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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-11-2013, 03:20 PM
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::UPDATE::
First, thank you all for being so kind to respond and offer your suggestions. Based on some of the comments here and also in another thread where I asked for advice on purchasing a 40mm limited lens, I've finally come to a decision. I decided to sell my K-7, the 18-55mm WR Kit Lens, and my 50-200mm WR lens. I managed to get a good price for everything on eBay and already purchased a new K-5II from B&H along with the DA* 16-50 lens. This should hopefully address some of my pain points with the K-7 with the kit lens. I will still look to get a couple of primes...maybe the three amigos to feed my LBA but until then, I need one more lens to get a bit farther out. Naturally, I'm looking at DA* again, so here comes the question.
Do I get the DA* 50-135 or the DA* 60-250. I feel like I would need the 250 in order to get shots in an auditorium for dance recitals or some indoor sports, however, the F4 gives me pause, but maybe this will be less of a concern now that I have better sensor performance out of the K-5II?
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Forum: Sold Items
01-29-2013, 09:11 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 03:20 PM
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I'm certainly not rolling in cash, so I have to priortize my purchases and try to get the best bang for the buck when it comes to my equipment. I started shooting in RAW exclusively and have had my ISO as high as 1600 but as expected, the images get really noisy even though I am able to pull out some great detail and color, it's just a lot to PP and it would be nice to spend less time in LR. I'm a real novice when it comes to SLRs and photography in general but feel I am ramping up quickly thanks to all the great folks here in the forums.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 02:04 PM
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Maybe your two cents but certainly worth a ton more in my book!! Thanks a bunch!! Everyone here has confirmed that I'm at least on the right track, now just need to build my kit based on all the great feedback!!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 01:57 PM
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The advice is awesome and really not hard to take in :-) I have looked at lens reviews which is what helped me build my list but the samples don't really give me ideas on practical use and I really want to keep LBA in check as I don't have deep pockets and really need to prioritize my spending. To be honest, the whole journey here started with just thinking about buying a flash, then went into lenses and then possibly switching bodies or systems all together mainly because I know I'm pushing my K7 too far with the kit lens. I play around with aperture priority and manual mode all day and while I'm learning a lot on how to adjust my camera, I'm also learning that it's limited by two things apart from the person behind the camera and those are: glass and sensor. The flash is somewhere in that mix too and I've already resolved that I will need it at some point in the near future.
Anyway, thanks for all the great feedback thus far!! Sounds like I can do better than the 40 both in terms of price and perhaps the lens in general. It sounds like the D-AL 35mm will be a better place to start than the 40 overall.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 01:07 PM
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It's for this reason that I'm also considering selling the K7 body and upgrading to the K5-II. I was really hoping to maximize my K7 first but it's hard to ignore the better sensor performance of the K5-II body, or even the K5 for that matter. I mainly wanted to focus (pun intended) on lenses and come to the conclusion that the K7 may be reaching its true indoor/low light limits for what I want to capture.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 12:33 PM
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I just want to start by saying thank you all for the quick feedback!!
Sorry, it would definitely help if I explained my thinking on the use for these lenses. My main reason for wanting the primes is for the better low light performance when I'm out taking 'planned photos'. The reason I would still want the 18-135 is to have a weather sealed walk around lens that would be versatile for impromptu photos and to deal with bad weather and not have to switch lenses (assuming lighting is decent). I put what I think my use for each lens would be...perhaps I a bit off on my thoughts in which case, you all might save me a ton of money and keep my LBA in check :-)
Landscape photography
- SMCP-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited
Candid low light/natural light indoor/outdoor photos
- 35mm DA L F2.4
- Portraits and/or artistic close ups of objects, nature, etc.
SMCP-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited
Weather sealed 'jack of all trades' walk around lens
- SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 (to replace my 18-55mm kit lens)
I'm hoping that all the experience in the forum can guide me so I'm not buying unneccessary lenses as I don't have deep pockets. From some of the other comments, it sounds like the 35mm might be the best 'first purchase' and then build from there?
Definitely not against flash, in fact, I'm looking into a Metz 58 AF2 as well. I would just prefer to do as much with natural lighting as I can before firing the flash. I'm starting to educate myself on flash usage through sites like 'strobist'. I'm definitely trying to prioritize my spending to get the best bang for the buck to get myself into a better situation when indoors.
Thanks again folks!! Keep the feedback coming, it's much appreciated!! :-)
Joe
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2013, 11:47 AM
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I'm thinking about picking up this lens used at my local camera shop. Is $375 a good price? Anything that I should look for or make sure is included with the lens?
Pentax SMCP-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Series Autofocus Lens
I currently have a K7 and am looking to improve the indoor/low light and natural light performance of the camera. Most of the photos I capture are candids of the kids in the house and the occasional birthday party where lighting is a challenge and using a flash can get annoying/distracting. I also hope to use the lens for general street photograpy and other interest / artistic images.
This will be the first lens I've actually 'purchased' for myself, so this will be the start of my LBA. I'm also considering a few other fixed length low aperature lenses (below) so any other advice would be most welcome.
SMCP-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited
35mm DA L F2.4
SMCP-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited
SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 (to replace my 18-55mm kit lens)
Thanks Fellow Pentaxians!!
Joe
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Forum: Photo Critique
01-12-2013, 03:11 PM
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Wow!! Thank you all for the great feedback. I have to admit, I love taking pictures but always felt intimidated by my camera and all the great images other photographers capture. I know I have a lot to learn but you all have helped raise my confidence to the point where I feel like I'm at least getting some things right.
@Stevizzy - The pic of the tractor is from a pumpkin farm not too far from my house.
Again, thank you all for the great feedback. I know I have a lot to learn but at least I feel like I'm on the right path!! I'm hoping to capture a lot more images throughout the year so stay tuned...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-10-2013, 10:41 AM
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Greetings Fellow Pentaxians!!
As you can see, I just joined the forum recently and have been scouring for as much information as I can find on lens recommendations and ways to improve my photography in general. I have a K-7 with the DA18-55mm WR kit lens along with a DA50-200mm WR lens. I'm very happy with both, although not necessarily happy with switching between the two when going out and about. I'm wondering if it would be a good decision to sell the two lenses I have and get the DA18-135mm WR. The feedback in the forums and the photo samples seem to be very posititive, however, I obviously have this range coverered (and then some) with my two lenses.
I should note that another area where I'd really like to gain is in the lower end of the range with better low light performance for more natural (no-flash in some cases) photos. I know from reading that a fixed prime may be the way to go here, so that should also factor into my long term lens plans.
So, do I consolidate my two lenses into one, then invest in a fixed prime down the road? Or do I keep what I have and get a fixed prime sooner? Assuming fixed prime is what I'd need for good DoF, portraits and artsy interest shots of landscapes, nature, etc.
Here's a link to some sample shots I posted over in the Photo Critique forum:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photo-critique/211392-nature-beginner-dis...ml#post2235521
Thanks!!
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Forum: Photo Critique
01-10-2013, 09:01 AM
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@jcamero - Thanks for the feedback on the exposure. I experiment quite a bit with settings on my camera bouncing from P mode to M mode playing around with exposure until I feel I have it right, which of course works great for landscape and most nature photos, but not so much for taking photos of subjects that may move out of frame/focus. I just started shooting in RAW and hope to learn a bit more in PP but for now, I've been just focusing (no pun intended) on getting things right in the camera first. Now, composition, that's another story and would definitely welcome feedback in that area as well since I've never had any formal classes.
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Forum: Photo Critique
01-09-2013, 03:46 PM
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Greetings Pentax Forums!!
I just recently discovered the forum and have been researching lenses, photography techniques, etc. and figured I'd put some of my 'limited' work on the forum for some constructive feedback. I currently own a K-7 with the kit lens Pentax DA18-55mm WR and a Pentax DA50-200mm WR. None of these have been PP as I'm still new to a lot of this and looking for ways to expand my hobby/passion. I'm also considering the addition of some lenses (recommendations welcome) as well as a hot shoe flash. One idea is to first consolidate my two lenses for the Pentax DA18-135mm WR so I don't have to switch lenses when I'm travelling.
So to get on with it, I humbly submit the following photos :-)
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