Pentax general discussion

[hlkeck]

I'm not the OP, but I was going through the same dilemma and ordered the Pentax after reading this and other posts on this board.

 

[hlkeck]

Is this a good deal? I just bought a k-x and know nothing about what I'm going to need as far as lenses...but found this for sale in the paper and wondering if I will use these (family, disney, sports for kids) or if this is even worth it?

The Lenses are:

TOU/FIVE STAR MC AUTO MACRO ZOOM 1:5.6 75 - 300mm

SEARS MULTICOATED AUTO ZOOM 1:4.0 80 - 200mm

PROSPEC MC AUTO ZOOM 1:3.5 - 4.5 35 - 70mm

SEARS MC AUTO 1:1.7 50mm

The flashes are:
Vivitar AUTO 2600
Promatic FTD 4000


$80 total...

 

[RBennett]

Is this a good deal? I just bought a k-x and know nothing about what I'm going to need as far as lenses...but found this for sale in the paper and wondering if I will use these (family, disney, sports for kids) or if this is even worth it?

The Lenses are:

TOU/FIVE STAR MC AUTO MACRO ZOOM 1:5.6 75 - 300mm

SEARS MULTICOATED AUTO ZOOM 1:4.0 80 - 200mm

PROSPEC MC AUTO ZOOM 1:3.5 - 4.5 35 - 70mm

SEARS MC AUTO 1:1.7 50mm

The flashes are:
Vivitar AUTO 2600
Promatic FTD 4000


$80 total...

Me personally, I would be REAL cautious about these. The only reason I say that is because I don't know what mounting system they use. Our Pentax cameras have what's called a K-mount system which means only a K-mount lens will fit on there unless you want to buy a converter for them. You might contact the seller and see if they know what kind of mount those lenses are, and if they don't know I would definitely google it to find out before buying them.

 

[hlkeck]

If it helps...it also comes with a K1000 Pentax camera...and says it is the lenses for that camera. Does the K in the camera name mean that it's K Mount lenses?

That is probably very obvious to most...sorry for my lack of knowledge.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

THere not the best peices of glass but they are great places to start to see if you will like those focal ranges and if you are willing to use Manual focus lenses. If you dont like them you can probably not lose any money flipping them on ebay.

 

[gokenin]

If you do buy the package do not use the flashes on your Digital SLR the voltage on the old flashes can cause damage to the new circuitry in your camera. There is nothing wrong with the lens as long as they are clean and in good shape. Yes if they can mount on any Pentax film camera (that isnt a spotmatic that is) then you can use these lens on your DSLR

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm not the OP, but I was going through the same dilemma and ordered the Pentax after reading this and other posts on this board.

I am glad I could help! Congratulations on your purchase!!! Let us know if you have any questions once it gets here.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Lastweek I bought a bunch of lenses off someone for $15, only one of them is in working condition, but was worth 3 times what I paid for the batch, sometimes you win on a purchase and sometimes you knock it out of the park...

 

[KatyMac]

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I actually haven't made the purchase yet, but I think I will get the Pentax. You guys pretty much sold me on it! Thanks so much for all your help!!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Thats the spirit, another future Pentaxian!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

You know what I really love aout Pentax? Today I purchased a Takumar 135mm f2.5, Promaster 2X teleconverter, a good monopod, Makinon 500mm mirror lens, and K mount Macro tube set for $75... hehehehe its like stealing...

 

[MinnieForMe]

So, I've had the K-X for a week and already feel I "need" another lens. I want a portrait lens. Are they called a fix 50 mm with f/1.8? Is there a reasonable one for the Pentax?

I hear people on my photography board talking about a $100 one for Canons that is a "must have" but every time I search "Pentax 50 mm f/1.8, the lens are around $500. Any suggestions here?

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

For under $100 I'd look into an SMC A 1.7 or an M. For $250 or so you can get an FA 1.4, which is my mostest favouritest lens of them all... its a very quick auto focus with a huge aperture!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I just received my K-x!!!!!! I am SO EXCITED! I found it with kit lens (18-55) for $488. Since I already have the K100 with the same lens, I was just going to buy the body. However, when I found that deal, I couldn't pass it up.

I have had it for a few minutes and so far I am in love!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

FA 1.4, which is my mostest favouritest lens of them all... its a very quick auto focus with a huge aperture!

I LOVE this lens! It is simply awesome!

 

[Groucho]

There is a site with a big index of old flashes and the voltages they put ie - ie, if they're safe for DSLR use. I use an old one sometimes as it's my only one with a swivel head. But I'm more likely to handhold my modern flash. One thing with an old flash is that you will want to shoot in Manual mode. The back of the flash unit will usually tell you what ISO/shutter speed/aperture to use.

As for the lenses... the 50mm F1.7 is probably decent (fast 50s are usually pretty decent), but the zooms are probably mediocre at best. The good news is that they all say "auto" which probably means that they have an "A" setting on the aperture ring, which makes them very easy to use with your DSLR - you'll need to manually focus but otherwise you'll use them like a modern lens.

If you don't have a fast 50mm yet and the bundle is cheap, then go for it - but keep your expectations in check. I will even admit that I've got a Sears 80-300mm in my collection somewhere - my initial test shots were awful but since then I've gotten a few that were surprisingly good. It is fairly large and heavy though.

edit: I just saw the price, $80 - I personally would not buy them for that. But then, I already have three K1000s. The zooms are pretty close to valueless - check eBay or Pentaxforums and you'll see that no-name zooms are dirt, dirt cheap, because nobody really wants them. You can pick up a used but relatively newish Pentax 50-200mm for $100 or so pretty often that will have better picture quality than those zooms plus has autofocus (and is much smaller and lighter), and there are a zillion high quality 50mm manual-focus primes out there for not much money. Now, if you have interest in shooting film, too, then maybe... but if you aren't interested in that, I would skip the whole package. I love K1000s but there's a ton out there (IIRC it's the best-selling SLR ever) and you can find Pentax film cameras on the cheap all the time on Craigslist, eBay, and Pentaxforums.

 

[MinnieForMe]

For under $100 I'd look into an SMC A 1.7 or an M. For $250 or so you can get an FA 1.4, which is my mostest favouritest lens of them all... its a very quick auto focus with a huge aperture!

Who makes the FA 1.4? I'll start saving! I can survive with the kit lenses for now! But Christmas is coming and so is my 40th birthday!

 

[gokenin]

Who makes the FA 1.4? I'll start saving! I can survive with the kit lenses for now! But Christmas is coming and so is my 40th birthday!

Pentax makes the FA50 f1.4 however Adorama has it for $359 and to be honest I dont think that you are going to find a used lens for less then $300 these days.

 

[ukcatfan]

Who makes the FA 1.4? I'll start saving! I can survive with the kit lenses for now! But Christmas is coming and so is my 40th birthday!

It is a Pentax lens. SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4

It is better than the 50mm f/1.8 lenses you hear about from other brands. Their 50mm f/1.4 lenses cost more than the Pentax version, so even though it is more than $100, it is actually a really good deal. You can find MANY used 50mm Pentax lenses. I had a SMC-A 50mm f/2 when I first got my K100D. It was a really nice lens for the ~$50 I paid for it.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Pentax makes the FA50 f1.4 however Adorama has it for $359 and to be honest I dont think that you are going to find a used lens for less then $300 these days.

Actually they pop up quite often at $250 on pentaxforums.com , thats what I paid for mine on that site around 2 months ago....