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05-04-2015, 01:45 PM   #1
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Evaluating lens changes for my K-50

Hi all.
LBA incoming, please help me
(note: all prices in this post have been converted from local currency -Euro- to $)




I'm beginning to understand my K-50, and after the recent purchase of a SMC M 50mm F1.7 I'm even starting to appreciate DOF and the bokeh concept. So, while I was already thinking to change my current "tele" lens to reach 300mm, now I'm considering to change 2 out of 3 of my lenses.


Right now I have:
DAL 18-55 F3.5-5.6 AL WR
DAL 50-200 F4-5.6 ED WR
SMC M 50mm F1.7


The last one is now untouchable: payed the ridicolous equivalent of 60 dollars, it's teaching me the difference between taking photos and enjoying taking photos; having to physically set lens parameters I've learned more in a single sunday afternoon than in years of shooting.


That said, the other two can be sold and replaced by something else, but...I've no idea with what. It's a little puzzle, so I'd really like a bit of help on the argument. Please be patient
- WR to me is a big plus, really. Not that I need all my lenses to be WR, but at least one must be like that.
- I usually shoot outside, and I'd love a nice zoom in the 300mm range. More than that, I could survive with a 200mm if a bit quicker than my current F4-5.6
- Still, I need a decent wide lens. I can use a 50mm most of the time, but sometime I know I'm gonna need at least a 24.
- Have no problems at all with manual gears, so if some used M lens cover my needs I can consider it
- I have no much money I could probably sell both my DAL for a total of 200-250$ and maybe add another 300$




Right now I've considered:
- HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR
Not much to say, a good zoom at 420$, 300mm without losing much (just one stop) to my 50-200


- Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
For just 200$ is really cheap, but it's not WR
(lol at the non APO version, that can be bought new for 100$ )


Anyway, I've found nothing quicker at a "nice price". And if I'm going to sell everything to buy the HD 55-300, I'll be without money for a wide lens


Ideas??




Thx all

05-04-2015, 02:09 PM   #2
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If you only need one of your lenses to be WR why not buy one of the earlier non wr versions of the 55 300 which would leave you enough to buy a wider WR lens?
05-04-2015, 02:12 PM   #3
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I'm sure you'll get a host of recommendations for zoom-this and zoom-that, but I'm going to key off what I think is the most
important thing you said above:

QuoteOriginally posted by Drizzt Quote
SMC M 50mm F1.7....
it's teaching me the difference between taking photos and enjoying taking photos; having to physically set lens parameters I've learned more in a single sunday afternoon than in years of shooting.
My suggestion. Keep whichever zoom you currently have that you plan to use more often in wet weather. Then replace the
other zoom with a manual prime in that range.

For the wide, look for a K, M or A series 28mm or 35mm, with top priority on the SMC K 28/3.5.
f2.8 or 3.5 versions of any of the above can be had for less than $100, often less than $50. You'll spend a lot more for
a 2.0 variant or anything wider than 28mm.

If you're swapping the tele, look for a K, M or A series 200mm/4. You might even consider shortening up to a 135mm or
150mm, as the increased image quality of a good prime will allow you to crop tighter, effectively equaling the reach of your
present tele-zoom. Cost for any of the above is less than $200, with many less than $100, (and 135mm's are cheap as chips).

Either one will give you that same satisfaction you're currently experiencing with the SMC M 50/1.7.
05-04-2015, 02:12 PM   #4
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Sell the 18-55 and the 50-200

buy the 18-135

add a cheapo DAL 55-300.

I would also replace the M 50 (stop down metering is dumb) with either the DA 35 2.4 or the DA 50 1.8, though that's less of a priority.

A superzoom (something that can go wide - tele) and a fast prime is an ideal 2 lens kit that will see you through quite a lot.

05-04-2015, 02:38 PM   #5
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Yeah, you can get the DA L 55-300mm. Sure, the new HD version has better coatings, is WR, has distance scales and lens hood, but it is much more affordable.
But are you sure 200mm is not enough? You can get a great DA 35mm f2.4 or Samyang 16mm f2.0 (manual focus, but has auto-aperture, unlike the M 50mm). This would give you something very different, with high image quality.
If you really want 300mm, the Pentax 55-300mm is probably the best affordable option. Higher quality 300mm will cost much more. The DA 300mm will give you much better optical quality, but it is a bigger lens with a higher price tag.

The Sigma you mentioned doesn't get very stellar reviews:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-apo-dg-macro.html

And there is a Tamron option as well (seems to be more affordable)l:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-70-300mm-f4-5-6-af-di-ld-macro.html

Last edited by Na Horuk; 05-04-2015 at 02:43 PM.
05-04-2015, 03:13 PM   #6
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What's your favorite focal length? I would start there. Also, having a good photo editing software can really be one of the best upgrades you can make.
05-04-2015, 03:17 PM   #7
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I have an 18-135 and find it very nice indeed for a walkabout lens. However given your flirtation with manual focus and older lenses I would also suggest you look at the 24-50 or a 35-70 or a 35-105 in A or F series. Another option might be an F series 35-135 (which wasn't a great lens on film but does better on APSC since the center performance of the lens is stronger than the corners and using it on APSC leverages more of the center sweet spot.

Other lenses to consider K, M or A series 300mm F/4 manual focus. These are large lenses and not autofocus. They are however sharp and reasonably inexpensive.


Last edited by UncleVanya; 05-04-2015 at 03:52 PM.
05-04-2015, 03:24 PM   #8
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I don't think stop-down metering is actually "dumb." It's just another brief, easy step that allows you to use some excellent older glass on a modern body.

I like the advice above to get an 18-135mm WR for the wide/middle and a 55-300mm for the long end.

They're both great lenses. They come up for sale here fairly often and both give better results than the kit lenses. If you would really like faster lenses, it costs a lot more, so hang onto your 50 / 1.7 as that's plenty fast with the sensor.

Last edited by yucatanPentax; 05-04-2015 at 04:20 PM.
05-04-2015, 03:50 PM   #9
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Generally speaking, if you're going to drop big bucks on a lens, do so for either your ultra wide angle of your long distance cannon. Neither ultra wides nor decent (key word there) super telephotos are usually available cheap used, at which point you're better off buying new where you have the safety net of a warranty and the bonus of modern optics. Pretty much everything from 28mm through ~200mm can be had cheap in any number of incarnations from old used stuff to newer stuff.

Save your weather sealing for your walkaround zoom. I suppose you COULD go birding or shooting landscapes in the rain but odds are you're more likely to need that weather sealing when you're just out and about and doing general 'stuff'.
05-04-2015, 06:27 PM   #10
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keep the kit for Wide angle, sell the 200 to help pay for the 55-300mm. Wait until the 55-300 goes on sale, and you'll save $50-100

my 2 cents
05-04-2015, 07:18 PM   #11
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Own or had experience with most lenses suggested above. I'd go along with others in recommending the 55-300 if you want to get 300mm at a reasonable cost in a lens that is not very big. It is significantly better than the 50-200 and is really a great bargain. It falls short only in having a modest max f-stop. Tamron's 70-300mm, made for FF, is also a much better lens than its price would suggest and another great bargain.
For wide angle, if you prefer that direction, Sigma's 10-20mm is hands down the best bargain, and versatile. If you want to dish out $$$, everyone who owns the DA15mm really loves the lens (I do not have experience with this lens). Frankly, I'd rather have the 10-20 in my bag. Sigma has always offered an excellent ultra wide zoom, going back to the 15-30 for FF (had one - it was excellent).
05-04-2015, 10:50 PM   #12
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Get a K28/3.5, amazing lens for the price.
05-05-2015, 12:02 AM   #13
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I have that Sigma 70 - 300 lens; it's good, but not at its far end... you'll get some fringing at 300mm, but that's expected at that price point (from what I've read)

keep an eye out for the DA 55-300 used, either here or on eBay, for similar money to the Sigma (new) and you'll probably be happier...

I have both of those kit lenses mentioned and have recently replaced both of them with a Sigma18-200mm lens (refurbished) and am very happy with it - it is not a low-light lens, but I have a DA 50mm f1.8 for that if need be...

Last edited by pepperberry farm; 05-05-2015 at 05:04 AM.
05-05-2015, 04:13 AM   #14
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I do not recommend going with the DA L 55-300mm, along with the lack of newer coatings it lacks a feature I find extremely useful which is the Quickshift focus feature. After purchasing the DA 55-300 WR and using that feature I have changed all of my DA L WR kit lenses that came with my original K50 to the DA WR lenses with that feature.
05-05-2015, 06:23 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Oldbayrunner Quote
I do not recommend going with the DA L 55-300mm, along with the lack of newer coatings it lacks a feature I find extremely useful which is the Quickshift focus feature. After purchasing the DA 55-300 WR and using that feature I have changed all of my DA L WR kit lenses that came with my original K50 to the DA WR lenses with that feature.
Do you mean the HD coatings? The DA L 55-300 has full SMC and Super Protect front element coatings so it isn't bad at all. I do agree that QuickShift is more important on this lens due to focus throw than on some smaller lenses. I have the non HD non WR version myself. It is mostly eclipsed by my DA* 60-250 except for reach and weight where the 55-300 excels.
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