Another new Pentax Kx member need help


Auratus

Member
Jun 1, 2007
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Hi people,
Finally, after reading much about Pentax Kx, I decided to become one of the family member of both DSLR and Pentax club. Got myself a kit with 18~55, 50~200mm kit and being new to DSLR it looks like a long road ahead for me.

I like to take aquarium pics, Macro at best, therefore I seek seniors here to give me some advice for the following.

1. Macro lens for KX
2. Flash unit

What is a good recommendation for the above considering to a newbie? Also can a third party Flash fit on the pentax unit? As I will be putting the flash on top of the aquarium, thus likely to need a wireless system. Expected prices and place of purchase would be very helpful too.

All assistance will be very much appreciated.

Thank you guys.
 

Hi people,
Finally, after reading much about Pentax Kx, I decided to become one of the family member of both DSLR and Pentax club. Got myself a kit with 18~55, 50~200mm kit and being new to DSLR it looks like a long road ahead for me.

I like to take aquarium pics, Macro at best, therefore I seek seniors here to give me some advice for the following.

1. Macro lens for KX
2. Flash unit

What is a good recommendation for the above considering to a newbie? Also can a third party Flash fit on the pentax unit? As I will be putting the flash on top of the aquarium, thus likely to need a wireless system. Expected prices and place of purchase would be very helpful too.

All assistance will be very much appreciated.

Thank you guys.

1st question,what is your BUDGET?

This is the most important.If you don't state,people will recommend you expensive and cheap ones...
 

cleonbus is here again..
very helpful but very aggressive 1...
hahaha
 

You can consider the Pentax DA35mm Macro Ltd and for flash Pentax AF360FGZ or AF540FGZ. As for third party flash, you can refer to this thread.

Took this pics using the DA35mm Macro Ltd.

IMGP7038.jpg


IMGP7077.jpg


IMGP7080.jpg
 

TS, what type of fish you are shooting, marine, fresh, bottom/mid/top feeder, got plant or not, lighting condition....

if shooting schooling or community fish, you will need a wide angle (10-20 sigma) and multiple flash lights. shoot as many as possible and hope for the best...
 

Get the DFA 100mm f2.8 macro WR , so that if got water splash onto your lens , it won't spoil :bsmilie:

k-x is not weather sealed so if got really wet, wr lens is not gonna help.

The only reason to get the 100mm wr is for the rounded aperture blades! :lovegrin:
 

k-x is not weather sealed so if got really wet, wr lens is not gonna help.

The only reason to get the 100mm wr is for the rounded aperture blades! :lovegrin:

I had a feeling that the 100mm wr will cost a bomb to me. although i would like to have one too.:lovegrin:
 

1st question,what is your BUDGET?

This is the most important.If you don't state,people will recommend you expensive and cheap ones...

As a newbie, I am unlikely to spend on the top end, it better that I learn the ropes first. What are the price range like?

Thanks.
 

There is no difference if you're shooting aquarium fishes using a WR or non-WR lens or WR or non-WR camera body. People have been shooting aquarium fishes on film for a long time, back before there were any weather sealed cameras or lenses.
Seriously, let's get things into proper perspective... you're shooting behind glass lah, not underwater... and your camera and lens is more robust than you think.

Important thing about shooting aquarium fish is choice of lens (angle of view) and lighting. Other factors to consider - water quality (backscatter), type and size of fish, reflection control, etc.

Study bro istDes images that he posted. :thumbsup: You can learn a lot already.
 

Last edited:
You can consider the Pentax DA35mm Macro Ltd and for flash Pentax AF360FGZ or AF540FGZ. As for third party flash, you can refer to this thread.

Took this pics using the DA35mm Macro Ltd.

IMGP7038.jpg


IMGP7077.jpg


IMGP7080.jpg

Beautiful pics! Lots of gadgets?
 

There is no difference if you're shooting aquarium fishes using a WR or non-WR lens or WR or non-WR camera body. People have been shooting aquarium fishes on film for a long time, back before there were any weather sealed cameras or lenses.
Seriously, let's get things into proper perspective... you're shooting behind glass lah, not underwater... and your camera and lens is more robust than you think.

Important thing about shooting aquarium fish is choice of lens (angle of view) and lighting. Other factors to consider - water quality (backscatter), type and size of fish, reflection control, etc.

Study bro istDes images that he posted. :thumbsup: You can learn a lot already.

Thanks. Yes, it is behind class and they are tiny shrimps about 0.8cm ~1 cm in size. They can be stationary but the constant feeding with their front claws is difficult to make good pictures.

rbo istDes images are truly admirable. I felt that photography is an art and such talents some have and others don't. I hope I am wrong.
 

Thanks. Yes, it is behind class and they are tiny shrimps about 0.8cm ~1 cm in size. They can be stationary but the constant feeding with their front claws is difficult to make good pictures.

rbo istDes images are truly admirable. I felt that photography is an art and such talents some have and others don't. I hope I am wrong.

I think for shrimps that size, a 35mm macro might be lacking in reach especially when the shrimps are nowhere near the glass. You can check out the DFA 100 Macro:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-100mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html

There are some threads out there saying that the Samsumg D-xenon is a rebadge version on this lens at a good price but i think it's hard to find it in SG, you might want to check them out as well if you got friends/family who are going to Korea.

http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/samsung/35mm-primes/PRD_428933_3111crx.aspx
 

As a newbie, I am unlikely to spend on the top end, it better that I learn the ropes first. What are the price range like?

Thanks.

See price guide and you'll know.....
 

I think for shrimps that size, a 35mm macro might be lacking in reach especially when the shrimps are nowhere near the glass. You can check out the DFA 100 Macro:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-100mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html

There are some threads out there saying that the Samsumg D-xenon is a rebadge version on this lens at a good price but i think it's hard to find it in SG, you might want to check them out as well if you got friends/family who are going to Korea.

http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/samsung/35mm-primes/PRD_428933_3111crx.aspx

See price guide and you'll know.....

Thanks guys.
 

As a newbie, I am unlikely to spend on the top end, it better that I learn the ropes first. What are the price range like?

Thanks.

hi, you have very close to me, and same hobby. I love taking my aquarium tank too.

I am a very noob, so b4 I can decide if I like macro or not, I bought myself an extension tube (15$ in vietnam), a tripod (37$ in vietnam) and a wired remote (15$ in vietnam). External flash is coming too. Which is 70$ + around 50 for 2nd hand flash. Total 120$, which is a lot cheaper than a macro lens and some what it can tell you if macro is ur type or not. The combo is not that bad, if later u decided to upgrade to macro lens etc, you still can keep them and use them.

That is only my thinking and my case. So far, I love it. I will keep them and save money for macro lens. So, what about you =)
 

hi, you have very close to me, and same hobby. I love taking my aquarium tank too.

I am a very noob, so b4 I can decide if I like macro or not, I bought myself an extension tube (15$ in vietnam), a tripod (37$ in vietnam) and a wired remote (15$ in vietnam). External flash is coming too. Which is 70$ + around 50 for 2nd hand flash. Total 120$, which is a lot cheaper than a macro lens and some what it can tell you if macro is ur type or not. The combo is not that bad, if later u decided to upgrade to macro lens etc, you still can keep them and use them.

That is only my thinking and my case. So far, I love it. I will keep them and save money for macro lens. So, what about you =)

Thanks for sharing, but are those in USD? And you from Vietnam?