Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
07-27-2014, 10:13 AM   #1
New Member




Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Pentax 18-135mm on K2000(K-m)

I have a K2000 and I just bought a 18-135 WR for our trip to Africa. I was thinking, for better use of the lens, should I upgrade my K2000 to K-5?

I wanted a travel lens for the trip, because the kit lens was not really impressive on my last vacation. Would K-5 with the 18-135mm give a remarkable improvement comparing it on my k2000.
Obviously, K2000 doesn't have WR, from that perspective, K-5 is the way to go. Other than that, how about IQ and other stuff?

Cheers

07-27-2014, 10:28 AM   #2
Master of the obvious
Loyal Site Supporter
savoche's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lowlands of Norway
Posts: 18,309
A K-5 will give you a lot better low light performance, higher resolution, better auto focus precision, be speedier at most things.

In good light situations the difference is less, but yes, the K-5 will be a big step up.

Depending on what kind of trip you are going on, though, your money might be better spent on a longer lens. The 18-135 is notably better than the kit in my experience, but if you are going on any kind of safari you will want something longer. In that case I would look for a DA or DAL 55-300. It's a nice quality lens not costing an arm and a leg.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!
07-27-2014, 11:09 AM   #3
New Member




Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Original Poster
Thanks!

QuoteOriginally posted by savoche Quote
In that case I would look for a DA or DAL 55-300. It's a nice quality lens not costing an arm and a leg.
do you mean I should use 55-300 with my K2000, instead of upgrading to 18-135 with k5 for safari shooting? I don't have any safari experience, so I'm open for any suggestions.
07-27-2014, 12:15 PM   #4
Pentaxian
Kozlok's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,145
Both K-5 AND 55-300. Get the lens used and sell it when you get home. Cost is then practically zero.

07-27-2014, 12:28 PM   #5
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,584
QuoteOriginally posted by shanqx Quote
I have a K2000 and I just bought a 18-135 WR for our trip to Africa. I was thinking, for better use of the lens, should I upgrade my K2000 to K-5?

I wanted a travel lens for the trip, because the kit lens was not really impressive on my last vacation. Would K-5 with the 18-135mm give a remarkable improvement comparing it on my k2000.
Obviously, K2000 doesn't have WR, from that perspective, K-5 is the way to go. Other than that, how about IQ and other stuff?

Cheers
O would upgrade: the K-5 is a pretty big step up. A K-50 would also be a good upgrade path and probably a better choice if you use live view a lot.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
07-28-2014, 12:20 AM   #6
Master of the obvious
Loyal Site Supporter
savoche's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lowlands of Norway
Posts: 18,309
QuoteOriginally posted by shanqx Quote
Thanks!



do you mean I should use 55-300 with my K2000, instead of upgrading to 18-135 with k5 for safari shooting? I don't have any safari experience, so I'm open for any suggestions.
I would not go on a safari without a 55-300. Buying second hand is a good idea, the marketplace here on the forums is a good place to look. Get a K-5 too if you can.

A 18-135 is not essential for a safari in my view, but it's very nice for everything else.

You can find my response to another question, with links to examples from safaris with K-5 + 55-300, here.

Also have a look at the review of the newest version of the lens: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Review - Introduction - In-Depth Reviews
07-28-2014, 05:11 AM   #7
Master of the obvious
Loyal Site Supporter
savoche's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lowlands of Norway
Posts: 18,309
Oh, and as Adam said, a K-50 (or K-30) might be as good an option as a K-5.

I just know that I have been very satisfied with my K-5.


Last edited by savoche; 07-28-2014 at 05:29 AM.
07-28-2014, 01:12 PM   #8
Yos
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Stockholm
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 533
How often does one go on a safari?
I would get a K-30/K-50 and bring the K2000 as a back-up camera. I also would buy the DA 55-300mm lens for longer reach. One camera has the 18-135mm and the other the 55-300mm lens.
07-30-2014, 11:24 AM   #9
Veteran Member
KevinR's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 653
QuoteOriginally posted by shanqx Quote
I have a K2000 and I just bought a 18-135 WR for our trip to Africa. Rainy season is typically Nov to Feb towards the south but then typically in very heavy thunder shows.

I was thinking, for better use of the lens, should I upgrade my K2000 to K-5?
I wanted a travel lens for the trip, because the kit lens was not really impressive on my last vacation. Would K-5 with the 18-135mm give a remarkable improvement comparing it on my k2000.
Obviously, K2000 doesn't have WR, from that perspective, K-5 is the way to go. Other than that, how about IQ and other stuff?
Cheers
Depending on what time of year and where you go, WR might not be requirement. What would make more sense is a second body so lens changes are limited (dust, hassle, etc).

For safaris, short and long FL are both desirable. Often you get close to large animals, and at times you will have a leopard in a distant tree. So 55-300 is a very useful FL range. So the recommendation by other for 55-300 as well as second body makes perfect sense.

Enjoy wherever you are going. I'm departing on my own next safari trip in a few weeks to South Africa's famous Kruger Park. Will be packing...
07-31-2014, 05:43 AM   #10
Pentaxian




Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oklahoma USA
Posts: 2,192
I've never been on a safari, but it's hard to know if this is routine activity for you, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip halfway across the world. If the latter, which it would be for many of us, any body less than one of the 16+mp sensor models, and any of the consumer xx-300s, may be disappointing. Based on other types of trips I've taken, my guess is that some people on your trip with have a superzoom (a high-end one is not necessarily a bad idea, particularly for a 2nd camera), but a number will have pro-quality longer lenses and teleconverters, or at least a Bigma, some of which they they might be renting vs. buying.
07-31-2014, 06:24 AM   #11
Pentaxian
normhead's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 40,442
If you remember that the K-30 was the first big step in the ongoing upgrade of the AF, you might really appreciate the improvements in AF between the K30 and K-5. Or on the other hand you might not. In your situation, I'd probably go for a k-30 or K-50 and 55-300. And looking at my K-01 images, I can't tell a difference between images taken with a 12 bit engine (K-30, K-50) and a 14 bit engine (K-5, K5II, K-3).
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
18-135mm, camera, k-5, k2000, lens, pentax 18-135mm, pentax help, photography, trip, wr
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: New Pentax k2000 / K-m w/18-55mm lens - NOW ON EBAY WITH NO RESERVE! Edgar_in_Indy Sold Items 2 12-12-2012 08:13 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K-m ( k2000 ) with Da-L 18-55mm + box (US/CAN) suzuki-j Sold Items 3 03-12-2011 08:26 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K-m/K2000 and 18-55mm kit, DA18-250mm (US/CAN) Edicon Sold Items 4 05-08-2010 09:47 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K2000/K-m body on sales! Smashed Pie Sold Items 3 11-02-2009 08:51 AM
For Sale - Sold: Brand New Pentax K-m / K2000 Kit with SMC DA L 18-55mm AL Lens walay Sold Items 2 06-11-2009 08:59 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:01 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top