Another lens question from a newbie

endure · 07-20-2012, 05:47 AM

I've just snagged a K-r with a DAL 18-55 from Ebay. It's my first SLR camera. I think I probably need a lens with a longer reach to complement the 18-55. Am I best to stick to a Pentax 50-200 or are there other lenses that would make sense in my situation? I don't want anything too big physically.

aurele · 07-20-2012, 06:12 AM

there is the 55-200 which is good.

there is the 55-300 which is better.

they are relatively cheap.

jimr-pdx · 07-20-2012, 06:14 AM - **1 Like**

I also prefer to limit weight & bulk with my gear. For compactness the DA 50-200 is probably a fine choice. I once had Sigma's equivalent also (before they added OS and HSM to make it heavier) and it was quite good, and sometimes can be had cheaply. Tamron once made a similar focal range that I owned with a Sony dSLR, but it felt quite cheaply built, worse than the DA standard and DA WR models I have tried. I have not used the DAL 50-200 but I'd expect it to feel the same as the DA non-WR.

The DA or DAL 55-300 is well liked here but it does add size and bulk (250g vs. 420g) - you might find some comparison images and decide if its extra bulk is more than you'd like. It's OK by me, I let my 50-200WR go in favor of this one. It's f/4.5 around 200mm so you gain a bit of shutter speed (if you shoot wide open), and the bonus range is nice to have now and then.

Docrwm · 07-20-2012, 06:27 AM

Another vote for the DAL 55-300 - its just that good.
SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Photos-by-Chas** · 07-22-2012, 01:36 PM

I had the DA 50-200 when I owned an istDS and wanted a little more reach when I upgraded to the K-x so bought the DA 55-300 and am pleased with it. At the shorter length is is easily handled and even when zoomed to 300 is not uncomfortable or difficult to control. It is nothing at all like the 400 mm fixed focus I had for my first camera, a Petri FT. That one was about a foot and a half long and so heavy it had a collar for attaching to a tripod. But that was back in the olden times of film photography.

Marc Sabatella · 07-22-2012, 02:51 PM

If you do a search for "telephoto zoom" in these forums, you'll find a few dozen existing threads discussing the various options. Also see the Lenses section of this site for reviews of specifics lenses. But yeah, the short answer is the 55-300 is the best, various third party 70-300's exist that are cheaper but not quite as good, and the main advantage of the 50-200 is that it is noticeably smaller/lighter than the others.

endure · 07-26-2012, 12:05 PM

Is the DA version of the 50-200 worth the extra that it costs over the DAL version?

**NaClH2O** · 07-26-2012, 12:18 PM

The two basic differences between the DA and DL versions are a) the DA has a metal mount while the DL has a plastic one and b) The DA has quick shift while the DL does not.
As far as I'm concerned the differences in mount material are not much. I've owned the DA 35mm f/2.4 which has a plastic mount for over 3 years now and it is on and off the camera a many many many times and I've never seen much difference,
However b) quick shift is a different matter. Quick shift means that you can go to manual focus without having to move the camera lever over to MF. I use it A LOT on the lenses I own that have it,.

NaCl(quick shift is worth the extra; mount material not so much)H2O

endure · 07-26-2012, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the instant reply

**Lowell Goudge** · 07-26-2012, 12:30 PM

As an aside I have picked up both a DA 18-55 and a DA 50-200, so that I can let my daughter take one of my cameras and these 2 lenses and have a compact setup to start playing with. I got the pair used for $100 at henry's outlet store, hoods included.

I figure she can drop a lens in the ocean and it is no great loss, and a lot smaller and lighter than taking my FA-J 18-35/4-5.6, tamron 28-75/2.8, and sigma 70-200/2.8

endure · 07-26-2012, 12:37 PM

Here in the UK prices for used kit seem to translate directly from dollars to pounds sterling plus a big percentage. I keep an eye out for used deals at the local camera shop though.

**Lowell Goudge** · 07-26-2012, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by endure

Here in the UK prices for used kit seem to translate directly from dollars to pounds sterling plus a big percentage. I keep an eye out for used deals at the local camera shop though.

i know, it seems it has been that way since I first started travelling to the UK in the 1980's. What I can also remember at the time was that salaries were on par (in absolute terms) with canada, and when you considered the pound for dollar on cost of living, it made me really glad I did not live there. Having said that beer was pretty good and cheap.

endure · 07-26-2012, 01:02 PM

As we've been chatting I've just picked up a 50-200MM DA WR used but unused for £80 off Ebay! Yay!!!

seventysixersfan · 07-26-2012, 01:18 PM

nice. hope you enjoy using it! It's a nice travel pair along with your DA-L 18-55; about the same size and weight, so definitely compact. With enough light, you should get very decent pictures too. and someday if you move up to a K-30 or other weather-resistant body, you'll already have a telephoto WR lens in your bag!

07-20-2012, 05:47 AM	#1
endure New Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12	Another lens question from a newbie I've just snagged a K-r with a DAL 18-55 from Ebay. It's my first SLR camera. I think I probably need a lens with a longer reach to complement the 18-55. Am I best to stick to a Pentax 50-200 or are there other lenses that would make sense in my situation? I don't want anything too big physically.

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07-20-2012, 06:12 AM	#2
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,216	there is the 55-200 which is good. there is the 55-300 which is better. they are relatively cheap.

07-20-2012, 06:14 AM - 1 Like	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,880	I also prefer to limit weight & bulk with my gear. For compactness the DA 50-200 is probably a fine choice. I once had Sigma's equivalent also (before they added OS and HSM to make it heavier) and it was quite good, and sometimes can be had cheaply. Tamron once made a similar focal range that I owned with a Sony dSLR, but it felt quite cheaply built, worse than the DA standard and DA WR models I have tried. I have not used the DAL 50-200 but I'd expect it to feel the same as the DA non-WR. The DA or DAL 55-300 is well liked here but it does add size and bulk (250g vs. 420g) - you might find some comparison images and decide if its extra bulk is more than you'd like. It's OK by me, I let my 50-200WR go in favor of this one. It's f/4.5 around 200mm so you gain a bit of shutter speed (if you shoot wide open), and the bonus range is nice to have now and then.

07-20-2012, 06:27 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Another vote for the DAL 55-300 - its just that good. SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

07-22-2012, 01:36 PM	#5
Photos-by-Chas Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northwest Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,229	I had the DA 50-200 when I owned an istDS and wanted a little more reach when I upgraded to the K-x so bought the DA 55-300 and am pleased with it. At the shorter length is is easily handled and even when zoomed to 300 is not uncomfortable or difficult to control. It is nothing at all like the 400 mm fixed focus I had for my first camera, a Petri FT. That one was about a foot and a half long and so heavy it had a collar for attaching to a tripod. But that was back in the olden times of film photography.

07-22-2012, 02:51 PM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,686	If you do a search for "telephoto zoom" in these forums, you'll find a few dozen existing threads discussing the various options. Also see the Lenses section of this site for reviews of specifics lenses. But yeah, the short answer is the 55-300 is the best, various third party 70-300's exist that are cheaper but not quite as good, and the main advantage of the 50-200 is that it is noticeably smaller/lighter than the others.

07-26-2012, 12:05 PM	#7
endure New Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Is the DA version of the 50-200 worth the extra that it costs over the DAL version?

07-26-2012, 12:18 PM	#8
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,633	The two basic differences between the DA and DL versions are a) the DA has a metal mount while the DL has a plastic one and b) The DA has quick shift while the DL does not. As far as I'm concerned the differences in mount material are not much. I've owned the DA 35mm f/2.4 which has a plastic mount for over 3 years now and it is on and off the camera a many many many times and I've never seen much difference, However b) quick shift is a different matter. Quick shift means that you can go to manual focus without having to move the camera lever over to MF. I use it A LOT on the lenses I own that have it,. NaCl(quick shift is worth the extra; mount material not so much)H2O

07-26-2012, 12:21 PM	#9
endure New Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the instant reply

07-26-2012, 12:30 PM	#10
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,338	As an aside I have picked up both a DA 18-55 and a DA 50-200, so that I can let my daughter take one of my cameras and these 2 lenses and have a compact setup to start playing with. I got the pair used for $100 at henry's outlet store, hoods included. I figure she can drop a lens in the ocean and it is no great loss, and a lot smaller and lighter than taking my FA-J 18-35/4-5.6, tamron 28-75/2.8, and sigma 70-200/2.8

07-26-2012, 12:37 PM	#11
endure New Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Here in the UK prices for used kit seem to translate directly from dollars to pounds sterling plus a big percentage. I keep an eye out for used deals at the local camera shop though.

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07-26-2012, 12:42 PM	#12
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,338	Originally posted by endure Here in the UK prices for used kit seem to translate directly from dollars to pounds sterling plus a big percentage. I keep an eye out for used deals at the local camera shop though. i know, it seems it has been that way since I first started travelling to the UK in the 1980's. What I can also remember at the time was that salaries were on par (in absolute terms) with canada, and when you considered the pound for dollar on cost of living, it made me really glad I did not live there. Having said that beer was pretty good and cheap.

07-26-2012, 01:02 PM	#13
endure New Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12 Original Poster	As we've been chatting I've just picked up a 50-200MM DA WR used but unused for £80 off Ebay! Yay!!!

07-26-2012, 01:18 PM	#14
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,031	nice. hope you enjoy using it! It's a nice travel pair along with your DA-L 18-55; about the same size and weight, so definitely compact. With enough light, you should get very decent pictures too. and someday if you move up to a K-30 or other weather-resistant body, you'll already have a telephoto WR lens in your bag!