Starter lens confusion

RioRico · 09-13-2011, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by speedtrap63

I like the idea of picking up an 18-135 to replace the 18-55. Don't know why I never thought of that!

Rather than replacing the 18-55 (which won't command much of a sales price), think of *supplementing* it with the 18-135 or something similar. Keep that kit.lens!

The 18-55 is very handy for hanging stuff on. The 18-135's front thread is 62mm; the 18-55's is just 52mm. Many fun filters are MUCH cheaper in the smaller size! I use B&W and IR and CC and split filters, and optical adapters (closeup, fisheye, etc) on my 18-55. Also it's fairly small, unobtrusive for times when that's important. And, if you do something dicey and it's damaged, well, no great loss, eh?

Andi Lo · 09-13-2011, 07:58 PM

If anything you should buy the 55-300 and sell it for 200

Nowhere Matt · 09-14-2011, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by speedtrap63

Thanks everybody! I think I'm going to like it here!

You can secure your position by selling someone that lens for $100. :-)

speedtrap63 · 09-14-2011, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Rather than replacing the 18-55 (which won't command much of a sales price), think of *supplementing* it with the 18-135 or something similar. Keep that kit.lens!

The 18-55 is very handy for hanging stuff on. The 18-135's front thread is 62mm; the 18-55's is just 52mm. Many fun filters are MUCH cheaper in the smaller size! I use B&W and IR and CC and split filters, and optical adapters (closeup, fisheye, etc) on my 18-55. Also it's fairly small, unobtrusive for times when that's important. And, if you do something dicey and it's damaged, well, no great loss, eh?

Yes, I wouldn't actually get rid of it, but it would be a secondary lens rather than a main walk around lens.

speedtrap63 · 09-14-2011, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by Nowhere Matt

You can secure your position by selling someone that lens for $100. :-)

Ha! You are nothing if not persistent my new friend!

speedtrap63 · 09-14-2011, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Then start looking at some fast primes (or maybe a cheap old F35-70). Have fun!

I have two old manual primes from my K1000 that I plan to experiment with, a F1.8 50mm (I think) and a 135mm Tamron tele. Should be fun!

speedtrap63 · 09-15-2011, 09:11 AM

I know I've pestered you guys too much on this already, but it seems I missed my window on the deal for the 55-300, it will now cost me $130 over the single lens kit. At that point if I really want that lens, I think it makes more sense to save up and get the DA version.

I can still get the kit with the 50-200, but I understand that to not be as good a lens. That being said, it is only $60 more than the single lens (18-55) kit, so I think I should probably go for it. My thinking is that it will give me a good idea of whether I really need the 300 long end for what I shoot or not and the sample pics I've seen look good to me. I'm going to order tonight either the 2 lens kit with the 18-55 & 50-200 or the single lens kit with only the 18-55.

So, the question is single or double?

Thanks again for being so patient with my commitment issues!

atupdate · 09-15-2011, 09:45 AM - **1 Like**

The image IQ of the DA 50-200 is comparable to the DA 18-55 and a good value for the money. The DA 50-200 will not be as easy to resell as the DA 55-300. I would check the Marketplace Sold Forum to get an idea what the resale values are.

Examples from my DA 50-200 (Disclaimer: I shoot in Raw and I'm pretty decent with post processing - your results may vary).

Tim

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-15-2011, 10:30 AM

I keep wanting to tell people that 300mm is too far. Remember that you have to be really steady to use a shutter speed of 1/250 or less. You only get f5.6-5.8 at best. That means you need good light. For the inexpensive Sigma and Tamron 70-300mm zooms, it is too far. The performance starts to fall off at the long end. Sometimes you just can't use 300mm. Of course, when you can't, just zoom to 200mm instead, no big deal. So my argument isn't terrific.

For no good reason, I've been looking at the DA 50-200mm WR version. I handled one and it was well-built. Marc Sabatella points out that it takes 49mm filters. It's light and WR. But I have a lens that does most of that, possibly better except WR. My 18-55 WR mostly resides in a drawer because I'm not WR. I'll probably get one anyway.

speedtrap63 · 09-15-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, you've confirmed for me that getting the 50-200 would be beneficial for a lot of reasons. Now, hopefully I don't miss this window of opportunity!

atupdate, if I can take shots near as good as yours, then I'll be really happy!

RioRico · 09-15-2011, 05:51 PM

A comment: 300mm isn't too long and f/5.6 isn't too slow. Yes, good light OR high ISO OR a 'pod may be needed, depending on situations. But I sometimes use a 300/5.6 prime as a walkaround on less-than-brilliant days even, stopped-down to f/8-11 for max sharpness. Big deal. And my favorite 200 is the small Tele-Takumar 200/5.6, a real gem. Even the DA50-200 is OK at the long end when stopped down, so I read.

speedtrap63 · 09-15-2011, 06:34 PM

Thanks again for all the advice. I ordered the K-r 2 lens kit with the 18-55 and 50-200. Should be here tomorrow, love Amazon Prime!

atupdate · 09-16-2011, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by speedtrap63

atupdate, if I can take shots near as good as yours, then I'll be really happy!

Obviously, I cherry picked a couple of my better shots with the DA 50-200 but I'm glad you liked them. By the way, my DA 50-200 cost me $150 after a $50 rebate back in 2006. Since you are getting the lens for only $60, you can't go wrong.

Enjoy your new kit.

Tim

cats_five · 09-16-2011, 10:49 AM

Yes, the only caveat is it won't come with a lens hood (the shorter lens probably won't either) but you can get good copies cheaply on the Internet, and they are worth using.

speedtrap63 · 09-16-2011, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by cats_five

Yes, the only caveat is it won't come with a lens hood (the shorter lens probably won't either) but you can get good copies cheaply on the Internet, and they are worth using.

Yeah, that's what I gathered from reading here, so I ordered one with the kit. Both lens use 52mm filters and hoods, so I thought I would just move the hood from one to the other initially.

Btw, the K-r got here this morning. Thinking I should say I'm sick and leave work early!

09-15-2011, 09:45 AM - 1 Like	#23
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	The image IQ of the DA 50-200 is comparable to the DA 18-55 and a good value for the money. The DA 50-200 will not be as easy to resell as the DA 55-300. I would check the Marketplace Sold Forum to get an idea what the resale values are. Examples from my DA 50-200 (Disclaimer: I shoot in Raw and I'm pretty decent with post processing - your results may vary). Tim Last edited by atupdate; 09-15-2011 at 09:51 AM.

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09-13-2011, 06:55 PM	#16
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by speedtrap63 I like the idea of picking up an 18-135 to replace the 18-55. Don't know why I never thought of that! Rather than replacing the 18-55 (which won't command much of a sales price), think of supplementing it with the 18-135 or something similar. Keep that kit.lens! The 18-55 is very handy for hanging stuff on. The 18-135's front thread is 62mm; the 18-55's is just 52mm. Many fun filters are MUCH cheaper in the smaller size! I use B&W and IR and CC and split filters, and optical adapters (closeup, fisheye, etc) on my 18-55. Also it's fairly small, unobtrusive for times when that's important. And, if you do something dicey and it's damaged, well, no great loss, eh?

09-13-2011, 07:58 PM	#17
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	If anything you should buy the 55-300 and sell it for 200

09-14-2011, 05:40 AM	#18
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Originally posted by speedtrap63 Thanks everybody! I think I'm going to like it here! You can secure your position by selling someone that lens for $100. :-)

09-14-2011, 07:05 AM	#19
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico Rather than replacing the 18-55 (which won't command much of a sales price), think of supplementing it with the 18-135 or something similar. Keep that kit.lens! The 18-55 is very handy for hanging stuff on. The 18-135's front thread is 62mm; the 18-55's is just 52mm. Many fun filters are MUCH cheaper in the smaller size! I use B&W and IR and CC and split filters, and optical adapters (closeup, fisheye, etc) on my 18-55. Also it's fairly small, unobtrusive for times when that's important. And, if you do something dicey and it's damaged, well, no great loss, eh? Yes, I wouldn't actually get rid of it, but it would be a secondary lens rather than a main walk around lens.

09-14-2011, 07:07 AM	#20
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nowhere Matt You can secure your position by selling someone that lens for $100. :-) Ha! You are nothing if not persistent my new friend!

09-14-2011, 09:02 AM	#21
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico Then start looking at some fast primes (or maybe a cheap old F35-70). Have fun! I have two old manual primes from my K1000 that I plan to experiment with, a F1.8 50mm (I think) and a 135mm Tamron tele. Should be fun!

09-15-2011, 09:11 AM	#22
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	I know I've pestered you guys too much on this already, but it seems I missed my window on the deal for the 55-300, it will now cost me $130 over the single lens kit. At that point if I really want that lens, I think it makes more sense to save up and get the DA version. I can still get the kit with the 50-200, but I understand that to not be as good a lens. That being said, it is only $60 more than the single lens (18-55) kit, so I think I should probably go for it. My thinking is that it will give me a good idea of whether I really need the 300 long end for what I shoot or not and the sample pics I've seen look good to me. I'm going to order tonight either the 2 lens kit with the 18-55 & 50-200 or the single lens kit with only the 18-55. So, the question is single or double? Thanks again for being so patient with my commitment issues!

09-15-2011, 10:30 AM	#24
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I keep wanting to tell people that 300mm is too far. Remember that you have to be really steady to use a shutter speed of 1/250 or less. You only get f5.6-5.8 at best. That means you need good light. For the inexpensive Sigma and Tamron 70-300mm zooms, it is too far. The performance starts to fall off at the long end. Sometimes you just can't use 300mm. Of course, when you can't, just zoom to 200mm instead, no big deal. So my argument isn't terrific. For no good reason, I've been looking at the DA 50-200mm WR version. I handled one and it was well-built. Marc Sabatella points out that it takes 49mm filters. It's light and WR. But I have a lens that does most of that, possibly better except WR. My 18-55 WR mostly resides in a drawer because I'm not WR. I'll probably get one anyway.

09-15-2011, 11:33 AM	#25
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice guys, you've confirmed for me that getting the 50-200 would be beneficial for a lot of reasons. Now, hopefully I don't miss this window of opportunity! atupdate, if I can take shots near as good as yours, then I'll be really happy!

09-15-2011, 05:51 PM	#26
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	A comment: 300mm isn't too long and f/5.6 isn't too slow. Yes, good light OR high ISO OR a 'pod may be needed, depending on situations. But I sometimes use a 300/5.6 prime as a walkaround on less-than-brilliant days even, stopped-down to f/8-11 for max sharpness. Big deal. And my favorite 200 is the small Tele-Takumar 200/5.6, a real gem. Even the DA50-200 is OK at the long end when stopped down, so I read.

09-15-2011, 06:34 PM	#27
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Thanks again for all the advice. I ordered the K-r 2 lens kit with the 18-55 and 50-200. Should be here tomorrow, love Amazon Prime!

09-16-2011, 06:01 AM	#28
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	Originally posted by speedtrap63 atupdate, if I can take shots near as good as yours, then I'll be really happy! Obviously, I cherry picked a couple of my better shots with the DA 50-200 but I'm glad you liked them. By the way, my DA 50-200 cost me $150 after a $50 rebate back in 2006. Since you are getting the lens for only $60, you can't go wrong. Enjoy your new kit. Tim

09-16-2011, 10:49 AM	#29
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Yes, the only caveat is it won't come with a lens hood (the shorter lens probably won't either) but you can get good copies cheaply on the Internet, and they are worth using.

09-16-2011, 11:03 AM	#30
speedtrap63 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 33 Original Poster	Originally posted by cats_five Yes, the only caveat is it won't come with a lens hood (the shorter lens probably won't either) but you can get good copies cheaply on the Internet, and they are worth using. Yeah, that's what I gathered from reading here, so I ordered one with the kit. Both lens use 52mm filters and hoods, so I thought I would just move the hood from one to the other initially. Btw, the K-r got here this morning. Thinking I should say I'm sick and leave work early!