Get a K20D or DA* 50-135mm Lens for my K10D

malabito · 11-19-2008, 09:59 PM

Need your advice on the following dilemma. Seen how low the price of the K20D has gone should I sell my K10D here in my country and with the money get the K20D, I already have the 50mm 1.4 and the 18-250 lenses, or keep the K10D and get the DA* lens.

I will love to have both but its not possible.

My dilemma stands on the following issues:

- The lens is an excellent investment, but i have read on many places that DA* lenses don't work that exceptionally on the K10D, the tend to have focusing issues and even thou its a fast lens they tend to hunt a lot under dim light. If I get the lens wont be able to upgrade the camera in a near future.

- If I get the K20D seen how the prices are going down it makes me think that a new model is near by and maybe investing on the new model will be better.

What I dont like about the K10D is high iso performance and automatic white balance which I have read has been highly improve on the K20D. Low light focusing is an issue on both cameras as is fps so I wont comment on that. Also the higher pixel count, which will let me do more crops with higher detail, and for last being able to adjust focusing on different lenses is a big plus.

So should I go for the K20D and keep my lenses or get the DA* and risk not being happy with its performance on the K10D.

Thanks and best regards,...

Buddha Jones · 11-19-2008, 10:01 PM

Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D!

legacyb4 · 11-19-2008, 10:10 PM

Honestly, there isn't a lot to not be happy about with the DA* 50-135 on the K10D. I did the debug tweak to adjust my focus ever so slightly and I'm loving the quality of the pictures coming off this lens.

Depending on what glass you have now, you'll get better return on your money with the lens now than you will with a new body.

malabito · 11-19-2008, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D!

Buddha I see on your signature you have both the 50-135mm and the 16-50, which one will you consider is better optically and which one you consider performs better on the K10D, focusing accuracy and speed, low light performance....

Thanks for you reply.

malabito · 11-19-2008, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Honestly, there isn't a lot to not be happy about with the DA* 50-135 on the K10D. I did the debug tweak to adjust my focus ever so slightly and I'm loving the quality of the pictures coming off this lens.

Depending on what glass you have now, you'll get better return on your money with the lens now than you will with a new body.

I have the pentax 18-250mm, the kit lens, and the pentax 1.4 50mm, the last one is actually really a pain to focus under low light situations which kills the fun of having a fast lens, the 18-250 is much much faster. I also did the debug tweak on these lenses and manage to reach an equilibrium on both.

pdo · 11-19-2008, 10:21 PM

get the 50-135mm when the K30D jump on the K20D for dirt cheap.

**mike.hiran** · 11-19-2008, 11:04 PM

or get a flash that will have IR focus assist for low light... and you still can get one or the other

dazman · 11-20-2008, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D!

Yep...that's what I would do.

raider · 11-20-2008, 01:33 AM

I would 2nd the opinion on getting the DA* instead of k20D now.

Buddha Jones · 11-20-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by malabito

Buddha I see on your signature you have both the 50-135mm and the 16-50, which one will you consider is better optically and which one you consider performs better on the K10D, focusing accuracy and speed, low light performance....

Thanks for you reply.

Sorry for the late response....

The DA*50-135mm is the better of the two IMO and it is more in the range of the focal lenths I like to shoot at. My normal carry bag has the DA35LTD and the DA*50-135 in it, the DA*16-50mm normally gets left at home unless I know I am going to be in suspect weather or I need a wider angle, say for indoor shots. I'd love to get my hands on a DA70LTD so I can leave both DA*'s at home until they are really needed.

malabito · 11-20-2008, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Sorry for the late response....

The DA*50-135mm is the better of the two IMO and it is more in the range of the focal lenths I like to shoot at. My normal carry bag has the DA35LTD and the DA*50-135 in it, the DA*16-50mm normally gets left at home unless I know I am going to be in suspect weather or I need a wider angle, say for indoor shots. I'd love to get my hands on a DA70LTD so I can leave both DA*'s at home until they are really needed.

Buddha thanks for your reply and to dose who have gave me a suggestion. It seems that the general census is to get the lens and keep the camera. From looking at my pictures it seems that most of them have been taking over 50mm, so not having the range below wont be missed that much, and if needed I always can used my 18-250mm lens.

The only thing I wish my camera did better is high iso and focusing under low light conditions, which according to many hasn't been improve that much on the K20D, (only the focusing issue), fps is not a problem for me. Lets hope the new pentax is improve on the focusing department. Cause getting this lens will be a huge investment for me. They aren´t much pentax users in my country so selling the lenses will be difficult if i decide to change systems in the future.

As soon as the DA arrives I will post some pictures.

Thanks and best regards.

Buddha Jones · 11-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by malabito

...the general census is to get the lens and keep the camera.

Always! Whenever you can get a great lens that can stand the test of time, do so. Bodies come and go, but good glass lasts for ever!

[I say that yet I am still willing ot sell my VIV S1... I have already come to terms that I will regret this one day]

rfortson · 11-21-2008, 03:31 PM

Okay, I'll be a contrarian. I'd say get the K20D and then get the lens. If you're disappointed in the high ISO of the K10D, then you'll love the K20D.

Also, my DA*16-50 was a dog on my K10D, but works much better on my K20D. I can't say that's a system-wide thing, but in my specific case, it's certainly true.

The DA*50-135 however worked great on my K10D and still works great on my K20D. It's just an outstanding lens to me.

creampuff · 11-21-2008, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by rfortson

Okay, I'll be a contrarian. I'd say get the K20D and then get the lens. If you're disappointed in the high ISO of the K10D, then you'll love the K20D.

Also, my DA*16-50 was a dog on my K10D, but works much better on my K20D. I can't say that's a system-wide thing, but in my specific case, it's certainly true.

The DA*50-135 however worked great on my K10D and still works great on my K20D. It's just an outstanding lens to me.

+1 on that. Put simply, the performance with many lenses will be better with the K20D.

**FuzzyOne** · 11-21-2008, 07:15 PM

I also vote for the K20. Within the past week I received mine and can't believe the difference in ISO performance and out of camera jpeg quality (even though you didn't mention it). The current prices are hard to beat. I debated months and am glad I upgraded.

11-19-2008, 09:59 PM	#1
malabito New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 17	*Get a K20D or DA 50-135mm Lens for my K10D** Need your advice on the following dilemma. Seen how low the price of the K20D has gone should I sell my K10D here in my country and with the money get the K20D, I already have the 50mm 1.4 and the 18-250 lenses, or keep the K10D and get the DA* lens. I will love to have both but its not possible. My dilemma stands on the following issues: - The lens is an excellent investment, but i have read on many places that DA* lenses don't work that exceptionally on the K10D, the tend to have focusing issues and even thou its a fast lens they tend to hunt a lot under dim light. If I get the lens wont be able to upgrade the camera in a near future. - If I get the K20D seen how the prices are going down it makes me think that a new model is near by and maybe investing on the new model will be better. What I dont like about the K10D is high iso performance and automatic white balance which I have read has been highly improve on the K20D. Low light focusing is an issue on both cameras as is fps so I wont comment on that. Also the higher pixel count, which will let me do more crops with higher detail, and for last being able to adjust focusing on different lenses is a big plus. So should I go for the K20D and keep my lenses or get the DA* and risk not being happy with its performance on the K10D. Thanks and best regards,...

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11-19-2008, 10:01 PM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D!

11-19-2008, 10:10 PM	#3
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Honestly, there isn't a lot to not be happy about with the DA* 50-135 on the K10D. I did the debug tweak to adjust my focus ever so slightly and I'm loving the quality of the pictures coming off this lens. Depending on what glass you have now, you'll get better return on your money with the lens now than you will with a new body.

11-19-2008, 10:11 PM	#4
malabito New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D! Buddha I see on your signature you have both the 50-135mm and the 16-50, which one will you consider is better optically and which one you consider performs better on the K10D, focusing accuracy and speed, low light performance.... Thanks for you reply.

11-19-2008, 10:15 PM	#5
malabito New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by legacyb4 Honestly, there isn't a lot to not be happy about with the DA* 50-135 on the K10D. I did the debug tweak to adjust my focus ever so slightly and I'm loving the quality of the pictures coming off this lens. Depending on what glass you have now, you'll get better return on your money with the lens now than you will with a new body. I have the pentax 18-250mm, the kit lens, and the pentax 1.4 50mm, the last one is actually really a pain to focus under low light situations which kills the fun of having a fast lens, the 18-250 is much much faster. I also did the debug tweak on these lenses and manage to reach an equilibrium on both.

11-19-2008, 10:21 PM	#6
pdo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster CA Posts: 264	get the 50-135mm when the K30D jump on the K20D for dirt cheap.

11-19-2008, 11:04 PM	#7
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	or get a flash that will have IR focus assist for low light... and you still can get one or the other

11-20-2008, 12:29 AM	#8
dazman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,949	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Get the DA*50-135mm, its a proven winner and then start saving up again for the K30D! Yep...that's what I would do.

11-20-2008, 01:33 AM	#9
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	I would 2nd the opinion on getting the DA* instead of k20D now.

11-20-2008, 02:46 PM	#10
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Originally posted by malabito Buddha I see on your signature you have both the 50-135mm and the 16-50, which one will you consider is better optically and which one you consider performs better on the K10D, focusing accuracy and speed, low light performance.... Thanks for you reply. Sorry for the late response.... The DA50-135mm is the better of the two IMO and it is more in the range of the focal lenths I like to shoot at. My normal carry bag has the DA35LTD and the DA50-135 in it, the DA16-50mm normally gets left at home unless I know I am going to be in suspect weather or I need a wider angle, say for indoor shots. I'd love to get my hands on a DA70LTD so I can leave both DA's at home until they are really needed.

11-20-2008, 05:10 PM	#11
malabito New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Sorry for the late response.... The DA50-135mm is the better of the two IMO and it is more in the range of the focal lenths I like to shoot at. My normal carry bag has the DA35LTD and the DA50-135 in it, the DA16-50mm normally gets left at home unless I know I am going to be in suspect weather or I need a wider angle, say for indoor shots. I'd love to get my hands on a DA70LTD so I can leave both DA's at home until they are really needed. Buddha thanks for your reply and to dose who have gave me a suggestion. It seems that the general census is to get the lens and keep the camera. From looking at my pictures it seems that most of them have been taking over 50mm, so not having the range below wont be missed that much, and if needed I always can used my 18-250mm lens. The only thing I wish my camera did better is high iso and focusing under low light conditions, which according to many hasn't been improve that much on the K20D, (only the focusing issue), fps is not a problem for me. Lets hope the new pentax is improve on the focusing department. Cause getting this lens will be a huge investment for me. They aren´t much pentax users in my country so selling the lenses will be difficult if i decide to change systems in the future. As soon as the DA arrives I will post some pictures. Thanks and best regards.

11-20-2008, 05:40 PM	#12
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Originally posted by malabito ...the general census is to get the lens and keep the camera. Always! Whenever you can get a great lens that can stand the test of time, do so. Bodies come and go, but good glass lasts for ever! [I say that yet I am still willing ot sell my VIV S1... I have already come to terms that I will regret this one day]

11-21-2008, 03:31 PM	#13
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Okay, I'll be a contrarian. I'd say get the K20D and then get the lens. If you're disappointed in the high ISO of the K10D, then you'll love the K20D. Also, my DA16-50 was a dog on my K10D, but works much better on my K20D. I can't say that's a system-wide thing, but in my specific case, it's certainly true. The DA50-135 however worked great on my K10D and still works great on my K20D. It's just an outstanding lens to me.

11-21-2008, 04:35 PM	#14
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by rfortson Okay, I'll be a contrarian. I'd say get the K20D and then get the lens. If you're disappointed in the high ISO of the K10D, then you'll love the K20D. Also, my DA16-50 was a dog on my K10D, but works much better on my K20D. I can't say that's a system-wide thing, but in my specific case, it's certainly true. The DA50-135 however worked great on my K10D and still works great on my K20D. It's just an outstanding lens to me. +1 on that. Put simply, the performance with many lenses will be better with the K20D.

11-21-2008, 07:15 PM	#15
FuzzyOne Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 90	I also vote for the K20. Within the past week I received mine and can't believe the difference in ISO performance and out of camera jpeg quality (even though you didn't mention it). The current prices are hard to beat. I debated months and am glad I upgraded.