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02-27-2009, 10:36 AM   #1
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Need some lens advice - Tight Budget

Hello Folks,

Usually I don't like this kind of threads because everyone has different needs, but I would really appreciate any kind of input you could have to help me make a better purchase.

I'm going to USA (Florida) in a few days and I'm having hard time to decide which lenses to buy:

What I have:
Schneider D-XENON 18-55mm (Kit Lens that came with my Samsung GX-10)
PENTAX SMC M 28mm F2.8
PENTAX SMC M 50mm F1.7
PENTAX SMC M 200mm F4.0

I have around U$500,00 (U$600,00 tops) to spend in photo gear. I would like to cover telephoto range, a prime that give me AF and AE and/or a wide lens.

After reading a lot here and other sites I came down to the following options (prices from Amazon):

Telephoto:

TAMRON AF 70-300mm - U$139,95 -OR-
PENTAX DA 50-200mm - U$139,99

How these two compare IQ wise? I'm going for the Tamron unless you guys point me to another direction with your coments and suggestions.

Prime or Wide:

PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited - U$219 (and save some money for a flash) -OR-
SIGMA 10-20mm - U$437,00 (only wide I can afford) -OR-
PENTAX DA 16-45mm F4.0 - U$274 Amazon.com (this gives me slightly wider angle than kit lens, but has a better IQ as I've been reading here).

Last but not least: I could buy a PENTAX DA 18-250mm for U$364 and DA 40mm Limited and forget about the wide angle for while.

I'm so confused

Thanks in advance,
Felipe

02-27-2009, 12:19 PM   #2
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Since you have a tight budget, I'd recommend the DA 16-45 and the DA 50-200. That gives you the convenience, the shooting range, and better-than-good-enough quality to help capture your vacation.

If they don't meet your needs after your trip you can easily sell them. I would think that your kit lens will be replaced by the DA 16-45 permanently.

Have a great trip.

M
02-27-2009, 12:33 PM   #3
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if you want a really good telephoto zoom, AF and very fast

get this

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/51134-sigma-70-...ex-f2-8-a.html

its a great deal
02-27-2009, 12:39 PM   #4
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I'd aggree here. I'd also seriously consider trying to get the DA40 as well. It is a brilliant little lens and small enough to almost make your DSLR as pocketable as a point and shoot camera.

If you need the longer reach, the Tamron 70-300mm is very good but does have some issues with purple fringing and CA. I've owned both the Tamron and still have a DA50-200mm. The Pentax 55-300mm is much better than either of these in this range but would be tough on the budget. Although you could always sell the M series primes to cover the costs since they will definitily sell for a decent price (though it pains me to suggest this! )

02-27-2009, 12:43 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Miguel Quote
Since you have a tight budget, I'd recommend the DA 16-45 and the DA 50-200. That gives you the convenience, the shooting range, and better-than-good-enough quality to help capture your vacation.

If they don't meet your needs after your trip you can easily sell them. I would think that your kit lens will be replaced by the DA 16-45 permanently.

Have a great trip.

M
I like Miguel suggestion, that is a versatile combination. But I would suggest something similar but offer some overlapping for versatility, close up capability, and better speed for similar price, I hope
  1. Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 1:2.3 Macro -- around $330
  2. Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 -- around $150
    Color -- Hiking -- Portraits -- Candid

And if 300mm tele is important to you and that you don't mind post process to cater the occasional purple fringing in photos, I will recommend
  1. Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 1:2.3 Macro -- around $330
  2. Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD 1:2 Macro -- around $150
    Flowers --- Bees --- Birds --- Portraits

Last edited by hinman; 02-27-2009 at 12:54 PM.
02-27-2009, 05:30 PM   #6
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Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Yes, I have consider Sigma 17-70mm (I can use it as a macro since I don't have any) and Tamron 28-75 F2.8 as well that is similar priced.

So it's going to be:

1) Sigma 17-70mm and (Tamron 70-300mm or DA 50-200mm);
2) DA 16-45mm and DA 50-200mm;
3) Tamron 28-75 and (Tamron 70-300mm or DA 50-200mm);

If I pick option 2 (cheaper), maybe I get a DA 40mm F2.8 Limited as well.

Thanks again folks.

Felipe
02-27-2009, 05:46 PM   #7
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Hi

If I was in your shoes I would try to get:

1 - PENTAX DA 18-250mm (or Tamron equivalent if cheaper);
2 - DA 35mm 2.8 Limited.

And I would considered myself served.

I do not know if I have blown you budget do.

Anyway, dear Brasilian friend, I would say enjoy your Florida trip first.

Best regards,

02-27-2009, 05:48 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by fvalduga Quote
Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Yes, I have consider Sigma 17-70mm (I can use it as a macro since I don't have any) and Tamron 28-75 F2.8 as well that is similar priced.

So it's going to be:

1) Sigma 17-70mm and (Tamron 70-300mm or DA 50-200mm);
2) DA 16-45mm and DA 50-200mm;
3) Tamron 28-75 and (Tamron 70-300mm or DA 50-200mm);

If I pick option 2 (cheaper), maybe I get a DA 40mm F2.8 Limited as well.

Thanks again folks.

Felipe
DA 40mm f/2.8 is a very nice pancake. If you like thinner lens, that is one sweet lens to get as a good walk around prime that serve similar to 50mm. Many people praise about this lens, you can't go wrong with this lens as it is perhaps the least expensive prime in the limited series.

I personally favor lens with close up and macro capability that allow me to get close to object when needed. And I opted for the Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro and it is my 2nd highest honor limited lens after FA 77mm f/1.8. Since you have 28mm and 50mm primes, the 40mm may be too close to your 50mm whereas the 35mm will fit in nicely. It is more expensive to get but I got lucky on ebay with store Prodigal2000 and use 'best offer' and get it around $325 shipped. It makes it all worthwhile to choose the better lens when it does not break the budget too much.

I am a lens junkie. I have both Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. For landscape, the Tamron may not do as well as the Sigma in terms of the wide angle view in 17mm. If landscape in daytime is most important to you, go with DA 16-45mm f/4.0. But if IQ is most important and faster speed appeal to you and that you plan for Sigma 10-20mm /f4.0-4.5 later on, do consider Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 as I think it is the BEST in IQ as well as bokeh and sharpness in a zoom.

Last edited by hinman; 02-27-2009 at 05:58 PM.
02-28-2009, 08:43 AM   #9
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Thanks ddharriman and hinman!

I have been reading your blog hinman, you have a lot of good stuff in there. Amazing! Thank you.
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