Camera Accessories Pentax K-r

[Kimberly1]

I own a Pentax K-r, 18-55 lens, and 55-300 lens (and a camera bag, sd cards, batteries, etc).

I am going to take a photography class or two this summer and would like to purchase other items that may be useful as I learn more, and am looking for recommendations.

The primary situations that the camera is (or will be used) are - Disney World and Disney Cruises (Alaska in August...woohoo!), Basketball, and Softball. Occasionally I do just everyday photo shoots with my kids and grandkids.

I have between $1,000 to $1,200 budgeted for this.

 

[havoc315]

I own a Pentax K-r, 18-55 lens, and 55-300 lens (and a camera bag, sd cards, batteries, etc).

I am going to take a photography class or two this summer and would like to purchase other items that may be useful as I learn more, and am looking for recommendations.

The primary situations that the camera is (or will be used) are - Disney World and Disney Cruises (Alaska in August...woohoo!), Basketball, and Softball. Occasionally I do just everyday photo shoots with my kids and grandkids.

I have between $1,000 to $1,200 budgeted for this.

You mostly have what you need. I would recommend a decent external flash, particularly good for portrait photo shoots. I'd suggest a tripod. Other than that, you seem pretty well set to start out. Eventually, you will want a fast prime lens, but no hurry.

 

[Kimberly1]

What would you recommend in a "fast prime lens." I actually already have a tripod. I forgot to mention that.

 

[havoc315]

What would you recommend in a "fast prime lens." I actually already have a tripod. I forgot to mention that.

I don't know the Pentax lineup, so I'm not the best person to answer.
But which prime really depends on how you shoot, what you want to shoot. Most people end up with at least 1 prime in their bag for low light shooting, though some people end up with lots of primes. (I currently have 4 primes)

A lot of people start with a 50mm prime, as they tend to be cheap. It can be a very good portrait lens. Ultimately, a lot of people prefer a 30-35mm range prime lens as being more useful, as it gives essentially a "normal view." The 50 may be "too zoomed in." Thus, a 30-35, while being less great for portraits, is more useful for landscapes, for Disney dark rides, etc.

Primes have a couple advantages: They typically have faster apertures than most zooms. They are generally (not always) smaller than zooms. They are much higher image quality than kit zooms, and they are typically (not always) cheaper than zooms of comparable quality. (There are $2000 primes that are far superior to any zoom lens made. But there are $200-$500 primes that can match or surpass $1,000-$2,000 zooms in image quality).

 

[Kimberly1]

Thank you so much....off to look at some of these options.

 

[elmoandzoey]

In addition I would say maybe wait with buying new lenses until after you have taken your first class and know your camera a bit better. There is nothing wrong with havoc's suggestions - in fact, I probably would have suggested the same lens range. You also said you wanted to do sports - if that is something that you will take photos of regularly I'd rather suggest a faster zoom lens than the one you have. I am not a Pentax person but I expect your 55-300 to be in the f4.5/5.3 range which could be too slow for fast moving sports. But again, that is something you will have to try out for yourself.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Disclosure, I am a long time Pentax user and primarily a sports (motorsports) shooter. The first question is, do you have lens hoods with the lenses? If not, I would recommend that you do. It will help reduce flares and protect your lenses. Pentax has produced several different versions of those two lenses, all optically the same, but construction was slightly different. The 18-55 and 55-300 were often bundled together in the DA L version. These have often been euphemistically called the "light" versions. They had plastic mounts and did not come with hoods. If they are DA AL and DA ED versions then the construction is slightly better and they came with hoods. Optically the 18-55 is a very good "kit" lens for general shooting. On the other hand the 55-300 has received rave reviews in the Pentax community for its optics. It is one of the better "kit" lenses on the market. They both will render good images in good light. Like any variable aperture lens, they work great in good light, however in lowlight situations they will begin to suffer. The Kr was the successor to the Kx which was lauded at the time of its release for its good high ISO renderings. This will help with the slower lenses. Like others have said, if your intent is to shoot sports in low light, then a faster lens is required. The constant 2.8 lenses (24-70, 70-200) are two of the most widely used. Unfortunately, those lenses come with a penalty of size, weight and cost. Pentax has been weak in the sports lens arena, but have just recently announced the 70-200 with a release price of $2300. Tamron has one for $800 in the Pentax mount and is a very good lens (at least that is what a friend tells me). I use the discontinued Sigma version. The 24-70 is on the Pentax lens roadmap, but has not been announced yet. There are Tamron and Sigma versions. With the use of a tripod, which you have, either of your lenses will work for fireworks with a remote control. Those are relatively cheap at around $18 for the model F. As far as a prime lens for Disney. If you are going to shoot the dark rides, then I would recommend the Sigma 30mm f1.4 art lens at $499. There is a zoom alternative and that is the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 for $799. You will need a f1.4 - f1.8 lens to capture the dark rides consistently. Once in awhile you can get lucky with a kit lens, but it will not be consistent. You will end up with many more losers than keepers. I would definitely add an external flash. The latest Pentax iteration goes for around $410. I use the Sigma EF-610 DG Super which goes for $225. Both are full size TTL flashes that work well and have all the available options. It really depends on what you are going to shoot as to what you will need for Disney. You have a good range of focal lengths, from 18-300mm covered, as long as you have enough light. I don't see that you will need much more than I have stated as long as you shoot within the envelope capability of your equipment.

 

[xlxo]

You mostly have what you need. I would recommend a decent external flash, particularly good for portrait photo shoots. I'd suggest a tripod. Other than that, you seem pretty well set to start out. Eventually, you will want a fast prime lens, but no hurry.

Some thoughts...

• totally agree with flash and tripod as first priority. Most classes refer to these products during the lectures
  • get the most potent flash you can afford. The extra power is great for bounce lighting and extended range.
  • tripods come with different materials and prices.
    • I found my lighter carbon fibre tripod gets taken out of the house far more often than the heavier aluminum model.
    • Make sure you tripod is strong enough support the camera, flash, AND tilted to one side.
• in addition to lenses, think about a good camera bag to hold all your accessories. I found myself needing to have more than one bag depending on how much I'm going to carry.

Other accessories?

• Perhaps a laptop for mobile editing and backups when travelling
• USB 3.0 card reader for faster transfers
• rocket blower to get rid of dust/debris
• white balance devices?
• umbrellas/soft boxes for studio work

 

[Kimberly1]

Thanks so much everyone. Plan to shop this week so this has been a GREAT HELP!