Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2011, 10:29 PM
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Hey All,
After looking for about 2 years (while using a G1) looks like I'm going to take the plunge and go for a K-5 instead of a GH2. I know about the problems and have a pretty good idea of what to look for - stains and front focusing - although I'm not sure why front focusing is a problem as long as you can get the camera to focus on what you want it to focus on - how would the camera know what you want? Anyway that is a different subject here I want to ask about lenses.
I'm going to skip the kit lens and buy a body and one lens with an eye toward a 3 or 4 lens kit. I am predominantly a landscape guy (that doesn't care much for tripods - too expeditionary) hence I like the "speed" (high ISO performance) of the K-5.
So what am I looking for? Well like most landscape guys I like wide and generally have little interest in a BIF (bird in flight) or BOAS (bird on a stick) pictures. I also like macro and of course need a general purpose walk around lens. What do I want in a lens? Mostly detail and sharpness. So fairly fast definitely sharp lenses with good color and contrast are what I'm after.
For a walkabout lens 28ish to 100ish (35mm equivalent) is good - for a walkabout I don't really need wider or longer. so I'm thinking:
Option 1) 16-45 Pentax as a walkabout - a bit short but doable - with a 55-300 for long and either a wider than 16-45 zoom or a wide (wider than 16) prime - I'd like to be around 12 to 14 or so - and a portrait length macro.
or
Option 2) 17-70 Sigma as a walkabout with a 55-300 for long and either a wider than 17-70 zoom or a wide (wider than 17- ideally 12 to 14 or so) prime and a portrait length macro.
So My question is which plan is better the Pentax 16 - 45 as a walkabout or the Sigma? What lenses would you recommend on the wide and macro sides? Is the 55-300 the best option (300 is likely long enough)? Are their any good tamron options?
My budget is not unlimited and I am a a bit concerned about the DA* SDM failures.
I look forward to your opinions! TIA!!
-Ed-
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