K200D - should I buy the 2 lens kit?

mmcguigan · 11-21-2008, 07:17 AM

Hi everyone - I am new here and have a question.

I am about to purchase the K200D and I'm wondering if I should buy the 1 lens kit or the 2 lens kit that includes the 50 - 200mm lens for a little more money. I currently own a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens and was wondering if would be redundant to own both the 50 - 200mm and the 70 - 300mm lens.

I LOVE Pentax DSLR camera's and have owned both the IstDs and the K10D. I am really excited to be the new owner of a new K200D!

Thanks for any advice

Michele

Big Dave · 11-21-2008, 09:23 AM

If I were you, I would buy a nice used 18-55 kit lens from market place on this forum. You can get a like new lens for $50 or less and save your money for LBA later. There are just so many like new used kit lenses on the market, why pay more.

Dave

Originally posted by mmcguigan

Hi everyone - I am new here and have a question.

I am about to purchase the K200D and I'm wondering if I should buy the 1 lens kit or the 2 lens kit that includes the 50 - 200mm lens for a little more money. I currently own a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens and was wondering if would be redundant to own both the 50 - 200mm and the 70 - 300mm lens.

I LOVE Pentax DSLR camera's and have owned both the IstDs and the K10D. I am really excited to be the new owner of a new K200D!

Thanks for any advice

Michele

mmcguigan · 11-21-2008, 09:59 AM

Thanks Dave. I did look around the marketplace and noticed most only ship to the US. I live in Canada and sometimes find it hard to order from the US.

I have enjoyed using my 70 - 300mm lens on occasion but find myself mostly taking pictures of my children and find the 18-55 lens the easiest for that. I guess I was wondering if the 50 - 200 lens would be a good lens to keep on (more than I would the 70 - 300) the camera when out playing and taking pictures of the kids.

Michele

Marc Sabatella · 11-21-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by mmcguigan

I guess I was wondering if the 50 - 200 lens would be a good lens to keep on (more than I would the 70 - 300) the camera when out playing and taking pictures of the kids.

I personally think so - that 50-70 range comes in quite handy. Between that and the overall smaller size of the 50-200, I don't mind leaving that one on my camera for longer periods of time than I ever did with a 70-300, and it's especially situations like you are talking about that I would notice this.

jeffrey r · 11-21-2008, 11:07 AM

Michele,

First, congrats on making the decision to purchase the K200D. I simply love mine, upgrading from the K100D Super and previously the *ist DL.

Second, it is a tough call on the 50-200. Frankly, it seems some people prefer the Tamron over the Pentax. I own the 50-200, and it really is a fine lens, but it wouldn't give you much more than what the 70-300 gives you (50-70mm obviously). You may know of the limitations of the Tamron, primarily purple fringing, but other than that, it is a sharp decent lens.

You say you take pictures of your children. Frankly, my kids are my most frequent subject as well, and I found I rarely used my 50-200. So I purchased the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens as an upgrade to my kit lens, and that was a much more practical purchase for me. I could leave my Tamron on my K200 all the time, and rarely feel the need to change it. Of course I do, since I have some other fun lenses, but the 28-75 covers my most used focal lengths for photographing my family, indoors and out.

There are tons of options for you. You might consider one of the common upgrades to the kit lens, such as the aforementioned Tamron, Sigma 17-70, or something like that. That said, used 50-200mm lenses pop up here and elsewhere in the $100 range, so it wouldn't be too costly for you to try it out perhaps. Good luck.

mmcguigan · 11-21-2008, 12:57 PM

Thanks for your help. I have very little experience with lenses and I am very tempted to go with the 2 lens deal.

The 28 - 75mm sounds like it would be an awesome lens for me in the future!

Clicker · 11-21-2008, 02:13 PM

How about the K20 1 lense kit?

mmcguigan · 11-21-2008, 02:31 PM

I think that would be a little too much camera and $$ as well.

**Kerrowdown** · 11-21-2008, 03:43 PM

Remember you can still use fast older primes too, avialable from well known auction sites, that might save you some money.

**Aristophanes** · 11-22-2008, 09:36 PM

HI,

I'm in Halifax and I got the 2 lens kit and am exceptionally happy with it. I also got the 50 1.4 as well with the $ I saved. Pentax = prime lenses.

In your case, the missing 15mm is not going to be a huge thing, so I would say no. You've got the range and flexibility you need.

Good Luck.

drewdlephone · 11-22-2008, 10:14 PM

I would recommend the DA 17-70 SDM. That gives you wide angle, and short telephoto in one lens, plus quick focus for when children do the unexpected. Just a thought anyways.

Also, are you sure you're not going to miss some of the features from the K10? The K200 doesn't have dual parameter wheels, or the lithium ion battery pack that the K10D had. It also has a slightly more sparsely populated LCD, in terms of the information offered.

I have to admit I love mine though.

mmcguigan · 11-23-2008, 08:32 AM

Can you tell me where in Halifax you purchased yours? Was it a good deal?

mmcguigan · 11-23-2008, 08:35 AM

I just looked through my dad's old lenses and I found one that says "SMC PENTAX-A Macro 1:4 100 mm" and another that says "MC Hanimex Automatic Zoom C-Macro 1:4.5 f=80-200mm" There is also an OLD Pentax camera with a lens that says "SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50 mm"

Will these lenses work with a DSLR? Any thoughts on them?

Marc Sabatella · 11-23-2008, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by mmcguigan

I just looked through my dad's old lenses and I found one that says "SMC PENTAX-A Macro 1:4 100 mm" and another that says "MC Hanimex Automatic Zoom C-Macro 1:4.5 f=80-200mm" There is also an OLD Pentax camera with a lens that says "SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50 mm"

Will these lenses work with a DSLR? Any thoughts on them?

All of them should work. Google "pictorial guide manual lenses pentax" to find a great thread on dpreview on how to use them. The Pentax-A lens will work normally; no need to go through the process described in that thread. Just the leave the aperture on "A".

I don't know anything about the zoom, but doubt it would be as good as the Pentax 50-200. The 100 macro will be great for taking closeups, and the M50/1.7 wonderful for low light, because it has such a wide maximum aperture. I find it a little soft at f/1.7, but from f/2.0 on, it's great.

**ChipB** · 11-24-2008, 01:26 PM

You might also consider the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm lens with your K200D. It more than covers the 2 lens combo you mentioned - and it gets pretty good reviews.

11-21-2008, 07:17 AM	#1
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7	K200D - should I buy the 2 lens kit? Hi everyone - I am new here and have a question. I am about to purchase the K200D and I'm wondering if I should buy the 1 lens kit or the 2 lens kit that includes the 50 - 200mm lens for a little more money. I currently own a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens and was wondering if would be redundant to own both the 50 - 200mm and the 70 - 300mm lens. I LOVE Pentax DSLR camera's and have owned both the IstDs and the K10D. I am really excited to be the new owner of a new K200D! Thanks for any advice Michele

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11-21-2008, 09:23 AM	#2
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	If I were you, I would buy a nice used 18-55 kit lens from market place on this forum. You can get a like new lens for $50 or less and save your money for LBA later. There are just so many like new used kit lenses on the market, why pay more. Dave Originally posted by mmcguigan Hi everyone - I am new here and have a question. I am about to purchase the K200D and I'm wondering if I should buy the 1 lens kit or the 2 lens kit that includes the 50 - 200mm lens for a little more money. I currently own a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens and was wondering if would be redundant to own both the 50 - 200mm and the 70 - 300mm lens. I LOVE Pentax DSLR camera's and have owned both the IstDs and the K10D. I am really excited to be the new owner of a new K200D! Thanks for any advice Michele

11-21-2008, 09:59 AM	#3
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thanks Dave. I did look around the marketplace and noticed most only ship to the US. I live in Canada and sometimes find it hard to order from the US. I have enjoyed using my 70 - 300mm lens on occasion but find myself mostly taking pictures of my children and find the 18-55 lens the easiest for that. I guess I was wondering if the 50 - 200 lens would be a good lens to keep on (more than I would the 70 - 300) the camera when out playing and taking pictures of the kids. Michele

11-21-2008, 10:58 AM	#4
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by mmcguigan I guess I was wondering if the 50 - 200 lens would be a good lens to keep on (more than I would the 70 - 300) the camera when out playing and taking pictures of the kids. I personally think so - that 50-70 range comes in quite handy. Between that and the overall smaller size of the 50-200, I don't mind leaving that one on my camera for longer periods of time than I ever did with a 70-300, and it's especially situations like you are talking about that I would notice this.

11-21-2008, 11:07 AM	#5
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	Michele, First, congrats on making the decision to purchase the K200D. I simply love mine, upgrading from the K100D Super and previously the *ist DL. Second, it is a tough call on the 50-200. Frankly, it seems some people prefer the Tamron over the Pentax. I own the 50-200, and it really is a fine lens, but it wouldn't give you much more than what the 70-300 gives you (50-70mm obviously). You may know of the limitations of the Tamron, primarily purple fringing, but other than that, it is a sharp decent lens. You say you take pictures of your children. Frankly, my kids are my most frequent subject as well, and I found I rarely used my 50-200. So I purchased the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens as an upgrade to my kit lens, and that was a much more practical purchase for me. I could leave my Tamron on my K200 all the time, and rarely feel the need to change it. Of course I do, since I have some other fun lenses, but the 28-75 covers my most used focal lengths for photographing my family, indoors and out. There are tons of options for you. You might consider one of the common upgrades to the kit lens, such as the aforementioned Tamron, Sigma 17-70, or something like that. That said, used 50-200mm lenses pop up here and elsewhere in the $100 range, so it wouldn't be too costly for you to try it out perhaps. Good luck.

11-21-2008, 12:57 PM	#6
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thanks for your help. I have very little experience with lenses and I am very tempted to go with the 2 lens deal. The 28 - 75mm sounds like it would be an awesome lens for me in the future!

11-21-2008, 02:13 PM	#7
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	How about the K20 1 lense kit?

11-21-2008, 02:31 PM	#8
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7 Original Poster	I think that would be a little too much camera and $$ as well.

11-21-2008, 03:43 PM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,804	Remember you can still use fast older primes too, avialable from well known auction sites, that might save you some money.

11-22-2008, 09:36 PM	#10
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	HI, I'm in Halifax and I got the 2 lens kit and am exceptionally happy with it. I also got the 50 1.4 as well with the $ I saved. Pentax = prime lenses. In your case, the missing 15mm is not going to be a huge thing, so I would say no. You've got the range and flexibility you need. Good Luck.

11-22-2008, 10:14 PM	#11
drewdlephone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 261	I would recommend the DA 17-70 SDM. That gives you wide angle, and short telephoto in one lens, plus quick focus for when children do the unexpected. Just a thought anyways. Also, are you sure you're not going to miss some of the features from the K10? The K200 doesn't have dual parameter wheels, or the lithium ion battery pack that the K10D had. It also has a slightly more sparsely populated LCD, in terms of the information offered. I have to admit I love mine though.

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11-23-2008, 08:32 AM	#12
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7 Original Poster	Can you tell me where in Halifax you purchased yours? Was it a good deal?

11-23-2008, 08:35 AM	#13
mmcguigan New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 7 Original Poster	I just looked through my dad's old lenses and I found one that says "SMC PENTAX-A Macro 1:4 100 mm" and another that says "MC Hanimex Automatic Zoom C-Macro 1:4.5 f=80-200mm" There is also an OLD Pentax camera with a lens that says "SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50 mm" Will these lenses work with a DSLR? Any thoughts on them?

11-23-2008, 09:55 AM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by mmcguigan I just looked through my dad's old lenses and I found one that says "SMC PENTAX-A Macro 1:4 100 mm" and another that says "MC Hanimex Automatic Zoom C-Macro 1:4.5 f=80-200mm" There is also an OLD Pentax camera with a lens that says "SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50 mm" Will these lenses work with a DSLR? Any thoughts on them? All of them should work. Google "pictorial guide manual lenses pentax" to find a great thread on dpreview on how to use them. The Pentax-A lens will work normally; no need to go through the process described in that thread. Just the leave the aperture on "A". I don't know anything about the zoom, but doubt it would be as good as the Pentax 50-200. The 100 macro will be great for taking closeups, and the M50/1.7 wonderful for low light, because it has such a wide maximum aperture. I find it a little soft at f/1.7, but from f/2.0 on, it's great.

11-24-2008, 01:26 PM	#15
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	You might also consider the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm lens with your K200D. It more than covers the 2 lens combo you mentioned - and it gets pretty good reviews.