Newbie with K-x - good inexpensive AF zoom lense

steveknj · 07-05-2011, 10:35 AM

Hi all, I'm a newbie and just started playing with my K-x (it's awesome btw). The boss (my wife) has given me permission to purchase a zoom lens to use on our cruise in November. So I am looking for a good new or used inexpensive AF zoom lens. I'd like to keep the cost down below $150 (preferably under $100), which will mean PROBABLY I'll go the used market.

Any suggestions? I don't know a whole lot about this except what I read here on the forum and other places.

JinDesu · 07-05-2011, 11:17 AM

What range of zoom are you looking for? Do you have the kit 18-55?

CloseToEureka · 07-05-2011, 11:21 AM

Maybe look into the 50-200mm f4-5.6. It came with my kit when I bought the k-x. It's a decent performer that should be quite cheap new.

K57XR · 07-05-2011, 11:22 AM

For long reach it'll be hard to beat the Pentax DA-L 55-300mm kit lens. They usually run in the <$200 range in excellent to mint condition. As mentioned above, what range are you looking for?

**boriscleto** · 07-05-2011, 11:41 AM

Look into the F series zooms. The 70-210 is common and available for less than $150, the Takumar (non-SMC) for less than $100. The 35-135 is uncommon but is a sleeper. If you want something longer the FA J 75-300 & FA 80-320 can be found for $120-160.

For non-Pentax lenses the Tamron 28-200 can be found for less than $100 but avoid the Sigma 28-200.

Nomad · 07-05-2011, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by K57XR

For long reach it'll be hard to beat the Pentax DA-L 55-300mm kit lens. They usually run in the <$200 range in excellent to mint condition. As mentioned above, what range are you looking for?

x2 with a cheapo aftermarket hood as these don't come with one.....great cheap glass though!!

steveknj · 07-05-2011, 11:54 AM

I'm not sure what I'm looking for. 50-200? something like that?

I'm a real beginner with DSLR, so a lot of this is new to me. I've learned a lot so far on here. My last experience with digital photography has been with Fuji megazoom P&S cameras. I like the idea of zooming in close. I'd like to buy something that is simple to use until I really learn how to use the camera.

JinDesu · 07-05-2011, 12:00 PM

As others said, the 55-300 gives you a hell long range along with good IQ for the price.

Alternatively, I have a F80-200 that can be found in the $50-80 range and gives amazing quality for it's price.

steveknj · 07-05-2011, 12:15 PM

I should mention that this will be for general use. I'm not looking to shoot anything specific, but just to play around with and get different shots and be able to zoom in on stuff worth zooming in on

Roob-N-Boots · 07-05-2011, 12:21 PM

Try looking for an F 70-210, great lens for the money. I got mine together with an SF1N film camera and a F 35-70 for $75 off of my local Craigslist.

VaughnA · 07-05-2011, 12:50 PM

Tamron/Promaster 28-105 (I believe the same as the Pentax F) is a sleeper of a lens and has a pretty useful range. F35-70 is a great little zoom as well.

You can usually get either one of these for under 50 bucks. Get one of these and the 50-200 for a nice basic kit.

**boriscleto** · 07-05-2011, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by VaughnA

F35-70 is a great little zoom as well. You can usually get either one of these for under 50 bucks. Get one of these and the 50-200 for a nice basic kit.

I would suggest tracking down a F35-135 instead. It's not really wide enough to be an all-purpose walking around lens but combined with the 18-55 it's good enough for basic shooting. Its "macro" feature is more useful than the 35-70's as well.

Some F35-135 samples

twitch · 07-05-2011, 03:38 PM

If you have the 18-55 then I'd recommend buying a DA L 55-300 plus an after market hood for it on eBay.

GerryL · 07-05-2011, 04:00 PM

For around and under $150, I would suggest the Pentax DA 50-200mm.
It is easily found and can be bought cheap nowadays since most opt for the DA or DAL 55-300mm.
The DAL 55-300m is a good lens with good reach but it would set you back nearly $200. It might go below $200 but it would be more in the ballpark of $175-$195.
The DA 50-200mm is a DA and not a DA L which means, it has a metal mount, lens hood and clutch focus. Much better than the DA L 55-300mm.
If you need something on the 300mm range, then you can go as mentioned above by a previous post for the Pentax FA J 75-300mm or the Pentax FA 80-320mm.
For Sigma and Tamron, there is the 70-300mm which is round about the $120-$150 mark.

Marc Sabatella · 07-06-2011, 07:11 AM

You should be aware that your existing lens *is* a zoom lens. Any lens that isn't just a single focal length is a zoom. So 18-55 is a zoom. Meaning, you can already zoom in on things - just not as far as you would apparently like. So you want a lens with a larger maximum focal length, hence the suggestion for lenses that end at 200 or 300. But note, they only *start* at 50 or 55, meaning they basically start where your current lens leaves off. So in case this wasn't clear, that means switching lenses - the zooms mentioned thus far would be useless most of the time when you *don't* want to be zoomed in that far. There are such things as lenses that go 18-200 or more - generally called superzooms. Browse or search around the forums and you'll find plenty of mentions of specific models, discussions of the trafeoffs, and reviews in the Lenses section of the site.

07-05-2011, 10:35 AM	#1
steveknj Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12	Newbie with K-x - good inexpensive AF zoom lense Hi all, I'm a newbie and just started playing with my K-x (it's awesome btw). The boss (my wife) has given me permission to purchase a zoom lens to use on our cruise in November. So I am looking for a good new or used inexpensive AF zoom lens. I'd like to keep the cost down below $150 (preferably under $100), which will mean PROBABLY I'll go the used market. Any suggestions? I don't know a whole lot about this except what I read here on the forum and other places.

07-05-2011, 01:36 PM	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by VaughnA F35-70 is a great little zoom as well. You can usually get either one of these for under 50 bucks. Get one of these and the 50-200 for a nice basic kit. I would suggest tracking down a F35-135 instead. It's not really wide enough to be an all-purpose walking around lens but combined with the 18-55 it's good enough for basic shooting. Its "macro" feature is more useful than the 35-70's as well. Some F35-135 samples Last edited by boriscleto; 07-05-2011 at 04:04 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie lense question	xr4kw	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	21	10-15-2010 02:35 PM
PENTAX vs TAMRON ZOOM LENSE?	PHOTOCOP	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	04-04-2010 06:54 PM
Inexpensive AF zoom lens	Asudef	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	02-26-2010 07:56 PM
cheap/inexpensive lense	cznut	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	08-16-2007 11:56 AM

07-05-2011, 11:17 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	What range of zoom are you looking for? Do you have the kit 18-55?

07-05-2011, 11:21 AM	#3
CloseToEureka New Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 13	Maybe look into the 50-200mm f4-5.6. It came with my kit when I bought the k-x. It's a decent performer that should be quite cheap new.

07-05-2011, 11:22 AM	#4
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	For long reach it'll be hard to beat the Pentax DA-L 55-300mm kit lens. They usually run in the <$200 range in excellent to mint condition. As mentioned above, what range are you looking for?

07-05-2011, 11:41 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Look into the F series zooms. The 70-210 is common and available for less than $150, the Takumar (non-SMC) for less than $100. The 35-135 is uncommon but is a sleeper. If you want something longer the FA J 75-300 & FA 80-320 can be found for $120-160. For non-Pentax lenses the Tamron 28-200 can be found for less than $100 but avoid the Sigma 28-200.

07-05-2011, 11:41 AM	#6
Nomad Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 408	Originally posted by K57XR For long reach it'll be hard to beat the Pentax DA-L 55-300mm kit lens. They usually run in the <$200 range in excellent to mint condition. As mentioned above, what range are you looking for? x2 with a cheapo aftermarket hood as these don't come with one.....great cheap glass though!!

07-05-2011, 11:54 AM	#7
steveknj Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12 Original Poster	I'm not sure what I'm looking for. 50-200? something like that? I'm a real beginner with DSLR, so a lot of this is new to me. I've learned a lot so far on here. My last experience with digital photography has been with Fuji megazoom P&S cameras. I like the idea of zooming in close. I'd like to buy something that is simple to use until I really learn how to use the camera.

07-05-2011, 12:00 PM	#8
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	As others said, the 55-300 gives you a hell long range along with good IQ for the price. Alternatively, I have a F80-200 that can be found in the $50-80 range and gives amazing quality for it's price.

07-05-2011, 12:15 PM	#9
steveknj Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12 Original Poster	I should mention that this will be for general use. I'm not looking to shoot anything specific, but just to play around with and get different shots and be able to zoom in on stuff worth zooming in on

07-05-2011, 12:21 PM	#10
Roob-N-Boots Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Palm Springs CA Posts: 393	Try looking for an F 70-210, great lens for the money. I got mine together with an SF1N film camera and a F 35-70 for $75 off of my local Craigslist.

07-05-2011, 12:50 PM	#11
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	Tamron/Promaster 28-105 (I believe the same as the Pentax F) is a sleeper of a lens and has a pretty useful range. F35-70 is a great little zoom as well. You can usually get either one of these for under 50 bucks. Get one of these and the 50-200 for a nice basic kit.

07-05-2011, 03:38 PM	#13
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	If you have the 18-55 then I'd recommend buying a DA L 55-300 plus an after market hood for it on eBay.

07-05-2011, 04:00 PM	#14
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	For around and under $150, I would suggest the Pentax DA 50-200mm. It is easily found and can be bought cheap nowadays since most opt for the DA or DAL 55-300mm. The DAL 55-300m is a good lens with good reach but it would set you back nearly $200. It might go below $200 but it would be more in the ballpark of $175-$195. The DA 50-200mm is a DA and not a DA L which means, it has a metal mount, lens hood and clutch focus. Much better than the DA L 55-300mm. If you need something on the 300mm range, then you can go as mentioned above by a previous post for the Pentax FA J 75-300mm or the Pentax FA 80-320mm. For Sigma and Tamron, there is the 70-300mm which is round about the $120-$150 mark.

07-06-2011, 07:11 AM	#15
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You should be aware that your existing lens is a zoom lens. Any lens that isn't just a single focal length is a zoom. So 18-55 is a zoom. Meaning, you can already zoom in on things - just not as far as you would apparently like. So you want a lens with a larger maximum focal length, hence the suggestion for lenses that end at 200 or 300. But note, they only start at 50 or 55, meaning they basically start where your current lens leaves off. So in case this wasn't clear, that means switching lenses - the zooms mentioned thus far would be useless most of the time when you don't want to be zoomed in that far. There are such things as lenses that go 18-200 or more - generally called superzooms. Browse or search around the forums and you'll find plenty of mentions of specific models, discussions of the trafeoffs, and reviews in the Lenses section of the site.