[COLIN MORRISON]

Hello

I'm a semi-serious photographer, and want to upgrade from my current set-up. Looking at a KP with a DA 16-85 lens. I also have a Tamron 75-300 for outright telephoto stuff.

Is this a viable package?

Regards

Colin

[Wild Mark]

What are you intending to photograph? that aside the gear you are considering is definitely very capable. Generally, I would suggest a prime to match you specific interest (macro, telephoto for wildlife, 'normal' for portrait, wide angle for landscapes)

[TER-OR]

KP and 16-85 sounds like a great start. That's probably where I'd start, though I do rely on the top LCD on the cameras I've owned. I do a lot of work in the prairies, and find it much easier to just look at that.

Here's the "your mileage may vary" moment: I have a Tamron 70-300, which was very good on a K10. On the K5 it exhibited outrageous purple fringing, but great accuracy. I replaced it with a DA55-300 which was better. After destroying that first lens I have the newer WR version of that zoom. It's good, but remember it's a long zoom which generally are a bit soft at the last third of their zoom range. Mine is. That said, I don't know how that Tamron will work on the KP, it might be fine. You won't know until you try.

If you do a lot of long work I'm sure you've figured out you'll need to invest in some more expensive lenses. The zooms are great for walking, hiking etc.

[RobA_Oz]

Hello, Colin, and welcome to Pentax Forums.

You seem to have covered the major focal lengths with your chosen equipment. Based on a lot of personal histories revealed in these pages, I wouldn't be so bold as to suggest that you'll stop there, though. The more you shoot, the more possibilities present themselves, and the more the desire for different, even better gear will grow. But relax – all that is in the future for you.

I reckon you've made an excellent beginning. Enjoy your time here.

[COLIN MORRISON]

What are you intending to photograph? that aside the gear you are considering is definitely very capable. Generally, I would suggest a prime to match you specific interest (macro, telephoto for wildlife, 'normal' for portrait, wide angle for landscapes)

Hello Wild Mark

I'be been running with a Canon 400d and 18-55, and whetted my appetite for more pixels+variable viewfinder+ wifi essentially. The change to Pentax is a personal historical 'thing'. The 18-55 has been pretty good to me, the 70-300 less so, but I think that maybe operator shortcomings! Flickr site at that petrol emotion | Flickr if you have the time.

Cheers Colin

[TER-OR]

Cool, I've got a lot on Flickr as well, there are a few of us Pentax shooters there.

[Wild Mark]

looking at your gallery I get a strong sense that you like street scapes or the like. So a wide angle to short tele is definitely your thing. So, the 16-85 would be a very useful focal range for you.

Perhaps a couple of cheapish manual focus primes within that range would be a good compliment? If you have lots of cash then perhaps a FA31mm would be a perfect addition. Otherwise the FA*24/2 .....????? for a little less. The DA40/2.8 is also very good and is picked up for not much.

Anyway no matter which way you go, it is fair to say the KP looks a very nice camera

[COLIN MORRISON]

Cool, I've got a lot on Flickr as well, there are a few of us Pentax shooters there.

Thanks Terry - I'll get into your Flickr shots later on.

Cheers

Colin

[Adam]

The 16-85mm is a great choice for general purpose shooting. For action shots the new 55-300mm PLM delivers really fast AF, faster than any other K-mount lens. I'd highly recommend it.

Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens 21277
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM WR RE Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[Kerrowdown]

You've had loads of good advice already... so I'll just welcome.

[aslyfox]

Hello

I'm a semi-serious photographer, and want to upgrade from my current set-up. Looking at a KP with a DA 16-85 lens. I also have a Tamron 75-300 for outright telephoto stuff.

Is this a viable package?

Regards

Colin

Welcome

Which tamron 70 - 300 mm do you have?

I have had good success with this one with my K 3 and K 5 II

Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Tele-Macro [1:2] (Model 772D) Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

I also like my older da l 55 -300 mm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DAL-55-300mm-F4-5.8-Zoom-Lens.html

You can find some photos using both lens posted in this thread

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-clu...ng-lenses.html

I also have and like the 16 -85 mm

You can find examples here

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/301618-da-...at-can-do.html

[mikeSF]

welcome Colin!

[COLIN MORRISON]

looking at your gallery I get a strong sense that you like street scapes or the like. So a wide angle to short tele is definitely your thing. So, the 16-85 would be a very useful focal range for you.

Perhaps a couple of cheapish manual focus primes within that range would be a good compliment? If you have lots of cash then perhaps a FA31mm would be a perfect addition. Otherwise the FA*24/2 .....????? for a little less. The DA40/2.8 is also very good and is picked up for not much.

Anyway no matter which way you go, it is fair to say the KP looks a very nice camera

Mark - thanks for your time. Enjoy your photography.

Colin

[Wild Mark]

Cheers Colin. It would seem from our photographs that it wouldn't really matter what camera you have, you have the 'eye' of a photographer but of course you are choosing Pentax so I can only imagine the upgrade will enhance your photography skills. We look forward to Pentax inspired photos from you.

[Unregistered User 8]

Hi from Australia Colin, and welcome to the Pentax forums. Good to have you here.