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12-09-2010, 11:01 PM   #1
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which lens to get next. (beginner)

hello all!
i am currently using a k1000 with a M 50mm F1.7 (i have a m42 adapter too)

thinking of getting zoom lens or wide angle lens or maybe one each if i have the capabilities.
which one is better? or any other suggestions for zoom/wide angle lenses?

help is greatly appreciated

zoom:
1) 75-150mm F4
2) 80-200mm F4.5

wide angle:
1) 28mm F3.5
2) 35mm F2

12-09-2010, 11:23 PM   #2
hcc
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You have two fairly paths: zoom lenses or prime lenses. The IQ of prime lenses are great, but the flexibility of zoom lens is nice.

Since you already have a 50m prime lens, a 28mm or 35mm prime lens may be a nice addition (I would prefer myself the 35mm) and give you a wider angle. You could complement it with a 90 or 100mm prime lens.

For a zoom lens, both the 75-150mm and 80-200mm would not cover the wide angle. You could consider a 18-200mm instead.

Check also the Users' reviews in this Forum for these lenses.

Hope that the suggestion will assist...

Last edited by hcc; 12-09-2010 at 11:42 PM.
12-10-2010, 12:25 AM   #3
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Well, do you usually find yourself walking forwards to get closer to stuff or backwards to get more stuff in frame?

There are lots of inexpensive but decent quality manual zoom lenses out there in the ~80-200mm range. I have been very happy with a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/3.5 that cost less than $100.

If you can find a Pentax 35mm f/2 for a decent price they are very nice lenses. The 28mm Pentax lenses (28mm f/2.8, 28mm f/3.5) tend to be more common and less expensive than the various versions of the 35mm f/2.
12-10-2010, 04:52 AM   #4
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hcc and Steinback: thanks for your kind help and suggestions.

hcc: what is the difference between a 28mm and 35mm wide angle lens?
does it mean that the smaller the number (mm), the wider it would be?

steinback: i sometimes do both (walking forward and backwards) it depends on how big the subject is. i wanted to get a zoom lens more for portrait purposes. heh cos with my 50mm i have to move so close to my friends. lol

12-10-2010, 08:48 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by k1000 Quote
what is the difference between a 28mm and 35mm wide angle lens? does it mean that the smaller the number (mm), the wider it would be?
Yes, the "smaller" number means a wider field of view.

A 28mm would, for that reason, be a better option if you are getting a wide angle.

If you want a telephoto for portraits, don't leave out the option of prime lenses. Primes will be smaller, faster, and sharper than those zooms.
12-10-2010, 10:08 AM   #6
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I highly recommend the m42-mount Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm/2.4. It's a relatively unknown gem with excellent optics and psuedo-macro (nearly 1:2). I can't praise this lens enough especially if you're a fan of MF - I've debated with myself over and over again with the 35mm range and after I picked one of these up, I haven't looked back since.

There have been reports of oily-aperture blades for old copies of this specific model, so be weary if you do look into it!
12-10-2010, 10:12 AM   #7
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On film, I would look at 28mm lenses for wide-angle. For some reason, there are many more 28mm lenses than 35mm, and DSLR users have driven up the price of the few remaining 35mm options. A Pentax-M 28mm f2.8 is pretty good, not too expensive, common and should work fine. You can search for a Vivitar 28mm f2.0 while using the M28/2.8. If you start to like wide-angle a lot, look for a Sigma Super-Wide 24mm f2.8. On film, this lens is similar to using the DA 15mm f4 or wide end of the DA16-45 on a DSLR.

The two Pentax zooms you mentioned are pretty good. You might also look for a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f3.5, versions 1 or 2. A Pentax-A 70-210mm f4 would work well also.

12-12-2010, 06:35 PM   #8
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thanks all!! i will look into those lenses that you all have suggested.
12-13-2010, 02:38 AM   #9
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On film, I would indeed go for 28mm and not for 35mm, just because the difference in field of view bigger from the 50mm.
12-14-2010, 05:31 AM   #10
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Will the DA16-45mm f4, work on film?
I never shot film (forgive me) but if so... This might be the direction I'd head considering the OP's (apparent) want for flexibility...

The 16-45mm is a lens I'm considering... How does it handle lowlight situations? I'm using a K-x, so I can easilly 'bump up' the iso :-)
12-14-2010, 09:40 AM   #11
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Unless you need the faster aperture I would stay with the 28 f2.8(or 3.5) or the 35mm f2.8 (or 3.5). They're smaller and pentax (or takumar) versions are available for $50-75. The 28mm is probably the better choice since you have a 50mm.

In the telephoto range the 100 and 135mm lenses are the most common. You can get the M 135 f3.5 for $50-75. The 100 or 105mm (takumar) versions typically go for $100+. I haven't looked too much at zooms but I think the A 70-210 seems decent but overall legacy zooms aren't highly thought of. While some of the primes are considered almost as good as the new Pentax lenses.

Are there any lenses (K, M, A?) that work better than others on a k1000?
12-14-2010, 06:32 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by DaveHolmes Quote
Will the DA16-45mm f4, work on film?
I never shot film (forgive me) but if so... This might be the direction I'd head considering the OP's (apparent) want for flexibility...

The 16-45mm is a lens I'm considering... How does it handle lowlight situations? I'm using a K-x, so I can easilly 'bump up' the iso :-)
Besides the coverage issues, a major limitation of a 16-45mm on a film camera is that if the camera doesn't have electronics to control the aperture (which many film cameras don't), there is no aperture ring to fall back on.

Paul
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