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09-08-2014, 10:02 AM   #1
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K-3 Help choosing lenses.

Hi,I was robbed.My beautiful blue k-30 and lenses were stolen. I'm going to upgrade and replace everything. Here are my choices: k-3 prestige(yeah,right) hd da 35mm,macro or 20-40mm w??. hd da 55-300mm. No change,cheap and descent for the money.Love this lens. then either 100mm fa,wr macro or fa 77mm ltd or da 70mm. If i can't get the Prestige I'll go with the silver edition and get two of these lenses in silver to match. Think that will look nice. And also the new very expensive 1.4x teleconverter.
I am a 30year professional/enthusiast.I may or may not get back into Pro shooting. Just want a package that will give me that choice if I decide to do it.
Any help,thoughts,ideas on my choices will be very,very much appreciated.

09-08-2014, 11:24 AM   #2
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Bummer about your loss
Hopefully a new wider WR option will arrive this month at the Show; I'm not a big fan of anything but the *16-50 or maybe the 20-40 among the four options. Maybe a 15 or 21 in silver to go with the 70, that would probably match the 77's price
09-08-2014, 12:08 PM   #3
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Thanks Jimr.You live in a beautiful area! I'm not a big wide angle shooter.I just want that available coverage.I looked at the 16-50 and 17-70 and I thought with the WR and cost and it's Silver,the 20-40 stood up well? And the 35mm macro is in the same fl.I do wildlife and I like looking at the incredible close-up details of nature. I thought the fa 100mm macro was about the best? Tell me what you think is best macro that I can do from a little distance. $ is no problem. I even thought to go 2 of the 3 FA LTD,in Silver.31mm fa ltd w/77 fa ltd.What are your thoughts? thanks
09-08-2014, 01:58 PM   #4
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I'd want to be sure the teleconverter works on the DA 55-300. Someone has probably tried it and it probably does, but look for a review.

A black camera is boring but sure saves a lot of time and money buying silver lenses.

09-08-2014, 02:31 PM   #5
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Hmm, a K-3 from scratch....
20-40 sounds awesome, how about a 50 macro to go with that, and if money is no object a DA * 60-250.
I use the 1.4 with my DA*60-250 and it's a great combo. Plus with the 1.4 your 50 macro would also be a 70 macro.
Of course your 100 macro would also be 140mm if you chose to go that route... another tempting option. I wouldn't go for the TC with anything but a DA* or prime. We have yet to get acceptable results on our cheeper zooms.

Last edited by normhead; 09-11-2014 at 06:38 AM.
09-08-2014, 03:12 PM   #6
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You guys are all great. I spend a lot of time on this site.But I just don't interact too often.
I thought the 35mm macro would cover the wide range and be macro and be close too human eye range. I looked at the 60-250mm but seemed would be too heavy as walk around. The new HD 55-300mm WR,for the price and WR.Plus I had a DAL and took some very nice shots. The 100mm FA macro is a dream lens for me. The wide choices seem to be:31mm FA LTD,35mm HD DA Macro,20-40mm WR LTD.They each have duel purposes.And what about the 77m FA LTD? I always was going to make that a mandatory. And then throw in the 50mm 1.8,great price,ok shots.

Here's mine dream: a short-prime,WR,Macro,zoom,silver?
a Super Zoom WR,Macro,Light,Silver?
a long Prime,Macro,WR,Silver?

I found 3 K-3 Prestige in Hong Kong for 1499.00. He has English Manuel,and will get a USA warranty for Pentax for $50.00.They are unopened,unused,not Grey market. I told him I don't want to know how he got them,because all order for USA,Canada,UK,Euro,Australia are not taking any orders. I checked him out and he is legit.I have bought from China before and it went well.
Does anyone know of this? Know if it's ok? Ect.?
Hey I've gone on,like those Cheese guys.Though that was pretty funny.
Thanks,
Craig.

---------- Post added 09-08-14 at 06:15 PM ----------

Boy,uploading screws the quality. These were both pretty ok shots in focus w/the 55-300mm dal and my very beloved Blue K-30,may it rest in peace!!!!!!!!
Attached Images
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PENTAX K-30  Photo 

Last edited by standalowen; 09-09-2014 at 09:49 AM.
09-08-2014, 07:20 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by standalowen Quote
Hi,I was robbed.My beautiful blue k-30 and lenses were stolen. I'm going to upgrade and replace everything. Here are my choices: k-3 prestige(yeah,right) hd da 35mm,macro or 20-40mm w??. hd da 55-300mm. No change,cheap and descent for the money.Love this lens. then either 100mm fa,wr macro or fa 77mm ltd or da 70mm. If i can't get the Prestige I'll go with the silver edition and get two of these lenses in silver to match. Think that will look nice. And also the new very expensive 1.4x teleconverter.
I am a 30year professional/enthusiast.I may or may not get back into Pro shooting. Just want a package that will give me that choice if I decide to do it.
Any help,thoughts,ideas on my choices will be very,very much appreciated.
Look at Sigma 18-250 it is a nice walking around lenses and B & H still has the sigma 50mm ( not the art lenses) for 399 a great prime.

09-09-2014, 05:30 AM   #8
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I'd probably get the DA35 over the 20-40 and save some money for other lenses. The 55-300 is nice enough, and convenient for walking around in parks etc.

If you're interested in insect macros of course a 90 or 100mm macro is pretty much a requirement.
09-09-2014, 10:07 AM   #9
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Thank you. I'm liking the FA 100 WR Macro.I think I'd agree with DA35 Macro.You have a nice set up.Your pics are beautiful Terry.I love getting up close. How do you like the Viv 500mm.I was thinking about a big cheap,long lens like the Rokinon or anthing similar.It's either something like this or $6000 for a pro 600mm. Can you suggest an expensive big one?
09-11-2014, 05:46 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by standalowen Quote
Thank you. I'm liking the FA 100 WR Macro.I think I'd agree with DA35 Macro.You have a nice set up.Your pics are beautiful Terry.I love getting up close. How do you like the Viv 500mm.I was thinking about a big cheap,long lens like the Rokinon or anthing similar.It's either something like this or $6000 for a pro 600mm. Can you suggest an expensive big one?
I can't really suggest one - there are some threads here about such. Some use telescopes, some use spotting scopes, some use older series lenses or 300s with teleconverters. I'd like to get an easier long lens.

When I can nail focus with the Vivitar 500 it's outstanding. That said, it's NOT an easy lens to use. There are a number of places where alignment can get messed up. The K-mount adapter, and the focus mechanism must be in perfect shape and snug. It's huge, heavy, and must be supported well. I've thought about getting a support system - or making one- instead of the single screw tripod mount. Really, I think a gimbal head is what's needed for these scopes.

---------- Post added 09-11-14 at 08:08 AM ----------

Thanks on the compliment. Insect macros are a passion, and once you start can become an obsession. That FA100 has been a solid performer. Stop down to f13 or higher if the lighting cooperates. I use it in conjunction with the OGPS module and am doing insect field research - tracking bumblebees for a project. So far so good, it's a lot of data to compile, which I need to start doing...
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