Lens For Pentax K20D

[yws108]

Hi guys,

As a newbie looking to get my first DSLR, I have done rather extensive research on the C&N front but can't find much for Pentax. However, with the K7 coming out, K20D prices have reached a very tempting level.

Therefore I would like advice on what are the recommended lens to consider on a student budget. I am looking to shoot a wide variety of stuff, so hopefully can find a walkabout lens that can take decent landscape shots, a prime for indoor events and a telephoto for sports.

I understand it's a good investment for lens so if there are any "must buys" just share and I'll see if I can stretch my budget a bit. I am studying overseas so if there are better lobangs can let me know where to check out as well.

Thanks in advance!

[darrrrrrrrrr]

where exactly are you at 'overseas'?

Anw if you're on a tight budget and just starting out maybe kit lens v2, fa50 f1.4(250-300 sgd) and a sigma/tamron 70-300(200sgd) should cover nicely from wide to tele with low-light and portrait capability in the fa50, and some decent 'macro' with the 70-300.

That's how i started out, it's not bad. Once u figure out what u like to shoot u can get more specialised and expensive lenses.. Good luck to you then!

[le petit prince]

Originally Posted by yws108 Hi guys, As a newbie looking to get my first DSLR, I have done rather extensive research on the C&N front but can't find much for Pentax. However, with the K7 coming out, K20D prices have reached a very tempting level. Therefore I would like advice on what are the recommended lens to consider on a student budget. I am looking to shoot a wide variety of stuff, so hopefully can find a walkabout lens that can take decent landscape shots, a prime for indoor events and a telephoto for sports. I understand it's a good investment for lens so if there are any "must buys" just share and I'll see if I can stretch my budget a bit. I am studying overseas so if there are better lobangs can let me know where to check out as well. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the Pentax side

You didn't specify how 'budget' your budget is.. there're rich and poor students around, and the better off ones have even more expensive stuff than some working people do! :P

Anyway, I suggest
Walkabout: kit lens (or Sigma 17-70 for a more expensive option)
Prime indoors: FA50 f1.4, or even any of Pentax's manual 50mm primes (if you don't mind manual focus.. much cheaper)
Telephoto: DA50-200

Pretty much what I started out with a year and a half ago, and it works great!

If you're in the States, get your stuff from there. Singapore prices tend to be higher, or lag in following downward trend.

[darrrrrrrrrr]

oh i forgot to add, hello and welcome!

I hope u're in usa, land of b&h (bhphotovideo.com) and adorama (adorama.com). These 2 places will satisfy all yr new gear needs. For 2nd hand theres pentaxforums.com. And for old lenses theres ebay.

Heard prices in canada and europe are not so friendly.. Not too sure..

[scorpioh]

FA50 is a must buy I would say. If u are not a prime user, go for the DA*16-50 and DA*50-135. Top up with a DA*200/300 if you have more telephoto requirements. These will go a pretty long way. Relatively low setup cost ($~2.5k for the first two zooms) with great optical quality. I also recommend the sigma1770 for a good start up if budget is a concern. Shd be around $600.

[creampuff]

Originally Posted by scorpioh FA50 is a must buy I would say. If u are not a prime user, go for the DA*16-50 and DA*50-135. Top up with a DA*200/300 if you have more telephoto requirements. These will go a pretty long way. Relatively low setup cost ($~2.5k for the first two zooms) with great optical quality. I also recommend the sigma1770 for a good start up if budget is a concern. Shd be around $600.

Wah lau, newbie with student budget and you want to poison with DA* lenses...
You velly bad man... velly, velly bad, baaaad.... indeed...

[yws108]

I'm in the UK sadly but I have a pal in the US! Thanks for the recommendations thus far too. I did a bit of looking up liao but the prices for the lens are similar to those listed in the price guide? Doesn't seem worth it to treat my friend to lug them back to SG for me hahaha. I'm looking at B&H and Adorama. Unless of course there's very limited stock back home.

In comparison, which is more worth it in terms of optical and build quality?
Round 1: Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 vs Pentax 17-70 f4 and 16-45 f4
Sigma is cheaper and faster! But it's a 3rd party or does it not matter?

Round 2: Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 vs Pentax 55-300 f4-5.8
Tamron is dirt cheap until scary?

I'm looking to keep the whole "investment" under SGD$2000, and the above mentioned websites are listing the k20D at SGD$1000 thereabouts so there's still some left for glasses!

[night86mare]

i would definitely recommend the tamron 70-300 if you have tight budget constraint.

you can use the kit lens II, it is pretty good also, and maybe grab fa 50mm f/1.4, since our version is so much cheaper than other brands.

if you are going overseas, i.e. us or uk, grab manual lenses off ebay for pretty nice prices. e.g. 28mm f/2.8 for street is good choice.

[pinholecam]

Tamron 17-50/2.8 ~$700 (wide, fast, sharp, cheap)

If you can live with manual focus, you can find many little gems throughout the Super Takumar, Pentax manual lens ranges.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by yws108 In comparison, which is more worth it in terms of optical and build quality? Round 1: Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 vs Pentax 17-70 f4 and 16-45 f4 Sigma is cheaper and faster! But it's a 3rd party or does it not matter? Round 2: Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 vs Pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 Tamron is dirt cheap until scary? I'm looking to keep the whole "investment" under SGD$2000, and the above mentioned websites are listing the k20D at SGD$1000 thereabouts so there's still some left for glasses!

for round 1,

i think you should get 17-50 tamron f/2.8

round 2, get the tamron, if you need sample pictures, you only need to ask

[creampuff]

If you're in the UK, Pentax lenses can be quite reasonable now due to the exchange rate.
I've been told SRS Microsystems offers good prices for Pentax gear in the UK.

One source is to scour the used camera stores, thrift shops and boot sales and you're likely to come across some nice legacy Pentax lenses at very cheap prices.

As to specific lenses, I've had experience with the Sigma 17-70mm, DA 16-45mm and DA 17-70mm and I'd opt for the Sigma simply because it has the useful focal range and price point.
If you want to keep thing simple and just want one lens, even the DA 18-250mm is something to consider, though the tradeoff is slow maximum aperture.

[woefulwabbit]

Going by BH pricem, with the K20D at ~S$1000 and FA 50mm at ~S$375 (Yikes.. it has gone up by quite a bit!), that leaves you only with ~$625 for your standard and telephoto zoom...
Don't think you will be able to afford much more than a dual lens kit:
~S$150 for 18-55mm
~S$325 for 50-200mm
~S$445 for 55-300mm
~S$305 for Tamron 70-300mm

Or a super zoom instead of dual lens: 18-250mm (~S$640)

Although typically for sports you would want a fast telephoto, but it's going to be waaaay beyond your budget.

If you don't get the FA50, then you can probably afford a fast short zoom, e.g. Tamron 17-50mm or Sigma 18-50mm, plus the Tamron 70-300mm

[scorpioh]

Originally Posted by creampuff Wah lau, newbie with student budget and you want to poison with DA* lenses... You velly bad man... velly, velly bad, baaaad.... indeed...

Ha. No poison lah. I got give contingency with the sigma. TS no state budget mah. But seriously these two DA*s go a very long way; makes very good investment especially in the long run, though I am not a fan of the DA*s... If poisoned by the Limiteds would be worse...

[felixcat8888]

Originally Posted by yws108 I'm in the UK sadly but I have a pal in the US! Thanks for the recommendations thus far too. I did a bit of looking up liao but the prices for the lens are similar to those listed in the price guide? Doesn't seem worth it to treat my friend to lug them back to SG for me hahaha. I'm looking at B&H and Adorama. Unless of course there's very limited stock back home. In comparison, which is more worth it in terms of optical and build quality? Round 1: Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 vs Pentax 17-70 f4 and 16-45 f4 Sigma is cheaper and faster! But it's a 3rd party or does it not matter? Round 2: Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 vs Pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 Tamron is dirt cheap until scary? I'm looking to keep the whole "investment" under SGD$2000, and the above mentioned websites are listing the k20D at SGD$1000 thereabouts so there's still some left for glasses!

If you are in UK, www.pentaxuser.co.uk There is a shop that all the forumers recommend. SRS. Look at the link and read thru to find more about this shop SRS.

Cheers . . .

Oh! Welcome to Clubsnap!

[yws108]

Hmmm wow the SRS prices are about the same as the US, except the K20D body and Tamron 70-300mm. Yup I would like some sample pictures taken by the tamron thanks! The price really seems to suggest it's inferior, but of course it would be a pleasant surprise if proven otherwise.

Currently my plan is to grab the K20D from the US, then go back to sg and hunt for second hand FA 50mm f1.4. Still can't make up my mnd regarding the walkabout lens though. Sigma 17-70 or Tamron 17-50? Both seem to get glowing reviews, but with a longer range and smaller price tag, the Sigma is more attractive to me.

Thanks for the help and warm welcome thus far!

[darrrrrrrrrr]

with the tamron 17-50 u have constant f2.8 which is quite convenient, plus since you have f2.8 at 50mm u cld potentially skip the fa50 for now. It's not fantastic near wide open so perhaps the 375sgd cld be channeled to an external flash unit instead.

imo the extra 20mm isnt so impt, with 14.6mp you can easily crop if necessary. When i bought it some time back it was 620sgd, not sure if prices went up recently

[dnaxe]

Originally Posted by darrrrrrrrrr with the tamron 17-50 u have constant f2.8 which is quite convenient, plus since you have f2.8 at 50mm u cld potentially skip the fa50 for now. It's not fantastic near wide open so perhaps the 375sgd cld be channeled to an external flash unit instead. imo the extra 20mm isnt so impt, with 14.6mp you can easily crop if necessary. When i bought it some time back it was 620sgd, not sure if prices went up recently

+++

Except - perhaps just get the pentax 16-50.

[darrrrrrrrrr]

Originally Posted by dnaxe +++ Except - perhaps just get the pentax 16-50.

or yws, you buy my tamron 17-50 and i get the 16-50

[fengwei]

Get a Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, a FA 50/1.4, and a Tamron/Sigma 70-300. That's all you need for travel/landscapes/portraits/macros/sports or whatever you wanna shoot. If you don't mind second hand ones, the total cost is less than 1k SGD, much better buy than to buy a DA*16-50 alone.

[darrrrrrrrrr]

beyond that, everything else becomes a 'want'...