Question about the lenses that come with the K-x deal

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 10:08 AM

Hi,

I have been using a p&s camera for awhile taking the usual vacation pics etc. I want to move into an dslr and thru my research, it looks like the Pentax K-x is the way to go....price wise, quality, etc. The deal they have at Amazon includes these 2 lenses:
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Zoom Lens

50-200mm f/4-5.6 SMCP-DA ED Zoom Lens

My question is....are these good lenses? I was thinking of buying the:
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens

because I was thinking that the lenses being "kit" lenses were of bad quality. But, if not....why spend the money on the Tamron??

Anyway, thanks for having this great forum and for your input!

KxBlaze · 09-21-2010, 11:03 AM

The kit 18-55 lens is a great starter lens that will produce pics with very good IQ. I just bought the Tamron 18-200 and an happy with the lens for its versatility but the IQ is not quite as good as the 18-55 but still good.

As for the 2 lens kit, I would go with the 18-55 and the 55-300. While the 50-200 is a good lens, the 55-300 is generally considered the best bang for you buck in a telephoto lens. It has really good IQ (probably better then the 50-200) and I believe the 2 lens kit right now is going for well under $700 (in my opinion, currently the best deal in the DLSR market).

audiobomber · 09-21-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by twix23919

The deal they have at Amazon includes these 2 lenses:
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Zoom Lens

50-200mm f/4-5.6 SMCP-DA ED Zoom Lens

My question is....are these good lenses? I was thinking of buying the:
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens

The kit lenses will give you better IQ than the 18-200mm. I have a Pentax DA 18-250 (same as Tamron 18-250) and a Pentax 18-55 DA L. I consider the 18-55mm and 18-250mm about equal. The 18-250mm performance falls off at the long end of its range. From the reviews at Photozone and SLRGear, the Tamron/Pentax 18-250 is a better lens than the 18-200.

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 11:31 AM

thanks for that! but now I have read several reviews to NOT buy from ace photo digital. they are the sellers selling this deal from amazon. anyone had issues with them? does anyone know of a great place to buy this camera and kit? thanks again to all for your input!

Deiberson · 09-21-2010, 11:41 AM

i recommend b&h and grab the 55-300 lens instead. i regret selling mine.

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 12:05 PM

thank you!!

audiobomber · 09-21-2010, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by Deiberson

i recommend b&h and grab the 55-300 lens instead. i regret selling mine.

I have a 55-300mm and I agree. The 55-300 is a better performer than the 50-200 according to most people, much nicer than my 18-250, and a great complement to the 18-55. The 50-200mm wins out on size and cost though.

Ken T · 09-21-2010, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by twix23919

thanks for that! but now I have read several reviews to NOT buy from ace photo digital. they are the sellers selling this deal from amazon. anyone had issues with them? does anyone know of a great place to buy this camera and kit? thanks again to all for your input!

I would rather spend $7 more to buy this than with Ace Photo Digital

$705 Black Kx + 18-55 + 55=300 directly from Amazon

Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Camera & Photo

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 01:03 PM

hey Ken! thanks for that! I did not see that at all.....fantastic! I can't wait to get this camera. I've been wanting to get back into photography......it's a long lost love! thanks again!

Ken T · 09-21-2010, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by twix23919

hey Ken! thanks for that! I did not see that at all.....fantastic! I can't wait to get this camera. I've been wanting to get back into photography......it's a long lost love! thanks again!

You are welcomed . Those two lenses are very very good, you will like them .

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 01:19 PM

one last question Ken, are the sizes of the lenses for filters the same? I want to get a polarizer and was looking at the tiffen...priced around $55...thanks again for your input..

audiobomber · 09-21-2010, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by twix23919

one last question Ken, are the sizes of the lenses for filters the same? I want to get a polarizer and was looking at the tiffen...priced around $55...thanks again for your input..

The 18-55 takes a 52mm filter, the 55-300 is 58mm. I suggest you get a 58mm cpl filter and a 52-58mm adapter.

Ken T · 09-21-2010, 01:34 PM

Too bad Twix, filter size for the 18-55mm is 52mm, and the 55-300mm is 58mm .

twix23919 · 09-21-2010, 01:39 PM

sounds good....thanks again, y'all are so helpful! have a super evening!

Ira · 09-22-2010, 02:20 AM

You're also gonna need a step down ring from 58 to 52 to be able to use a lens hood on the 18-55 with a 58 CP on there--a hood that's NOT included in the kit, and that you have to buy separately.

09-21-2010, 10:08 AM	#1
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54	Question about the lenses that come with the K-x deal Hi, I have been using a p&s camera for awhile taking the usual vacation pics etc. I want to move into an dslr and thru my research, it looks like the Pentax K-x is the way to go....price wise, quality, etc. The deal they have at Amazon includes these 2 lenses: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Zoom Lens 50-200mm f/4-5.6 SMCP-DA ED Zoom Lens My question is....are these good lenses? I was thinking of buying the: Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens because I was thinking that the lenses being "kit" lenses were of bad quality. But, if not....why spend the money on the Tamron?? Anyway, thanks for having this great forum and for your input!

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09-21-2010, 11:03 AM	#2
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	The kit 18-55 lens is a great starter lens that will produce pics with very good IQ. I just bought the Tamron 18-200 and an happy with the lens for its versatility but the IQ is not quite as good as the 18-55 but still good. As for the 2 lens kit, I would go with the 18-55 and the 55-300. While the 50-200 is a good lens, the 55-300 is generally considered the best bang for you buck in a telephoto lens. It has really good IQ (probably better then the 50-200) and I believe the 2 lens kit right now is going for well under $700 (in my opinion, currently the best deal in the DLSR market).

09-21-2010, 11:20 AM	#3
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by twix23919 The deal they have at Amazon includes these 2 lenses: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Zoom Lens 50-200mm f/4-5.6 SMCP-DA ED Zoom Lens My question is....are these good lenses? I was thinking of buying the: Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens The kit lenses will give you better IQ than the 18-200mm. I have a Pentax DA 18-250 (same as Tamron 18-250) and a Pentax 18-55 DA L. I consider the 18-55mm and 18-250mm about equal. The 18-250mm performance falls off at the long end of its range. From the reviews at Photozone and SLRGear, the Tamron/Pentax 18-250 is a better lens than the 18-200.

09-21-2010, 11:31 AM	#4
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	thanks for that! but now I have read several reviews to NOT buy from ace photo digital. they are the sellers selling this deal from amazon. anyone had issues with them? does anyone know of a great place to buy this camera and kit? thanks again to all for your input!

09-21-2010, 11:41 AM	#5
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734	i recommend b&h and grab the 55-300 lens instead. i regret selling mine.

09-21-2010, 12:05 PM	#6
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	thank you!!

09-21-2010, 12:10 PM	#7
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Deiberson i recommend b&h and grab the 55-300 lens instead. i regret selling mine. I have a 55-300mm and I agree. The 55-300 is a better performer than the 50-200 according to most people, much nicer than my 18-250, and a great complement to the 18-55. The 50-200mm wins out on size and cost though.

09-21-2010, 12:13 PM	#8
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Originally posted by twix23919 thanks for that! but now I have read several reviews to NOT buy from ace photo digital. they are the sellers selling this deal from amazon. anyone had issues with them? does anyone know of a great place to buy this camera and kit? thanks again to all for your input! I would rather spend $7 more to buy this than with Ace Photo Digital $705 Black Kx + 18-55 + 55=300 directly from Amazon Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Camera & Photo

09-21-2010, 01:03 PM	#9
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	hey Ken! thanks for that! I did not see that at all.....fantastic! I can't wait to get this camera. I've been wanting to get back into photography......it's a long lost love! thanks again!

09-21-2010, 01:14 PM	#10
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Originally posted by twix23919 hey Ken! thanks for that! I did not see that at all.....fantastic! I can't wait to get this camera. I've been wanting to get back into photography......it's a long lost love! thanks again! You are welcomed . Those two lenses are very very good, you will like them .

09-21-2010, 01:19 PM	#11
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	one last question Ken, are the sizes of the lenses for filters the same? I want to get a polarizer and was looking at the tiffen...priced around $55...thanks again for your input..

09-21-2010, 01:34 PM	#12
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by twix23919 one last question Ken, are the sizes of the lenses for filters the same? I want to get a polarizer and was looking at the tiffen...priced around $55...thanks again for your input.. The 18-55 takes a 52mm filter, the 55-300 is 58mm. I suggest you get a 58mm cpl filter and a 52-58mm adapter.

09-21-2010, 01:34 PM	#13
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Too bad Twix, filter size for the 18-55mm is 52mm, and the 55-300mm is 58mm .

09-21-2010, 01:39 PM	#14
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	sounds good....thanks again, y'all are so helpful! have a super evening!

09-22-2010, 02:20 AM	#15
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	You're also gonna need a step down ring from 58 to 52 to be able to use a lens hood on the 18-55 with a 58 CP on there--a hood that's NOT included in the kit, and that you have to buy separately.