Kit lenses too light?

Trawlerman · 07-15-2008, 11:24 AM

Just a comment on the kit lenses and in particular the 50-200mm.

Whilst the DA50-200 is undoubtedly a pretty decent lens for its money does anybody else think it too light? I've never really gotten on with this lens and i've had two in the past 18 months. To my mind it's lightweight construction is too light for its own good.

I don't think it balances well with the K10d and Grip at all and when being used in a breeze it blows about all over when the hood is attached.

For me personally I get on better with more solid lenses such as the SMC-M 80-200 or the behemoth that is the Bigma. With the Bigma I can shoot in a strong breeze with it handheld and not have shake. I guess it's something to do with the overall weight and balance. Or perhaps the DA50-200 is that light that it's picking up tremors from my hands?

Alfisti · 07-15-2008, 12:09 PM

Never have I used a lens that is too light, period.

Bramela · 07-15-2008, 02:11 PM

I have never found the weight of DA50-200 a problem. Use it on my k10d without any difficulty. Lightness does not bother me at all.

audiobomber · 07-15-2008, 02:18 PM

I don't know about too light, but I find the 18-250mm a bit chunky for the K100DS. With the 18-250 and Sigma flash mounted the camera looks tiny. I ordered a battery grip to compensate.

truonganh · 07-16-2008, 08:35 PM

on the other hand, my sigma 70-200 is definitely a beast. your neck will surely hurt carrying this beast around all day.

i don't think 'too light' is a problem ever.

FotoPete · 07-16-2008, 08:43 PM

Although I suppose most find it a blessing, I find the 50-200 rather light. Combined with the longer focal lengths, the light weight seems to only amplify handshake.

**Ash** · 07-16-2008, 10:03 PM

Forget about too light... what is the IQ of the lens? If it's good, then it's a bonus being lightweight. One day of carrying your K10D plus grip with one of those 70-200 f/2.8s around your neck and you'll be thankful some lenses are light.

My go to portrait lens, the FA 50/1.4 is one of the lightest lenses you'll put on, and yet its IQ is fantastic. Not sure about the balance problem. Most of the weight's in the body+grip combo and works well in my hands. But then again, camera shake's less of a problem for this focal length. By 200+mm, you'll be looking into using a tripod anyway...

thePiRaTE!! · 07-16-2008, 10:31 PM

I had the kit lens but once I didn't properly lock it in and when I took my hand off it must have floated off my camera. Once the lens was gone, my hand shake was so bad my K10 flew out of my hand!

I just use metal built primes now - no more gear launch. I also purchased the K20 because theres more pixel density and thus the sensor is heavier, it helps.

stevebrot · 07-16-2008, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by thePiRaTE!!

...because theres more pixel density and thus the sensor is heavier, it helps.

I hate to be picky, but we all know that pixel density has only a minimal affect the weight of the sensor. The BIG increase is in the weight of the stored images.

Steve

thePiRaTE!! · 07-16-2008, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I hate to be picky, but we all know that pixel density has only a minimal affect the weight of the sensor. The BIG increase is in the weight of the stored images.

Steve

I imagine when FF finally comes, I'll just take a picture and the camera will drop out of my hands like a lead weight.

alohadave · 07-17-2008, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by truonganh

on the other hand, my sigma 70-200 is definitely a beast. your neck will surely hurt carrying this beast around all day.

i don't think 'too light' is a problem ever.

I had the same lens briefly before returning it for the 50-200. The Sigma is just ungodly big and bulky (I wanted a long lens for an upcoming vacation).

Peter Zack · 07-17-2008, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by alohadave

I had the same lens briefly before returning it for the 50-200. The Sigma is just ungodly big and bulky (I wanted a long lens for an upcoming vacation).

And I did the exact opposite. Just this weekend the f2.8 shot close to 450 images at a wedding on one body. Love that lens for IQ and can live with the weight.

I found the 50-200 to be a good lens and the weight wasn't an issue. The weight of the body + grip more than compensates in my hands. I just wanted higher IQ and speed.

Marilith · 07-17-2008, 07:37 AM

I find the 50-200 kit lens to be light and seemingly fragile because for that.
However mine has never broken or let me down in any way.
Optically its really quite good for the cash.

**xs400** · 07-17-2008, 07:45 AM

Too light? That's a problem I never worried about.

07-15-2008, 11:24 AM	#1
Trawlerman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hull, Yorkshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	Kit lenses too light? Just a comment on the kit lenses and in particular the 50-200mm. Whilst the DA50-200 is undoubtedly a pretty decent lens for its money does anybody else think it too light? I've never really gotten on with this lens and i've had two in the past 18 months. To my mind it's lightweight construction is too light for its own good. I don't think it balances well with the K10d and Grip at all and when being used in a breeze it blows about all over when the hood is attached. For me personally I get on better with more solid lenses such as the SMC-M 80-200 or the behemoth that is the Bigma. With the Bigma I can shoot in a strong breeze with it handheld and not have shake. I guess it's something to do with the overall weight and balance. Or perhaps the DA50-200 is that light that it's picking up tremors from my hands?

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07-15-2008, 12:09 PM	#2
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Never have I used a lens that is too light, period.

07-15-2008, 02:11 PM	#3
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I have never found the weight of DA50-200 a problem. Use it on my k10d without any difficulty. Lightness does not bother me at all.

07-15-2008, 02:18 PM	#4
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I don't know about too light, but I find the 18-250mm a bit chunky for the K100DS. With the 18-250 and Sigma flash mounted the camera looks tiny. I ordered a battery grip to compensate.

07-16-2008, 08:35 PM	#5
truonganh Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 194	on the other hand, my sigma 70-200 is definitely a beast. your neck will surely hurt carrying this beast around all day. i don't think 'too light' is a problem ever.

07-16-2008, 08:43 PM	#6
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Although I suppose most find it a blessing, I find the 50-200 rather light. Combined with the longer focal lengths, the light weight seems to only amplify handshake.

07-16-2008, 10:03 PM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Forget about too light... what is the IQ of the lens? If it's good, then it's a bonus being lightweight. One day of carrying your K10D plus grip with one of those 70-200 f/2.8s around your neck and you'll be thankful some lenses are light. My go to portrait lens, the FA 50/1.4 is one of the lightest lenses you'll put on, and yet its IQ is fantastic. Not sure about the balance problem. Most of the weight's in the body+grip combo and works well in my hands. But then again, camera shake's less of a problem for this focal length. By 200+mm, you'll be looking into using a tripod anyway...

07-16-2008, 10:31 PM	#8
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	I had the kit lens but once I didn't properly lock it in and when I took my hand off it must have floated off my camera. Once the lens was gone, my hand shake was so bad my K10 flew out of my hand! I just use metal built primes now - no more gear launch. I also purchased the K20 because theres more pixel density and thus the sensor is heavier, it helps.

07-16-2008, 11:02 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by thePiRaTE!! ...because theres more pixel density and thus the sensor is heavier, it helps. I hate to be picky, but we all know that pixel density has only a minimal affect the weight of the sensor. The BIG increase is in the weight of the stored images. Steve

07-16-2008, 11:17 PM	#10
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Originally posted by stevebrot I hate to be picky, but we all know that pixel density has only a minimal affect the weight of the sensor. The BIG increase is in the weight of the stored images. Steve I imagine when FF finally comes, I'll just take a picture and the camera will drop out of my hands like a lead weight.

07-17-2008, 05:09 AM	#11
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by truonganh on the other hand, my sigma 70-200 is definitely a beast. your neck will surely hurt carrying this beast around all day. i don't think 'too light' is a problem ever. I had the same lens briefly before returning it for the 50-200. The Sigma is just ungodly big and bulky (I wanted a long lens for an upcoming vacation).

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07-17-2008, 05:16 AM	#12
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by alohadave I had the same lens briefly before returning it for the 50-200. The Sigma is just ungodly big and bulky (I wanted a long lens for an upcoming vacation). And I did the exact opposite. Just this weekend the f2.8 shot close to 450 images at a wedding on one body. Love that lens for IQ and can live with the weight. I found the 50-200 to be a good lens and the weight wasn't an issue. The weight of the body + grip more than compensates in my hands. I just wanted higher IQ and speed.

07-17-2008, 07:37 AM	#13
Marilith Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 56	I find the 50-200 kit lens to be light and seemingly fragile because for that. However mine has never broken or let me down in any way. Optically its really quite good for the cash.

07-17-2008, 07:45 AM	#14
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	Too light? That's a problem I never worried about.