New camera or new lens

xfloggingkylex · 11-18-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

1) A 70-300 offering 1:1 macro ? I think you are referring to the Tamron 70-300 which is a wonderful lens for the money but *only* offers 1:2 macro (and this is still fantastic).

2) If you wait for the K5s successor then it'll be nearer US$2,000 than the under US$1,000 the K5 is now at. That logic doesn't make any sense to me but enough people say it that I now realise I must be missing something in my logic processor.

I just love the K5 but have to agree with others that a couple of much better lenses would do more for you.

You like zooms so far so consider the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Pentax 55-300 or alternatively (and better still) the 35/2.4 and 50-135/2.8 - which will be just US$20 over the budget (sell the 50-200 and you'll be under budget) and keep the 18-55 regardless for the WR and for the 18-35 range, as it is an excellent kit lens and when it rains you'll have 18 - 135mm covered with WR lenses.

This Simga says in the specs it offers up to 1:1. I haven't used a dedicated macro for comparison but I will tell you at 300m and minimal focus distance things are CLOSE.

As far as the K-5, the main issue is that I need to work on my technique and acquire glass that allows me to do new things. I want the k-5 so badly but I need to wait till I need a new body, and I have a feeling that will be after the new camera releases.

EDIT: looks like the site is mislabeled. It is 1:2

Last edited by xfloggingkylex; 11-18-2011 at 09:05 AM.

Frogfish · 11-18-2011, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by xfloggingkylex

This Simga says in the specs it offers up to 1:1. I haven't used a dedicated macro for comparison but I will tell you at 300m and minimal focus distance things are CLOSE.

As far as the K-5, the main issue is that I need to work on my technique and acquire glass that allows me to do new things. I want the k-5 so badly but I need to wait till I need a new body, and I have a feeling that will be after the new camera releases.

EDIT: looks like the site is mislabeled. It is 1:2

Yes it is 1:2 (the same as the Tamron) and that is only at 300mm, as you zoom out the magnification drops substantially. There is a reason 1:1 macro lenses are expensive

However even 1:2 is very nice for flowers / butterflies and anything rather large (in the insect world).

RonHendriks1966 · 11-18-2011, 10:59 AM

Buy DA*50-135mm/f2.8 and get a plan for the next $ 1000 to spend on a new camera.

DaveHolmes · 11-18-2011, 05:41 PM

The OP already has an 18-250 zoom...

Picking 2 or 3 quallity primes at his most used focal-lengths would be the best way to 'shake things up' IMO...

**JoostW** · 11-18-2011, 05:46 PM

i have

fa 24mm
fa 50mm
fa 80-200
da 15
da 35
da 40
da 70
(and 3e party + M/K/A)

and 2x k10d + 1xk100ds

ccd is what i prefer.

DaveHolmes · 11-18-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by JoostW

i have
fa 24mm
fa 50mm
fa 80-200
da 15
da 35
da 40
da 70
(and 3e party + M/K/A)
and 2x k10d + 1xk100ds
ccd is what i prefer.

That's nice.... Great line up there.... Erm... Did you read the entire thread or just randomly bragging?!

**JoostW** · 11-18-2011, 06:14 PM

No, not bragging. The 3e party is most exclusive...including the tamron 18-250. Just saying you pick up a K5 in 2 years for around $ 300,- where the fa 80-200 still cost you $ 1500,-.

Dont go for a body. And what is it about a cmos anyway??

abacus07 · 11-20-2011, 07:59 AM

lenses imo.

A selection of primes - DA15 or DA21, Da35/2.4 and FA50/1.4 with a few dollars leftover for accessories like ND filters, tripods or whatever else you need. And then buy a used K-5 in a year or so...

Or you could get an excellent zoom or two.

thethirdcoast · 11-20-2011, 03:42 PM

I vote for keeping the K10D and investing in new glass. You can go to Flickr and see the remarkable shots that people are still getting with their K10Ds in this day and age. Thankfully, one of the beauties of the Pentax system is that you can get a tremendous quantity of good glass for your $1000. You simply cannot do that in Canikon land. The huge optical bang-for-your-buck that you get with K-mount is why I got into Pentax and why I will continue to stick with them.

I noticed the OP mentioned low light shooting, so I would recommend at looking into one of the fast 50mm lenses available for K-mount. I went with the Sigma 50/1.4 because it is sharper wide-open than the Pentax FA50/1.4. The obvious tradeoff is the Sigma's size.

Purchasing either one of those lenses would leave enough left for the DA55-300, and that would be an excellent compliment to the kit lens. It would also provide better quality at the long end than the 18-250. If one found the right prices on the 50mm and the DA55-300, they could probably move into the DA 16-45/4 to give better image quality in the wide and standard zoom ranges.

RioRico · 11-20-2011, 04:12 PM

The K10D is great for low-ISO work, not so great at higher ISO. The K5 is generations ahead, sensor-wise. My vote: Keep the K10D and add a K5.

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11-18-2011, 08:53 AM	#31
xfloggingkylex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Frederick, MD USA Posts: 111	Originally posted by Frogfish 1) A 70-300 offering 1:1 macro ? I think you are referring to the Tamron 70-300 which is a wonderful lens for the money but only offers 1:2 macro (and this is still fantastic). 2) If you wait for the K5s successor then it'll be nearer US$2,000 than the under US$1,000 the K5 is now at. That logic doesn't make any sense to me but enough people say it that I now realise I must be missing something in my logic processor. I just love the K5 but have to agree with others that a couple of much better lenses would do more for you. You like zooms so far so consider the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Pentax 55-300 or alternatively (and better still) the 35/2.4 and 50-135/2.8 - which will be just US$20 over the budget (sell the 50-200 and you'll be under budget) and keep the 18-55 regardless for the WR and for the 18-35 range, as it is an excellent kit lens and when it rains you'll have 18 - 135mm covered with WR lenses. This Simga says in the specs it offers up to 1:1. I haven't used a dedicated macro for comparison but I will tell you at 300m and minimal focus distance things are CLOSE. As far as the K-5, the main issue is that I need to work on my technique and acquire glass that allows me to do new things. I want the k-5 so badly but I need to wait till I need a new body, and I have a feeling that will be after the new camera releases. EDIT: looks like the site is mislabeled. It is 1:2 Last edited by xfloggingkylex; 11-18-2011 at 09:05 AM.

11-18-2011, 10:32 AM	#32
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by xfloggingkylex This Simga says in the specs it offers up to 1:1. I haven't used a dedicated macro for comparison but I will tell you at 300m and minimal focus distance things are CLOSE. As far as the K-5, the main issue is that I need to work on my technique and acquire glass that allows me to do new things. I want the k-5 so badly but I need to wait till I need a new body, and I have a feeling that will be after the new camera releases. EDIT: looks like the site is mislabeled. It is 1:2 Yes it is 1:2 (the same as the Tamron) and that is only at 300mm, as you zoom out the magnification drops substantially. There is a reason 1:1 macro lenses are expensive However even 1:2 is very nice for flowers / butterflies and anything rather large (in the insect world).

11-18-2011, 10:59 AM	#33
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Buy DA*50-135mm/f2.8 and get a plan for the next $ 1000 to spend on a new camera.

11-18-2011, 05:41 PM	#34
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	The OP already has an 18-250 zoom... Picking 2 or 3 quallity primes at his most used focal-lengths would be the best way to 'shake things up' IMO...

11-18-2011, 05:46 PM	#35
JoostW Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 22	i have fa 24mm fa 50mm fa 80-200 da 15 da 35 da 40 da 70 (and 3e party + M/K/A) and 2x k10d + 1xk100ds ccd is what i prefer.

11-18-2011, 06:01 PM	#36
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by JoostW i have fa 24mm fa 50mm fa 80-200 da 15 da 35 da 40 da 70 (and 3e party + M/K/A) and 2x k10d + 1xk100ds ccd is what i prefer. That's nice.... Great line up there.... Erm... Did you read the entire thread or just randomly bragging?!

11-18-2011, 06:14 PM	#37
JoostW Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 22	No, not bragging. The 3e party is most exclusive...including the tamron 18-250. Just saying you pick up a K5 in 2 years for around $ 300,- where the fa 80-200 still cost you $ 1500,-. Dont go for a body. And what is it about a cmos anyway??

11-20-2011, 07:59 AM	#38
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	lenses imo. A selection of primes - DA15 or DA21, Da35/2.4 and FA50/1.4 with a few dollars leftover for accessories like ND filters, tripods or whatever else you need. And then buy a used K-5 in a year or so... Or you could get an excellent zoom or two.

11-20-2011, 03:42 PM	#39
thethirdcoast Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wharton, NJ Photos: Albums Posts: 72	I vote for keeping the K10D and investing in new glass. You can go to Flickr and see the remarkable shots that people are still getting with their K10Ds in this day and age. Thankfully, one of the beauties of the Pentax system is that you can get a tremendous quantity of good glass for your $1000. You simply cannot do that in Canikon land. The huge optical bang-for-your-buck that you get with K-mount is why I got into Pentax and why I will continue to stick with them. I noticed the OP mentioned low light shooting, so I would recommend at looking into one of the fast 50mm lenses available for K-mount. I went with the Sigma 50/1.4 because it is sharper wide-open than the Pentax FA50/1.4. The obvious tradeoff is the Sigma's size. Purchasing either one of those lenses would leave enough left for the DA55-300, and that would be an excellent compliment to the kit lens. It would also provide better quality at the long end than the 18-250. If one found the right prices on the 50mm and the DA55-300, they could probably move into the DA 16-45/4 to give better image quality in the wide and standard zoom ranges.

11-20-2011, 04:12 PM	#40
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The K10D is great for low-ISO work, not so great at higher ISO. The K5 is generations ahead, sensor-wise. My vote: Keep the K10D and add a K5.

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