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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-08-2012, 01:26 PM
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There's a very good reason why just about all manufacturers have 18-55 and 50-200 ('ish) as the two kit zooms -
(1) admittedly they are cheap (to make)
(1.a) being cheap to make means most probably they are relatively easy design and manufacture -
hence pretty good performance at "stoopidly" low prices.
(1.b) most manufacturers supply and encourage their kit lenses -
which probably means although unlikely to be the "bestest" lenses in the world -
but they have to be of good/adequate performance -
since the manufacturer is staking their reputation on those two most supplied prevalent lenses.
(2) these are probably the most used/popular and generally most useful focal lengths -
although I would also covet an ideal lens of 10-300 zoom with constant f/2.8 max aperture -
with the size and weight of the current 18-55 kit zoom
I doubt if I'd want to afford it - and if it is actually possible!
So I make do, and get away with, the two humblest kit zooms 18-55 & 50-200 -
yes, there are lots of times I wished I had the other lens on the body -
but the performance size, weight far out weigh any upgrade.
It's simply another philosophy of using the tools one has at hand -
of course I would love the ideal in everything, that would make my photography easier -
but I sincerely doubt if just an upgrade in equipment would improve my photography -
only time,and actual usage to gain that experience does it - for me - YMMV.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-07-2012, 12:11 PM
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The beauty of the K-x HighISO performance is that it allows one to use lenses with more modest max apertures -
such as the kit zooms -
from just 2 days ago:
K-x, 18-55 kit zoom @ ISO5000 (that's 5 thousand)
K-x, 50-200 kit zoom @ ISO5000 -
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-07-2012, 11:12 AM
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Yep, used is the way to go -
I would look for K-x,
or (if available at reasonable price) K-r
(especially if you think the user cannot live without the focusing position lights in the viewfinder -
let me declare my bias - I have and am very happy with the K-x - ideally I would have liked the focus lights -
but I have two easy workarounds)
As for lenses - this is where one can spend a fortune -
I get away with the two humble kit zooms 18-55 and the 50-200
the 50-200 did not get a good review at PhotoZone.de
however after 10's of thousands of shots I am still very happy with my copy.
FWIW Popular Photography actually gave the 50-200 as the Samsung clone a very good review:
Lens Test: Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 50-200mm f/4-5.6 AF
" IN THE LAB
SQF results topped out in the Excellent range at all three tested focal lengths, an above-average performance by kit lens standards. (Even pro-caliber lenses in this focal-length range tend to dip into the Very Good SQF zone at 200mm.) Distortion was also very well controlled, according to DxO Analyzer 2.0 tests, with Imperceptible barrelling at 50mm (0.09%); and Slight pincushioning at 100mm (0.22%) and 200mm (0.23%). Light falloff was gone by f/5.6 at 50mm, and by f/8 at the longer focal lengths -- about average for the kit-zoom class. Close-focusing distances ranged from 39.25 inches at 50mm (1:16.2) to 42.24 inches at 200mm (1:4.4).
CONCLUSIONS
Optically, the best digitally-dedicated tele kit zoom that we've tested so far, this Samsung lens produced the sharpness and distortion numbers of a much more expensive, pro-caliber zoom. It remains to be seen, however, whether the plastic body will be able to hold its 11 elements in alignment for the long haul. "
The 55-300 was not available when I got the 50-200 -
and although it sounds better/more tempting -
it is more expensive, and more important to me larger and heavier -
so I don't regret having the 50-200.
I have lots of examples from the K-x and the 2 humble kit zooms - in this thread:
Kx in Use ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)
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