Looking for a first lens

lbruce · 11-30-2009, 09:28 PM

I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less.

**Ash** · 11-30-2009, 09:46 PM

Hi there.
I would start with the kit lens - the Pentax DA 18-55. It's definitely excellent value (<$100). Consider getting the weather resistant version if you ever go out in the rain or in a dusty environment. It's worth the extra few dollars.

Once you realise you want more reach, you might consider the DA 50-200 lens, which also isn't bad and quite cheap also - and it too has a weather resistant version which you can buy.

Otherwise the DA 55-300 lens has even longer reach and performs very very well for a consumer lens.

rustynail925 · 11-30-2009, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by lbruce

I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less.

Im in the same boat as you i need a lens for the K200D w/c i bought as body only. I however have a km w/ the kit lens 18-55mm and 50-200mm and im selling the km together w/ the kit lens. The 18-55mm is a very good lens for the price.

ginglesair · 11-30-2009, 11:17 PM

I just posted a similar question under "what kind of lenses should I get" just a few days ago. Check it out I received a lot of good feedback.

alm1957 · 12-03-2009, 04:08 PM

Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense?

**Fries** · 12-03-2009, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by alm1957

Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense?

All the lenses mentioned in this tread are autofocus!

SteveM · 12-03-2009, 04:24 PM

It's slightly above your price point, but I skipped the DA18-55 in favor of the DA16-45 and was very happy with it. You might be able to find one used on the forum marketplace. Is there anywhere you can try out both to see which you like better?

Barnster · 12-03-2009, 04:48 PM

If you do get th Pentax DA 18-55mm,make sure its the ALII version which is suppose to better than the first version.

Marc Sabatella · 12-03-2009, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by alm1957

Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense?

All DA and FA lenses are auto focus - as are all variations like DA*, FA*, FA-J, DA-L, D-FA, etc.

See:

Pentax Lens Terminology

flmz · 12-03-2009, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by lbruce

I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less.

Why the k200d and the K-x? I started almost the same thread a few months ago and decided to go with the Pentax A 50mm/F1.7. It's a GREAT little lens and can be found dirt cheap (as far as lens prices go) on ebay, since it use to be the "kit lens" of some of the old pentax SLRs. I ended up buying the kit lens too a little later on too for the wide angle capabilities. My lens collection is in the process of expanding, but the A50/1.7 will still probably be one of my sharpest and fastest lens. I'd say an A50/1.7 along with an ALII or later version of the kit lens should cost under $150 and will be all you need for a while.

keyser · 12-03-2009, 06:33 PM

I agree with the 18-55mm suggestion. One thing you'll probably find is once you have bought one lens, you'll probably want another one. You'll find that you have an 18-55mm lens and you'll want to fill in the focal range you're missing.

The obvious solution is to go for a xx-300m zoom lens.... but don't!

Unless you enjoy wildlife photography, you don't need that kind of reach. Even if you do, these mild-telephoto to long-telephoto lenses are usually soft on the 300mm side.

rustynail925 · 12-04-2009, 12:11 AM

Which is the better replacement for the kit lens the Sigma 17-70 or DA 16-45mm? in terms of
Sharpness
Color/Contrast
Bokeh
Weight
Size
Overall IQ

mattdm · 12-04-2009, 06:52 AM

I started with the DA 40mm Limited as my only lens, and it was a great decision. I was partly inspired by this article

The Online Photographer: The Case Against Zooms

and partly enamored of the size (world's smallest APS-C auto-focus lens).

And it was in your price-point with rebate when I got it.

However, unfortunately, it's quite a bit more expensive now, but I still think a good buy. (Or look for a good-condition used copy.)

newarts · 12-04-2009, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by lbruce

I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less.

You might find a used Pentax F 50:1.7 for about $150. A good place to start if your scenes include low natural lighting.

Dave in Iowa

ivoire · 12-04-2009, 10:45 AM

If you decide on a lens from abesofmaine.com, enter 'friend10' as the discount/coupon code for $10 off a purchase of $75 or more

11-30-2009, 09:28 PM	#1
lbruce New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14	Looking for a first lens I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less.

12-03-2009, 04:08 PM	#5
alm1957 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Temperance, Michigan Posts: 2	alm1957 Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense?

12-04-2009, 06:52 AM	#13
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	DA 40mm I started with the DA 40mm Limited as my only lens, and it was a great decision. I was partly inspired by this article The Online Photographer: The Case Against Zooms and partly enamored of the size (world's smallest APS-C auto-focus lens). And it was in your price-point with rebate when I got it. However, unfortunately, it's quite a bit more expensive now, but I still think a good buy. (Or look for a good-condition used copy.)

11-30-2009, 09:46 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Hi there. I would start with the kit lens - the Pentax DA 18-55. It's definitely excellent value (<$100). Consider getting the weather resistant version if you ever go out in the rain or in a dusty environment. It's worth the extra few dollars. Once you realise you want more reach, you might consider the DA 50-200 lens, which also isn't bad and quite cheap also - and it too has a weather resistant version which you can buy. Otherwise the DA 55-300 lens has even longer reach and performs very very well for a consumer lens.

11-30-2009, 11:09 PM	#3
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Originally posted by lbruce I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less. Im in the same boat as you i need a lens for the K200D w/c i bought as body only. I however have a km w/ the kit lens 18-55mm and 50-200mm and im selling the km together w/ the kit lens. The 18-55mm is a very good lens for the price.

11-30-2009, 11:17 PM	#4
ginglesair New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24	I just posted a similar question under "what kind of lenses should I get" just a few days ago. Check it out I received a lot of good feedback.

12-03-2009, 04:18 PM	#6
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	Originally posted by alm1957 Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense? All the lenses mentioned in this tread are autofocus!

12-03-2009, 04:24 PM	#7
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	It's slightly above your price point, but I skipped the DA18-55 in favor of the DA16-45 and was very happy with it. You might be able to find one used on the forum marketplace. Is there anywhere you can try out both to see which you like better?

12-03-2009, 04:48 PM	#8
Barnster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mid North Coast,Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,016	If you do get th Pentax DA 18-55mm,make sure its the ALII version which is suppose to better than the first version.

12-03-2009, 06:01 PM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by alm1957 Is the DA 18-55 an auto focus lense? All DA and FA lenses are auto focus - as are all variations like DA, FA, FA-J, DA-L, D-FA, etc. See: Pentax Lens Terminology

12-03-2009, 06:33 PM	#10
flmz New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 16	Originally posted by lbruce I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less. Why the k200d and the K-x? I started almost the same thread a few months ago and decided to go with the Pentax A 50mm/F1.7. It's a GREAT little lens and can be found dirt cheap (as far as lens prices go) on ebay, since it use to be the "kit lens" of some of the old pentax SLRs. I ended up buying the kit lens too a little later on too for the wide angle capabilities. My lens collection is in the process of expanding, but the A50/1.7 will still probably be one of my sharpest and fastest lens. I'd say an A50/1.7 along with an ALII or later version of the kit lens should cost under $150 and will be all you need for a while.

12-03-2009, 06:33 PM	#11
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	I agree with the 18-55mm suggestion. One thing you'll probably find is once you have bought one lens, you'll probably want another one. You'll find that you have an 18-55mm lens and you'll want to fill in the focal range you're missing. The obvious solution is to go for a xx-300m zoom lens.... but don't! Unless you enjoy wildlife photography, you don't need that kind of reach. Even if you do, these mild-telephoto to long-telephoto lenses are usually soft on the 300mm side.

12-04-2009, 12:11 AM	#12
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Which is the better replacement for the kit lens the Sigma 17-70 or DA 16-45mm? in terms of Sharpness Color/Contrast Bokeh Weight Size Overall IQ

12-04-2009, 07:11 AM	#14
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by lbruce I am just getting started with a DSLR coming from a point and shoot and will be purchasing a K200D (body only). That said, I am looking for a single lens that I can use to get started and continue to grow with. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it around $150 or less. You might find a used Pentax F 50:1.7 for about $150. A good place to start if your scenes include low natural lighting. Dave in Iowa

12-04-2009, 10:45 AM	#15
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	If you decide on a lens from abesofmaine.com, enter 'friend10' as the discount/coupon code for $10 off a purchase of $75 or more