DSLR Lenses questions

[crystal]

I can buy on and one only for everyday photo. Mostly indoor but some will be out door.
What is the difference between Pentax SMCP-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Autofocus Lens & Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Autofocus Lens? And what make the FA costs almost twice as much as the DA?
Also is Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited Lens good for everyday photo? Better than other 2?

thx.

 

[mugs]

Larger aperture (smaller f-stop) is the difference, and that's why it costs so much.

Prime lenses aren't great for "everyday" use.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: mugs
Larger aperture (smaller f-stop) is the difference, and that's why it costs so much.

Also DA is only for APS sized digital sensors (all of Pentax's current line), FA will work with older film bodies as well. APS has a smaller sensor size so it is easier (relatively) to design good lenses for it since you usually have problems in the corners.

The 18-55 makes a pretty good everyday lens, get a 50-200 to go with it and they'll pretty much cover everything. Personally I use a SMC-M50/2 all the time but thats because when I had the 18-55 I found that most of my shooting was done in the longer end.

 

[tfinch2]

f1.9 vs. f2.8 make the FA cost twice as much. Much better low light capability.

If you want one lens and one only, you're going to have to try to get as close to 50mm FOV (33-34mm on a 1.5x crop body)

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: mugs
Larger aperture (smaller f-stop) is the difference, and that's why it costs so much.

Prime lenses aren't great for "everyday" use.

Agreed.. but primes sure are nice for portraits. Awesome detail... maybe too much for some people.

It stinks that you can't get a a walk around lens and a prime.

I got an old Pentax 1.4 50mm manual prime a while back for my *ist DL. It is so sharp on portraits. My mom was letting me know how it showed all her wrinkles in her face. It is a keeper.

 

[crystal]

Ah, you guys confusing me. Most posts I read, they almost always recommended you should upgrade to a good "specific" lense rather than a general xx-xx mm lense. Actually my post was not too clear. I got the kit lens - 18-55 that I currently use. I want to buy a good lens so I learn more about taking pictures. That's not to say I will never buy another lens again. Just right now, 1 lens for me to play with.

 

[torpid]

What do you want to learn? For me, a prime lens has been a good tool for forcing myself to think more about the composition of the shot. With a zoom lens I can just zoom in and out with reckless abandon, which means I basically shoot like 10 mediocre shots. With a prime, I find my pictures tend to be better because I spend more time thinking about distance and where the subjects are within the shot, etc.

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: crystal
Ah, you guys confusing me. Most posts I read, they almost always recommended you should upgrade to a good "specific" lense rather than a general xx-xx mm lense. Actually my post was not too clear. I got the kit lens - 18-55 that I currently use. I want to buy a good lens so I learn more about taking pictures. That's not to say I will never buy another lens again. Just right now, 1 lens for me to play with.

Ah you do have the kit!

Get a good prime then. You might even consider a used one. The old 1.2-1.4 manual 50mm Pentax lens are great. Just be sure you have recourse if there is damage or fungus present.

I want an af prime liek this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation