Help! Pentax equivalents to my Canon lenses

shiro_kuma · 06-09-2010, 10:41 AM

Hi

I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body. I don't have huge canon lenses yet but was on the verge of canon plunging. Here are the lenses I wanted - most of which highly acclaimed for canon bodies. I was just going to use a 450D (Xsi) or similar for now until my skills improve.

Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8
Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5
Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6

I've looked through reviews but wanted to hear from the experts - what would be the equivalent for a Pentax system?

Thanks!
Bruce

Ira · 06-09-2010, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by shiro_kuma

Hi

I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body.

When you say cheap, do you mean broken?

Because there's nothing cheap about a K7.

jaitas · 06-09-2010, 11:24 AM

Easy answer would be something like this...

Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8 -> Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 or Pentax FA limited 43mm f1.9

(own this) FA 50mm is quite plastic lens, image quality is nice. Bit soft wide open. Price is the big question mark, because this "shouldn't be" a expensive lens.

(haven't tried) FA 43mm limited build and image quality from what I hear is top notch. Expensive.

Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 -> Pentax DA 12-24mm f4 or Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6

(own this) Pentax DA 12-24 f4 is sharp and very good quality wide zoom, bit bulky. But I have been very satisfied. Expensive

(have tried) Sigma is very good also, extra 2mm is quite a lot!, My boss has this for Canon and it's very nice.

Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 -> Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8

(haven't tried) I have heard only good things from 55-300mm lens. Internet praises it and also my work mate

Hope this helps, I'm tired so I won't write longer reviews, this forums lens review section is WORTH a visit!

-Juho

Originally posted by shiro_kuma

Hi

I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body. I don't have huge canon lenses yet but was on the verge of canon plunging. Here are the lenses I wanted - most of which highly acclaimed for canon bodies. I was just going to use a 450D (Xsi) or similar for now until my skills improve.

Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8
Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5
Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6

I've looked through reviews but wanted to hear from the experts - what would be the equivalent for a Pentax system?

Thanks!
Bruce

SMPhoto · 06-09-2010, 11:25 AM

Portrait: Pentax FA 50mm f1.4

UWA: Pentax DA 12-24mm f4

Zoom: A number of equivalents pop up for this range. There's the Tamron 70-300's, the Sigma 70-300's, Pentax FAJ 75-300 f4.5-5.8, Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8, Pentax-F 70-210 f4-5.6, etc.
The last two listed are perhaps the most highly regarded consumer zooms out of all of those, as far as IQ goes.

Good luck with your search! I think you'll find the K-7 is a major step up from the XSi.

Marc Sabatella · 06-09-2010, 11:31 AM

Pentax doesn't make a 50/1.8 any more, so unfrtunately you have to upgrade to a 50/1.4 if you want an autofocus. The Pentax FA50/1.4 is no more expensive than the Canon equivalent, but of course, both are more expensive than the Canon 50/1.8. The way you can get cheaper 50's is by going to manual focus. There are *tons* of threads on the various manual lenses, but for a newcomer to the world of manual lenses, the "A" series make the most sernse, as they at least support all autoexposure and flash modes. The A50/1.7 is usually recommended as the best compromise between speed, price, and quality.

You might also consider whether you're getting a 50 just because they're cheap or if you really do find that focal length good for portraits. I find it too short, and prefer my DA70, but it's rather more expensive still.

If you want a 10-XX zoom for Pentax, the Sigmas are the obvious choices, as Pentax doesn't make a rectilinear lens quite that wide. But it's worth considering that Canon's crop factor is a bit more than Pentax's (1.6 versus 1.5), so the Pentax DA12-24 is not too far off what you'd get with the 10-22.

As for the telephoto not sure which of the Canon 70-300's you were considering, but Pentax offers a DA55-300mm that's roughly similar, but with mroe range and cheaper too.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-10-2010, 06:15 AM

That's a lot of good advice, remember you can also check out these lenses on the lens review section of this forum, for more information.

shiro_kuma · 06-10-2010, 02:34 PM

Yes - thanks to all for responding. The lens reviews are all good, but I do get blinded by the pentax lens nomenclature and naming conventions over the years. But I've got what I need to start...all the best.

shiro_kuma · 06-10-2010, 02:37 PM

No - the body is brand new, but he got it from the company he ordered from - they sent him 2 by mistake!

Ira · 06-10-2010, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by shiro_kuma

no - the body is brand new, but he got it from the company he ordered from - they sent him 2 by mistake!

You're getting into dangerous territory here, especially when it comes to warranty.

If a reseller sent him two by mistake and he intends to keep one, it might not exactly be legal.

aliquis · 06-10-2010, 03:48 PM

The Canon 50/1.8ii is very cheap, but instead of the 50s regardless of camera brand I would had got:
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfau/4688726236/in/pool-sigmaprimes

The Canon 10-22 got a good range but I would probably had got:
8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM - Wide Angle Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com
Because it's wider yet. As wide as this on APS-C:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/4681955087/in/pool-sigma12-24
http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/4685030691/in/pool-sigma12-24

For the 70-300 I assume the kit lens alternative would work.

Personally I would worry somewhat if I wanted to invest in a huge amount of lenses for the system or not though. But hopefully it will stay

. What price are you paying for the k7? I would definitely had preferred k7 over 450D though

06-09-2010, 10:41 AM	#1
shiro_kuma New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brighton Posts: 3	Help! Pentax equivalents to my Canon lenses Hi I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body. I don't have huge canon lenses yet but was on the verge of canon plunging. Here are the lenses I wanted - most of which highly acclaimed for canon bodies. I was just going to use a 450D (Xsi) or similar for now until my skills improve. Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8 Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 I've looked through reviews but wanted to hear from the experts - what would be the equivalent for a Pentax system? Thanks! Bruce

06-09-2010, 11:31 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Pentax doesn't make a 50/1.8 any more, so unfrtunately you have to upgrade to a 50/1.4 if you want an autofocus. The Pentax FA50/1.4 is no more expensive than the Canon equivalent, but of course, both are more expensive than the Canon 50/1.8. The way you can get cheaper 50's is by going to manual focus. There are tons of threads on the various manual lenses, but for a newcomer to the world of manual lenses, the "A" series make the most sernse, as they at least support all autoexposure and flash modes. The A50/1.7 is usually recommended as the best compromise between speed, price, and quality. You might also consider whether you're getting a 50 just because they're cheap or if you really do find that focal length good for portraits. I find it too short, and prefer my DA70, but it's rather more expensive still. If you want a 10-XX zoom for Pentax, the Sigmas are the obvious choices, as Pentax doesn't make a rectilinear lens quite that wide. But it's worth considering that Canon's crop factor is a bit more than Pentax's (1.6 versus 1.5), so the Pentax DA12-24 is not too far off what you'd get with the 10-22. As for the telephoto not sure which of the Canon 70-300's you were considering, but Pentax offers a DA55-300mm that's roughly similar, but with mroe range and cheaper too. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 06-10-2010 at 08:22 AM.

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06-09-2010, 11:23 AM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by shiro_kuma Hi I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body. When you say cheap, do you mean broken? Because there's nothing cheap about a K7.

06-09-2010, 11:24 AM	#3
jaitas Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oulu Posts: 124	Easy answer would be something like this... Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8 -> Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 or Pentax FA limited 43mm f1.9 (own this) FA 50mm is quite plastic lens, image quality is nice. Bit soft wide open. Price is the big question mark, because this "shouldn't be" a expensive lens. (haven't tried) FA 43mm limited build and image quality from what I hear is top notch. Expensive. Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 -> Pentax DA 12-24mm f4 or Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (own this) Pentax DA 12-24 f4 is sharp and very good quality wide zoom, bit bulky. But I have been very satisfied. Expensive (have tried) Sigma is very good also, extra 2mm is quite a lot!, My boss has this for Canon and it's very nice. Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 -> Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8 (haven't tried) I have heard only good things from 55-300mm lens. Internet praises it and also my work mate Hope this helps, I'm tired so I won't write longer reviews, this forums lens review section is WORTH a visit! -Juho Originally posted by shiro_kuma Hi I've been offered a cheap Pentax K-7 body. I don't have huge canon lenses yet but was on the verge of canon plunging. Here are the lenses I wanted - most of which highly acclaimed for canon bodies. I was just going to use a 450D (Xsi) or similar for now until my skills improve. Portrait - Canon 50mm f1.8 Wide - Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 Zoom - Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 I've looked through reviews but wanted to hear from the experts - what would be the equivalent for a Pentax system? Thanks! Bruce

06-09-2010, 11:25 AM	#4
SMPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery Posts: 185	Portrait: Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 UWA: Pentax DA 12-24mm f4 Zoom: A number of equivalents pop up for this range. There's the Tamron 70-300's, the Sigma 70-300's, Pentax FAJ 75-300 f4.5-5.8, Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8, Pentax-F 70-210 f4-5.6, etc. The last two listed are perhaps the most highly regarded consumer zooms out of all of those, as far as IQ goes. Good luck with your search! I think you'll find the K-7 is a major step up from the XSi.

06-10-2010, 06:15 AM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,866	That's a lot of good advice, remember you can also check out these lenses on the lens review section of this forum, for more information.

06-10-2010, 02:34 PM	#7
shiro_kuma New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brighton Posts: 3 Original Poster	Yes - thanks to all for responding. The lens reviews are all good, but I do get blinded by the pentax lens nomenclature and naming conventions over the years. But I've got what I need to start...all the best.

06-10-2010, 02:37 PM	#8
shiro_kuma New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brighton Posts: 3 Original Poster	No - the body is brand new, but he got it from the company he ordered from - they sent him 2 by mistake!

06-10-2010, 03:07 PM	#9
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by shiro_kuma no - the body is brand new, but he got it from the company he ordered from - they sent him 2 by mistake! You're getting into dangerous territory here, especially when it comes to warranty. If a reseller sent him two by mistake and he intends to keep one, it might not exactly be legal.

06-10-2010, 03:48 PM	#10
aliquis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Örebro Posts: 207	The Canon 50/1.8ii is very cheap, but instead of the 50s regardless of camera brand I would had got: 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfau/4688726236/in/pool-sigmaprimes The Canon 10-22 got a good range but I would probably had got: 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM - Wide Angle Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com Because it's wider yet. As wide as this on APS-C: http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/4681955087/in/pool-sigma12-24 http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/4685030691/in/pool-sigma12-24 For the 70-300 I assume the kit lens alternative would work. Personally I would worry somewhat if I wanted to invest in a huge amount of lenses for the system or not though. But hopefully it will stay . What price are you paying for the k7? I would definitely had preferred k7 over 450D though