Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
11-26-2013, 03:32 AM   #16
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Queensland, Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 87
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by jkomp316 Quote
Kit zoom lenses are rubbish. Get yourself an old manual 50mm prime. You will amaze yourself at what $20 can buy.
Pentax A series 50mm f1.7 lens | Trade Me

They're not quite that cheap over in this part of the planet...

01-04-2014, 01:55 AM   #17
Forum Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Queensland, Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 87
Original Poster
Have invested in some manual primes. Pentax 1.7 50mm, Helios Zenit 58mm f2 and some A Zooms...SMC Pentax F 35-70mm and a Sigma A 70-300mm APO. Got shot of the kit lens and the results are definately much better. Especially the Primes. Beautiful works of precision that produce some stunning pictures (not always by me) Got all the older stuff for the sale of the kit stuff, so happy with that.
01-04-2014, 08:16 AM   #18
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Photos: Albums
Posts: 817
Sounds like you got a good deal. The 18-55 is a decent enough lens, but I have never liked anything about the 50-200, other than its size.
01-17-2014, 04:56 PM   #19
Forum Member
Lupine's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 93
QuoteOriginally posted by hnikesch Quote
The Pentax kit lens is rated quite good from the following site, check it out and it seems the lens likes f8 for sharpness

Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL - Review / Test Report
Just to be clear, this is not the lens that came as part of the K-r kit. The model in the K-r kit was the DA-L 18-55 and it has a plastic mount. As kit lenses go it's OK, but as already been noted, just about any other Pentax lens, including the metal mount DA 18-55, will be better.

The one DA-L kit lens that is pretty decent is the DA-L 55-300. It is identical to the standard DA 55-300, except that it has a plastic mount and does not include a hood. I got the DA-L 55-300 as part of my K-r kit and surprisingly, it is as good as or better at the long end than my Tamron SP 60-300. The Tamron is just a touch sharper, but the Pentax has less CA and flare.

03-05-2014, 01:58 AM   #20
Pentaxian
red5isalive's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 659
The 18-55mm DAL is fine. It would give you lots of great moments exploring what's up in photography.
I had one (actually I had two and now I keep one that I don't use), and it provided me with very good moments of fun. But as any kit lens, or entry level camera body; once you have had your experience with it, is better to move on.

In that case, on a budget, I would reccomend you the Pentax 16-45mm f4, I bought myself a copy, and it's price is around 200$, that lens is a step forward from the kit one, and I believe you'll enjoy it
03-11-2014, 09:39 AM   #21
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Genobreaker's Avatar

Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kansas
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 135
QuoteOriginally posted by red5isalive Quote
In that case, on a budget, I would reccomend you the Pentax 16-45mm f4, I bought myself a copy, and it's price is around 200$, that lens is a step forward from the kit one, and I believe you'll enjoy it
Its down to $200 now?
03-11-2014, 09:46 AM   #22
Pentaxian
red5isalive's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 659
QuoteOriginally posted by Genobreaker Quote
Its down to $200 now?
I mean I payed around that for a 2n hand copy

03-11-2014, 08:52 PM   #23
Senior Member




Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Windsor, Colorado
Posts: 196
QuoteOriginally posted by red5isalive Quote
I mean I payed around that for a 2n hand copy
......and I paid $160 for mine, used but like new. Patience.....and Ebay.....are your friends.

It's a very good lens too.....and a great value for anywhere around $200. I wouldn't say it's way beyond the 18-55 optically, but definitely better as my copy (vs multiple copies) goes. I think the most significant thing is the extra 2mm on the wide end is way more of a difference in the field than I had imagined. I hardly notice the 10mm on the long end, and appreciate the constant f4.

Also, I have not experienced any negative effects of the often mentioned wobble in any practical usage. It is a little heavier and bulkier than the 18-55, but I definitely would not give up the wider focal range for a few ounces.
03-12-2014, 08:53 AM   #24
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Genobreaker's Avatar

Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kansas
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 135
Going on my list for possible next lens now.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, k-r, k-r kit, kr, lens, pentax k-r
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
K mount lenses to D800 - good or bad idea? Fontan Photographic Industry and Professionals 8 06-04-2012 07:40 PM
Pentax K-r with DA twin lens kit or Sigma? Caro Visitors' Center 21 08-06-2011 03:38 PM
Keep K-x buy premium lens, get K-r and get good lens, get the K-7 w/ lens or K-5? crossover37 Pentax DSLR Discussion 19 02-06-2011 10:38 PM
Lens Correction: Good or Bad Idea? bigdave56 Pentax DSLR Discussion 20 10-31-2010 03:58 PM
Good prime tele/macro lens, for K-r? Old glass or new? Deimos Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 25 10-26-2010 09:40 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:11 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top