Picking up a K-x. Should I look to pick up anything else?

lowspark86 · 12-11-2010, 01:56 PM

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Originally posted by mojoe_24

Yeah, I originally was thinking about picking that package up, but most people say that the lens isn't great.

There's nothing wrong with that lens. People just love to trash on it since the 55-300 came out. The 55-300 may be a little better but the 50-200 got tons of positive recommendations and good responses in the past. The 50-200 is considerably less expensive and is no worse than the kit lens in terms of quality. If you don't want to spend the money on a 55-300, then a 50-200mm is worth it if you can afford it.

mojoe_24 · 12-11-2010, 06:08 PM

I'll have to try to figure out what makes the most since financially. It really annoys me that the white is quite a bit more than the black when it comes to the kits with multiple lenses.

SpecialK · 12-11-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

There's nothing wrong with that lens. People just love to trash on it since the 55-300 came out. The 55-300 may be a little better but the 50-200 got tons of positive recommendations and good responses in the past. The 50-200 is considerably less expensive and is no worse than the kit lens in terms of quality. If you don't want to spend the money on a 55-300, then a 50-200mm is worth it if you can afford it.

The 50-200 is inexpensive and compact. It did not measure up well when I went from the 6MP K100D to the 14.6 MP K20D, however. The 55-300 is just noticeably better. The 50-200 and cash got traded for something else, and I rarely use the 55-300 anymore (have to justify the other recent lenses)...

UnknownVT · 12-11-2010, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by mojoe_24

I'll have to try to figure out what makes the most since financially. It really annoys me that the white is quite a bit more than the black when it comes to the kits with multiple lenses.

Well the white K-x with 18-55 and 50-200 kit is actually $10 cheaper than the equivalent black.

White K-x 18-55 + 50-200 kit Google Price search

Black K-x 18-55 + 50-200 kit Google Price search

mojoe_24 · 12-11-2010, 10:56 PM

I've never heard of BuyDig. Hmm, red for 540 and white for 570

cbaytan · 12-11-2010, 11:59 PM

ACMAXX HARD LCD PROTECTOR

I am using it with my K-7 for a year, I can definitely recommend it.

mojoe_24 · 12-12-2010, 11:16 AM

What SD card would be best to get? Something like a Transcend class 10 or Sandisk Extreme III? Also, does a larger capacity cause problems? Would it be better to have two 8gb cards instead of one 16gb card?

jolepp · 12-12-2010, 11:41 AM

With current prices I suppose I would get two 8G class 10 Transcends, it seems to be an o.k. brand, yet the price is good. With any brand it is a good idea to test them thoroughly before putting them to use (a couple of cycles with something like h2testw should detect a defective one).

mojoe_24 · 12-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Having two is better than having 1 larger one?

jolepp · 12-12-2010, 12:45 PM

In case there is a problem with one you should still be able to use the other at least. Also, having more than one card means not having all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

mojoe_24 · 12-12-2010, 05:15 PM

That's true.

mojoe_24 · 12-20-2010, 09:37 AM

Would I need to buy a bag right away? Trying to decide on the color and I'm stuck between teh baby-ish blue and the white. If I need to buy a bag right away I'll probably buy the blue because it's $30 cheaper.

jolepp · 12-20-2010, 11:07 AM

A bag is good for protection (knocks, elements) and convenience. It may be enough for neat, organized storage too (until there is more gear than you can carry at one time ;-) IMO bags are something you should get hands-on with if possible before buying. Also some experience using the camera should help to pick one that is practical and convenient for you so waiting a bit might help to make a better initial choice. OTOH a bag that holds the camera+lens, 1-2 extra lenses, hoods, and some basic supplies such a spare battery and a cleaning kit (e.g. lowepro nova 160 aw) is good to have even if you need a bigger one for storage or carrying a more comprehensive kit, so something like that should be a good choice to get started with. A padded bag with movable partitions to put the bigger items into and pockets for the smaller stuff is good for keeping the gear protected and organized/conveniently accessible. As color choices go that is matter of personal preference, but I would avoid white as it may get not-so-good-looking in a hurry (and one point of having a bag is having less to worry about).

mojoe_24 · 12-20-2010, 03:58 PM

Ended up buying the $540 kit with the 55-200mm lens. Might have to put off buying the bag for a couple weeks. Would being out during that time do any harm to the camera?

jolepp · 12-21-2010, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by mojoe_24

Ended up buying the $540 kit with the 55-200mm lens. Might have to put off buying the bag for a couple weeks. Would being out during that time do any harm to the camera?

As long as you protect it from knocks, keep it dry and reasonably free of dust it should be fine. With a bag this is just easier to do as is carrying what you need. In case you take it out where it is below freezing or so it may be a good idea to seal the camera and lens(es) into a ziplock bag before getting back inside and let them warm before opening the bag to avoid water condensing on/in them.

12-11-2010, 11:59 PM	#21
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	LCD protector ACMAXX HARD LCD PROTECTOR I am using it with my K-7 for a year, I can definitely recommend it.

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12-11-2010, 01:56 PM	#16
lowspark86 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Photos: Albums Posts: 157	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by mojoe_24 Yeah, I originally was thinking about picking that package up, but most people say that the lens isn't great. There's nothing wrong with that lens. People just love to trash on it since the 55-300 came out. The 55-300 may be a little better but the 50-200 got tons of positive recommendations and good responses in the past. The 50-200 is considerably less expensive and is no worse than the kit lens in terms of quality. If you don't want to spend the money on a 55-300, then a 50-200mm is worth it if you can afford it.

12-11-2010, 06:08 PM	#17
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	I'll have to try to figure out what makes the most since financially. It really annoys me that the white is quite a bit more than the black when it comes to the kits with multiple lenses.

12-11-2010, 07:31 PM	#18
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: There's nothing wrong with that lens. People just love to trash on it since the 55-300 came out. The 55-300 may be a little better but the 50-200 got tons of positive recommendations and good responses in the past. The 50-200 is considerably less expensive and is no worse than the kit lens in terms of quality. If you don't want to spend the money on a 55-300, then a 50-200mm is worth it if you can afford it. The 50-200 is inexpensive and compact. It did not measure up well when I went from the 6MP K100D to the 14.6 MP K20D, however. The 55-300 is just noticeably better. The 50-200 and cash got traded for something else, and I rarely use the 55-300 anymore (have to justify the other recent lenses)...

12-11-2010, 10:48 PM	#19
UnknownVT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,812	Originally posted by mojoe_24 I'll have to try to figure out what makes the most since financially. It really annoys me that the white is quite a bit more than the black when it comes to the kits with multiple lenses. Well the white K-x with 18-55 and 50-200 kit is actually $10 cheaper than the equivalent black. White K-x 18-55 + 50-200 kit Google Price search Black K-x 18-55 + 50-200 kit Google Price search

12-11-2010, 10:56 PM	#20
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	I've never heard of BuyDig. Hmm, red for 540 and white for 570

12-12-2010, 11:16 AM	#22
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	What SD card would be best to get? Something like a Transcend class 10 or Sandisk Extreme III? Also, does a larger capacity cause problems? Would it be better to have two 8gb cards instead of one 16gb card?

12-12-2010, 11:41 AM	#23
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	With current prices I suppose I would get two 8G class 10 Transcends, it seems to be an o.k. brand, yet the price is good. With any brand it is a good idea to test them thoroughly before putting them to use (a couple of cycles with something like h2testw should detect a defective one).

12-12-2010, 12:32 PM	#24
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	Having two is better than having 1 larger one?

12-12-2010, 12:45 PM	#25
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	In case there is a problem with one you should still be able to use the other at least. Also, having more than one card means not having all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

12-12-2010, 05:15 PM	#26
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	That's true.

12-20-2010, 09:37 AM	#27
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	Would I need to buy a bag right away? Trying to decide on the color and I'm stuck between teh baby-ish blue and the white. If I need to buy a bag right away I'll probably buy the blue because it's $30 cheaper.

12-20-2010, 11:07 AM	#28
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	A bag is good for protection (knocks, elements) and convenience. It may be enough for neat, organized storage too (until there is more gear than you can carry at one time ;-) IMO bags are something you should get hands-on with if possible before buying. Also some experience using the camera should help to pick one that is practical and convenient for you so waiting a bit might help to make a better initial choice. OTOH a bag that holds the camera+lens, 1-2 extra lenses, hoods, and some basic supplies such a spare battery and a cleaning kit (e.g. lowepro nova 160 aw) is good to have even if you need a bigger one for storage or carrying a more comprehensive kit, so something like that should be a good choice to get started with. A padded bag with movable partitions to put the bigger items into and pockets for the smaller stuff is good for keeping the gear protected and organized/conveniently accessible. As color choices go that is matter of personal preference, but I would avoid white as it may get not-so-good-looking in a hurry (and one point of having a bag is having less to worry about).

12-20-2010, 03:58 PM	#29
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241 Original Poster	Ended up buying the $540 kit with the 55-200mm lens. Might have to put off buying the bag for a couple weeks. Would being out during that time do any harm to the camera?

12-21-2010, 10:09 AM	#30
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Originally posted by mojoe_24 Ended up buying the $540 kit with the 55-200mm lens. Might have to put off buying the bag for a couple weeks. Would being out during that time do any harm to the camera? As long as you protect it from knocks, keep it dry and reasonably free of dust it should be fine. With a bag this is just easier to do as is carrying what you need. In case you take it out where it is below freezing or so it may be a good idea to seal the camera and lens(es) into a ziplock bag before getting back inside and let them warm before opening the bag to avoid water condensing on/in them.