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Pentax K100D question

episodic

episodic

Lifer
I've just about saved enough money for it. My intent is to buy the body first - then buy 1 lens that I will be happy with - but not too pricey.

My budget is 200$

I prefer new with warranty.

I want a lens with moderate telephoto - good wide angle - with the ability to do macro shots nicely.

Am I asking for too much?
 
I'd just get a 50mm F/1.4 to boot.. the rebate is ending soon.. but it's an absolute steal at $180? It's considered the best 50mm by many.
You could pick up some cheap used extension tubes from ebay if you want macro.
Just use the kit lens for your wide angle.
 
Yea, I know about the 50's. . .

I was thinking of something that would do 18 to 100 something (or more) - and that I could use macro rings on to make the macro better. . .

cheap is key with quality shots. . .
 
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
 
Originally posted by: episodic
Yea, I know about the 50's. . .

I was thinking of something that would do 18 to 100 something (or more) - and that I could use macro rings on to make the macro better. . .

cheap is key with quality shots. . .
Click to expand...

So you want a cheap superzoom that has macro capability.. and has quality at the same time?
Maybe in a perfect world 😉
But the kind of lens you're looking for is the worst quality lens money can buy.
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...

What's so special about the digicII processor?
It's just canon's fancy marketing name for their image processing chip, that every digital camera made has.
The Pentax would have much better colors and dynamic range than the S3IS. Not comparable.
 
Originally posted by: episodic
Yea, I know about the 50's. . .

I was thinking of something that would do 18 to 100 something (or more) - and that I could use macro rings on to make the macro better. . .

cheap is key with quality shots. . .
Click to expand...

with camera lenses you basically get the old 3 options choose 2 problem.

cheap (comparatively)
versatile (zoom, IS, USM)
performance

i'd look into some used pentax primes if i were you. skip the zoom. theres 20 million pentax lenses out there that will work with that camera. (although, since the *ist DS rebates that happened a few months ago, prices on ebay seem to have doubled)
 
go look on keh.com there are several manual focus macro lenses available for pentax in good condition for around $150
 
For $200 there aren't many options.

Low-Light: Are you referring to fast, handheld, low-light work, work that requires a bright lens with a large aperture? ie. f/1.8, in which case NO zoom will be that bright, or are you going to be doing low-light work like scenics on a tripod?

Macro: There are three and a half options:
1. Get a dedicated macro lens: Will be a prime, not a zoom. Can be over $200.
2. Get extension tubes to mount onto a 50mm lens. Extension tubes with electrical contacts are around $100 just for a set.
3. Reverse mount a wide angle lens: Need to buy cheap reverse mount adapters for about $15, and need a wide angle lens to reverse mount, at least a 30mm to get true macro.
3.5. Buy a zoom lens that claims it also does "macro." These lenses almost never do a true macro, which is a 1:1 image magnification. These lenses often just do half magnification.

If you buy the older Pentax lenses you're giving up autofocus and of course, a warranty (not that it really matters that much for lenses).
 
1 lens for everything? Not going to happen, unless there are some lenses everyone has overlooked.

I would definately suggest buying it with the DA18-55, very good for a kit lens and excellent for the price (it's like what, $50 more than just the body?)

Cameta Camera on Amazon has the Sigma 24-135 for $99, it covers a good range and is better than the Pentax 80-200 for about the same price if you are willing to give up some zoom (the DA version is better but much more expensive)

Then maybe pick up something off eBay for macro work? A manual lens might be all you would need.
 
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...


The Pentax would have much better colors and dynamic range than the S3IS. Not comparable.
Click to expand...

Why?


Bob
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...

Man... <shakes head>... forget it. Words are lost on you.
 
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...

Man... <shakes head>... forget it. Words are lost on you.
Click to expand...

No, no they're not. I have my own DSLR and set of lenses. have an old 300D with 50/1.8, 28-135IS and the 18-55 kitlens. The 501.8 gives the best pictures, but no versatility (I have to go to the shot, rather than make it come to me). The 28-135 would be a good type of suggestion for him, but it's a $400+ dollar lens, out of his price range. Also it's big and heavy (compared to the others I have) so I only use it if I want to do some real shooting. The kitlens is a decent compromise for carrying the camera around when I want some wide angle, reasonably clear, okay in lowlight..but not much tele.

But from the OP it sounded like he was looking for some "wonder" lens in the $200-or-under price range, which just isn't going to happen. So I suggested something easy which, in all likelyhood, would suit his needs.

The digicII procesor does a great job of reducing noise, which would be something that class of camera would need given the even smaller sensor size. Not to mention that this camera, as a package, is smaller and ligther most dslr bodies with lens. But hey, if he wants a DSLR and only ONE lens to do everything, so be it. Now if he plans on upgrading to more lenses in the future then great, but that wasn't even hinted in the OP. ....and personally I wouldn't choose Pentax to break in to the DSLR arena anyway.
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...

Man... <shakes head>... forget it. Words are lost on you.
Click to expand...

No, no they're not. I have my own DSLR and set of lenses. But from the OP it sounded like he was looking for some "wonder" lens in the $200-or-under price range, which just isn't going to happen. So I suggested something easy which, in all likelyhood, would suit his needs.

The digicII procesor does a great job of reducing noise, which would be something that class of camera would need given the even smaller sensor size. Not to mention that this camera, as a package, is smaller and ligther most dslr bodies with lens. But hey, if he wants a DSLR and only ONE lens to do everything, so be it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, depending on what you want/need, S3IS/prosumer SLR-like cameras could work out pretty well. Especially if your other option is a DSLR mated with a $50 super-duper zoom.

Everytime I go on vacation with my *ist D (replaced by DL) and Canon SD300 I end up wishing for something more in between, especially when I go out at night when carrying the DSLR becomes a major chore.
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If you're just looking to buy one lens to suit all your needs, then you might as well get something all-in-one like a Canon S3IS, which atleast has the digicII processor....or one of the other products in the same class.
Click to expand...

Man... <shakes head>... forget it. Words are lost on you.
Click to expand...

No, no they're not. I have my own DSLR and set of lenses. have an old 300D with 50/1.8, 28-135IS and the 18-55 kitlens. The 501.8 gives the best pictures, but no versatility (I have to go to the shot, rather than make it come to me). The 28-135 would be a good type of suggestion for him, but it's a $400+ dollar lens, out of his price range. Also it's big and heavy (compared to the others I have) so I only use it if I want to do some real shooting. The kitlens is a decent compromise for carrying the camera around when I want some wide angle, reasonably clear, okay in lowlight..but not much tele.

But from the OP it sounded like he was looking for some "wonder" lens in the $200-or-under price range, which just isn't going to happen. So I suggested something easy which, in all likelyhood, would suit his needs.

The digicII procesor does a great job of reducing noise, which would be something that class of camera would need given the even smaller sensor size. Not to mention that this camera, as a package, is smaller and ligther most dslr bodies with lens. But hey, if he wants a DSLR and only ONE lens to do everything, so be it. Now if he plans on upgrading to more lenses in the future then great, but that wasn't even hinted in the OP. ....and personally I wouldn't choose Pentax to break in to the DSLR arena anyway.
Click to expand...


Yea, I would add more in the future. . .

Just have to do it one at a time - and I wanted the best general purpose lens I could get for less than 200$ that was better than the kit lens. . .
 
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