[Joshua A]

So guys, I was wondering, if you were to purchase a Pentax Full Frame camera, what kit lens do you think they should bundle in with it?

The specifications of the lenses are as follows:

HD Pentax-D FA* 24-50mm f2.8 ED [IF] DC AW: 12 Elements, 8 Groups, 3 Exotic Elements, Floating Focus, 550g, 67mm, 1:2 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA* 24-105mm f4 ED [IF] DC WR: 18 Elements, 14 Groups, 4 Exotic Elements, Floating Focus, 850g, 77mm, 1:4 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA* 35-105mm f3.5 ED [IF] DC AW: 15 Elements, 13 Groups, 3 Exotic Elements, Floating Focus, 680g, 67mm, 1:4 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA 24(28)-135mm f3.5-4.5 ED DC WR: 14 Elements, 11 Groups, 2 Exotic Elements, Standard Focus, 450g, 62mm, 1:4 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA 24(28)-200mm f3.5-5.6 ED DC WR: 21 Elements, 16 Groups, 5 Exotic Elements, Standard Focus, 700g, 67mm, 1:6 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA* 28mm f1.8 ED [IF] DC WR: 13 Elements, 9 groups, 3 Exotic Elements, Floating Focus, 450g, 62mm, 1:3 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA* 35mm f1.8 ED [IF] DC WR: 11 Elements, 6 Groups, 2 Exotic Elements, Floating Focus, 450g, 62mm, 1:3 Max Magnification

HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm f1.8 ED [IF] DC WR: 10 Elements, 5 Groups, 3 Exotic elements, Floating Focus, 450g, 62mm, 1:3 Max Magnification

I am choosing a rehashed version of the SMC Pentax A 35-105mm f3.5m, because, to put it simply, I absolutely adore this lens and I think it's a shame that Ricoh won't take advantage of this classic yet sharp lens design.

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Last edited by Joshua A; 12-10-2014 at 02:41 AM.

[Dartmoor Dave]

If I ruled the world it would come with an M42 screw mount and a brand new S-M-C Takumar 50mm/1.4. So it's probably fortunate for the rest of the photographic world that I'm not in charge.

It'll probably be bundled with a cheap 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 zoom. The point of a kit lens is to make people want to buy other better lenses.

[rawr]

Much as I love my SMC A 35-105 f3.5, I would prefer a 24-105 f4 as a kit lens. It's kind of a FF standard, like the Canon 24-105 f4 L kit lens, and the Sigma 24-105 too. A little bit of extra width (24 vs 35 at the wide end) is handy sometimes when event shooting.

And when I get a Pentax FF, 24-105 remains a very useful ~35-150mm equiv when mounted on Pentax APS-C bodies.

[Joshua A]

The point of a kit lens is to make people want to buy other better lenses.

I do agree, particularly with beginner to enthusiast bodies, that bundling the camera with a cheap 18-55mm or 18-135 lens is generally the status quo, I often find, here in Australia at least, that higher end cameras such as the Canon 5D Mark iii, are bundled with the Canon 24-105mm f4 L, which is considered to be the bare minimum standard zoom for an advanced FF camera. I personally don't believe Pentax will achieve much in the FF market if they aim low, so I would expect the body they release to compete with the D750 and the 5D range of cameras, and therefore wouldnt be bundled with a lower quality lens.

[beachgardener]

FF with 50mm f1.4, good standard lens, I'd want a 1.2 but that is hardly a standard lens.

[Dartmoor Dave]

I do agree, particularly with beginner to enthusiast bodies, that bundling the camera with a cheap 18-55mm or 18-135 lens is generally the status quo, I often find, here in Australia at least, that higher end cameras such as the Canon 5D Mark iii, are bundled with the Canon 24-105mm f4 L, which is considered to be the bare minimum standard zoom for an advanced FF camera. I personally don't believe Pentax will achieve much in the FF market if they aim low, so I would expect the body they release to compete with the D750 and the 5D range of cameras, and therefore wouldnt be bundled with a lower quality lens.

I think you're right, and I was probably too flippant with my initial response.

I suspect that most Pentax users who are considering the move to full frame will have obtained a couple of full frame compatible lenses before they finally take the plunge and buy the body. So my guess is that the majority of sales will be body only.

Are the Canon 5d Mkiii plus 24-105mm/4.0 kits mostly bought by experienced photographers, or by wealthy beginners who can afford to start out with what marketing makes them believe is the best?

[Joshua A]

I think you're right, and I was probably too flippant with my initial response.

I suspect that most Pentax users who are considering the move to full frame will have obtained a couple of full frame compatible lenses before they finally take the plunge and buy the body. So my guess is that the majority of sales will be body only.

Are the Canon 5d Mkiii plus 24-105mm/4.0 kits mostly bought by experienced photographers, or by wealthy beginners who can afford to start out with what marketing makes them believe is the best?

It's all good mate, like you said, a lot of people who buy that particular Canon setup are rich kids who want a nice camera, but personally believe that in order to have power in the marketplace, one must have something for everyone, including those with less common sense than cash. On the otherhand, you're right about most Pentaxians having a quality collection of lenses, but it would be nice for Ricoh to offer us some higher end standard zooms, as we are rather lacking in that department at the current time, as the 16-50mm f2.8 doesn't render to everyone's liking, and the 20-40mm is... Unique, but niche.

[Na Horuk]

It'll probably be bundled with a cheap 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 zoom. The point of a kit lens is to make people want to buy other better lenses.

Exactly. I would love the camera to come with a prime (28mm, 35mm, 50mm), but it will probably come with a variable aperture mid range zoom, 24mm-85mm or something. A little for everyone, but not enough for anything. The kit lens is supposed to be the worst lens, so that people go and buy that sweet 35mm prime, and so on.

[PJ1]

It'll probably be bundled with a cheap 28-80mm/3.5-5.6 zoom.

I've already got mine. It came with the MZ-5n.

[TomB_tx]

50 f1.4 - preferably with good manual focus

[awaymars]

I'm now using a FA20-35/4 as a kit len.So if it is a FA*16-35/2.8 would be much better!

[Tassie]

Kit lens need to be versatile as they are by definition for people without a significant lens collection. Considering how much I use the wide end of my 17-50 and 18-135 I'd say it would need it to make at least 28mm at the wide end, preferably 24. At the long end in a kit (ie. affordable walkaround) lens I'd happily sacrifice a little speed in a FF for some extra reach as long as the image quality was good. Either of the 24-105 or 24 - 135 options above would be great if the optics delivered.

[manntax]

For now I think I'll stick to my Tamron 28-75mm f2,8 - but something wider and longer wouldn't hurt. The thing with Pentax FF camera is that Ricoh/Pentax knows that they aren't going to make Canon and Nikon users rush for one - at least at the beginning. Their lens line up isn't on par with those really. But what Pentax does have is substantial user-base already well equipped in full frame lenses - often high quality primes, therefore I would expect Pentax FF to be released with modest kit lens , followed by two 2.8 zooms - those are the basic requirements that FF camera needs to fulfill if they are going to attract all those semi/pro wedding shooters. If the camera becomes successful - I think we might see some more good glass put in development pipe - but again at the standard Ricoh/Pentax pace - they aren't going to revive those golden times from 60-70's

[clackers]

I have the Tamrons 28-75 and 70-200 (both f2.8) ready to go if it happens.

[Tassie]

That is of course assuming Ricoh would see the economic base for FF in the pro market. My hunch, with no evidence to back it however, is that the main economic market for Pentax FF would be enthusiasts or those looking for some form of exclusivity from being seen to own the top of the line product of a niche brand with history.
With the Pentax track record of flash control and focus accuracy I'd be wary of trying to earn a living in wedding photography in this brand camp.