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12-26-2012, 05:29 AM   #1
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Which lens for a $250 budget?

After blowing a big bunch on christmas, I have 250 left over and wanted to know if you had to choose just one lens for your camera and had only 250 what would it be? I have a k5 currently, without a lens, and was thinking about the Pentax 1.8 50mm for around 240. Any suggestions would be appreciated...the only thing I dont like about the 50 is the plastic mount.

12-26-2012, 05:59 AM   #2
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The plastic mount will last you a life time, don't worry about it
12-26-2012, 06:01 AM   #3
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depends on your shooting preferences really.
I'd prefer the 35/2.4 for general use, if that was to be my only lens. it fits your budget and you get to keep some spare change, probably enough for a good manual 50.
12-26-2012, 06:20 AM   #4
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If you are willing to buy used look for a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.

12-26-2012, 06:31 AM   #5
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Try to get a used 28mm f/2.8 manual lens and maybe an additional 50mm f/1.7. Try to look for SMC-A instead of SMC-M, should be both within budget. I guess you could even buy a used DA 16-45 f/4.0, which is quite a good one.
12-26-2012, 07:05 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Epix74 Quote
Try to get a used 28mm f/2.8 manual lens and maybe an additional 50mm f/1.7. Try to look for SMC-A instead of SMC-M, should be both within budget. I guess you could even buy a used DA 16-45 f/4.0, which is quite a good one.
If you don't currently have a lens at all - this is easily the best bang for your buck (the 16-45 that is - $250 or less shipped is a fairly common price on the used market). If you want primes I would also go the route of the 35mm f2.4 and a manual 50mm (should be able to squeak a 50mm SMC-A F1.7, which is a very nice manual focus, auto aperture lens).
12-26-2012, 08:30 AM   #7
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A k-5 without a lens? sounds kinda weird but my reco is A well used DA 16-45mm even a new 18-55 AL-I (my preference from experience).

12-26-2012, 09:00 AM   #8
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On a really good day the da40 can be had near this price, but if you want a zoom that 16-45 will be tough to beat. A 55-300 is excellent but that can come later as its range is not a priority until later (for most folks).
12-26-2012, 09:01 AM   #9
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While the DA 50 f1.8 is a little long for indoor use, it's a excellent lens and nothing to be avoided. That said, there are several other excellent suggestions above. I would suggest that if this was you only lens for a while, a zoom would be the better choice.
12-26-2012, 09:32 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Franky2step Quote
If you are willing to buy used look for a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.
I second this.
12-26-2012, 09:57 AM   #11
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As you found out there are lots of options out there...the only right choice is what's suitable for your needs.
If you are looking at a prime, I think the DA 35 would be a great start. Right in your budget and enough left over for a protection filter.
For the money a used zoom like the other members suggest or pick up a used Sigma 17-70 2.8 -4.5. It's a great lens for the money, you can get up to an inch away from the subject and still have it focus. Out of the lenses I have/had I always seem to fall back on it...the zoom range is just perfect for most of my casual needs and is quite sharp stopped down.
Now if anyone comes out with a 2.8 version I would be the first to jump on it

Good luck with your decision

Thanks

Randy

Last edited by slip; 12-27-2012 at 03:56 AM.
12-26-2012, 10:45 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by slip Quote
As you found out there are lots of options out there...the only right choice is what's suitable for your needs.
If you are looking at a prime, I think the DA 40 2.4 would be a great start. Right in your budget and enough left over for a protection filter.
For the money a used zoom like the other members suggest or pick up a used Sigma 17-70 2.8 -4.5. It's a great lens for the money, you can get up to an inch away from the subject and still have it focus. Out of the lenses I have/had I always seem to fall back on it...the zoom range is just perfect for most of my casual needs and is quite sharp stopped down.
Now if anyone comes out with a 2.8 version I would be the first to jump on it

Good luck with your decision

Thanks

Randy
If you get a good Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 they are b.good even wide open apart from the 17-22mm end where you definitely need to stop down. Mine is as good as my 35/2.4 for sharpness @ f3.5 mid-range FL.
12-26-2012, 11:15 AM   #13
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Do you want a prime or a zoom? If you want a prime you can get the 35mm f2.4, the 40mm f2.8 XS, or the 50mm f1.8. All of these are great primes which will serve you well. If you want a zoom lens (which means slightly lower IQ and speed, but more versatility in FoV) maybe the 16-45.
If you want to buy used legacy lenses, buy a Pentax 50mm f1.7 or f1.4. Can't go wrong here, just keep in mind that older lenses don't have AF or lens contacts. You can still use them, though, and they usually have almost equally good IQ.
If you want to be more unique, get an m42 adapter and buy a Helios 44 (58mm f2.0) and a Zenitar 16mm. But this is getting complicated, you should read up on how to use these lenses before deciding to buy them.
12-26-2012, 11:57 AM   #14
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I have both plastic mount 50mm and 35mm. Of the two I prefer the 35mm, but they are both great lenses. Right now I'm doing the single challenge with the 50mm.
12-26-2012, 12:01 PM   #15
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For a $250 budget and no lens at all I would get three used lens,Promaster 28-105 f4-5.6-Pentax FA 100-300 f4.7-5.8 (silver version) and a m50 1.7.I have and use all these lens and find them quite good and also have good reviews in the lens database.These will have almost any focal length one could ask for and low light capabilities but will be a little short on the wide angle end.With good shopping and maybe getting the Sears 50mm f1.7 or the Pentax A50mm f2 there would still be room in the budget to get the DA 18-55 to get a little more on the wide end
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