K20D Lens Upgrade Suggestions

Bonsai · 10-20-2009, 02:41 AM

Helo, I am new to this forum.

I hav e spent a few hours trawling through the lens reviews.

I've got a K20D with the standard 18-55 kit lens and am looking to add a good lens to my bag.

I like doing landscapes, portraits and street photography. Macro also appeals to me.

I guess th e experts will say my interests ar e a bit too wide, so if I have to choose, its landscapes and portraits. Bokeh is important to me!

Here is what I looked at (some may be more than I am willing to spend, but I can twist my partners arm I think)

DA50-135 ED[IF]
fisheye for something wacky . . . or DA 12-24 F4 ED AL [IF]
SMC DA 55 F1.4 SDM (nice and fast)
SMC DA35 F2.8 Limited Macro (some of the landscape and portraits looked great . . and it does macro as a bonus)
SMC DA 40mm F2.8

Any others?

What would the experts suggest? I can go to 800 or 900 $'s and maybe push 1000$

**Ash** · 10-20-2009, 03:53 AM

Welcome Bonsai.
There are quite a few choices in the landscape and portrait lens arena that you will have to decide within your budget you want out of them.

But my choices...
You'll be most pleased with a wide or ultrawide for landscapes - either a 16-45 or 12-24 (ultrawides I've found better suited to architecture, perhaps a little too wide for landscapes) for zooms or a DA 15 ltd or DA 14 for primes.

A 50mm lens to me is a must whether some people think it's too long for portraits or not. I have gotten my best portrait results with my FA 50 f/1.4. It's just as fast as the 55/1.4 only cheaper with a similar IQ. That aside I would consider the FA 31 ltd (but funds may not permit for this as well as a landscape lens) or the DA 35 or 40 as you've mentioned.

So many choices...

bymy141 · 10-20-2009, 06:21 AM

Bonsai,

The limiting factor is cost here, and also the DA 35 f2.8 macro is to wide for macro in my opinion.
For macro and portrait you need more length.

This means you need at least 2 lenses to serve your needs.

I'd take the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro for macro and portret photography.
It costs $404 at Adorama, I do not know how prices compare to Japan.

That leaves you somewhat less than $600 for the rest.
For that money I'd look at the Tamron 10-24mm ($480) or the DA16-45mm ($600)

The other lenses are out of your budget, or you'd need to go for just 1 lens and make a choice between wide or portrait/macro.

- Bert

DavidWasch · 10-20-2009, 09:09 AM

If funds are somewhat limited, definately consider good third-party lenses, and lenses that can perform multiple functions..

For macro I would second Burt's recommendation of the Tarmron, it's an excelent lens.

For a normal lens, the DA35mm macro is a beauty, and covers a wide range of needs. Also consider the 24mm Sigma Superwide II. It is a fantastic performer, and the auto-focus version can be had for ~$150 USD.

As you go wider, the choices are fewer, and more expensive. Probably the lowest-cost option is a Sigma 10-20mm, which can be had used for ~$400.

New, the DA12-24 and 35mm macro lenses will run you $1,500. Used, the Tamron 90mm, Sigma Superwide, AND Sigma 10-20mm will run you $900.

**NaClH2O** · 10-20-2009, 10:18 AM

Welcome Bonsai.

I do not know what it costs in Japan, but I'd highly recommend the FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd. The cost of this lens is only going to go up and it is a stellar performer. I can also recommend it's two brethren, the FA 43 ltd and the FA 77 ltd. But for landscapes, and general photography, the 31 cannot be beat. Here is a link to a myriad of FA ltd photos, 31mm 43mm and 77mm. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/59538-fa-limited-club.html
If you want to go less expensive I would suggest the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 and/or the previously mentioned Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro. If you get them second hand they should run well under your $800 mark.
BTW there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting second hand lenses, especially if you go to a reputable dealer like KEH.

NaCl(If I had $900 a FA 31 would be mine in a heartbeat)H2O

10-20-2009, 02:41 AM	#1
Bonsai New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 7	K20D Lens Upgrade Suggestions Helo, I am new to this forum. I hav e spent a few hours trawling through the lens reviews. I've got a K20D with the standard 18-55 kit lens and am looking to add a good lens to my bag. I like doing landscapes, portraits and street photography. Macro also appeals to me. I guess th e experts will say my interests ar e a bit too wide, so if I have to choose, its landscapes and portraits. Bokeh is important to me! Here is what I looked at (some may be more than I am willing to spend, but I can twist my partners arm I think) DA50-135 ED[IF] fisheye for something wacky . . . or DA 12-24 F4 ED AL [IF] SMC DA 55 F1.4 SDM (nice and fast) SMC DA35 F2.8 Limited Macro (some of the landscape and portraits looked great . . and it does macro as a bonus) SMC DA 40mm F2.8 Any others? What would the experts suggest? I can go to 800 or 900 $'s and maybe push 1000$

10-20-2009, 10:18 AM	#5
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Welcome Bonsai. I do not know what it costs in Japan, but I'd highly recommend the FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd. The cost of this lens is only going to go up and it is a stellar performer. I can also recommend it's two brethren, the FA 43 ltd and the FA 77 ltd. But for landscapes, and general photography, the 31 cannot be beat. Here is a link to a myriad of FA ltd photos, 31mm 43mm and 77mm. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/59538-fa-limited-club.html If you want to go less expensive I would suggest the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 and/or the previously mentioned Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro. If you get them second hand they should run well under your $800 mark. BTW there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting second hand lenses, especially if you go to a reputable dealer like KEH. NaCl(If I had $900 a FA 31 would be mine in a heartbeat)H2O Last edited by NaClH2O; 10-20-2009 at 10:45 AM.

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10-20-2009, 03:53 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Welcome Bonsai. There are quite a few choices in the landscape and portrait lens arena that you will have to decide within your budget you want out of them. But my choices... You'll be most pleased with a wide or ultrawide for landscapes - either a 16-45 or 12-24 (ultrawides I've found better suited to architecture, perhaps a little too wide for landscapes) for zooms or a DA 15 ltd or DA 14 for primes. A 50mm lens to me is a must whether some people think it's too long for portraits or not. I have gotten my best portrait results with my FA 50 f/1.4. It's just as fast as the 55/1.4 only cheaper with a similar IQ. That aside I would consider the FA 31 ltd (but funds may not permit for this as well as a landscape lens) or the DA 35 or 40 as you've mentioned. So many choices...

10-20-2009, 06:21 AM	#3
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	Bonsai, The limiting factor is cost here, and also the DA 35 f2.8 macro is to wide for macro in my opinion. For macro and portrait you need more length. This means you need at least 2 lenses to serve your needs. I'd take the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro for macro and portret photography. It costs $404 at Adorama, I do not know how prices compare to Japan. That leaves you somewhat less than $600 for the rest. For that money I'd look at the Tamron 10-24mm ($480) or the DA16-45mm ($600) The other lenses are out of your budget, or you'd need to go for just 1 lens and make a choice between wide or portrait/macro. - Bert

10-20-2009, 09:09 AM	#4
DavidWasch Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Connecticut, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 167	If funds are somewhat limited, definately consider good third-party lenses, and lenses that can perform multiple functions.. For macro I would second Burt's recommendation of the Tarmron, it's an excelent lens. For a normal lens, the DA35mm macro is a beauty, and covers a wide range of needs. Also consider the 24mm Sigma Superwide II. It is a fantastic performer, and the auto-focus version can be had for ~$150 USD. As you go wider, the choices are fewer, and more expensive. Probably the lowest-cost option is a Sigma 10-20mm, which can be had used for ~$400. New, the DA12-24 and 35mm macro lenses will run you $1,500. Used, the Tamron 90mm, Sigma Superwide, AND Sigma 10-20mm will run you $900.