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09-13-2011, 02:02 PM   #1
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Starter lens confusion

Just about to buy my new K-r w/ 18-55mm kit lens, but can't decide if it is worth an extra $70 for the 55-300mm DA-L lens. I a little leary of the plastic mount and I plan on getting an 18-135 as a walkaround lens anyway. So I'd love opinions on whether you all think I should go for it or put the cash toward the 18-135?

Of course I could ditch the 18-55 and just get the 18-135 with the K-r body. So as you can see, any help would be welcome!

My photography style is mostly family stuff but I also love to shoot nature and landscape subjects.

09-13-2011, 02:09 PM   #2
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Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. It is more than worth the $70. Even if you replace it with the 18-135 you can sell it for $220-250. If you like to shoot landscapes you should probably keep the kit lenses and buy something like the DA 21 Limited or DA 15 Limited instead of the 18-135. The plastic mount should not be a concern at all unless you plan on smashing your K-r onto a hard surface.
09-13-2011, 02:15 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. It is more than worth the $70. Even if you replace it with the 18-135 you can sell it for $220-250. If you like to shoot landscapes you should probably keep the kit lenses and buy something like the DA 21 Limited or DA 15 Limited instead of the 18-135.
+1

Just the 300mm end is worth $70 - not to disparage the 18-135. Birds and other wildlife are always too far away.
09-13-2011, 02:18 PM   #4
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The 2 lens-kit is definitely a steal, IMO. +1 from me as well

Here you can learn more about the 55-300mm:
Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction
Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database


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09-13-2011, 02:18 PM   #5
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100% worth the extra $70, no question.
09-13-2011, 02:52 PM - 1 Like   #6
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I'll chime in with my usual: The 18-55 and 55-300 (plastic or metal mounts, doesn't matter) are both fine lenses, but I hate the combination. I have the DA18-55 and a Tamron 60-300 that I just don't use as a pair. Why? Because a lot of my shooting is between 35-70mm, and swapping lenses at 55mm is a royal PITA. So my standard walkaround, my basic lens, is the DA18-250. It and its Tamron twin are now out of production but are widely available lightly-used.

That said, I'll recommend the 18-135 and the 55-300. Not quite as convenient as the 18-250, with maybe a bit better optics, but with much overlap so you'll not miss as many shots by being at the wrong focal length. The IQ of a missed shot is zero. So get the 2-lens kit; keep the 18-55 for when you want to be unobtrusive (and because it's hardly worth selling); and get the 18-135 ASAP. Then start looking at some fast primes (or maybe a cheap old F35-70). Have fun!
09-13-2011, 02:54 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by RioRico Quote
That said, I'll recommend the 18-135 and the 55-300. Not quite as convenient as the 18-250, with maybe a bit better optics, but with much overlap so you'll not miss as many shots by being at the wrong focal length. The IQ of a missed shot is zero. So get the 2-lens kit; keep the 18-55 for when you want to be unobtrusive (and because it's hardly worth selling); and get the 18-135 ASAP. Then start looking at some fast primes. Have fun!
I completely agree. My main two lens combo is the 18-135 and 55-300 and I really like having the large amount of overlap. Stick a couple fast primes in there and you'll be good to go!

09-13-2011, 03:01 PM   #8
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So much depends on what you like shooting. I own a DA 55-300 (not the plastic mount) and truthfully, I use it twice a year when I go to the zoo. The rest of the time, it gathers dust. I just don't do telephoto that much. 18-135 would be adequate from my standpoint (although not nearly fast enough, so add a couple of lenses and I would be satisfied).

If you think you ever want to shoot at 300mm though, this is the best deal to get there and the 55-300 is really a very good lens stopped down a little.
09-13-2011, 03:31 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
So much depends on what you like shooting. I own a DA 55-300 (not the plastic mount) and truthfully, I use it twice a year when I go to the zoo. The rest of the time, it gathers dust. I just don't do telephoto that much. 18-135 would be adequate from my standpoint (although not nearly fast enough, so add a couple of lenses and I would be satisfied).

If you think you ever want to shoot at 300mm though, this is the best deal to get there and the 55-300 is really a very good lens stopped down a little.
It's true that the OP might not end up using the 55-300 much, but it's still worth buying for the extra $70 regardless. If nothing else you could sell it for $175-200 and use the extra $100+ towards another lens. I did that when I bought my K-x a while back even though I already had the regular DA55-300.
09-13-2011, 04:30 PM   #10
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Extra $70?? Go for it! Go for it!! that is a Grrrreat!!! buy.
09-13-2011, 04:34 PM   #11
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You might want to buy it for $70, since you could easily sell it for more. The flip side is that
it's another kit component, and if you get a clunker (like I did with the 55-300DA), you'd probably
have to send the entire kit back. Then, you might get a clunker body or 18-55. It could be an
adventure before you got good copies of all the pieces. That's sad, and not something I would
have thought about 30 years ago, but I'm not sure if failures are more or less likely to be an
issue today. Back in film era, I bought about 30 lenses and bodies, with zero clunkers. But
I'm batting only about 80%, with two clear duds (both lenses) in the digital era.

Paul

Last edited by tibbitts; 09-13-2011 at 04:39 PM.
09-13-2011, 04:45 PM   #12
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As others have said. For what you pay just starting out get both. Think carefully though at upgrade time
09-13-2011, 05:11 PM   #13
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Like everyone else says, do it. I bought the Kr, body only, and picked up the 55-300 for $140 and love it
09-13-2011, 06:35 PM   #14
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Spend the extra $70 and get the DA L 55-300 then sell it to me for $100 and you'll have $100 to put down on the 18-135. Now that is an offer you can't refuse.



Seriously. It is clear what you should do. So do it already! Get the 55-300, use it a few times to see if you might like the long end, then resell it for a fair price; which will easily be more than the $70 compensation. Get an 18-135. Be happy

Until you regret selling the 55-300 and want another lens.
09-13-2011, 06:39 PM   #15
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Thanks for all the great advice! Based on what you have all said, I'm going to get the 2 lens kit for the extra $70 because as has been pointed out I can always sell it if it goes unused. However, I like the idea of picking up an 18-135 to replace the 18-55. Don't know why I never thought of that!

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