Hello from Kelowna

ScryNine · 04-12-2021, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Viking42

Welcome from Caledon, Ontario and Tumbler Ridge, BC (where I've been working the past few months). BC is indeed a photographer's paradise, as I've been discovering. You will certainly not be lacking in subject matter. Enjoy the forum. Friendly, helpful bunch here.

Regards,
Svend

Some of the models here can be hard to work with

But some are also AMAZING!

LuK5 · 04-12-2021, 10:04 AM

Welcome to the forum, Kendra.

**Viking42** · 04-12-2021, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by ScryNine

Some of the models here can be hard to work with

But some are also AMAZING!

First category: grizzly bears (definitely hard to work with; bear spray in a hip holster mandatory)
Second category: waterfalls (amazing! they say there are 75 waterfalls within a 60km radius of Tumbler Ridge! I will be seeking all of them out

)

This is assuming you weren't referring to the human kind of models, that is

Kendra59 · 04-13-2021, 08:55 AM

I want to thank everyone who posted here. What a nice welcome! I will be purchasing good used SMC 35mm f2 and SMC 50 mm lens as soon as possible. The 35mm works out to 52.5 mm on APS-C cameras, which is pretty close to a normal view equivalent. The 50 mm works out to 75 mm, which should work fairly well for occasional casual portrait work. I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less?

Kendra

**aslyfox** · 04-13-2021, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Kendra59

. . . . I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less?

Kendra

more suggested reading

Quote:

Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax
That old glass is amazing!
By K David in Articles and Tips on Jul 19, 2015
Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax
Pentax users have at their disposal a large variety of Pentax legacy glass, much of it manual focus. We also have brand-new manual focus lenses from makers like Samyang, Zhongyi Optical, and Venus Optics. This article looks at contemporary options, legacy K-mount lenses, M42 mount lenses, and even the uncommon M37 mount lenses. Each type of lens has uses, drawbacks, and advantages that make them good options for different scenarios.

Read more at: Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

**Viking42** · 04-13-2021, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Kendra59

I want to thank everyone who posted here. What a nice welcome! I will be purchasing good used SMC 35mm f2 and SMC 50 mm lens as soon as possible. The 35mm works out to 52.5 mm on APS-C cameras, which is pretty close to a normal view equivalent. The 50 mm works out to 75 mm, which should work fairly well for occasional casual portrait work. I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less?

Kendra

Kendra, if you're OK with manual focus, then a great lens is the SMC-A 50mm/1.7. These are available used for about C$60 or so, in mint shape. I have the older M-series version (no camera control of aperture), and it is outstanding, but a bit more fiddly to use on a dslr body. Most Pentax 50's are very sharp and excellent quality. A good resource is our lens review section: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

There's a DA 50/1.8 which has autofocus, and is very reasonably priced, even new. The FA 50/1.7 is also said to be excellent, works on full frame if you ever upgrade to a K-1, and reasonably priced too.

Another option, if you can put up with a loss in speed, are the 50mm macro lenses. They cost a bit more, and start at f2.8 as max aperture, but offer the versatility of macro function. I have the autofocus D-FA 50/2.8 macro and it is excellent - my sharpest lens, with wonderful colour depth. I think I paid about $200 for mine, in mint shape. This lens also has a manual focus ring and aperture ring, so will work on my film bodies too.

Re. manual focus, as a general comment, I have found that manual focus on Pentax dslrs is not the easiest thing to work with. The focus screens are made for autofocus, so when using manual focus lenses things don't really snap into focus like they do on my film bodies. It's all a bit vague, so I end up relying on the green hexagon focus aid in the viewfinder, which I quite dislike. You may want to stick with AF lenses for now.

Hope this helps!

Kendra59 · 04-13-2021, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by Viking42

Kendra, if you're OK with manual focus, then a great lens is the SMC-A 50mm/1.7. These are available used for about C$60 or so, in mint shape. I have the older M-series version (no camera control of aperture), and it is outstanding, but a bit more fiddly to use on a dslr body. Most Pentax 50's are very sharp and excellent quality. A good resource is our lens review section: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

There's a DA 50/1.8 which has autofocus, and is very reasonably priced, even new. The FA 50/1.7 is also said to be excellent, works on full frame if you ever upgrade to a K-1, and reasonably priced too.

Another option, if you can put up with a loss in speed, are the 50mm macro lenses. They cost a bit more, and start at f2.8 as max aperture, but offer the versatility of macro function. I have the autofocus D-FA 50/2.8 macro and it is excellent - my sharpest lens, with wonderful colour depth. I think I paid about $200 for mine, in mint shape. This lens also has a manual focus ring and aperture ring, so will work on my film bodies too.

Re. manual focus, as a general comment, I have found that manual focus on Pentax dslrs is not the easiest thing to work with. The focus screens are made for autofocus, so when using manual focus lenses things don't really snap into focus like they do on my film bodies. It's all a bit vague, so I end up relying on the green hexagon focus aid in the viewfinder, which I quite dislike. You may want to stick with AF lenses for now.

Hope this helps!

This is definitely good information. I am traveling to Vancouver in a week, and will see if I can pick up a couple good used AF lenses (35 mm and 50 mm). I think anything from f2 to f2.8 will suit my needs for this year.

Kendra59 · 04-19-2021, 09:20 AM

I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too.

ScryNine · 04-19-2021, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Kendra59

I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too.

Depending on what time you're around, I have the 50mm F1.8 I could sell you, or I have an older manual 50mm if you wanna get artsy!

Jeremiah Griffin · 04-19-2021, 09:16 PM

Welcome to the forums!

The marketplace is a good place to start - what lenses are you looking for?

**Michail_P** · 04-20-2021, 12:28 AM

Welcome to the forum Kendra. Greetings from Greece! Stay safe and enjoy your K-50.

archaeodude · 04-20-2021, 01:09 AM

Welcome to the forum from the fenlands of England!

**Viking42** · 04-20-2021, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by Kendra59

I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too.

If you're interested, and can wait a couple of weeks until I'm back there, I'm pretty sure I have a spare SMC-M 50/1.7 in Tumbler Ridge that I could sell you. It's a very sharp, contrasty lens, but manual focus and no camera auto aperture control. Still very useable on your camera though.

It's this lens:
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Let me know...happy to ship to you.

**Belnan** · 04-20-2021, 06:40 AM

Everyone is so welcoming I feel so behind now, except that your from Kelowna so I have to chime in. Lovely place you live send us lots of Pics.

ScryNine · 04-20-2021, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Viking42

If you're interested, and can wait a couple of weeks until I'm back there, I'm pretty sure I have a spare SMC-M 50/1.7 in Tumbler Ridge that I could sell you. It's a very sharp, contrasty lens, but manual focus and no camera auto aperture control. Still very useable on your camera though.

It's this lens:
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Let me know...happy to ship to you.

Love this lens! :3

04-12-2021, 10:04 AM	#17
LuK5 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bologna Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 53	Welcome Welcome to the forum, Kendra.

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04-12-2021, 08:40 AM	#16
ScryNine Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Vancouver Posts: 25	Originally posted by Viking42 Welcome from Caledon, Ontario and Tumbler Ridge, BC (where I've been working the past few months). BC is indeed a photographer's paradise, as I've been discovering. You will certainly not be lacking in subject matter. Enjoy the forum. Friendly, helpful bunch here. Regards, Svend Some of the models here can be hard to work with But some are also AMAZING!

04-12-2021, 11:52 AM	#18
Viking42 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Caledon, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 504	Originally posted by ScryNine Some of the models here can be hard to work with But some are also AMAZING! First category: grizzly bears (definitely hard to work with; bear spray in a hip holster mandatory) Second category: waterfalls (amazing! they say there are 75 waterfalls within a 60km radius of Tumbler Ridge! I will be seeking all of them out ) This is assuming you weren't referring to the human kind of models, that is

04-13-2021, 08:55 AM	#19
Kendra59 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 187 Original Poster	I want to thank everyone who posted here. What a nice welcome! I will be purchasing good used SMC 35mm f2 and SMC 50 mm lens as soon as possible. The 35mm works out to 52.5 mm on APS-C cameras, which is pretty close to a normal view equivalent. The 50 mm works out to 75 mm, which should work fairly well for occasional casual portrait work. I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less? Kendra

04-13-2021, 09:44 AM	#20
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Kendra59 . . . . I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less? Kendra more suggested reading Quote: Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax That old glass is amazing! By K David in Articles and Tips on Jul 19, 2015 Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax Pentax users have at their disposal a large variety of Pentax legacy glass, much of it manual focus. We also have brand-new manual focus lenses from makers like Samyang, Zhongyi Optical, and Venus Optics. This article looks at contemporary options, legacy K-mount lenses, M42 mount lenses, and even the uncommon M37 mount lenses. Each type of lens has uses, drawbacks, and advantages that make them good options for different scenarios. Read more at: Manual Focus Lens Choices for Pentax - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com

04-13-2021, 10:31 AM	#21
Viking42 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Caledon, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 504	Originally posted by Kendra59 I want to thank everyone who posted here. What a nice welcome! I will be purchasing good used SMC 35mm f2 and SMC 50 mm lens as soon as possible. The 35mm works out to 52.5 mm on APS-C cameras, which is pretty close to a normal view equivalent. The 50 mm works out to 75 mm, which should work fairly well for occasional casual portrait work. I guess there are quite a few 50 mm lens options. I don't need auto focus, but want a really sharp 50 mm lens. What are the best options for $200 or less? Kendra Kendra, if you're OK with manual focus, then a great lens is the SMC-A 50mm/1.7. These are available used for about C$60 or so, in mint shape. I have the older M-series version (no camera control of aperture), and it is outstanding, but a bit more fiddly to use on a dslr body. Most Pentax 50's are very sharp and excellent quality. A good resource is our lens review section: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database There's a DA 50/1.8 which has autofocus, and is very reasonably priced, even new. The FA 50/1.7 is also said to be excellent, works on full frame if you ever upgrade to a K-1, and reasonably priced too. Another option, if you can put up with a loss in speed, are the 50mm macro lenses. They cost a bit more, and start at f2.8 as max aperture, but offer the versatility of macro function. I have the autofocus D-FA 50/2.8 macro and it is excellent - my sharpest lens, with wonderful colour depth. I think I paid about $200 for mine, in mint shape. This lens also has a manual focus ring and aperture ring, so will work on my film bodies too. Re. manual focus, as a general comment, I have found that manual focus on Pentax dslrs is not the easiest thing to work with. The focus screens are made for autofocus, so when using manual focus lenses things don't really snap into focus like they do on my film bodies. It's all a bit vague, so I end up relying on the green hexagon focus aid in the viewfinder, which I quite dislike. You may want to stick with AF lenses for now. Hope this helps!

04-13-2021, 10:58 AM	#22
Kendra59 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 187 Original Poster	Originally posted by Viking42 Kendra, if you're OK with manual focus, then a great lens is the SMC-A 50mm/1.7. These are available used for about C$60 or so, in mint shape. I have the older M-series version (no camera control of aperture), and it is outstanding, but a bit more fiddly to use on a dslr body. Most Pentax 50's are very sharp and excellent quality. A good resource is our lens review section: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database There's a DA 50/1.8 which has autofocus, and is very reasonably priced, even new. The FA 50/1.7 is also said to be excellent, works on full frame if you ever upgrade to a K-1, and reasonably priced too. Another option, if you can put up with a loss in speed, are the 50mm macro lenses. They cost a bit more, and start at f2.8 as max aperture, but offer the versatility of macro function. I have the autofocus D-FA 50/2.8 macro and it is excellent - my sharpest lens, with wonderful colour depth. I think I paid about $200 for mine, in mint shape. This lens also has a manual focus ring and aperture ring, so will work on my film bodies too. Re. manual focus, as a general comment, I have found that manual focus on Pentax dslrs is not the easiest thing to work with. The focus screens are made for autofocus, so when using manual focus lenses things don't really snap into focus like they do on my film bodies. It's all a bit vague, so I end up relying on the green hexagon focus aid in the viewfinder, which I quite dislike. You may want to stick with AF lenses for now. Hope this helps! This is definitely good information. I am traveling to Vancouver in a week, and will see if I can pick up a couple good used AF lenses (35 mm and 50 mm). I think anything from f2 to f2.8 will suit my needs for this year.

04-19-2021, 09:20 AM	#23
Kendra59 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Posts: 187 Original Poster	I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too.

04-19-2021, 06:52 PM	#24
ScryNine Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Vancouver Posts: 25	Originally posted by Kendra59 I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too. Depending on what time you're around, I have the 50mm F1.8 I could sell you, or I have an older manual 50mm if you wanna get artsy!

04-19-2021, 09:16 PM	#25
Jeremiah Griffin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 51	Welcome to the forums! The marketplace is a good place to start - what lenses are you looking for?

04-20-2021, 12:28 AM	#26
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Welcome to the forum Kendra. Greetings from Greece! Stay safe and enjoy your K-50.

04-20-2021, 01:09 AM	#27
archaeodude Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Fens Posts: 524	Welcome to the forum from the fenlands of England!

04-20-2021, 05:52 AM	#28
Viking42 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Caledon, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 504	Originally posted by Kendra59 I am going to Vancouver tomorrow, and am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for camera stores that sell used equipment? I will be stopping in at Kerrisdale Cameras, but have time to check out a couple other places too. I am trying to get at least a DA 35mm 2.4f, maybe I can stretch my budget to get a good 50 mm too. If you're interested, and can wait a couple of weeks until I'm back there, I'm pretty sure I have a spare SMC-M 50/1.7 in Tumbler Ridge that I could sell you. It's a very sharp, contrasty lens, but manual focus and no camera auto aperture control. Still very useable on your camera though. It's this lens: SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Let me know...happy to ship to you.

04-20-2021, 06:40 AM	#29
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	Everyone is so welcoming I feel so behind now, except that your from Kelowna so I have to chime in. Lovely place you live send us lots of Pics.

04-20-2021, 08:34 AM	#30
ScryNine Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Vancouver Posts: 25	Originally posted by Viking42 If you're interested, and can wait a couple of weeks until I'm back there, I'm pretty sure I have a spare SMC-M 50/1.7 in Tumbler Ridge that I could sell you. It's a very sharp, contrasty lens, but manual focus and no camera auto aperture control. Still very useable on your camera though. It's this lens: SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Let me know...happy to ship to you. Love this lens! :3