What lens for my trip to Fiji???

ron305 · 04-17-2010, 03:36 PM

I will be honeymooning in Fiji on November and am starting to think about what all to take with me. I wan to put some money into some new glass but am not sure which way to go.

I recently rented the DA* 50-135 and love it but it is a little pricey. I can swing the cost but was wondering if anybody had some ideas on a comparable quality, but less expensive option.

Thanks!

hcc · 04-17-2010, 05:04 PM

There are several options and I am sure that you will be provided with a range of opinions that reflects the various options.

I favour to travel light with one body and one lens. I hate to swap lenses and to carry spare lenses. My favorite all-around lens is the DA18-250mm. Its brother Tamron 18-250mm is as good basically. The DA18-250mm is a 'hell of a lens'. It is one of the best lenses in its class and range among all brands. It is used also by a number of professionals:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/93367-k-7-steve-kr...gua-6962m.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86984-pentax-d...50mm-lens.html

In the first story, Steve Kroeger took the DA18-250mm to climb the Aconcagua with stunning results! The DA18-250mm is your best option for a simple, single lens setup. With a K-7 or K-x camera, it is relatively small package that fits easily in a small top loader bag and can be carried quite easily during the travel, without any need to swap lens.

Hope that the comment will help, and please bring us back some shots from Fiji...

RioRico · 04-17-2010, 05:07 PM

FIJI?!?!?!?

Forget the Pentax. Get a Nikonos II. Or ANYTHING you can take underwater to whatever depth you can stand. My Olympus SW-770 P&S is good down to 10m. It's going for sure.

[/me roots around for snorkel, fins, mask, weight belt, shark repellent, Thorazine]

jct us101 · 04-17-2010, 05:09 PM

Have you considered the DA 18-250mm? It's not waterproof, but an all around good travel lens, just in case you don't want to carry more than one around. If you do want something waterproof (and if your camera is waterproof, otherwise I suppose this suggestion doesn't really matter) then I would recommend both the DA 18-55mm WR and the DA 50-200mm WR so that you don't have to worry about getting wet while you're in Fiji. I think that's a pretty wet place too.

ron305 · 04-17-2010, 05:31 PM

Thamks guys! I guess I didn't give info in the OP. I do want a "one-size-fits-all-pics" kind of lens, but with the picture quality of the DA*.

My always on lens is the Sigma 28-200. Its OK but I really do wan to upgrade. I also use a couple of good primes, but don't want to have to change that often.

It won't be going under water but weather resistance is a concern.

Thanks again!

**EsBee** · 04-17-2010, 07:48 PM

I am surprised you even remembered to ask about what to take with you for your honeymoon....

If you think you'll ever find time to go out and shoot, my suggestion is to pair a K-x with a DA40. You just can't go wrong with that combination in most applications.

hcc · 04-17-2010, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by ron305

My always on lens is the Sigma 28-200. Its OK but I really do wan to upgrade. I also use a couple of good primes, but don't want to have to change that often.

The Sigma 28-200mm is an older lens. The Pentax DA18-250mm is a marked/marked improvement from both Sigma 18-200mm and 28-200mm.

The DA18-250mm is a rebadged Tamron 18-250mm, and there is little difference between the DA18-250mm and Tamron 18-250mm. The latter might be slightly cheaper while the former is recognised by Pentax bodies for in-camera lens distortion correction. All in all the DA18-250mm is class leading.

Hope that the comment will assist...

ktnndal · 04-17-2010, 08:16 PM

I took my Sigma 17-70mm and K20D to French Polynesia and got pretty good results. I'm not a telephoto kind of guy though. I also brought along and old Canon P&S in an underwater case for snorkeling.

Sample jpg shot w/no post processing:

Full resolution and more pics found here:

French Polynesia 2008 - a set on Flickr

rustynail925 · 04-18-2010, 10:43 PM

Originally posted by ktnndal

Full resolution and more pics found here:

French Polynesia 2008 - a set on Flickr

amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results.

ron305 · 04-19-2010, 06:21 AM

Thanks for the replies. I am leaning more toword the DA18-250, the only thing that would tip it now would be to see some wide open shots. I love the bokeh with the DA*50-135 at F2.8, but if its good on the 18-250 wide open, then that would sell it.

ktnndal · 04-19-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by rustynail925

amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results.

Care to have a go with the pp? I'd like to see what could be done.

Originally posted by ron305

Thanks for the replies. I am leaning more toword the DA18-250, the only thing that would tip it now would be to see some wide open shots. I love the bokeh with the DA*50-135 at F2.8, but if its good on the 18-250 wide open, then that would sell it.

Just one more thought for you. The South Pacific is so incredibly beautiful I was constantly wishing I had a wider lens so I could get more into the frame. I don't think I ever once wish I could gt in closer. Then again, your shooting style could be completely different.

**rparmar** · 04-19-2010, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by rustynail925

amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results.

In what way is that shot possibly lacking?

ktnndal: Like wow!

ron305: I recommend you take a (good) point and shoot and stay in bed or on the beach. Drink lots of beverages with parasols. Really. It's your honeymoon!

04-17-2010, 03:36 PM	#1
ron305 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 13	What lens for my trip to Fiji??? I will be honeymooning in Fiji on November and am starting to think about what all to take with me. I wan to put some money into some new glass but am not sure which way to go. I recently rented the DA* 50-135 and love it but it is a little pricey. I can swing the cost but was wondering if anybody had some ideas on a comparable quality, but less expensive option. Thanks!

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04-17-2010, 05:04 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	There are several options and I am sure that you will be provided with a range of opinions that reflects the various options. I favour to travel light with one body and one lens. I hate to swap lenses and to carry spare lenses. My favorite all-around lens is the DA18-250mm. Its brother Tamron 18-250mm is as good basically. The DA18-250mm is a 'hell of a lens'. It is one of the best lenses in its class and range among all brands. It is used also by a number of professionals: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/93367-k-7-steve-kr...gua-6962m.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86984-pentax-d...50mm-lens.html In the first story, Steve Kroeger took the DA18-250mm to climb the Aconcagua with stunning results! The DA18-250mm is your best option for a simple, single lens setup. With a K-7 or K-x camera, it is relatively small package that fits easily in a small top loader bag and can be carried quite easily during the travel, without any need to swap lens. Hope that the comment will help, and please bring us back some shots from Fiji...

04-17-2010, 05:07 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	FIJI?!?!?!? Forget the Pentax. Get a Nikonos II. Or ANYTHING you can take underwater to whatever depth you can stand. My Olympus SW-770 P&S is good down to 10m. It's going for sure. [/me roots around for snorkel, fins, mask, weight belt, shark repellent, Thorazine]

04-17-2010, 05:09 PM	#4
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	Have you considered the DA 18-250mm? It's not waterproof, but an all around good travel lens, just in case you don't want to carry more than one around. If you do want something waterproof (and if your camera is waterproof, otherwise I suppose this suggestion doesn't really matter) then I would recommend both the DA 18-55mm WR and the DA 50-200mm WR so that you don't have to worry about getting wet while you're in Fiji. I think that's a pretty wet place too.

04-17-2010, 05:31 PM	#5
ron305 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thamks guys! I guess I didn't give info in the OP. I do want a "one-size-fits-all-pics" kind of lens, but with the picture quality of the DA*. My always on lens is the Sigma 28-200. Its OK but I really do wan to upgrade. I also use a couple of good primes, but don't want to have to change that often. It won't be going under water but weather resistance is a concern. Thanks again!

04-17-2010, 07:48 PM	#6
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	I am surprised you even remembered to ask about what to take with you for your honeymoon.... If you think you'll ever find time to go out and shoot, my suggestion is to pair a K-x with a DA40. You just can't go wrong with that combination in most applications.

04-17-2010, 08:14 PM	#7
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	Originally posted by ron305 My always on lens is the Sigma 28-200. Its OK but I really do wan to upgrade. I also use a couple of good primes, but don't want to have to change that often. The Sigma 28-200mm is an older lens. The Pentax DA18-250mm is a marked/marked improvement from both Sigma 18-200mm and 28-200mm. The DA18-250mm is a rebadged Tamron 18-250mm, and there is little difference between the DA18-250mm and Tamron 18-250mm. The latter might be slightly cheaper while the former is recognised by Pentax bodies for in-camera lens distortion correction. All in all the DA18-250mm is class leading. Hope that the comment will assist...

04-17-2010, 08:16 PM	#8
ktnndal Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 38	I took my Sigma 17-70mm and K20D to French Polynesia and got pretty good results. I'm not a telephoto kind of guy though. I also brought along and old Canon P&S in an underwater case for snorkeling. Sample jpg shot w/no post processing: Full resolution and more pics found here: French Polynesia 2008 - a set on Flickr

04-18-2010, 10:43 PM	#9
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Originally posted by ktnndal Full resolution and more pics found here: French Polynesia 2008 - a set on Flickr amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results.

04-19-2010, 06:21 AM	#10
ron305 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. I am leaning more toword the DA18-250, the only thing that would tip it now would be to see some wide open shots. I love the bokeh with the DA*50-135 at F2.8, but if its good on the 18-250 wide open, then that would sell it.

04-19-2010, 03:35 PM	#11
ktnndal Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 38	Originally posted by rustynail925 amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results. Care to have a go with the pp? I'd like to see what could be done. Originally posted by ron305 Thanks for the replies. I am leaning more toword the DA18-250, the only thing that would tip it now would be to see some wide open shots. I love the bokeh with the DA*50-135 at F2.8, but if its good on the 18-250 wide open, then that would sell it. Just one more thought for you. The South Pacific is so incredibly beautiful I was constantly wishing I had a wider lens so I could get more into the frame. I don't think I ever once wish I could gt in closer. Then again, your shooting style could be completely different.

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04-19-2010, 05:14 PM	#12
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	Originally posted by rustynail925 amazing shot! a little PP would give even more stunning results. In what way is that shot possibly lacking? ktnndal: Like wow! ron305: I recommend you take a (good) point and shoot and stay in bed or on the beach. Drink lots of beverages with parasols. Really. It's your honeymoon!