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12-18-2009, 11:23 AM   #1
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Lens wish list for my K-x

Hi,

I have switched from Canon to Pentax with a K-x. My K-x will arrive on this Christmas.

But I have trouble to choose lens list for this nice camera.
Because I am familiar with Canon, so I would like to describe my need in Canon language Here is what I want:
- 17-40 L
- 70-200 f2.8 L
- Canon 100mm f2.8 USM and macro accessories
- Portrait: Canon 50mm, f1.4
- Portrait: Canon 85mm, f1.8

Pentax or for Pentax lens are ok. Auto focus is prefer. For macro lens, MF is considerable. The image quality should be at same level.
I do not prefer to use any type of mount converter on my K-x, so please only give the compatible lens
I am so confused with the Pentax terms for lens. So if you can write lens name in full, it will be nice!

Any recommendation, advice are much appreciated!

Thank you very much!


Last edited by espanola; 12-18-2009 at 11:42 AM.
12-18-2009, 11:33 AM   #2
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Did you use full frame? I will assume the answer is no and consider your options as 1.5x crop similar lenses:

the 17-40L (you didn't say the F4 or F2.8 version) options are the 16-45mm F4, higher end (weather sealing, SDM) 16-50mm F2.8, or 17-70mm F4.

For a 70-200mm f2.8, you'd have to go 3rd party - the sigma from what I have read may have some problems with separated elements, so the tamron is probably a better bet. you could also consider the pentax 60-250mm F4, a nicer range and very highly regarded.

for the 100mm macro, well, there is the D FA 100mm f2.8 macro (old version) or a new version not yet released (coming in January) that has weather resistant properties (which would be lost/unnecessary for the Kx)

the Pentax F/FA 50mm F1.4 is the obvious comparison w/Canon's equivalent.

The 85mm f1.8 is the trickiest of the bunch. You can get the highly regarded (with a price to match) 77mm F1.8 Limited lens, or 70mm pancake (f2.4). To get an 85mm sub-f2 lens you would have to go on the hunt for older, mostly manual focus lenses (which all work on your pentax, thankfully!)
12-18-2009, 11:39 AM   #3
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17:70 -> DA* 16-50 f2.8 or DA 17-70 f4 (both with SDM, 16-50 weather sealed)

70-200 -> 50-135 f2.8 or 60-250 f4 are the closest, both SDM and weather sealed. Sigma and Tamron both make great 70-200. There are also used 80-200 and 70-200 lenses (including a FA* 80-200 f2.8 on the marketplace right now...)

100 f2.8 macro -> Any Pentax macro, of any generation, will be fantastic. I own the FA 50 macro, there's an FA 100, and there are DFA 50 and 100 lenses. Pentax just announced the weather sealed 100 macro with SDM. Just any macro lens by Pentax will suit you, they are all great. There's also the DA 35 limited macro, FYI.

50 -> FA 50 f1.4, or any F or FA f1,7 or f1,4 will work marvels. Pentax also has the DA*55 f1.4 with SDM, weather sealed. There are also loads of MF 50s around.

For portrait, any Limited mid-tele (70, 77 -seen as the best lens ever made by many people-) will do.

Read the reviews here and you will find most of the information you need. There are many possibilities to choose from, but what you are looking for will not be cheap (it wasn't with Canon, either).
12-18-2009, 11:40 AM   #4
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Pentax DA* 16-50 f/2.8
Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8
Pentax DFA 100 f/2.8 WR Macro
Portrait: Pentax FA 43 f/1.9 Limited
Portrait: Pentax FA 77 f/1.8 Limited

12-18-2009, 11:46 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by LeDave Quote
Pentax DA* 16-50 f/2.8
Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8
Pentax DFA 100 f/2.8 WR Macro
Portrait: Pentax FA 43 f/1.9 Limited
Portrait: Pentax FA 77 f/1.8 Limited
I would throw in the FA 31 or DA 35 to compliment the primes


Neil
12-18-2009, 12:28 PM   #6
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Agree with most of these.
Could suggest the DA 50-200 WR as an inexpensive alternative. If you have to have the 70-200 f2.8 the Tamron version is an excellent lens, I've used it on my k10d and it is very sharp.
The DFA 100 is an excellent macro lens as well. Sigma makes a 105 macro that has gotten a lot of priase as does the Tamron 90mm macro.
The plastic fantastic FA 50mm f1.4, is a excellent value lens, personally I find it a bit too long for indoors and use the DA 40limited instead (even though it's only f2.8) but the FA 50 is one to have regardless.
EVERYONE says that the FA 77 f1.8 is THE lens to have because of its performance, then complains about the cost. Personally, I'd go with the DA 70 limited f2.4, it really is excellent for portraits (you can also use the DFA100 but it's a little harder to use in that application). A cheaper substitute is a Vivitar (or samyang, bower, or other re-branded names) 85mm f1.4 (B&H or Adorama for about $350) manual focus lens. This lens is very bright and works well for portraits and in low light, but is a beast to get in focus with out a split image view finder (after that it works quite well).

While that's quite a lot of glass, I'd suggest you consider on really excellent Pentax lens, the DA 10-17 fisheye. I don't believe Canon make anything like this although I think Tokina does make it in a Canon mount. I really like this lens because it goes from fisheye to ultra wide angle in it's range and is a lot of fun to play with.

Good luck with you lens buying.

Edit: one website you might find of interest as a Pentax speak info site is this one.
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/
The site has a lot of info on Pentax bodies, lenses, etc. and will help you understand Pentax equipment new and old.

Last edited by blackcloudbrew; 12-18-2009 at 12:33 PM.
12-18-2009, 01:33 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by nulla Quote
I would throw in the FA 31 or DA 35 to compliment the primes


Neil
Or the DA 40/F2.8 Limited for a great, compact walkabout setup.

12-20-2009, 09:53 PM   #8
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Original Poster
Thank you very much for your quick and kind help!

How about the strange lens 43mm 1.9? Is the black or white version is better?

Start hunting the lens now and hope report you soon.

Should you suggest a site which compares the IQ of Pentax lens? I need to decide to buy 16-50 or 17-70; or in similar case.
12-20-2009, 10:05 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by espanola Quote
Thank you very much for your quick and kind help!

How about the strange lens 43mm 1.9? Is the black or white version is better?

Start hunting the lens now and hope report you soon.

Should you suggest a site which compares the IQ of Pentax lens? I need to decide to buy 16-50 or 17-70; or in similar case.
The black and "white" (silver, really) lenses are the same, just different colors. They will perform equally. It is up to your preference of color.

You can also check our lens reviews section to see all the Pentax lenses compared to each other: Pentax Lens Review and Specification Database - Main Index
12-20-2009, 10:08 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by espanola Quote
Thank you very much for your quick and kind help!

How about the strange lens 43mm 1.9? Is the black or white version is better?you mean silver version right? There is no white version. That would be personal preference

Start hunting the lens now and hope report you soon.

Should you suggest a site which compares the IQ of Pentax lens? I need to decide to buy 16-50 or 17-70; or in similar case. Both have great IQ.... it really boils down to speed needed/budget
(10 characters)
12-20-2009, 10:52 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by espanola Quote
- 17-40 L ==> Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
- 70-200 f2.8 L ==> Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
- Canon 100mm f2.8 USM and macro accessories ==> Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 or Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or Sigma 105mm f/2.8
- Portrait: Canon 50mm, f1.4 ==> Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 or Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
- Portrait: Canon 85mm, f1.8 ==> No AF choices available. Tamron 90mm f/2.8, maybe. Or Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited / FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited
IMO.
12-21-2009, 12:20 AM   #12
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- 17-40 L --> Pentax 16-50mm / Tamron 17-50mm

- 70-200 f2.8 L --> Pentax 50-135mm / Tamron 70-200mm

- Canon 100mm f2.8 USM and macro accessories --> Tamron 90mm macro(has focus limiter)

- Portrait: Canon 50mm, f1.4 -> Sigma 30mm f/1.4 , for interior/low light shooting, if you forgo f/1.4 the 40mm f/2.8 Limited is an excellent partner to K-x and much better as a general usage lens, whereas the Sigma has soft corners.

- Portrait: Canon 85mm, f1.8 -> Pentax 70 f/2.4 / Pentax 77mm f/1.8
12-21-2009, 01:37 AM   #13
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L lenses means he is coming from full frame?
12-21-2009, 02:19 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by WerTicus Quote
L lenses means he is coming from full frame?
Not necessarily, they're just the higher-quality line of lenses by Canon.
12-21-2009, 02:36 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by espanola Quote
Hi,

I have switched from Canon to Pentax with a K-x. My K-x will arrive on this Christmas.

But I have trouble to choose lens list for this nice camera.
Because I am familiar with Canon, so I would like to describe my need in Canon language Here is what I want:
- 17-40 L
- 70-200 f2.8 L
- Canon 100mm f2.8 USM and macro accessories
- Portrait: Canon 50mm, f1.4
- Portrait: Canon 85mm, f1.8

Pentax or for Pentax lens are ok. Auto focus is prefer. For macro lens, MF is considerable. The image quality should be at same level.
I do not prefer to use any type of mount converter on my K-x, so please only give the compatible lens
I am so confused with the Pentax terms for lens. So if you can write lens name in full, it will be nice!

Any recommendation, advice are much appreciated!

Thank you very much!

since Pentax primes are the best of their kind, I would site these alternatives.

17-40 L = DA15,DA21,DA40 or DA15, FA31 (or DA35 macro),FA43

70-200 L = DA70, FA77, Sigma 70 macro, FA135/2.8 and a DA200/2.8

Canon 100/2.8 = FA100/DFA100 or Tamron 90, Sigma 105/2.8

Canon 50/1.4 = FA31,FA43,FA50/1.4, FA50/1.7/DA55/1.4/ FA50/2.8 macro

Canon 85/1.4 = DA70 or FA77 or Sigma 70 macro.

take it easy though and do not buy all of those lenses all at once. we dont want to see you get broke.

the cheapest lens set covering all of the focal lengths that you need and would use, would cost you atleast 3,500.
trying to buy them all would cost you around 8k.

Last edited by Pentaxor; 12-21-2009 at 02:45 AM.
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