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10-06-2017, 03:52 AM   #1
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Lens suggestion for a newbie

Hi!

I'm new here and I own a Pentax K5 with a Sigma 55-200mm lens and a basic Pentax 18-55mm lens. I would like to improve my lenses by buying a brand new telephoto lens because most of my photo contract are photos from music/artistic performances and I need to make portraits of the people in these shows. I don't know which one would be the best. My 55-200mm is fine, but the zoom range is kind of small. I would like to improve that.

Which one would you suggest me? My overall budget is around 800$ USD.

Thanks a lot!

10-06-2017, 04:01 AM - 1 Like   #2
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The DA* 50-135mm F2.8 should be the perfect lens for that. Longer is not really needed for that kind of work.
10-06-2017, 04:03 AM   #3
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To be honest, I think you would be better served by getting a higher quality zoom with a *smaller* zoom range. The DA*50-135/2.8 is a brilliant lens and served me well for live music shooting for many years.

If you really want a bigger zoom range, the 55-300 is excellent, and the new PLM version focusses extremely quickly.
10-06-2017, 04:13 AM   #4
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I'm going to add my standard advice

check out the info on lenses found under " Lenses " above, then

I would contact one of the businesses which rent lenses

I know of two

LensRental.com

and

BorrowLenses.com

both are located in the US, i don't know of any in Canada.

I don't know if they would rent to someone in Canada, you should call or email them to find out

pick your lenses and do a personal try out to see what is best for your needs

then start looking and ask do you need a new one or would an "experienced " one do

if experienced is ok, then don't forget to check out the Market Place here at the forum

10-06-2017, 04:39 AM   #5
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There is a 50-135mm for sale in Canada, judging by the price he is asking I can only assume this lens does not lose much money when it comes to the 2nd hand market.For Sale: Lenses for Pentax: AF70-200, DA50-135, DA35, SMC DA 10-17, cable releases


Having read the reviews of this lens, it would seem to fit your requirements, Sigma also made a 50-150mm F2.8 if you are willing to go 2nd hand.
10-06-2017, 04:42 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
To be honest, I think you would be better served by getting a higher quality zoom with a *smaller* zoom range. The DA*50-135/2.8 is a brilliant lens and served me well for live music shooting for many years.

If you really want a bigger zoom range, the 55-300 is excellent, and the new PLM version focusses extremely quickly.
+1 for the sloth... ehr... 50-135mm

If by "music/artistic performances" the OP means in theaters, then the 55-300mm is much, much too dark.
10-06-2017, 04:44 AM   #7
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The Pentax 50-135 2.8 is most likely the best lens for the job. In my humble opinion, you would sacrifice on the long end of the telephoto range, but be able to shoot at lower ISO. You will also be able to use the full capability of your K5's ability to focus accurately because of the wide aperture. If you read the user reviews in this forum you will find that this lens gets very high marks for sharpness. In my experience I get better results from a sharp lens at a lower ISO and cropping in post production than I get with a longer lens at higher ISO without cropping. Rest assured the 50-135 is a very sharp lens. There is a reason it rarely ever comes off my camera.

---------- Post added 10-06-17 at 07:49 AM ----------

If you are buying used I would recommend buying from a Japanese seller. There items are in great condition.

10-06-2017, 05:29 AM - 1 Like   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
To be honest, I think you would be better served by getting a higher quality zoom with a *smaller* zoom range. The DA*50-135/2.8 is a brilliant lens and served me well for live music shooting for many years.

If you really want a bigger zoom range, the 55-300 is excellent, and the new PLM version focusses extremely quickly.
OP has a K-5, Sandy; the PLM lens won't work on those.
10-06-2017, 05:45 AM   #9
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Definitely look for used, the Marketplace is a great opportunity to get quality used gear.
10-06-2017, 05:55 AM   #10
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Based on what your budget is I've seen the DA*60-250 come up in your price range off and on. You might look for that.
10-06-2017, 06:11 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by pathdoc Quote
OP has a K-5, Sandy; the PLM lens won't work on those.
PLM lens work on every Pentax camera with at least KAF3 mount.
Only stopping down isn't possible. So shooting with open aperture is possible. Since the aperture is slow, open aperture would be recommended in some settings without direct sunlight.

Buying a used Sigma 50-150mm EX DG HSM would be the best option considering focal length, speed, aperture and price.
Other options are waiting for the new Pentax D FA* 85mm 1.4, which maybe will released until photokina 2018.
10-06-2017, 07:55 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by angerdan Quote
Only stopping down isn't possible.
For a lens of this price and this sophistication, that's a HUGE handicap.
10-06-2017, 08:19 AM   #13
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There is a catch though. The place I'm working for only want me to buy my lens from this website and they limit me to 800$ USD (approx. 1000$ CAD):
https://lozeau.com/produits/en/product/search/?search=pentax&category_id=147&limit=100


If you want an example of the type of photography I'm doing, here is my Facebook page:
Marc-André Roy - Portraitiste - Home | Facebook
10-06-2017, 10:12 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by pathdoc Quote
For a lens of this price and this sophistication, that's a HUGE handicap.
It's a telezoom lens with slow aperture. Only advantage is the PLM motor and relatively cheap price.
Stepping down on such a slow lens don't make sense at all. Especially in low light surroundings.


QuoteOriginally posted by friseintense Quote
There is a catch though. The place I'm working for only want me to buy my lens from this website and they limit me to 800$ USD (approx. 1000$ CAD):
https://lozeau.com/produits/en/product/search/?search=pentax&category_id=91&...DESC&limit=100
Why only lozeau?
Anyway, fastest lens would be the DA* 55mm 1.4.
It's equivalent to an short tele on your K-5, so good for portraits and stage captions.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/table-of-equivalent-focal-lengths.html

Last edited by angerdan; 10-06-2017 at 10:17 AM.
10-06-2017, 10:23 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by friseintense Quote
There is a catch though. The place I'm working for only want me to buy my lens from this website and they limit me to 800$ USD (approx. 1000$ CAD):
https://lozeau.com/produits/en/product/search/?search=pentax&category_id=147&limit=100


If you want an example of the type of photography I'm doing, here is my Facebook page:
Marc-André Roy - Portraitiste - Home | Facebook
You are probably pooched if you have to buy new from that site. I follow Canadian prices extensively... and I doubt you're likely to find something acceptable. Even if you had all of Canada as your supplier list.
Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Canada and Cross-Border Price Comparison - photoprice.ca

Show this to your boss.... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/306371-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-...ml#post3985823

The best price is $1189 or $1344 at your door. Lozeau isn't listed, but has the best new price I saw at $1139.

I'm stumped. From your needs, I couldn't recommend anything less than a 2.8 lens, and the 2.8 zooms are pricey.

I can't even come up with a good compromise with that price restriction. If they wen't to $1500 CAD you'd have some options.

Maybe continue to wrk with what you have and ask them to save their pennies.

Kenspo ( our resident pentad ambassador) does similar types of stuff.... and I don't think he owns a lens worth under $1000 CAD, and is a huge K-1 fan.

Show these to your boss....
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/306371-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-...ml#post3985823

Last edited by normhead; 10-06-2017 at 10:40 AM.
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