I need one more lens.......

vmax84 · 08-23-2016, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by paulh

Sounds like the DA50/1.8 would be a great fit. About $100.

And there it is, folks!!!! A fast lens on a college budget!!!! Ordering now!!! lol

Thank you for your input!!!

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Kozlok · 08-23-2016, 07:57 PM

If the priority is close ups, and general usage, the first-generation Sigma 17-70 is reasonably cheap, focuses closer than anything similar, and really quite fine in the IQ department. I've been enjoying mine, even though I have a large stable of the very-best lenses, I think the 17-70 is certainly much better than its price would suggest.

Brooke Meyer · 08-23-2016, 08:04 PM

Used Pentax 17-70/4 or a used Tamron 28-75/2.8. Walkabout, Event to Portrait, MFD is 12" on both. Mine have paid for themselves many times over.

mee · 08-23-2016, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by vmax84

And there it is, folks!!!! A fast lens on a college budget!!!! Ordering now!!! lol

Thank you for your input!!!

I'm a little confused about your post. You mention you are ordering a 50mm lens but are showing a photo taken with a 200mm lens.. The 50 f/1.8 is a fantastic lens (esp for price) though!

SpecialK · 08-23-2016, 08:21 PM

Too many variables with exposure plot (volume of so-so shots vs top 100, etc) that will likely skew the results to the ends of the zoom range. That's a natural thing...

Originally posted by vmax84

She seems to like to get up close to stuff and take pics......flowers, bees on flowers, artistic kind of stuff.

Am leaning towards a prime lens for now. They are inexpensive and give very sharp results.

A used Tamron 90 macro. Sharp, relatively inexpensive.

Oh, I see I am too late...

**pres589** · 08-23-2016, 08:22 PM

What kind of Cessna was she flying right seat in that first picture?

**K-Three** · 08-23-2016, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by vmax84

I need one more lens.......

Don't we all....

Penumbra · 08-24-2016, 02:36 AM

The DA 50 1.8 is a great choice.

Many times it leads you to think about composition. I like to force myself into using it for situations that maybe require a different focal lenght for aps-c.
The large aperture will give DOF control, something you barely have with the kit lens. Low light possibilities. Sharpness and contrast perfect from 2.8 onwards. For me this lens was/is a great, affordable photography teacher.

And perfect for close-up photos of flowers:
(maybe not the best example for clinical sharpness, but to get an ideea.. a Barkarole with a bit of vignetting added. At f 2.8)

**pres589** · 08-24-2016, 06:26 AM

She'd learn more if the lens did less for her...

normhead · 08-24-2016, 06:35 AM

My choice would be the 40XS.

Unless you want to go totally old school, then I'd go for the FA 50 1.8, but that's more money.

butangmucat · 08-24-2016, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by pres589

She'd learn more if the lens did less for her...

Agree. My Super-Takumar 35/2, Ensinor 24/2.8 Macro, Mir-1B (37/2.8), and CZJ 50/2.8 Tessar really taught me more than my kit lens.

ChristianRock · 08-24-2016, 07:16 AM

Originally posted by normhead

My choice would be the 40XS.

Unless you want to go totally old school, then I'd go for the FA 50 1.8, but that's more money.

You mean the F or FA 50 1.7?

There's one in the Marketplace right now for 100 dollars (F 50 1.7). About the same as a new DA 50 1.8, and I chose the F 50 1.7 over the DA 50 1.8 when I wanted to buy an AF 50mm.

This is the F 50 1.7 wide open... while the DA 50 1.8 needs to be stopped down to f/2.8 to be super sharp (by all accounts), the F 50 1.7 is super sharp by f2. That one stop to me made the difference, and I like how this lens renders.

But my earlier recommendation for the DA 35 2.8 Limited Macro was because of the need for closeups. It will not only allow closeups of flowers, but macro shots of flower parts and bugs/bees (which were mentioned by the OP), while still being a normal FOV lens that can be taken for a walkaround.

normhead · 08-24-2016, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

You mean the F or FA 50 1.7?

There's one in the Marketplace right now for 100 dollars (F 50 1.7). About the same as a new DA 50 1.8, and I chose the F 50 1.7 over the DA 50 1.8 when I wanted to buy an AF 50mm.

This is the F 50 1.7 wide open... while the DA 50 1.8 needs to be stopped down to f/2.8 to be super sharp (by all accounts), the F 50 1.7 is super sharp by f2. That one stop to me made the difference, and I like how this lens renders.

But my earlier recommendation for the DA 35 2.8 Limited Macro was because of the need for closeups. It will not only allow closeups of flowers, but macro shots of flower parts and bugs/bees (which were mentioned by the OP), while still being a normal FOV lens that can be taken for a walkaround.

Oops. FA 50 1.7, Aperture ring, DoF guide, distance scale....everything a lens should have plus AF.

I love my 40XS, but it's not a proper lens.

**TwoUptons** · 08-24-2016, 02:41 PM

I'd suggest you throw some close-up filters and a 135mm M lens, in case she wants to play with macro or old school stuff.

If she does, you're fixed for the next couple rounds of gift ideas 🙂

-Eric

vmax84 · 08-24-2016, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by mee

I'm a little confused about your post. You mention you are ordering a 50mm lens but are showing a photo taken with a 200mm lens.. The 50 f/1.8 is a fantastic lens (esp for price) though!

Was simply showing the difference in a few years with her........from First Officer to Major League slugger.

---------- Post added 08-24-2016 at 06:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by pres589

What kind of Cessna was she flying right seat in that first picture?

I use to take both my girls in the Caravan on my freight runs from time to time. They both loved flying.

My other co-pilot from a few years ago:

How she looks now. She just finished up her 4 years in the Navy as an electronics wizard fixing planes. She made E-5 in 2.5 years and graduated #8 out of 520 sailors at her boot camp. Both my girls got their Mother's brains thankfully.

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08-23-2016, 07:57 PM	#17
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	If the priority is close ups, and general usage, the first-generation Sigma 17-70 is reasonably cheap, focuses closer than anything similar, and really quite fine in the IQ department. I've been enjoying mine, even though I have a large stable of the very-best lenses, I think the 17-70 is certainly much better than its price would suggest.

08-23-2016, 08:04 PM	#18
Brooke Meyer Guest	Used Pentax 17-70/4 or a used Tamron 28-75/2.8. Walkabout, Event to Portrait, MFD is 12" on both. Mine have paid for themselves many times over.

08-23-2016, 08:08 PM	#19
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by vmax84 And there it is, folks!!!! A fast lens on a college budget!!!! Ordering now!!! lol Thank you for your input!!! I'm a little confused about your post. You mention you are ordering a 50mm lens but are showing a photo taken with a 200mm lens.. The 50 f/1.8 is a fantastic lens (esp for price) though!

08-23-2016, 08:21 PM	#20
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Too many variables with exposure plot (volume of so-so shots vs top 100, etc) that will likely skew the results to the ends of the zoom range. That's a natural thing... Originally posted by vmax84 She seems to like to get up close to stuff and take pics......flowers, bees on flowers, artistic kind of stuff. Am leaning towards a prime lens for now. They are inexpensive and give very sharp results. A used Tamron 90 macro. Sharp, relatively inexpensive. Oh, I see I am too late...

08-23-2016, 08:22 PM	#21
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	What kind of Cessna was she flying right seat in that first picture?

08-23-2016, 09:18 PM	#22
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by vmax84 I need one more lens....... Don't we all....

08-24-2016, 02:36 AM	#23
Penumbra Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Suceava, Romania Photos: Albums Posts: 139	The DA 50 1.8 is a great choice. Many times it leads you to think about composition. I like to force myself into using it for situations that maybe require a different focal lenght for aps-c. The large aperture will give DOF control, something you barely have with the kit lens. Low light possibilities. Sharpness and contrast perfect from 2.8 onwards. For me this lens was/is a great, affordable photography teacher. And perfect for close-up photos of flowers: (maybe not the best example for clinical sharpness, but to get an ideea.. a Barkarole with a bit of vignetting added. At f 2.8)

08-24-2016, 06:26 AM	#24
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	She'd learn more if the lens did less for her...

08-24-2016, 06:35 AM	#25
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	My choice would be the 40XS. Unless you want to go totally old school, then I'd go for the FA 50 1.8, but that's more money.

08-24-2016, 06:55 AM	#26
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709	Originally posted by pres589 She'd learn more if the lens did less for her... Agree. My Super-Takumar 35/2, Ensinor 24/2.8 Macro, Mir-1B (37/2.8), and CZJ 50/2.8 Tessar really taught me more than my kit lens.

08-24-2016, 07:16 AM	#27
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by normhead My choice would be the 40XS. Unless you want to go totally old school, then I'd go for the FA 50 1.8, but that's more money. You mean the F or FA 50 1.7? There's one in the Marketplace right now for 100 dollars (F 50 1.7). About the same as a new DA 50 1.8, and I chose the F 50 1.7 over the DA 50 1.8 when I wanted to buy an AF 50mm. This is the F 50 1.7 wide open... while the DA 50 1.8 needs to be stopped down to f/2.8 to be super sharp (by all accounts), the F 50 1.7 is super sharp by f2. That one stop to me made the difference, and I like how this lens renders. But my earlier recommendation for the DA 35 2.8 Limited Macro was because of the need for closeups. It will not only allow closeups of flowers, but macro shots of flower parts and bugs/bees (which were mentioned by the OP), while still being a normal FOV lens that can be taken for a walkaround.

08-24-2016, 10:45 AM	#28
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by ChristianRock You mean the F or FA 50 1.7? There's one in the Marketplace right now for 100 dollars (F 50 1.7). About the same as a new DA 50 1.8, and I chose the F 50 1.7 over the DA 50 1.8 when I wanted to buy an AF 50mm. This is the F 50 1.7 wide open... while the DA 50 1.8 needs to be stopped down to f/2.8 to be super sharp (by all accounts), the F 50 1.7 is super sharp by f2. That one stop to me made the difference, and I like how this lens renders. But my earlier recommendation for the DA 35 2.8 Limited Macro was because of the need for closeups. It will not only allow closeups of flowers, but macro shots of flower parts and bugs/bees (which were mentioned by the OP), while still being a normal FOV lens that can be taken for a walkaround. Oops. FA 50 1.7, Aperture ring, DoF guide, distance scale....everything a lens should have plus AF. I love my 40XS, but it's not a proper lens.

08-24-2016, 02:41 PM	#29
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	I'd suggest you throw some close-up filters and a 135mm M lens, in case she wants to play with macro or old school stuff. If she does, you're fixed for the next couple rounds of gift ideas 🙂 -Eric

08-24-2016, 06:07 PM	#30
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307 Original Poster	Originally posted by mee I'm a little confused about your post. You mention you are ordering a 50mm lens but are showing a photo taken with a 200mm lens.. The 50 f/1.8 is a fantastic lens (esp for price) though! Was simply showing the difference in a few years with her........from First Officer to Major League slugger. ---------- Post added 08-24-2016 at 06:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by pres589 What kind of Cessna was she flying right seat in that first picture? I use to take both my girls in the Caravan on my freight runs from time to time. They both loved flying. My other co-pilot from a few years ago: How she looks now. She just finished up her 4 years in the Navy as an electronics wizard fixing planes. She made E-5 in 2.5 years and graduated #8 out of 520 sailors at her boot camp. Both my girls got their Mother's brains thankfully.