Tell me I am crazy -- new lens choices

Frogfish · 11-18-2011, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by dgaies

I agree with everything in that statement, except that the 35/2.4 isn't a WR lens

Really ? Oh my bad. I though when Pentax said it is resistant to water (and it has a green band on it) then it was WR. Apologies for misleading anyone !

dgaies · 11-18-2011, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Really ? Oh my bad. I though when Pentax said it is resistant to water (and it has a green band on it) then it was WR. Apologies for misleading anyone !

No worries. It would be awesome if it was WR, especially for the price!

**maxfield_photo** · 11-18-2011, 08:28 AM

You're crazy... Now what did you want to know? Oh right, the lenses.

The DA* 50-135 2.8 is a great piece of glass (provided the SDM holds out) and it will give you roughly the same view angle as the classic 70-200 2.8 I would start with that one, and you may decide you don't need the 55 1.4, it's really that sharp. In fact at f2.8 both lenses have almost the exact same resolution figures, it just depends on whether you want the paper thin DoF of f/1.4, try the 50-135 first and see.

There are certainly a plethora of 50~55mm primes in the Pentax arsenal with superb IQ that won't set you back as far as the DA* 55, but if you want weathersealing and an ultrawide aperture, it's probably the way to go. The DFA 50 macro is a great lens (only 2.8 though), the FA 50 1.4 is also a classic and easily obtainable, or the A 50 1.2, Oooo. And heck, if you really want great IQ at a fraction of the cost, and don't mind a little Thorium radiation, the 50mm 1.4 SMC Takumar is the bee's knees.

In the 17-50 range, sadly there aren't many good options IMO, I'm looking for one myself. I think the DA* 16-50 is over rated, the kit lens is actually a bit underrated, but too slow and too soft. The Tamron that you mentioned is a decent solution, but after some soul searching, I think I may go with the Tokina 20-35 f2.8 and get the FA 43 limited, or the DA 40 limited (dag blast it, I promised myself I was done buying APS-C glass, but I may have lied) I have a Sigma 8-16 for all my ultra wide needs, and it is oh-so-sharp.

Nick Siebers · 11-18-2011, 09:01 PM

Hey Maxfield, if you can find an FA 20-35, that is a stellar zoom in that range as well.

chicurt · 12-10-2011, 07:04 PM

In the end, I bought a 55mm 1.4. DA and could not be happier. Very impressive bokeh. It started raining unexpectedly first day out and I just kept shooting away.

I just bought a used 21mm DA 2.8 from adorama, deciding I would like a pancake. I am new to Chicago and this looks like a great city for street photography and a great small lens for it.

I am looking for a deal on a 50-135 and will likely be patient. Thanks everyone for your advice. I considered several lenses I had known nothing about. The great thing about cameras these days -- I can always swap something out in a few months at little loss if I find something better.

BTW, as a new Pentax user, the forums are amazing. I feel like I joined a community and didn't just switch to a new brand.

Curtis

Docrwm · 12-10-2011, 09:28 PM

Nice to know what you decided on in the end. Hope you hang around and share your experiences with us.

Rupert · 12-10-2011, 10:08 PM

I am reluctant to suggest the DA*50-135, since I am soon to be on my third one, two having failed in the SDM area, but I have to admit that for IQ it is as close to a prime as you will find in any zoom lens. It may reduce your need in other lenses within its range......it is no doubt "that good".
Regards!

vanyagor · 12-10-2011, 11:49 PM

I have found this list of lenses compatible with Pentax K to be helpful as the starting point Lenses for Pentax K | Neocamera (just to check the basic parameters).

Since you already know what range you liked with your 20D, why don't you go for the same for the K5?

Btw, you can buy used lenses here on this forum for reasonable price.

**pentaman** · 12-12-2011, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by chicurt

I am new to Chicago and this looks like a great city for street photography and a great small lens for it.
Curtis

I agree - having been in Chicago for a while, I can attest that you can't ever run out of subjects in this great city. Can't wait for you to post some samples here.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Overwhelmed about lens choices	cjbroadwell	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	32	01-03-2011 07:39 AM
645D Lens choices	kuau	Pentax Medium Format	6	11-21-2010 08:58 AM
Lens choices -- please help!	Vote4Pedro	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	10-09-2010 02:02 PM
Choices - Lens or Body	Steven363	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	02-26-2010 05:28 PM
Pentax K-X Lens Choices	dillybar1999	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	02-07-2010 03:46 AM

11-18-2011, 08:07 AM	#16
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by dgaies I agree with everything in that statement, except that the 35/2.4 isn't a WR lens Really ? Oh my bad. I though when Pentax said it is resistant to water (and it has a green band on it) then it was WR. Apologies for misleading anyone !

11-18-2011, 08:21 AM	#17
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Frogfish Really ? Oh my bad. I though when Pentax said it is resistant to water (and it has a green band on it) then it was WR. Apologies for misleading anyone ! No worries. It would be awesome if it was WR, especially for the price!

11-18-2011, 08:28 AM	#18
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	You're crazy... Now what did you want to know? Oh right, the lenses. The DA* 50-135 2.8 is a great piece of glass (provided the SDM holds out) and it will give you roughly the same view angle as the classic 70-200 2.8 I would start with that one, and you may decide you don't need the 55 1.4, it's really that sharp. In fact at f2.8 both lenses have almost the exact same resolution figures, it just depends on whether you want the paper thin DoF of f/1.4, try the 50-135 first and see. There are certainly a plethora of 50~55mm primes in the Pentax arsenal with superb IQ that won't set you back as far as the DA* 55, but if you want weathersealing and an ultrawide aperture, it's probably the way to go. The DFA 50 macro is a great lens (only 2.8 though), the FA 50 1.4 is also a classic and easily obtainable, or the A 50 1.2, Oooo. And heck, if you really want great IQ at a fraction of the cost, and don't mind a little Thorium radiation, the 50mm 1.4 SMC Takumar is the bee's knees. In the 17-50 range, sadly there aren't many good options IMO, I'm looking for one myself. I think the DA* 16-50 is over rated, the kit lens is actually a bit underrated, but too slow and too soft. The Tamron that you mentioned is a decent solution, but after some soul searching, I think I may go with the Tokina 20-35 f2.8 and get the FA 43 limited, or the DA 40 limited (dag blast it, I promised myself I was done buying APS-C glass, but I may have lied) I have a Sigma 8-16 for all my ultra wide needs, and it is oh-so-sharp.

11-18-2011, 09:01 PM	#19
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Hey Maxfield, if you can find an FA 20-35, that is a stellar zoom in that range as well.

12-10-2011, 07:04 PM	#20
chicurt New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 7 Original Poster	In the end, I bought a 55mm 1.4. DA and could not be happier. Very impressive bokeh. It started raining unexpectedly first day out and I just kept shooting away. I just bought a used 21mm DA 2.8 from adorama, deciding I would like a pancake. I am new to Chicago and this looks like a great city for street photography and a great small lens for it. I am looking for a deal on a 50-135 and will likely be patient. Thanks everyone for your advice. I considered several lenses I had known nothing about. The great thing about cameras these days -- I can always swap something out in a few months at little loss if I find something better. BTW, as a new Pentax user, the forums are amazing. I feel like I joined a community and didn't just switch to a new brand. Curtis

12-10-2011, 09:28 PM	#21
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Nice to know what you decided on in the end. Hope you hang around and share your experiences with us.

12-10-2011, 10:08 PM	#22
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I am reluctant to suggest the DA*50-135, since I am soon to be on my third one, two having failed in the SDM area, but I have to admit that for IQ it is as close to a prime as you will find in any zoom lens. It may reduce your need in other lenses within its range......it is no doubt "that good". Regards!

12-10-2011, 11:49 PM	#23
vanyagor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 177	I have found this list of lenses compatible with Pentax K to be helpful as the starting point Lenses for Pentax K \| Neocamera (just to check the basic parameters). Since you already know what range you liked with your 20D, why don't you go for the same for the K5? Btw, you can buy used lenses here on this forum for reasonable price.

12-12-2011, 06:26 PM	#24
pentaman Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 253	Originally posted by chicurt I am new to Chicago and this looks like a great city for street photography and a great small lens for it. Curtis I agree - having been in Chicago for a while, I can attest that you can't ever run out of subjects in this great city. Can't wait for you to post some samples here.