Good next lens to get?

jennverr · 07-02-2012, 01:23 PM

I think the lens addiction is catching up to me!

I have been trying to shoot more events, people, street style, etc lately, and will be assisting with a wedding later this summer. At some of the events I've been shooting (outside), I have been using my kit 50-200 to zoom in on people and get mostly candids, etc. But, something with a wider aperture might be nice to have too for indoors.

Here is what I have, and what I am primarily using on my K-X

18-55 kit (don't use as much)
50-200 kit (have been using this a lot lately for street type photography and events)
M 50mm 1.7 (haven't used as much lately)
M 50 mm 2.8 macro (have been liking this a lot lately)
M 28mm 2.8
35mm 2.4

Are there any good zooms out there that go to something like 2.8 that don't break the bank, or even come in the older M that I could get off ebay? or what are your thoughts on the M 135mm 2.8, as i have seen a few of those on ebay...

thanks all!

seventysixersfan · 07-02-2012, 01:48 PM

Be careful of LBA. It has robbed me of all my money this year. I have to put my credit cards into the deep freeze for a while...

I got a used Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 from the PF marketplace earlier this year and it's great for the price I paid, which is usually comfortably less than the Tamron 17-50 but then again that lens is apparently better optically. Still, I am happy with the Sigma's construction. For weddings, an autofocus lens that you should consider is the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Gets great reviews around here and can usually be had for $300 or so, depending on the condition. But I've heard from some people that the Tamron 28-75 is a bit heavy on the K-X so if you don't like the weight, you might want to stick with primes.

The challenge for you is to get a wider aperture lens (at least 2.8) for indoor use that doesn't cost too much. You might have to give up autofocus to get there, but it sounds like you might be okay with that.

Tom S. · 07-02-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

Be careful of LBA. It has robbed me of all my money this year. I have to put my credit cards into the deep freeze for a while...

Now you know where the National Debt came from.

seventysixersfan · 07-02-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Now you know where the National Debt came from.

LOL. But at least I haven't tried to break into my kid's piggy bank to steal her pennies to pay for my lens purchases this year... All my purchases are paid off but my bank account is hovering near zero. My moratorium on lens purchases begins NOW and extends until at least early next year... (famous last words)!

Marc Sabatella · 07-03-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by jennverr

Are there any good zooms out there that go to something like 2.8 that don't break the bank, or even come in the older M that I could get off ebay? or what are your thoughts on the M 135mm 2.8, as i have seen a few of those on ebay...

Assuming you mean telephoto zooms, no, there's nothing that wouldn't cost as much as everything else you own put together and then some. Any of manual 135's would be a fine choice, although not there is no M135/2.8 - the only M series 135 is an f/3.5. Still an excellent lens, very cheap, amazingly small and light for what it is. I'd personally still pick it over any f/2.8 version, as the aperture difference is only a half stop or so.

jennverr · 07-03-2012, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Assuming you mean telephoto zooms, no, there's nothing that wouldn't cost as much as everything else you own put together and then some. Any of manual 135's would be a fine choice, although not there is no M135/2.8 - the only M series 135 is an f/3.5. Still an excellent lens, very cheap, amazingly small and light for what it is. I'd personally still pick it over any f/2.8 version, as the aperture difference is only a half stop or so.

Thanks all. Yes I figured as much re difficulty in finding something relatively inexpensive. Figured I was asking for too much! I went back and looked at ebay and realized the 135s I was seeing (at 2.8) were not actually pentax lenses and were other brands (sears, jc penney and others i have not heard of). i will look into the 135/3.5 as well! The tamron 28-75 looks nice too... hmm $400. have to think about it but it does look nice!

Hamster · 07-04-2012, 05:49 AM

Vivitar Series-1 35-85mm / 2.8
Tokina AT-X 60-120mm / 2.8

FrancisK7 · 07-04-2012, 07:07 PM

The DA*50-135 would be good for you.

Do you still possess both your kidneys?

jimr-pdx · 07-04-2012, 07:23 PM

My Rikenon XR 70-150 f/4 is quite good and cost me about $60; I believe the SMC-M 75-150 has similar characteristics for a bit more. And if you abandon the idea of 'fast' telezooms, I just picked up a Quantaray 100-300 f/4.5-6.7 (Sigma rebranded); its sharpness is comparable to the DA55-300 but contrast is lower so it 'feels' soft. I paid under $50 for it. It focuses faster than the 55-300 but at longer end it can hunt due to the f/6.7 aperture; very nice in bright light but look out as the lights go down!

Two shots at f/8, manually focused on Fire Wood sign. I prefer the DA image straight from the camera, but I sure like the price tag for a 100-300 plus software to boost contrast

TomTextura · 07-04-2012, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by FrancisK7

The DA*50-135 would be good for you. Do you still possess both your kidneys?

Ha ha! The DA* 50-135 is definitely a bank breaker. It's a great lens though and would be excellent for portraits and candids. I really like mine but my FA31 is my most used lens as of late. I tend to prefer the normal to wide angles for the majority of my shots. From looking at your current line up I'd think that an FA77 would be a nice compliment, though again a bit hard on the pocket book. A manual focus 135mm would be a more affordable option. I have a Tokina 135mm full manual lens but have hardly ever used it.

twitch · 07-04-2012, 09:01 PM

What about a Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 ? Under $300 brand new.

sterretje · 07-04-2012, 10:37 PM

If you want a prime, consider the M120/2.8. I bought one in a local shop and paid roughly US$30 for one in excellent condition, but going price is (I think) about US$100.

sb in ak · 07-04-2012, 11:59 PM

The Tamron 17-50 and 28-75 f/2.8 generally get good reviews. I had the 17-50 for an older Canon 20D and found that it had some problems focusing in low light and was pretty darn noisy--probably enough to be a distraction in some circumstances (not sure if it was just my copy but I doubt it). AF might have been in part due to the older camera body.

Generally good IQ though; definitely sharper than the kit. And much cheaper than the Pentax 16-50. I have since sold that lens, and if I did it again I'd get the stabilized version or see what Sigma has to offer.

07-02-2012, 01:23 PM	#1
jennverr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: washington, dc Posts: 224	Good next lens to get? I think the lens addiction is catching up to me! I have been trying to shoot more events, people, street style, etc lately, and will be assisting with a wedding later this summer. At some of the events I've been shooting (outside), I have been using my kit 50-200 to zoom in on people and get mostly candids, etc. But, something with a wider aperture might be nice to have too for indoors. Here is what I have, and what I am primarily using on my K-X 18-55 kit (don't use as much) 50-200 kit (have been using this a lot lately for street type photography and events) M 50mm 1.7 (haven't used as much lately) M 50 mm 2.8 macro (have been liking this a lot lately) M 28mm 2.8 35mm 2.4 Are there any good zooms out there that go to something like 2.8 that don't break the bank, or even come in the older M that I could get off ebay? or what are your thoughts on the M 135mm 2.8, as i have seen a few of those on ebay... thanks all!

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07-02-2012, 01:48 PM	#2
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Be careful of LBA. It has robbed me of all my money this year. I have to put my credit cards into the deep freeze for a while... I got a used Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 from the PF marketplace earlier this year and it's great for the price I paid, which is usually comfortably less than the Tamron 17-50 but then again that lens is apparently better optically. Still, I am happy with the Sigma's construction. For weddings, an autofocus lens that you should consider is the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Gets great reviews around here and can usually be had for $300 or so, depending on the condition. But I've heard from some people that the Tamron 28-75 is a bit heavy on the K-X so if you don't like the weight, you might want to stick with primes. The challenge for you is to get a wider aperture lens (at least 2.8) for indoor use that doesn't cost too much. You might have to give up autofocus to get there, but it sounds like you might be okay with that.

07-02-2012, 02:48 PM	#3
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Originally posted by seventysixersfan Be careful of LBA. It has robbed me of all my money this year. I have to put my credit cards into the deep freeze for a while... Now you know where the National Debt came from.

07-02-2012, 02:51 PM	#4
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Quote: Now you know where the National Debt came from. LOL. But at least I haven't tried to break into my kid's piggy bank to steal her pennies to pay for my lens purchases this year... All my purchases are paid off but my bank account is hovering near zero. My moratorium on lens purchases begins NOW and extends until at least early next year... (famous last words)!

07-03-2012, 11:05 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by jennverr Are there any good zooms out there that go to something like 2.8 that don't break the bank, or even come in the older M that I could get off ebay? or what are your thoughts on the M 135mm 2.8, as i have seen a few of those on ebay... Assuming you mean telephoto zooms, no, there's nothing that wouldn't cost as much as everything else you own put together and then some. Any of manual 135's would be a fine choice, although not there is no M135/2.8 - the only M series 135 is an f/3.5. Still an excellent lens, very cheap, amazingly small and light for what it is. I'd personally still pick it over any f/2.8 version, as the aperture difference is only a half stop or so.

07-03-2012, 12:53 PM	#6
jennverr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: washington, dc Posts: 224 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Assuming you mean telephoto zooms, no, there's nothing that wouldn't cost as much as everything else you own put together and then some. Any of manual 135's would be a fine choice, although not there is no M135/2.8 - the only M series 135 is an f/3.5. Still an excellent lens, very cheap, amazingly small and light for what it is. I'd personally still pick it over any f/2.8 version, as the aperture difference is only a half stop or so. Thanks all. Yes I figured as much re difficulty in finding something relatively inexpensive. Figured I was asking for too much! I went back and looked at ebay and realized the 135s I was seeing (at 2.8) were not actually pentax lenses and were other brands (sears, jc penney and others i have not heard of). i will look into the 135/3.5 as well! The tamron 28-75 looks nice too... hmm $400. have to think about it but it does look nice!

07-04-2012, 05:49 AM	#7
Hamster Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 44	Vivitar Series-1 35-85mm / 2.8 Tokina AT-X 60-120mm / 2.8

07-04-2012, 07:07 PM	#8
FrancisK7 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 474	The DA*50-135 would be good for you. Do you still possess both your kidneys?

07-04-2012, 07:23 PM	#9
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	My Rikenon XR 70-150 f/4 is quite good and cost me about $60; I believe the SMC-M 75-150 has similar characteristics for a bit more. And if you abandon the idea of 'fast' telezooms, I just picked up a Quantaray 100-300 f/4.5-6.7 (Sigma rebranded); its sharpness is comparable to the DA55-300 but contrast is lower so it 'feels' soft. I paid under $50 for it. It focuses faster than the 55-300 but at longer end it can hunt due to the f/6.7 aperture; very nice in bright light but look out as the lights go down! Two shots at f/8, manually focused on Fire Wood sign. I prefer the DA image straight from the camera, but I sure like the price tag for a 100-300 plus software to boost contrast

07-04-2012, 07:29 PM	#10
TomTextura Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denver Photos: Albums Posts: 570	Originally posted by FrancisK7 The DA50-135 would be good for you. Do you still possess both your kidneys? Ha ha! The DA 50-135 is definitely a bank breaker. It's a great lens though and would be excellent for portraits and candids. I really like mine but my FA31 is my most used lens as of late. I tend to prefer the normal to wide angles for the majority of my shots. From looking at your current line up I'd think that an FA77 would be a nice compliment, though again a bit hard on the pocket book. A manual focus 135mm would be a more affordable option. I have a Tokina 135mm full manual lens but have hardly ever used it.

07-04-2012, 09:01 PM	#11
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	What about a Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 ? Under $300 brand new.

07-04-2012, 10:37 PM	#12
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	If you want a prime, consider the M120/2.8. I bought one in a local shop and paid roughly US$30 for one in excellent condition, but going price is (I think) about US$100.

07-04-2012, 11:59 PM	#13
sb in ak Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 612	The Tamron 17-50 and 28-75 f/2.8 generally get good reviews. I had the 17-50 for an older Canon 20D and found that it had some problems focusing in low light and was pretty darn noisy--probably enough to be a distraction in some circumstances (not sure if it was just my copy but I doubt it). AF might have been in part due to the older camera body. Generally good IQ though; definitely sharper than the kit. And much cheaper than the Pentax 16-50. I have since sold that lens, and if I did it again I'd get the stabilized version or see what Sigma has to offer.