Looking to get back into Pentax

bymy141 · 09-01-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

JJ. Many people prefer the Tamron very sharp 17-50/2.8 (very similar price to the 16-45) to the far more expensive Pentax 16-50 which may often be over-rated by Pentaxians. It's had very mixed reviews. Check out the thread for photos taken by Tamron lenses here on PF.

+1, I have the 16-50mm, bought it in 2008 when the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 was not around. Otherwise, who knows...
At f4 and above the 16-50mm does excellent work.

However, given a good specimen, the Sigma does a little better at much lower cost. Alas it does not have WR.
If I believe the test guru's around the world, the 17-50mm f2.8 is about the best zoom lens Sigma has ever made...

You've ordered a K-r? Good choice. Avoid the kit lens.
The 16-45mm is a very good lens as well and can be found a very low prices on the Internet.

Cheers, Bert

**jerryleejr** · 09-01-2011, 05:00 PM

Well I have a few Tamron lenses pre DI and will try them out and may get the DI version of a couple of them Definitely appreciate all the advice.

JJ

StepOne · 09-02-2011, 12:15 AM

I see always as a pride and joy of Pentax the WR. I agree it's a very good feature, no doubt, but the manufacturer does not state clear limits and use conditions for the WR. I am curious, how can one make a warranty claim if WR fail? How much water is WR, for how long? Has anybody did that? They can easy say "it is not waterproof, you used it in improper conditions, so therefore warranty cannot cover the damage".

Jean Poitiers · 09-03-2011, 08:14 AM

Bonjour,

Here's my two "centimes" worth of advice: get the DA 35mm f2.4 AL over the kit zoom. Hands down and no competition here at all. I have this combo, and it's very good and very happy with both. Also, check out the user ratings of this lens in the Lenses section of this forum ... I'm going to add my review sometime later.

As for the debate concerning the K-5 vs. the D7000, the "Chasseur d'Images" magazine in France rated its top DSLR picks at the beginning of the summer. The K-5 (and K-r, too) received 5 star ratings ( 5/5 ) and a "best choice" designation as well ... the D7000 received only 4 stars ( 4/5 ) and no "best choice" designation. I posted the full list earlier if you want to see the entire field of DSLRs compared.

Hope this helps ... Bon courage, Jean le Frog

**jerryleejr** · 09-03-2011, 04:32 PM

ON a side note I may have picked up a K-7 for a decent price just a little leary of buying used but the price was fair. So the wife can enjoy the Kr and send the K-7 to me to monkey with over here.

JJ

**Ex Finn.** · 09-03-2011, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by StepOne

I see always as a pride and joy of Pentax the WR. I agree it's a very good feature, no doubt, but the manufacturer does not state clear limits and use conditions for the WR. I am curious, how can one make a warranty claim if WR fail? How much water is WR, for how long? Has anybody did that? They can easy say "it is not waterproof, you used it in improper conditions, so therefore warranty cannot cover the damage".

Somewhere, can`t remember where, I read that WR is good for foggy conditions and LIGHT drizzle, for short periods. Not for rain.

Frogfish · 09-04-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

Somewhere, can`t remember where, I read that WR is good for foggy conditions and LIGHT drizzle, for short periods. Not for rain.

Note Pentax has two forms of WR - you can read the difference on the lens pages on their site. The true WR lenses can take a HELLUVA lot more abuse than light drizzle. I wanted to try mine out so took the K5 and DA*300 for a spin in HEAVY rain (see below - that isn't a mist, it's rain) and it never missed a beat (before or after). Just Google YouTube videos of the Pentax WR testing and you'll come up with people using them in the shower ... with the lens pointed right up at the shower head.

09-03-2011, 08:14 AM	#19
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Kr + DA 35mm f2.4 AL = winner Bonjour, Here's my two "centimes" worth of advice: get the DA 35mm f2.4 AL over the kit zoom. Hands down and no competition here at all. I have this combo, and it's very good and very happy with both. Also, check out the user ratings of this lens in the Lenses section of this forum ... I'm going to add my review sometime later. As for the debate concerning the K-5 vs. the D7000, the "*Chasseur d'Images*" magazine in France rated its top DSLR picks at the beginning of the summer. The K-5 (and K-r, too) received 5 star ratings ( 5/5 ) and a "best choice" designation as well ... the D7000 received only 4 stars ( 4/5 ) and no "best choice" designation. I posted the full list earlier if you want to see the entire field of DSLRs compared. Hope this helps ... Bon courage, Jean le Frog

09-03-2011, 04:32 PM	#20
jerryleejr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: TN Posts: 774 Original Poster	ON a side note I may have picked up a K-7 for a decent price just a little leary of buying used but the price was fair. So the wife can enjoy the Kr and send the K-7 to me to monkey with over here. JJ Last edited by jerryleejr; 09-03-2011 at 08:13 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Back to Pentax with a K-x	vinzer	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	01-13-2011 08:33 PM
Hello! Came back to Pentax.	coelacanth	Welcomes and Introductions	10	09-09-2010 01:34 AM
Should I go back to Pentax?	jct us101	Pentax DSLR Discussion	63	04-16-2010 07:49 AM
Coming back to Pentax	Henrik Kristensen	Pentax DSLR Discussion	28	09-29-2009 02:07 PM

09-01-2011, 01:13 PM	#16
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	Originally posted by Frogfish JJ. Many people prefer the Tamron very sharp 17-50/2.8 (very similar price to the 16-45) to the far more expensive Pentax 16-50 which may often be over-rated by Pentaxians. It's had very mixed reviews. Check out the thread for photos taken by Tamron lenses here on PF. +1, I have the 16-50mm, bought it in 2008 when the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 was not around. Otherwise, who knows... At f4 and above the 16-50mm does excellent work. However, given a good specimen, the Sigma does a little better at much lower cost. Alas it does not have WR. If I believe the test guru's around the world, the 17-50mm f2.8 is about the best zoom lens Sigma has ever made... You've ordered a K-r? Good choice. Avoid the kit lens. The 16-45mm is a very good lens as well and can be found a very low prices on the Internet. Cheers, Bert

09-01-2011, 05:00 PM	#17
jerryleejr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: TN Posts: 774 Original Poster	Well I have a few Tamron lenses pre DI and will try them out and may get the DI version of a couple of them Definitely appreciate all the advice. JJ

09-02-2011, 12:15 AM	#18
StepOne Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Botosani Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 285	I see always as a pride and joy of Pentax the WR. I agree it's a very good feature, no doubt, but the manufacturer does not state clear limits and use conditions for the WR. I am curious, how can one make a warranty claim if WR fail? How much water is WR, for how long? Has anybody did that? They can easy say "it is not waterproof, you used it in improper conditions, so therefore warranty cannot cover the damage".

09-03-2011, 04:42 PM	#21
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by StepOne I see always as a pride and joy of Pentax the WR. I agree it's a very good feature, no doubt, but the manufacturer does not state clear limits and use conditions for the WR. I am curious, how can one make a warranty claim if WR fail? How much water is WR, for how long? Has anybody did that? They can easy say "it is not waterproof, you used it in improper conditions, so therefore warranty cannot cover the damage". Somewhere, can`t remember where, I read that WR is good for foggy conditions and LIGHT drizzle, for short periods. Not for rain.

09-04-2011, 08:42 AM	#22
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Ex Finn. Somewhere, can`t remember where, I read that WR is good for foggy conditions and LIGHT drizzle, for short periods. Not for rain. Note Pentax has two forms of WR - you can read the difference on the lens pages on their site. The true WR lenses can take a HELLUVA lot more abuse than light drizzle. I wanted to try mine out so took the K5 and DA*300 for a spin in HEAVY rain (see below - that isn't a mist, it's rain) and it never missed a beat (before or after). Just Google YouTube videos of the Pentax WR testing and you'll come up with people using them in the shower ... with the lens pointed right up at the shower head.