Best lens set up

ecoronin · 07-27-2011, 08:45 PM

Hi I recently put up a thread about buying a K7. I wanted to ask more questions for lenses. I found a really good deal on a used 50-135 2.8 DA* and was think that would be a good first lens, For now I can use my D40 with its 35mm 1.8 prime lens. Latter pick up maybe a 35mm or a 40mm pancake lens threw KEH. I'm use to shooting prime lenses, but Im not use to manual focus... is it easy to learn. I was also wondering if Canon FD lenses can be used... I looked at lens adapters and all I saw was crapy ones with glass that probily deflect all kinds of light.

RioRico · 07-27-2011, 09:02 PM

Yes, the DA*50-135 is a good longer lens. I assume you'll get the kit DA18-55 with your K7. Those will take you far.
Depending on where you want to go photographically, the new DA 35/2.4 is a good inexpensive prime to start with.
Yes, manual focus is easy to learn. Scan the forums and you'll find many threads on the subject. Zillions of cheap MFL's are available. I love them!
No, you can't use FD lenses, except for extreme closeups and macros. All the adapters suck, killing whatever was optically special.
Don't forget to read the lens articles and reviews. We've a wealth of information here. Have fun!

Bob from Aus · 07-27-2011, 10:11 PM

The DA 50-135 is one of those lenses that helps Pentax to be a fantastic system. Small relatively light and a fast aperture. It's always fun to leave the other lenses at home and just use this one. You might find the 40mm is too close to the 50-135

hcc · 07-28-2011, 12:07 AM

Congrats for the K-7 with DA*50-135mm. That is a great start.

I may suggest to complement the 50-135mm by a prime lens about 30mm, possibly with a large aperture. The FA31mm f1.8 Ltd would be definitely a great setup together with the DA*50-135mm. (I agree with Bob that the 40mm is to close to 50-135.) Although not cheap, the FA31mm is outstanding with super IQ; it is also fast (f1.8) which is welcome with the K-7.

Hope that the comment will help...

climit · 07-28-2011, 02:58 AM

50-135 is an excaptional lens but it is huge. not sure it is for you. since you shoot primes the 21, 40, 70 ltds trio is ideal.

**Ash** · 07-28-2011, 04:44 AM

Comparatively speaking, though, for a fast telezoom it is not very large - definitely wouldn't consider it huge, but is a little weighty. Nevertheless it's a fine investment. All the best with the gear.

ecoronin · 07-28-2011, 05:20 AM

Ive been really wanting a fast zoom so this fits the bill... got to be smaller than a 70-200. I would love to have all 31mm dont have the money now I think.
I looked at nikon I could see the same problem.

Last edited by ecoronin; 07-28-2011 at 05:28 AM.

07-27-2011, 08:45 PM	#1
ecoronin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 127	Best lens set up Hi I recently put up a thread about buying a K7. I wanted to ask more questions for lenses. I found a really good deal on a used 50-135 2.8 DA* and was think that would be a good first lens, For now I can use my D40 with its 35mm 1.8 prime lens. Latter pick up maybe a 35mm or a 40mm pancake lens threw KEH. I'm use to shooting prime lenses, but Im not use to manual focus... is it easy to learn. I was also wondering if Canon FD lenses can be used... I looked at lens adapters and all I saw was crapy ones with glass that probily deflect all kinds of light.

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07-27-2011, 09:02 PM	#2
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Yes, the DA*50-135 is a good longer lens. I assume you'll get the kit DA18-55 with your K7. Those will take you far. Depending on where you want to go photographically, the new DA 35/2.4 is a good inexpensive prime to start with. Yes, manual focus is easy to learn. Scan the forums and you'll find many threads on the subject. Zillions of cheap MFL's are available. I love them! No, you can't use FD lenses, except for extreme closeups and macros. All the adapters suck, killing whatever was optically special. Don't forget to read the lens articles and reviews. We've a wealth of information here. Have fun!

07-27-2011, 10:11 PM	#3
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	The DA 50-135 is one of those lenses that helps Pentax to be a fantastic system. Small relatively light and a fast aperture. It's always fun to leave the other lenses at home and just use this one. You might find the 40mm is too close to the 50-135

07-28-2011, 12:07 AM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Congrats for the K-7 with DA50-135mm. That is a great start. I may suggest to complement the 50-135mm by a prime lens about 30mm, possibly with a large aperture. The FA31mm f1.8 Ltd would be definitely a great setup together with the DA50-135mm. (I agree with Bob that the 40mm is to close to 50-135.) Although not cheap, the FA31mm is outstanding with super IQ; it is also fast (f1.8) which is welcome with the K-7. Hope that the comment will help...

07-28-2011, 02:58 AM	#5
climit Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kalamata Posts: 224	50-135 is an excaptional lens but it is huge. not sure it is for you. since you shoot primes the 21, 40, 70 ltds trio is ideal.

07-28-2011, 04:44 AM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Comparatively speaking, though, for a fast telezoom it is not very large - definitely wouldn't consider it huge, but is a little weighty. Nevertheless it's a fine investment. All the best with the gear.

07-28-2011, 05:20 AM	#7
ecoronin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 127 Original Poster	Ive been really wanting a fast zoom so this fits the bill... got to be smaller than a 70-200. I would love to have all 31mm dont have the money now I think. I looked at nikon I could see the same problem. Last edited by ecoronin; 07-28-2011 at 05:28 AM.