Lens problems... Please help me!

codiac2600 · 03-30-2007, 09:21 AM

Ok I have quite the strange lens set and need some input from you guys to help me take out some weight, get some cash, and replace what I have with better equipment.

I currently have these lenses and would like to know your opinion on what to keep and what to sell and if I sell them what I should replace them with.

Pentax M 135mm 2.5
Pentax M 50mm 1.7
Pentax M 50mm 1.4
Pentax M 28mm 2.8
Pentax FA 70-200mm 4-5.6
Pentax DA 18-55mm 3.5-5.6
Tamron 70-300mm 4.5-5.6
Tamron 28-200mm 3.8-5.6

Here is what I'd like to carry in my bag hopefully one day: A dedicated 100mm macro (decent one prefer the pentax 100mm 2.8 or the tamron 90mm 2.8), a decent walkabout lens to keep on all the time (18 to something mm?), and a real good long zoom lens (I love the 70-300mm but it has it's limitations and would like something crisper). Now I'm never going to get rid of the 50mm 1.4 prime unless the FA series one is that much better, but I love having that great prime and it will stay unless it's desperate.

I'm willing to throw $400 of my own money into the pot to make this work so if anyone can give me a good idea of what to sell, a price estimate of what I'd get and what I should get instead I'd love the input. Thanks guys and hope to hear from you soon!

ccallana · 03-30-2007, 10:33 AM

Well, there are some obvious removals - you don't need the 50/1.7 and the 50/1.4 - nice to have both, but save some weight, leave one out. Same with the 70-200/70-300 lenses - should be able to get by with just one of them, or replace them both with a higher end sigma.

On the walkaround, it really depends on your needs and definition. Some people would day the 50mm is a walkaround

I would suggest the Sigma 17-70.

Finn · 03-30-2007, 12:27 PM

Personally, I use a 28/3.5 and 50/1.4 as my walk-around lens(es), so I'd be inclined to tell you to keep them...

The all-metal construction of the M 50/1.4 is pretty sweet, but you can pick up an FA 50/1.4 for around $200, or less on fleabay. There aren't any M 50/1.4's on ebay right now, but on KEH they're going upwards of $100. I'm not big on zooms (too easy -- must be the masochist in me...), so if anything I'd opt for a DA 21/3.2.

Sorry, that probably didn't help...

Alvin · 03-30-2007, 12:58 PM

My 28 or 50 are always on my camera. I keep my 18-55 is close by if I need to use my flash because I tend to overexpose with my 28 and 50 - lol - still learning.

Keep your 50/1.4 and 28/2.8 - I can't see myself selling these off unless I have a really compelling reason.

Personally, I'd keep your 28-200 as a 1 lens, walkaround solution. You'll never know when you have that situation.

I'd sell one of your telephoto zooms due to overlap. IQ would be my deciding factor on which one to keep.

So, after all is done, 3 lenses would leave your bag:
135/2.5 (I like my primes, but how often will you shoot with this if you have the 100 macro which is almost as close)
50/1.7
Either your 70-200 or 70-300.

Hope that helps.

03-30-2007, 09:21 AM	#1
codiac2600 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 2,027	Lens problems... Please help me! Ok I have quite the strange lens set and need some input from you guys to help me take out some weight, get some cash, and replace what I have with better equipment. I currently have these lenses and would like to know your opinion on what to keep and what to sell and if I sell them what I should replace them with. Pentax M 135mm 2.5 Pentax M 50mm 1.7 Pentax M 50mm 1.4 Pentax M 28mm 2.8 Pentax FA 70-200mm 4-5.6 Pentax DA 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 Tamron 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 Tamron 28-200mm 3.8-5.6 Here is what I'd like to carry in my bag hopefully one day: A dedicated 100mm macro (decent one prefer the pentax 100mm 2.8 or the tamron 90mm 2.8), a decent walkabout lens to keep on all the time (18 to something mm?), and a real good long zoom lens (I love the 70-300mm but it has it's limitations and would like something crisper). Now I'm never going to get rid of the 50mm 1.4 prime unless the FA series one is that much better, but I love having that great prime and it will stay unless it's desperate. I'm willing to throw $400 of my own money into the pot to make this work so if anyone can give me a good idea of what to sell, a price estimate of what I'd get and what I should get instead I'd love the input. Thanks guys and hope to hear from you soon!

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03-30-2007, 10:33 AM	#2
ccallana Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Folsom, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 321	Well, there are some obvious removals - you don't need the 50/1.7 and the 50/1.4 - nice to have both, but save some weight, leave one out. Same with the 70-200/70-300 lenses - should be able to get by with just one of them, or replace them both with a higher end sigma. On the walkaround, it really depends on your needs and definition. Some people would day the 50mm is a walkaround I would suggest the Sigma 17-70.

03-30-2007, 12:27 PM	#3
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	Personally, I use a 28/3.5 and 50/1.4 as my walk-around lens(es), so I'd be inclined to tell you to keep them... The all-metal construction of the M 50/1.4 is pretty sweet, but you can pick up an FA 50/1.4 for around $200, or less on fleabay. There aren't any M 50/1.4's on ebay right now, but on KEH they're going upwards of $100. I'm not big on zooms (too easy -- must be the masochist in me...), so if anything I'd opt for a DA 21/3.2. Sorry, that probably didn't help...

03-30-2007, 12:58 PM	#4
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	My 28 or 50 are always on my camera. I keep my 18-55 is close by if I need to use my flash because I tend to overexpose with my 28 and 50 - lol - still learning. Keep your 50/1.4 and 28/2.8 - I can't see myself selling these off unless I have a really compelling reason. Personally, I'd keep your 28-200 as a 1 lens, walkaround solution. You'll never know when you have that situation. I'd sell one of your telephoto zooms due to overlap. IQ would be my deciding factor on which one to keep. So, after all is done, 3 lenses would leave your bag: 135/2.5 (I like my primes, but how often will you shoot with this if you have the 100 macro which is almost as close) 50/1.7 Either your 70-200 or 70-300. Hope that helps.