[giorgio]

hi there

for some reasons i've waited until now to buy my first dslr. very bad timing as i'm on a restricted budget...
anyway i decided to go for a used k200d which i've got on ebay for 250 EUR. i've read good reviews about this camera including some threads of this forum.

now for the lens, i've found 4 cheap primes which would get me started:

MAKINON 28mm 2.8 price: 25EUR

TOKINA 28mm 2.8 price: 25 EUR

Pentax SMC M 28/2,8 price: 44 EUR

TAKUMAR-A 28mm 2.8 price: 79 EUR

all appear to be in good conditions. the price is not a choosing factor but it would be nice to get a feedback to see if they are worth it.

which one would you choose?
do i need an adapter to fit them on the k200d?
any other advice?

thanks in advance
giorgio

[deadwolfbones]

Of those I'd go for the SMC Pentax-M 28/2.8.

[nick c]

The SMC M 28/2.8 would probably be the best option. You do not need an adapter for this lens.

If you have no other lenses, you sould consider getting a used 18-55 II or 18-55 DAL. These are the same optically and are decent lenses.

[muhozol]

IMHO it's best choice to go for Pentax lens. Have you considered other for me 28mm is too wide for portraiture and to narrow for landscape. But it's just me. My first manual prime was 50mm 1.7 great lens by the way. Adapter is a must with M42 lenses. Make sure it focuses on infinity if you want to shoot landscape. As far as I know it's not a must for macro. Good luck with your choice.

[Steve Beswick]

You Really might want to consider an inexpensive zoom to get started. I often see surprisingly decent autofocus zooms sell on eBay for less than $10 U.S. currency, especially those in the 28-80 range.

Come to think of it, I know a guy in the marketplace who has a 28-80 for sale that he might just give you a good deal on.

seriously though, I like the Sigma 28-80 f3.5-5.6. They are usually under $20, sharp, contrasty, and focus really quick. The downsides? They are cheaply built, are kind of slow aperture wise, and the lens hood is a terrible design. Also, the front element rotates, which is an issue for some.

Whatever you do, avoid the pentax FAJ 28-80. It is a total garbage lens. It may be the worst autofocus 28-80 ever made.

[giorgio]

thanks guys.

i'm planning to get a super wide as christmas present, the pentax 10-17 or tamron/sigma 10-22/24.

for now, i can't afford anyting else than a cheap mf prime. i thought the 28mm (42mm equivalent if i'm not mistaken) would be good until then. furthermore i like shooting with primes, it makes me focus on the subject and i end up getting better shots.

i'm leaning towards the pentax smc as it seems the most appreciated lens of the 4 i have found for sale. i've also checked some sample shots at pentaxians and i'm impressed. definetly worth the money

[Ash]

Bear in mind the Pentax DA 10-17 is a fish eye lens. Creative and fun, but not for all types of wide angle photos. The others (Sigma 10-20, Tamron 10-24 and Pentax DA 12-24) are all rectilinear (not fish eye) and are great for wide landscapes and architecture.

[kuuan]

as for the 4 lenses you mentioned:

The Takumar A and the Pentax M will have the Pentax K mount and you will not need any adapter.
the other two may have Pentax K mount, or M42 ( adapter needed ), or any another mount which cannot be used.

Takumars are usually old M42 lenses and are very good, but if I am not mistaken the Takumar A you mention here is not a M42 Takumar but a cheap line of Pentax K mount lenses which do not have multicoating.

I'd recommend the Pentax M

additionally I'd recommend to get a 50mm prime as well, great for portraits. If you want really cheap but good performer a Helios 44-2, but for this one you will need a M42 adapter. If you do not want M42 get a Pentax M 50mm f2 or f1.7, they are really good but come for little money