Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-01-2019, 01:07 PM   #1
New Member




Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6
New to the forum, New K-70 owner saying hello and suggestions recommendations needed

Hello everyone, just bought my 2nd DSLR yesterday under the recommendation of Mr.Spencer Cox - a K-70. this forum helped me a lot with comparing the lenses. the first camera I had was almost 10 years ago and it was a Canon, already forgot the model number.

I bought this K70 camera mainly for taking portrait pictures of my new born baby ( due next month) and in an odd time - I might go out to take some pictures of the northern lights (yes I can see them quite often).

so here are my questions: I already have a WR lens (you can see in my profile) a 18-55mm DAL AL WR. I do not know if this will be enough for my portrait shots or the northern lights shots.

I am able to find some Pentax useable lens locally but the problem is I do not know which lens I should buy.

any suggestion/recommendation is much appreciated.

Happy new year to everyone.

01-01-2019, 01:24 PM - 1 Like   #2
Pentaxian




Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maryland
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 558
A fast fixed lens would be great for baby portraits and you can pick up a fast 50mm lens without breaking the bank, or go for one of better 50mm lenses if your budget allows. Even the cheap 50mm lenses are excellent..
01-01-2019, 01:36 PM - 1 Like   #3
PJ1
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
PJ1's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Toowoomba, Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,469
Welcome to the Forums from "downunder". The K-70 is a good DSLR by all accounts and the 18-55 is also a good general purpose lens (I have an earlier version of it). But asking for suggestions and advice here can be inviting overload. Having said that, and without knowing much about what your future uses (or budget) might be, I can only suggest a good portrait lens (for the new addition to your family. The Pentax FA 70mm or FA77mm (fairly expensive) would be excellent choices, but I find that on APS-C a 50mm lens can work well. That opens up a lot of choices, particularly if you can work with an older 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 lens. They can be quite inexpensive. The Pentax M50/1.7 is very good. But check out the lens reviews here. For the Northern Lights, maybe a nice wide angle. I don't have much experience with wide angle (a Sigma 18-200 covers my needs at that end), and the 18mm end of your 18-55 may be all you need to start with. But others will have better ideas than I can offer - particularly if they do astro or northern lights photography. Bu sure to post your pics here!
01-01-2019, 02:10 PM - 1 Like   #4
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Kevin B123's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,162
Hello and welcome to the forum.
You can do portrait shots with the kit lens and it is quite versatile.
I would suggest you look at a Sigma 17-50 f2.8, for this and your night photography as it is fast and a good price but not WR. As a bonus it has a AF/MF switch that will enable you to use the catch in focus function.
The K-70 is a swiss army knife type of body that will allow a ton of working methods through it's drive modes, so it's a great choice. You will need a remote though.

Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-50  Photo 
01-01-2019, 02:21 PM - 1 Like   #5
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,161
That's an honestly tall order... There are a lot of portrait lenses options from primes to zooms. What budget?

Also northern light is astrophotography and coma and astigmatism start to be an issue that needs to be considered. Loads of options there. Typically the Astro lens will be wide angle bit not always.
01-01-2019, 02:24 PM - 1 Like   #6
Veteran Member
kshapero's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Florida, USA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 437
May I suggest the 35/2.4? Really a great lens selling for under $100.
01-01-2019, 02:25 PM - 1 Like   #7
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,161
QuoteOriginally posted by kshapero Quote
May I suggest the 35/2.4? Really a great lens selling for under $100.
New these are back up to $150 but still a bargain.

01-01-2019, 02:36 PM - 1 Like   #8
Veteran Member
kshapero's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Florida, USA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 437
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
New these are back up to $150 but still a bargain.
Presently $94 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_8_8?tag=pentaxforums-20&url=search-a...entax+35mm+2.4
01-01-2019, 02:44 PM   #9
New Member




Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by bschriver11 Quote
A fast fixed lens would be great for baby portraits and you can pick up a fast 50mm lens without breaking the bank, or go for one of better 50mm lenses if your budget allows. Even the cheap 50mm lenses are excellent..
thank you for your reply. but I do need model number for the 50mm lens, I am a beginner really.

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 02:49 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by PJ1 Quote
Welcome to the Forums from "downunder". The K-70 is a good DSLR by all accounts and the 18-55 is also a good general purpose lens (I have an earlier version of it). But asking for suggestions and advice here can be inviting overload. Having said that, and without knowing much about what your future uses (or budget) might be, I can only suggest a good portrait lens (for the new addition to your family. The Pentax FA 70mm or FA77mm (fairly expensive) would be excellent choices, but I find that on APS-C a 50mm lens can work well. That opens up a lot of choices, particularly if you can work with an older 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 lens. They can be quite inexpensive. The Pentax M50/1.7 is very good. But check out the lens reviews here. For the Northern Lights, maybe a nice wide angle. I don't have much experience with wide angle (a Sigma 18-200 covers my needs at that end), and the 18mm end of your 18-55 may be all you need to start with. But others will have better ideas than I can offer - particularly if they do astro or northern lights photography. Bu sure to post your pics here!
A big thank you for the detailed information. my budget for the extra lens (lenses) for used ones are around 300 in total. if one lens can do it all then I can spend 300 all on the same lens or I have to share the money between the lenes. I am only new to the lenses so I do not want to spend a lot of money on a wrong new lens.

model number is important to me so I can so a little bit research.

one question here about the FA lens isn't F means film camera use?

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 02:53 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
That's an honestly tall order... There are a lot of portrait lenses options from primes to zooms. What budget?

Also northern light is astrophotography and coma and astigmatism start to be an issue that needs to be considered. Loads of options there. Typically the Astro lens will be wide angle bit not always.
300 Canadian is my total budget for two purposes, currently working on the portrait lens, the northern lights lens I can wait. don't think I will have any time to do it for a good while once the baby is here.

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 02:54 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by kshapero Quote
May I suggest the 35/2.4? Really a great lens selling for under $100.
thanks a million. but could you give me a detailed model number or link? 35mm 1: 2.4 is that what you mean?

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 03:00 PM ----------

great ! just added to my cart. now start researching on other lens recommended above.
01-01-2019, 03:49 PM - 1 Like   #10
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,584
QuoteOriginally posted by CanadianKangaroo Quote
Hello everyone, just bought my 2nd DSLR yesterday under the recommendation of Mr.Spencer Cox - a K-70. this forum helped me a lot with comparing the lenses. the first camera I had was almost 10 years ago and it was a Canon, already forgot the model number.

I bought this K70 camera mainly for taking portrait pictures of my new born baby ( due next month) and in an odd time - I might go out to take some pictures of the northern lights (yes I can see them quite often).

so here are my questions: I already have a WR lens (you can see in my profile) a 18-55mm DAL AL WR. I do not know if this will be enough for my portrait shots or the northern lights shots.

I am able to find some Pentax useable lens locally but the problem is I do not know which lens I should buy.

any suggestion/recommendation is much appreciated.

Happy new year to everyone.
Welcome aboard!


I actually just got back from a northern lights shoot; due to space restrictions all I had was a 24mm lens (equivalent to 18mm on APS-C). I can tell you that this wasn't wide enough to capture the fully beauty of the night sky. A fisheye lens, or an ultra-wide lens like the DA 12-24mm or Sigma 8-16mm, would serve you a lot better for that purpose.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
01-01-2019, 05:51 PM - 1 Like   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
gump's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Canton, Ohio
Posts: 1,005
I am extremely happy with the K-70. I would consider the DA 50 mm 1.8 for portraits (as others have suggested) although I have not used it there many recommendations and good reviews and it is inexpensive. For the sky, of course a wide angle is obvious but I recently saw a vid on YouTube where the fellow used a telephoto and shot a landscape series and stitched a panorama. I have not used this technique for landscapes as yet but the reasoning seemed sound. It is rather far out on my learning curve.
01-01-2019, 07:41 PM - 1 Like   #12
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,161
QuoteOriginally posted by kshapero Quote
I missed that! Good catch.

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 09:43 PM ----------

To the OP: While manual focus primes are out there for what your budget is I would look for a DA 50 f1.8 an FA 50 f1.7 or an F 50 f1.7 ( the F and FA are only available used. ) Those are within your budget and fast enough to do what you want.
01-01-2019, 10:39 PM   #13
New Member




Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Welcome aboard!


I actually just got back from a northern lights shoot; due to space restrictions all I had was a 24mm lens (equivalent to 18mm on APS-C). I can tell you that this wasn't wide enough to capture the fully beauty of the night sky. A fisheye lens, or an ultra-wide lens like the DA 12-24mm or Sigma 8-16mm, would serve you a lot better for that purpose.
thanks. I will put the fisheye on my bucket list. I did find someone asking how to compare DA 12-24 AND Sigma 8-16 on this forum. I found that thread is quite useful, too. 8-16 sounds more awesome to me - the smaller the wider you can see. lol
01-01-2019, 10:41 PM   #14
New Member




Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by gump Quote
I am extremely happy with the K-70. I would consider the DA 50 mm 1.8 for portraits (as others have suggested) although I have not used it there many recommendations and good reviews and it is inexpensive. For the sky, of course a wide angle is obvious but I recently saw a vid on YouTube where the fellow used a telephoto and shot a landscape series and stitched a panorama. I have not used this technique for landscapes as yet but the reasoning seemed sound. It is rather far out on my learning curve.
that's a good idea, one more thing to learn. I m in love with the stars, maybe this will help me catch some great pictures of the moon.
01-01-2019, 10:43 PM   #15
New Member




Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I missed that! Good catch.

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 09:43 PM ----------

To the OP: While manual focus primes are out there for what your budget is I would look for a DA 50 f1.8 an FA 50 f1.7 or an F 50 f1.7 ( the F and FA are only available used. ) Those are within your budget and fast enough to do what you want.
thank you. added DA on my list. I don't know if F stands for Film that's why I prefer DA. at least I know this is for sure good for the K-70. thanks again for spending time on my question.
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!
35mm, 50mm, 50mm lens, angle, baby portraits, budget, camera, f1.7, fa, film, forum, k-70, k70, lens, lenses, lights, lot, model, money, pentax k-70, pictures, pm, portrait, sensor, shots, wr
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Long time Photographer, new to Pentax, saying hello! mikemilton Welcomes and Introductions 11 06-11-2018 01:05 PM
Saying hello to the Forum! adamblak Welcomes and Introductions 6 02-20-2016 06:57 PM
New k3 owner saying 'Hello' Top banana Welcomes and Introductions 6 05-11-2015 12:47 PM
New to forum and new K5 owner crfralick Welcomes and Introductions 3 06-14-2012 09:31 PM
new K10d owner and new to the forum :) donalson Pentax DSLR Discussion 12 04-23-2010 07:34 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:14 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