17mm f4 Tak fisheye, you will get a slightly fishy image with an angle of view that exceeds 90*. Focus is very easy. You can use aperture priority or manual exposure. It is also very very small. The only two caveats are that there is no sun shade and flat horizons must be near the center of the frame. They go for about $290. Modern used AF UWA zooms are only a little bit more. And they are fully automated!

lextextrapper · 04-10-2015, 01:18 PM

What about a lens like this?
Mint Sears 135mm F 2 8 MC Macro K Mount Lens for Pentax | eBay

**lmd91343** · 04-10-2015, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by lextextrapper

What about a lens like this?
Mint Sears 135mm F 2 8 MC Macro K Mount Lens for Pentax | eBay

On the good side, it has an "A" mode.

On the the bad side, it is only 1:5. It probably not flat field. It does not have a reputation anything anywhere close to the Pentax ones. 135 is not a standard macro FL.

Here are several for sale now. They are all well thought of. The first and the last on the list are top rated, have near perfect IQ, are flat field, and are the least expensive in their size and function class.

https://www.keh.com/243705/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-takumar-m42-screw-mount...-focus-lens-49
https://www.keh.com/242040/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52
https://www.keh.com/241954/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-m-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-49
https://www.keh.com/241956/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52
https://www.keh.com/243655/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-takumar-macro-m42-screw-moun...-focus-lens-49

I have had many good experiences with KEH.

lextextrapper · 04-10-2015, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by lmd91343

On the good side, it has an "A" mode.

On the the bad side, it is only 1:5. It probably not flat field. It does not have a reputation anything anywhere close to the Pentax ones. 135 is not a standard macro FL.

Here are several for sale now. They are all well thought of. The first and the last on the list are top rated, have near perfect IQ, are flat field, and are the least expensive in their size and function class.

https://www.keh.com/243705/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-takumar-m42-screw-mount...-focus-lens-49
https://www.keh.com/242040/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52
https://www.keh.com/241954/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-m-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-49
https://www.keh.com/241956/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52
https://www.keh.com/243655/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-takumar-macro-m42-screw-moun...-focus-lens-49

I have had many good experiences with KEH.

Thanks!

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04-07-2015, 11:38 AM	#76
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by lextextrapper I have a tripod but it's old and not real sturdy. What should I look for in a good tripod? Solid, sturdy, light enough to carry, easy to mount and discount the camera.

04-07-2015, 02:58 PM	#77
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by lextextrapper I think I've decided to add the following two lenses for my trip to YS. 1) Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens 2) Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Zoom Lens for Pentax DSLRs W/APS-C Sensors Talk me out of it if you don't agree with the choices. :0) Good start! The 55-300 for more distant fauna and the 17-50 for close fauna, thermal features, and landscapes. I'd also take an UW for some of the geysers.

04-07-2015, 02:59 PM	#78
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	I've been happy with my Mefoto Globetrotter tripod. Light, plenty of load capacity, and a hook to hang weight if you need it for stability/dampening. I hear Sirui tripods are good value as well. Both makes fold up small for travel.

04-09-2015, 07:20 AM	#79
K(s)evin Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 476	You are going fairly early in the season, so snowstorms are a very real possibility. Moreso at higher elevations, but it can, and does, happen anywhere in the park. So pack appropriately for you and your gear. And...do not plan on getting anywhere in the park quickly. Two lane roads with lots of buffalo/elk/animal jams in addition to LOTS of slow RV's! Get up early to beat the traffic and have a wonderful time!

04-09-2015, 11:13 AM	#80
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by K(s)evin You are going fairly early in the season, so snowstorms are a very real possibility. Moreso at higher elevations, but it can, and does, happen anywhere in the park. So pack appropriately for you and your gear. And...do not plan on getting anywhere in the park quickly. Two lane roads with lots of buffalo/elk/animal jams in addition to LOTS of slow RV's! Get up early to beat the traffic and have a wonderful time! Me and the kids are hoping for some snow! We live in central Texas and rarely get to see snow.

04-09-2015, 05:21 PM	#81
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Enjoy your trip! I was in a snow storm July 25 on one visit. Kevin's advice about time of day and traffic is spot on. Also in the morning you'll get better photos.

04-09-2015, 10:03 PM	#82
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Originally posted by lextextrapper Size and weight are not factors for me. I want to be able to get that wide angle view, but I also want to be able to reach out and capture wildlife that might be out of range for the 55-200mm. I would also like to able to use them in low light situations. Well... if that's the case, I'd have the following (might need to see about rental or used): Option A 1. Wide angle on the camera - probably get a used/KEH 28mm f/2.8 lens 2. Rent a Pentax 60-250mm or Sigma 50-500mm Option B 1. 18-135 mm WR (this is an area where WR may be important) 2. $100 Rokinon/Samyang refractor or tele 500mm - yeah - I have one, and its 'ok'. You can get a 2x tube for it if needed. I suspect you'll probably have the 18-135mm on most of the time.

04-10-2015, 11:38 AM	#83
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	How would one of the older Pentax MF lenses work for me on the K-30? I could pick up an older manual focus wide angle and macro lens pretty cheap on eBay.

04-10-2015, 12:54 PM	#84
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	As for macro lenses, you are in luck! The older MF Pentax macro lenses are near perfect and cheap! They will operate just fine. The non "A" K mount lenses will be slightly easier to mount, but the Super or SMC Taks will be easier to use, having two exposure modes compared to the K mounts one manual mode. I have the SMC Tak 100mm and 50mm and the Super Tak 50mm (1:1 version). I would not part with these for anything! As for the older UWA lenses, that is harder due to the 1.5 angle of view crop factor. You have three choices: the astronomically priced 15mm; the poor performing 18mm fisheye; the dark 17mm f11 fisheye; and the 17mm f4 fisheye. With the 17mm f4 Tak fisheye, you will get a slightly fishy image with an angle of view that exceeds 90*. Focus is very easy. You can use aperture priority or manual exposure. It is also very very small. The only two caveats are that there is no sun shade and flat horizons must be near the center of the frame. They go for about $290. Modern used AF UWA zooms are only a little bit more. And they are fully automated!

04-10-2015, 01:18 PM	#85
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	What about a lens like this? Mint Sears 135mm F 2 8 MC Macro K Mount Lens for Pentax \| eBay

04-10-2015, 01:58 PM	#86
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by lextextrapper What about a lens like this? Mint Sears 135mm F 2 8 MC Macro K Mount Lens for Pentax \| eBay On the good side, it has an "A" mode. On the the bad side, it is only 1:5. It probably not flat field. It does not have a reputation anything anywhere close to the Pentax ones. 135 is not a standard macro FL. Here are several for sale now. They are all well thought of. The first and the last on the list are top rated, have near perfect IQ, are flat field, and are the least expensive in their size and function class. https://www.keh.com/243705/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-takumar-m42-screw-mount...-focus-lens-49 https://www.keh.com/242040/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52 https://www.keh.com/241954/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-m-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-49 https://www.keh.com/241956/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52 https://www.keh.com/243655/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-takumar-macro-m42-screw-moun...-focus-lens-49 I have had many good experiences with KEH.

04-10-2015, 02:03 PM	#87
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by lmd91343 On the good side, it has an "A" mode. On the the bad side, it is only 1:5. It probably not flat field. It does not have a reputation anything anywhere close to the Pentax ones. 135 is not a standard macro FL. Here are several for sale now. They are all well thought of. The first and the last on the list are top rated, have near perfect IQ, are flat field, and are the least expensive in their size and function class. https://www.keh.com/243705/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-takumar-m42-screw-mount...-focus-lens-49 https://www.keh.com/242040/pentax-50mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52 https://www.keh.com/241954/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-m-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-49 https://www.keh.com/241956/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-macro-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-52 https://www.keh.com/243655/pentax-100mm-f-4-smc-takumar-macro-m42-screw-moun...-focus-lens-49 I have had many good experiences with KEH. Thanks!

If you had to choose one lens

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!