Need advice about k20d

trumpyman · 06-22-2008, 10:23 PM

Hi people.Hoping for some info here.I just sold my K10d and thinkin about gettin the k20d.Been reading up on it lately and im wondering about lenses.I have the Sigma 17-70mm which i thimk would give me good quality pics but im not sure about zooms.Has anyone used the k20d with the cheaper zooms eg-Tamron 70-300mm,Sigma 100-300mmDL etc.If i got the camera it would be a while b4 i can afford DA lenses.With the k10d i could use my Sigma DL 100-300mm and get very good results,the only Pentax zoom i have is the AF 80-320mm .has anyone used the k20d with the cheaper zooms or would i be wasting my time ?Any info or advice would be appreciated,thnx.
Paul

juice · 06-22-2008, 10:52 PM

I've used my K20D with Sigma (non-APO) 70-300.

Quality is average to disappointing, depending on the situation. I was using the lens at a friend's wedding recently and very unhappy with the results. I guess available light goes a long way as to how happy you are with the cheap zoom option!

In full daylight, I've taken some good shots with the lens, but if you go pixel-peeping you will still be disappointed. I believe the 14.6MP sensor has better resolution than the Sigma 70-300 lens.

The short story is that I'm now saving towards the new Sigma 70-200 f2.8 SDM

If I can couple that with a 1.4x or 1.7x SDM-capable teleconverter I will be a very happy chappy indeed.

NicholasN · 06-22-2008, 11:01 PM

I will second the comments juice made.

I have a Tamron 18-200mm Di II and the results vary significantly from average to dissapointing.

Definately not the type of lens you would expect alot from, especially when pixel peeeping. The 14.6MP sensor is wayyyyyy too good for anything other than the best glass. Don't expect to zoom in on your photo and see every eyelash completely perfect or every strand of hair. The cheap lenses just dont have that type of resolving power for that sensor.

On the other hand if your printing your pictures for what they are (you can't pixel peep a photo) the shots will still look quite good.

I will say that the old SMC Pentax-M f1.7 gives AMAZING results with the K20D. Fast glass if the best glass for this body.

trumpyman · 06-23-2008, 01:28 AM

After having a look im thinking i mite have to save up for a 55-300mm.Seems to be a big price difference with them.In Australia ive seen them for $599 but there $349 at Amazon plus shipping.Seems to be the only choice if i want 300mm and good pic quality.

AML · 06-23-2008, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by trumpyman

After having a look im thinking i mite have to save up for a 55-300mm.Seems to be a big price difference with them.In Australia ive seen them for $599 but there $349 at Amazon plus shipping.Seems to be the only choice if i want 300mm and good pic quality.

Amazon won't ship the lens to Australia. You can get it for the same price at Adorama.

palmor · 06-23-2008, 05:37 AM

My Sigma 70-200EX is still out for repairs so I had to resort to my Tamron 70-300 for some recent dog agility photos. This was the 1st week I had the K20 and I hadn't used the Tamron in ages so I had no idea what to expect. Surprisingly they came out pretty well. A little PF with the Tamron at 100% viewing (but that is normal).

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/29992-k20d-does-action-v...ts-images.html

This is the older non DI version of that lens. I don't think it can be beat for the cost (like $90 from KEH used a few years ago). Anyway before you buy something new try out what-ever you have, you might be surprised.

John

Jewelltrail · 06-23-2008, 06:55 AM

trumpyman:

I use my K20 with the Tamron 17-50mm zoom. I am very happy with this combination, but then I do not remember anyone ever complaining about this Tamron lens. Best of luck!

Regards,

Ernest

trumpyman · 06-23-2008, 08:05 AM

Thnx for the replies,gr8 pics John,gives me some hope il get by with what i got for a while.

karlwr · 06-23-2008, 09:11 AM

I'm a bit late getting in, but I shoot with the Tamron 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro on my K20D all the time. And find it capable of great shots. Assuming you're not shooting in very low lighting conditions. I do a great deal of sport and wildlife shoots with great success. If I'm in very low light condtins and reasonably close to the subject I'm using my FA 50 f/1.4 (~ 70mm equiv) which produces excellent results.

Most of the older full frame glass will do fine. Your sensor is right in the sweet spot of the glass. Even large prints will look good. You should start looking for better glass once you're pushing 11 - 14" prints.

06-22-2008, 10:23 PM	#1
trumpyman Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 248	Need advice about k20d Hi people.Hoping for some info here.I just sold my K10d and thinkin about gettin the k20d.Been reading up on it lately and im wondering about lenses.I have the Sigma 17-70mm which i thimk would give me good quality pics but im not sure about zooms.Has anyone used the k20d with the cheaper zooms eg-Tamron 70-300mm,Sigma 100-300mmDL etc.If i got the camera it would be a while b4 i can afford DA lenses.With the k10d i could use my Sigma DL 100-300mm and get very good results,the only Pentax zoom i have is the AF 80-320mm .has anyone used the k20d with the cheaper zooms or would i be wasting my time ?Any info or advice would be appreciated,thnx. Paul

06-23-2008, 01:28 AM	#4
trumpyman Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 248 Original Poster	choices After having a look im thinking i mite have to save up for a 55-300mm.Seems to be a big price difference with them.In Australia ive seen them for $599 but there $349 at Amazon plus shipping.Seems to be the only choice if i want 300mm and good pic quality.

06-23-2008, 08:05 AM	#8
trumpyman Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 248 Original Poster	thnx Thnx for the replies,gr8 pics John,gives me some hope il get by with what i got for a while.

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06-22-2008, 10:52 PM	#2
juice Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 64	I've used my K20D with Sigma (non-APO) 70-300. Quality is average to disappointing, depending on the situation. I was using the lens at a friend's wedding recently and very unhappy with the results. I guess available light goes a long way as to how happy you are with the cheap zoom option! In full daylight, I've taken some good shots with the lens, but if you go pixel-peeping you will still be disappointed. I believe the 14.6MP sensor has better resolution than the Sigma 70-300 lens. The short story is that I'm now saving towards the new Sigma 70-200 f2.8 SDM If I can couple that with a 1.4x or 1.7x SDM-capable teleconverter I will be a very happy chappy indeed.

06-22-2008, 11:01 PM	#3
NicholasN Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 301	I will second the comments juice made. I have a Tamron 18-200mm Di II and the results vary significantly from average to dissapointing. Definately not the type of lens you would expect alot from, especially when pixel peeeping. The 14.6MP sensor is wayyyyyy too good for anything other than the best glass. Don't expect to zoom in on your photo and see every eyelash completely perfect or every strand of hair. The cheap lenses just dont have that type of resolving power for that sensor. On the other hand if your printing your pictures for what they are (you can't pixel peep a photo) the shots will still look quite good. I will say that the old SMC Pentax-M f1.7 gives AMAZING results with the K20D. Fast glass if the best glass for this body.

06-23-2008, 05:24 AM	#5
AML Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 212	Originally posted by trumpyman After having a look im thinking i mite have to save up for a 55-300mm.Seems to be a big price difference with them.In Australia ive seen them for $599 but there $349 at Amazon plus shipping.Seems to be the only choice if i want 300mm and good pic quality. Amazon won't ship the lens to Australia. You can get it for the same price at Adorama.

06-23-2008, 05:37 AM	#6
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798	My Sigma 70-200EX is still out for repairs so I had to resort to my Tamron 70-300 for some recent dog agility photos. This was the 1st week I had the K20 and I hadn't used the Tamron in ages so I had no idea what to expect. Surprisingly they came out pretty well. A little PF with the Tamron at 100% viewing (but that is normal). https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/29992-k20d-does-action-v...ts-images.html This is the older non DI version of that lens. I don't think it can be beat for the cost (like $90 from KEH used a few years ago). Anyway before you buy something new try out what-ever you have, you might be surprised. John

06-23-2008, 06:55 AM	#7
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	trumpyman: I use my K20 with the Tamron 17-50mm zoom. I am very happy with this combination, but then I do not remember anyone ever complaining about this Tamron lens. Best of luck! Regards, Ernest

06-23-2008, 09:11 AM	#9
karlwr Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 7	I'm a bit late getting in, but I shoot with the Tamron 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro on my K20D all the time. And find it capable of great shots. Assuming you're not shooting in very low lighting conditions. I do a great deal of sport and wildlife shoots with great success. If I'm in very low light condtins and reasonably close to the subject I'm using my FA 50 f/1.4 (~ 70mm equiv) which produces excellent results. Most of the older full frame glass will do fine. Your sensor is right in the sweet spot of the glass. Even large prints will look good. You should start looking for better glass once you're pushing 11 - 14" prints.