LENS???

barney7307 · 01-22-2010, 08:57 PM

Ok here we go. I bought a K200d about a year ago and for the most part I know the ins and the outs of the camera. I was at the zoo the other day and was trying to take pictures of some animals and the lens that i had purchased off of ebay did nothing but make me angry. Me being in the Army I don't make a lot of money so what telephoto lens would you guys recommend in the 150-250 price range? Also what would you recommend for a macro lens in the same price range. I am pretty happy with the macro capability of the kit lens but I love to take photos of bugs and well with the 18-55 mm lens i have to get to close to the bugs and they run away!

flockofbirds · 01-22-2010, 09:00 PM

Take a look at the Tamron 70-300 Ld Di
It is within your price range at about $115
It offers extra range, and even has a modest macro mode on it (between 180mm and 300mm it offers closer focusing by flipping a little switch).

wallyb · 01-22-2010, 09:02 PM

STELLAAAAA!!!!! STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

You should make your thread titles a bit more descriptive, and not in all-caps. It will draw in more members to look at your problem. Also, welcome to the forums!

The best option for you would probably be the 50-200mm Pentax DA lens. It is the counterpart to the 18-55mm, and is available for only about $100 used. If you have a little more money, you can also grab the 55-300mm zoom lens, which is about $250 used. But for just $100, you can't really beat the 50-200mm. It's very compact, decent image quality, and fast focusing.

asdf · 01-23-2010, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by barney7307

Also what would you recommend for a macro lens in the same price range. I am pretty happy with the macro capability of the kit lens but I love to take photos of bugs and well with the 18-55 mm lens i have to get to close to the bugs and they run away!

I don't know about a cheap macro lens with long focal length. Even older macro lenses with ~100mm focal length sometimes go for around $500.

You can try a lens with a longer focal length and put a diopter on it. Diopters are either doublets or singlets. Doublets are "better." You can also experiment with extension tubes.

axl · 01-23-2010, 01:27 AM

I think flockofbirds is right.
If you are on budget and you want tele/macro Tamron 70-300 is very potent solution inndeed.

**Ahab** · 01-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by flockofbirds

Take a look at the Tamron 70-300 Ld Di
It is within your price range at about $115
It offers extra range, and even has a modest macro mode on it (between 180mm and 300mm it offers closer focusing by flipping a little switch).

Yes, you can't go wrong.

Rico · 01-23-2010, 11:12 AM

Barney7307 it depends on your flexibility. If you are willing to use manual focus prime lenses you can get some great lenses within your budget.

There are Pentax 50 and 100 F4 Macros that perform exceptionally well. A great telephoto lens you can find time from time reasonably priced is the M-150 f3.5.

**interested_observer** · 01-23-2010, 11:45 AM

Morning Barney, and welcome to the Forum!

I think that you are approaching this in the right way. After using your camera for a while, and finding what you want to do, then add items where your interests lie.

I do think that the Tamron suggestion has a lot of merit for the price and the focal length range. I had the Pentax FAJ 75-300 which was fine but their 55-300 is much better. This link compares the Tamron to the FAJ and I think that you would be happier with the Tamron, especially with the macro capability. Personally, I like the range to 300 better than 200 because of the additional reach. My feeling is if you initially go with a 200 or so, in time you will just switch to 300.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/8582-tamron-70...-75-300-a.html

On your overall question, I think that you need to answer if manual focusing is of interest. If so, as others have written, there are a world of great manual (both focusing and aperture) lenses out there available for very reasonable prices (even if you have to buy the film body that is attached to the lens). I would prowl the marketplace here, evilbay and KEH for used lenses. Be very patient, and you will find what you are looking for at your price range.

ltdstar · 01-23-2010, 12:31 PM

+1 for Tamron 70-300mm.

Marc Sabatella · 01-23-2010, 12:31 PM

Did oyu say which lens it was you got off Ebay, and what specifically you found frustrating about it? That might help in recommending alternatives.

As for macro lenses, *manual focus* lenses around 100mm are cheap; only AF ones are expensive. And since AF is next to useless for macro photography anyhow, no real loss in getting the MF version. Or, you could check out the Raynox Club thread in this forum to see if one of those combined with an ordinary telephoto lens would make you happy.

**NaClH2O** · 01-23-2010, 12:41 PM

Hi Barney and welcome to the forums. I have another solution for you (tho the tammy is a good one) If you don't mind manual focus, check out the Pentax "A" 70-210 F4. It is a great lens and in addition has "macro" capability. It's actually more like close focus and not true macro, but that's what the 18-55mm has also. Besides being a manual focus lens, it's main downfalls are that it's heavy compared to newer lenses, and is only 200mm instead of 300mm like the Tamron. Some ppl have complained about zoom creep with it but my copy isn't any worse than my Tamron 28-75. It's got some but it's not terribly bothersome. You should be able to find one within your price range.
As far as macros are concerned I'd recommend a Raynox 150 or 250 macro filter. They work quite well and are considerably cheaper that a traditional macro lens.

NaCl(older lenses can be as good as the new guys)H2O

**Ash** · 01-23-2010, 01:05 PM

Welcome to the forum, and I agree with the Tamron 70-300 being your best buy.
If you have the kit lens (18-55), you can stick with that for now, it's a fine basic lens.
As Marc says, look out for 50 or 100mm manual focus macro lenses, as these are high quality options, but the Raynox add-on can work wonders on a non-macro telephoto lens...

barney7307 · 01-23-2010, 07:33 PM

I think with reading all of the threds I will buy the tamaron lens. I have a 50mm man focus pentax lens that I just cannot focus right, once again thanks again

BillM · 01-24-2010, 02:41 AM

Thank you Barney! comeon people,any dealers out there that say thanks to our
brothers and sisters serving our country,in the form of a discount?

barney7307 · 01-24-2010, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by BillM

Thank you Barney! comeon people,any dealers out there that say thanks to our
brothers and sisters serving our country,in the form of a discount?

You know I have never looked, I don't expect to get a discount just because I am in the Army. A lot of times around here in Prescott AZ while i am in uniform I get a free soda in the gas stations, and some retired vets have bought my lunch but like I said before I don't expect it but am gracious when it happens!

01-22-2010, 08:57 PM	#1
barney7307 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Prescott Valley AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 7	LENS??? Ok here we go. I bought a K200d about a year ago and for the most part I know the ins and the outs of the camera. I was at the zoo the other day and was trying to take pictures of some animals and the lens that i had purchased off of ebay did nothing but make me angry. Me being in the Army I don't make a lot of money so what telephoto lens would you guys recommend in the 150-250 price range? Also what would you recommend for a macro lens in the same price range. I am pretty happy with the macro capability of the kit lens but I love to take photos of bugs and well with the 18-55 mm lens i have to get to close to the bugs and they run away!

01-24-2010, 02:41 AM	#14
BillM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ferguson, Mo. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,348	Lens??? Thank you Barney! comeon people,any dealers out there that say thanks to our brothers and sisters serving our country,in the form of a discount?

01-22-2010, 09:00 PM	#2
flockofbirds Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 178	Take a look at the Tamron 70-300 Ld Di It is within your price range at about $115 It offers extra range, and even has a modest macro mode on it (between 180mm and 300mm it offers closer focusing by flipping a little switch).

01-22-2010, 09:02 PM	#3
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	STELLAAAAA!!!!! STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! You should make your thread titles a bit more descriptive, and not in all-caps. It will draw in more members to look at your problem. Also, welcome to the forums! The best option for you would probably be the 50-200mm Pentax DA lens. It is the counterpart to the 18-55mm, and is available for only about $100 used. If you have a little more money, you can also grab the 55-300mm zoom lens, which is about $250 used. But for just $100, you can't really beat the 50-200mm. It's very compact, decent image quality, and fast focusing.

01-23-2010, 12:59 AM	#4
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by barney7307 Also what would you recommend for a macro lens in the same price range. I am pretty happy with the macro capability of the kit lens but I love to take photos of bugs and well with the 18-55 mm lens i have to get to close to the bugs and they run away! I don't know about a cheap macro lens with long focal length. Even older macro lenses with ~100mm focal length sometimes go for around $500. You can try a lens with a longer focal length and put a diopter on it. Diopters are either doublets or singlets. Doublets are "better." You can also experiment with extension tubes.

01-23-2010, 01:27 AM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I think flockofbirds is right. If you are on budget and you want tele/macro Tamron 70-300 is very potent solution inndeed.

01-23-2010, 10:56 AM	#6
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by flockofbirds Take a look at the Tamron 70-300 Ld Di It is within your price range at about $115 It offers extra range, and even has a modest macro mode on it (between 180mm and 300mm it offers closer focusing by flipping a little switch). Yes, you can't go wrong.

01-23-2010, 11:12 AM	#7
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,204	Barney7307 it depends on your flexibility. If you are willing to use manual focus prime lenses you can get some great lenses within your budget. There are Pentax 50 and 100 F4 Macros that perform exceptionally well. A great telephoto lens you can find time from time reasonably priced is the M-150 f3.5.

01-23-2010, 11:45 AM	#8
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Morning Barney, and welcome to the Forum! I think that you are approaching this in the right way. After using your camera for a while, and finding what you want to do, then add items where your interests lie. I do think that the Tamron suggestion has a lot of merit for the price and the focal length range. I had the Pentax FAJ 75-300 which was fine but their 55-300 is much better. This link compares the Tamron to the FAJ and I think that you would be happier with the Tamron, especially with the macro capability. Personally, I like the range to 300 better than 200 because of the additional reach. My feeling is if you initially go with a 200 or so, in time you will just switch to 300. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/8582-tamron-70...-75-300-a.html On your overall question, I think that you need to answer if manual focusing is of interest. If so, as others have written, there are a world of great manual (both focusing and aperture) lenses out there available for very reasonable prices (even if you have to buy the film body that is attached to the lens). I would prowl the marketplace here, evilbay and KEH for used lenses. Be very patient, and you will find what you are looking for at your price range.

01-23-2010, 12:31 PM	#9
ltdstar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 285	+1 for Tamron 70-300mm.

01-23-2010, 12:31 PM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Did oyu say which lens it was you got off Ebay, and what specifically you found frustrating about it? That might help in recommending alternatives. As for macro lenses, manual focus lenses around 100mm are cheap; only AF ones are expensive. And since AF is next to useless for macro photography anyhow, no real loss in getting the MF version. Or, you could check out the Raynox Club thread in this forum to see if one of those combined with an ordinary telephoto lens would make you happy.

01-23-2010, 12:41 PM	#11
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Hi Barney and welcome to the forums. I have another solution for you (tho the tammy is a good one) If you don't mind manual focus, check out the Pentax "A" 70-210 F4. It is a great lens and in addition has "macro" capability. It's actually more like close focus and not true macro, but that's what the 18-55mm has also. Besides being a manual focus lens, it's main downfalls are that it's heavy compared to newer lenses, and is only 200mm instead of 300mm like the Tamron. Some ppl have complained about zoom creep with it but my copy isn't any worse than my Tamron 28-75. It's got some but it's not terribly bothersome. You should be able to find one within your price range. As far as macros are concerned I'd recommend a Raynox 150 or 250 macro filter. They work quite well and are considerably cheaper that a traditional macro lens. NaCl(older lenses can be as good as the new guys)H2O

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-23-2010, 01:05 PM	#12
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Welcome to the forum, and I agree with the Tamron 70-300 being your best buy. If you have the kit lens (18-55), you can stick with that for now, it's a fine basic lens. As Marc says, look out for 50 or 100mm manual focus macro lenses, as these are high quality options, but the Raynox add-on can work wonders on a non-macro telephoto lens...

01-23-2010, 07:33 PM	#13
barney7307 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Prescott Valley AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 7 Original Poster	I think with reading all of the threds I will buy the tamaron lens. I have a 50mm man focus pentax lens that I just cannot focus right, once again thanks again

01-24-2010, 10:51 AM	#15
barney7307 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Prescott Valley AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by BillM Thank you Barney! comeon people,any dealers out there that say thanks to our brothers and sisters serving our country,in the form of a discount? You know I have never looked, I don't expect to get a discount just because I am in the Army. A lot of times around here in Prescott AZ while i am in uniform I get a free soda in the gas stations, and some retired vets have bought my lunch but like I said before I don't expect it but am gracious when it happens!