[ziscwg]

So, it appears my k-x took a dump and is not usable. I purchased it in 2010 and it did well.

I'm thinking of the K-50 body only and using the lenses from the K-x. They are in good shape, but they are still kit lenses. I know they are not WR types, but that is not that big a deal for me.

I considered the k-500, but the viewfinder focus points and level sure would have helped a few times.

I shoot mostly my kids sports and some other things. Certainly nothing for money anymore.

So, the K-50 body with k-x kit lenses????? Any issues there???

[NicoleC]

I'm using my K-x kit lenses with the K3. No problems.

[PJ1]

What kit lenses do you have? If you have the SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II then it is still about the best of the 18-55 class. As for others, the question is whether the optical design has changed enough for an upgrade to be worthwhile.

[ziscwg]

What kit lenses do you have? If you have the SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II then it is still about the best of the 18-55 class. As for others, the question is whether the optical design has changed enough for an upgrade to be worthwhile.

the lenses are
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED lenses

They are not weather sealed (green ring) so I believe they are the DA L lenses.

[Na Horuk]

Hey there. The Pentax kit lenses are fairly good for kit lenses. But if you are buying a new camera, it might come bundled with a brand new WR kit lens at a great discount. This is why a lot of people buy the kit lens bundle - it costs only a little more than the body only, but comes with a very useful lens. Especially if you can get the 18-135mm WR.
But your kit lens will perform quite well on a K-30 or K-50. In fact, the photos with it will probably look better due to the improved, newer sensor, and you can save the money to buy a DA 50mm f1.8 some time later, for that boosted IQ

[ScooterMaxi Jim]

the lenses are
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED lenses

They are not weather sealed (green ring) so I believe they are the DA L lenses.

Are you sure the 18-55 doesn't have the II (version 2) designation on it? The KX came out more than 18 months after the original version was discontinued in January 2008. It does make a bit of a difference - especially on the wide end. The design is different.

[Adam]

the lenses are
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED lenses

They are not weather sealed (green ring) so I believe they are the DA L lenses.

The DA L 18-55mm non-WR has the same optical design as the DA 18-55mm II, DA L 18-55mm WR, and DA 18-55mm WR, so you should be in good shape.

However, getting the 18-55mm kit lens with the K-50 is an easy way to get started with a weather-sealed setup if you don't already have any weather sealed lenses. Note that Pentax released a new version of the DA L 18-55mm with weather sealing just for the K-50.

Adam
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[ziscwg]

Are you sure the 18-55 doesn't have the II (version 2) designation on it? The KX came out more than 18 months after the original version was discontinued in January 2008. It does make a bit of a difference - especially on the wide end. The design is different.

I will have to look at the lens or the box to see which one I have.

[ziscwg]

The DA L 18-55mm non-WR has the same optical design as the DA 18-55mm II, DA L 18-55mm WR, and DA 18-55mm WR, so you should be in good shape.

However, getting the 18-55mm kit lens with the K-50 is an easy way to get started with a weather-sealed setup if you don't already have any weather sealed lenses. Note that Pentax released a new version of the DA L 18-55mm with weather sealing just for the K-50.

I'd probably save the cash for a DA 50mm 1.8 or something like that. That lens would come in handy in some of the lower light situations I have been in.

[PJ1]

It is always nice to indulge yourself with a new lens along with a new body. Considering what you already have (and there is nothing wrong with those lenses) I agree with others - the 18-135 WR would be a good choice if it is bundled at the right price.

[ziscwg]

Are you sure the 18-55 doesn't have the II (version 2) designation on it? The KX came out more than 18 months after the original version was discontinued in January 2008. It does make a bit of a difference - especially on the wide end. The design is different.

I looked on the front of the lens where all that info would seem to be and it does NOT have the II on it. So, I guess I got an older one. It did fine for the most part, but that just adds a bit of fuel to get the 18-55 WR that comes with the k-50

[bsamcash]

Get the new WR kit lens. As a current owner of the K-50 kit and a former owner of the K-x and K-r kits, the WR version is at least superior in build quality and my copy definitely seems sharper than the others I've had. For 50 to 80 USD more than just the body, you can't go wrong.

[ScooterMaxi Jim]

I looked on the front of the lens where all that info would seem to be and it does NOT have the II on it. So, I guess I got an older one. It did fine for the most part, but that just adds a bit of fuel to get the 18-55 WR that comes with the k-50

Adam corrected me. If the lens is DA L (plastic mounting ring), you do have the newer optical design; apparently Pentax decided not to include the II designation on those lenses that went out with the K-X because the "DA L" is enough of a designation. Of course, the WR is a pretty big deal - worth getting on any WR body. All told there are 5 versions of the 18-55, and four of them are the new design! If it has "DA L" or "WR" in the name - it is the new design (and of course the "II" as well).

[ziscwg]

Adam corrected me. If the lens is DA L (plastic mounting ring), you do have the newer optical design; apparently Pentax decided not to include the II designation on those lenses that went out with the K-X because the "DA L" is enough of a designation. Of course, the WR is a pretty big deal - worth getting on any WR body. All told there are 5 versions of the 18-55, and four of them are the new design! If it has "DA L" or "WR" in the name - it is the new design (and of course the "II" as well).

And I thought Shimano and all their mtb and road hardware naming antics was bad. At least Shimano put the exact model number somewhere on the part. The fun part was finding where they put it. You'd never think they could make writing that small on a part

Pentax..............well, they just give you a lens and say "go." It could have some distinctive writing on it, or maybe not

[ziscwg]

I'm certainly looking for a k-50 with the 18-55 kit lens (WR). I hope B&H has some sort of crazy Dr Martin Luther King sale