2 lens kit with new K-S2 first thoughts

Jamey777 · 10-02-2015, 02:56 PM

My Costco bundle came with these guys:

SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I currently own the older 18-55 kit lens, and an F 70-210 so was wondering if I would even keep or want these lenses.

Both of the new lenses have more contrast. They are incredibly cheap feeling compared to the older lenses and didn't come with a hood.

That being said, here are my thoughts:

18-50/55 new vs old.... going to keep the kit lens because I can't tell any difference between the two except the contrast, and it is kind of cool to have the weather sealing. Not sure about the pop out feature, seems like it will break eventually and is fiddly.

50-200 / 70-210 new vs old.... keeping the F series. Colors were more accurate, corners better, and over all sharper than the new one. It isn't comparing apples to apples because I don't think the 70-210 was a kit lens.

elementdtlop · 10-02-2015, 03:25 PM

everyone hates on the 50-200 but i really like it. i got a non kit version so maybe it had better quality control. I've got an hd 55-300 now though and it is nice having the extra reach. picture quality is probably a little better too. new coating is almost like having a polarizer on. it has me wondering if the cpp is overkill. when it drops in the 260 area its a good upgrade if you use the long end of your 70-210 a lot.

mcgregni · 10-03-2015, 01:21 AM - **1 Like**

If you're the sort of photographer who is aware of and even NOTICES things like lens colours, contrast, corners and sharpeness ..... Then, budget allowing, I'm thinking you're not someone who would be sticking with budget lenses for very long!

Not a Number · 10-03-2015, 04:14 AM

Well at least this clears up if it is the 18-50 or 18-55 lens that comes with this bundle.

seventysixersfan · 10-03-2015, 04:52 AM

Actually I think the uncertainty was not over the 18-50 or 18-55 lens, but whether the telephoto zoom was the DA or DA-L version of the 50-200. Difference between metal and plastic mount and quick shift.

Jamey777 · 10-03-2015, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by mcgregni

If you're the sort of photographer who is aware of and even NOTICES things like lens colours, contrast, corners and sharpeness ..... Then, budget allowing, I'm thinking you're not someone who would be sticking with budget lenses for very long!

I switched over to film 3 years ago so it is very strange coming back to digital. 95% of my photos are of kids and family taken with FA 43 & FA 77 so that is where I put my lens money.

I only need 18-200 range when we do family vacations and that would be for nature & landscape so I can't justify lots of money on that kind of lens. Will probably end up selling the newer lenses as they are worth more and I won't miss them for the type of shooting I do.

But that new 16-85 looks very nice lol!

Not a Number · 10-03-2015, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

Actually I think the uncertainty was not over the 18-50 or 18-55 lens,

The graphic says 18-55mm while the text says 18-50mm. The DA 18-50mm is HD which is unlikely to included as a kit lens in this price range.

Jamey777 · 10-04-2015, 11:22 AM

There are two versions of the 18-50 collapsible lens. I linked to the one it ships with first post, it is not HD.

Originally posted by Not a Number

The graphic says 18-55mm while the text says 18-50mm. The DA 18-50mm is HD which is unlikely to included as a kit lens in this price range.

Surnia · 10-04-2015, 10:15 PM

Nothing really beats an excellent prime, but honestly you can't go wrong with the 50-200mm. I bought it on special at a local camera chain going out of business, and hadn't taken it out for a few months... Took it out for a field test today, and I have to say I'm very impressed by my copy. Corners are definitely a bit soft, but there's not much you can do for the price this lens goes for. Mine does NOT have quickshift, plastic mount.

Here's a rather large album I just took today. The Photo is a full crop slightly off centre, still with near full sharpness.

Click the pic to get to the full album.

kh1234567890 · 10-05-2015, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Surnia

Nothing really beats an excellent prime, but honestly you can't go wrong with the 50-200mm.

+1

Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda50200mmf456edwr

10-02-2015, 02:56 PM	#1
Jamey777 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 426	2 lens kit with new K-S2 first thoughts My Costco bundle came with these guys: SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I currently own the older 18-55 kit lens, and an F 70-210 so was wondering if I would even keep or want these lenses. Both of the new lenses have more contrast. They are incredibly cheap feeling compared to the older lenses and didn't come with a hood. That being said, here are my thoughts: 18-50/55 new vs old.... going to keep the kit lens because I can't tell any difference between the two except the contrast, and it is kind of cool to have the weather sealing. Not sure about the pop out feature, seems like it will break eventually and is fiddly. 50-200 / 70-210 new vs old.... keeping the F series. Colors were more accurate, corners better, and over all sharper than the new one. It isn't comparing apples to apples because I don't think the 70-210 was a kit lens.

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10-02-2015, 03:25 PM	#2
elementdtlop Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 97	everyone hates on the 50-200 but i really like it. i got a non kit version so maybe it had better quality control. I've got an hd 55-300 now though and it is nice having the extra reach. picture quality is probably a little better too. new coating is almost like having a polarizer on. it has me wondering if the cpp is overkill. when it drops in the 260 area its a good upgrade if you use the long end of your 70-210 a lot.

10-03-2015, 01:21 AM - 1 Like	#3
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	If you're the sort of photographer who is aware of and even NOTICES things like lens colours, contrast, corners and sharpeness ..... Then, budget allowing, I'm thinking you're not someone who would be sticking with budget lenses for very long!

10-03-2015, 04:14 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Well at least this clears up if it is the 18-50 or 18-55 lens that comes with this bundle.

10-03-2015, 04:52 AM	#5
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Actually I think the uncertainty was not over the 18-50 or 18-55 lens, but whether the telephoto zoom was the DA or DA-L version of the 50-200. Difference between metal and plastic mount and quick shift.

10-03-2015, 05:24 AM	#6
Jamey777 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 426 Original Poster	Originally posted by mcgregni If you're the sort of photographer who is aware of and even NOTICES things like lens colours, contrast, corners and sharpeness ..... Then, budget allowing, I'm thinking you're not someone who would be sticking with budget lenses for very long! I switched over to film 3 years ago so it is very strange coming back to digital. 95% of my photos are of kids and family taken with FA 43 & FA 77 so that is where I put my lens money. I only need 18-200 range when we do family vacations and that would be for nature & landscape so I can't justify lots of money on that kind of lens. Will probably end up selling the newer lenses as they are worth more and I won't miss them for the type of shooting I do. But that new 16-85 looks very nice lol!

10-03-2015, 06:25 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by seventysixersfan Actually I think the uncertainty was not over the 18-50 or 18-55 lens, The graphic says 18-55mm while the text says 18-50mm. The DA 18-50mm is HD which is unlikely to included as a kit lens in this price range.

10-04-2015, 11:22 AM	#8
Jamey777 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 426 Original Poster	There are two versions of the 18-50 collapsible lens. I linked to the one it ships with first post, it is not HD. Originally posted by Not a Number The graphic says 18-55mm while the text says 18-50mm. The DA 18-50mm is HD which is unlikely to included as a kit lens in this price range.

10-04-2015, 10:15 PM	#9
Surnia Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 138	Nothing really beats an excellent prime, but honestly you can't go wrong with the 50-200mm. I bought it on special at a local camera chain going out of business, and hadn't taken it out for a few months... Took it out for a field test today, and I have to say I'm very impressed by my copy. Corners are definitely a bit soft, but there's not much you can do for the price this lens goes for. Mine does NOT have quickshift, plastic mount. Here's a rather large album I just took today. The Photo is a full crop slightly off centre, still with near full sharpness. Click the pic to get to the full album.

10-05-2015, 09:29 AM	#10
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Surnia Nothing really beats an excellent prime, but honestly you can't go wrong with the 50-200mm. +1 Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda50200mmf456edwr