OEM Pentax Lenses

[YEKCIM]

REALLY tempted to go Pentax for move to dSLR and a big part of the motivation is that I can get the range I require in two lenses:

16-45
50-200

That would give me 24mm-300mm in 35mm equivalence, which is what I need. They are offering rebates on both lenses at present, and with the rebate on the DL body, I could pick up the entire rig for about $850 online. Substituting the K100D ups the ante to $1100, still a good price for body and two lenses.

My question: does anyone have any actual experience with either or both of these two lenses and, if you do, what advice would you give me?

TIA

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

if the kd is the is one i'd go that route for sure( even though i think you are really asking bout the lens more which i have not used)

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks, Jann...

Yes, I am asking about the lens, primarily, but appreciate your comments relative to the body. Actually, I think I could live with most any of the different bodies, as long as the glass was good. If the glass is lousy, it wouldn't matter much how good the body/sensor was. One reason I'm so intrigued by the Pentax line is that the 16-45 fits my needs exactly, and none of the other others (Nikon/Canon/Sony) offers any affordable lenses in this range, unless I'm badly mistaken.

Obviously, the K100D would be preferable, due to body-integrated A/S, but will depend on funds at time of purchase. I've got a good portion of the DL+lenses requirement accumulated, and am anticipating a possible sizeable addition in the next 60 days or so, but it is not a sure thing, so can't count on it. Another factor is the rebate deal, which is $100 on the DL, $100 on the 16-45, and $50 on the 50-200. Rebates all expire in early October, so I'll have to fish or cut bait by then.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

Thanks, Jann...

One reason I'm so intrigued by the Pentax line is that the 16-45 fits my needs exactly, and none of the other others (Nikon/Canon/Sony) offers any affordable lenses in this range, unless I'm badly mistaken.


~YEKCIM

minolta/Sony has a 18-70 and a 75-300 , would the difference between 16-18 really matter..?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

the difference from 16 to 18 wouldn't matter to me.

I strongly suggest Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is you want something really good.

 

[MICKEY88]

the difference from 16 to 18 wouldn't matter to me.

I strongly suggest Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is you want something really good.

are tamron lenses, good stuff, I know years back they were not the best of quality..

 

[YEKCIM]

minolta/Sony has a 18-70 and a 75-300 , would the difference between 16-18 really matter..?

Yes, unfortunately, it does. I'm asked by my company to photograph our annual sales awards banquet each year. On the larger groups of awardees, I have found that, even if I move back as far as I can, my 28 is just not wide enough. Fortunately, I have a 24mm that works fine. Currently my equipment is Maxxum film gear, but in analyzing my dSLR needs, it is imperative that I have a lens that covers the 16mm focal length.

Still considering the K100D and 16-45 + 50-200 though, to be honest, the images I've seen from the latter do not impress me much.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

Yes, unfortunately, it does. I'm asked by my company to photograph our annual sales awards banquet each year. On the larger groups of awardees, I have found that, even if I move back as far as I can, my 28 is just not wide enough. Fortunately, I have a 24mm that works fine. Currently my equipment is Maxxum film gear, but in analyzing my dSLR needs, it is imperative that I have a lens that covers the 16mm focal length.

Still considering the K100D and 16-45 + 50-200 though, to be honest, the images I've seen from the latter do not impress me much.

~YEKCIM

so get a minolta or sony digital slr and a 16mm lens for those rare occasions..

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I've done the ISO 1600 comparison between Sony Alpha vs Pentax 100D. The difference is night and day... if you're into high ISO as I am.

 

[YEKCIM]

I've done the ISO 1600 comparison between Sony Alpha vs Pentax 100D. The difference is night and day... if you're into high ISO as I am.

...and the winner is? I'm assuming the Pentax.

I like the size and lens ranges of the Pentax lineup, but have yet to come across any pix on the web that really grab my attention and convince me that I want a Pentax. At this point, I'm afraid I'm mainly going on price and specs.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Oops, forgot to post the winner. Yes, it's the Pentax. By the time I'm going for my vacation, IF Canon haven't released their 18-200 IS yet, I will personally get a K100D body with a Kelly.

The noise level is about the same as Rebel XT (well, between the original Rebel and Rebel XT, but closer to Rebel XT) whereas to Sonolta... yeeeesh, if someone give it to me for free, I'd eBay it right away.

 

[YEKCIM]

Oops, forgot to post the winner. Yes, it's the Pentax. By the time I'm going for my vacation, IF Canon haven't released their 18-200 IS yet, I will personally get a K100D body with a Kelly.

The noise level is about the same as Rebel XT (well, between the original Rebel and Rebel XT, but closer to Rebel XT) whereas to Sonolta... yeeeesh, if someone give it to me for free, I'd eBay it right away.

You *will* post some pix for us to drool over, from your vacation, won't you?

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

IF I have a vacation. Thanks to that thief and the cancellations of my European and Australian projects (they all will go through UK as the main hub, so I had to cancel my assignments).