Pentax K100D Lens help

[Kies99]

Newbie at all this, so forgive me.

I recently purchased the K100D with the kit lens (18-55mm). Overall I'm happy with the lens, however at a recent Sesame Street Live show, I noticed the limitation with the zoom. I need a lens that will zoom a little better. Anyone have any recommendations?

The key is I'd REALLY like to carry just one lens that will fit my needs, not have to carry two and switch them.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I can't speak to specific lenses for the Pentax mounts because I don't know them. Let me just give you a cautionary note about wanting a single lens for everything.

Photography is all about compromises. If you want one lens that covers a large focal range (like the popular 18-200mm lenses), you can get one, but you'll give up a lot to get it. First, wide ranging zooms tend to be slow (they can't let a lot of light in so they require longer shutter speeds). They also tend to suffer from softness, chromatic aberration, barrel distortion, and poor contrast.

On the other extreme, you can forget about zooms altogether and get a bunch of lenses that don't zoom at all (called primes). Even cheap primes are usually better optically than all but the most expensive zooms. Of course, that leaves you needing to change lenses a lot.

Of course, there is a middle ground with lots of zooms with moderate ranges in all different quality and price ranges.

It may well be that when you've looked at the quality difference between a wide range zoom and a few moderate zooms, you still prefer the convenience of the wide range zoom. I just want to make sure that you know about the compromises you'll be making before you spend your money.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I'm in the 18-200 camp and I do really like the convenience. When you have three little kids hanging on you and a very impatient husband, changing lenses just isn't an option. Overall, I am very happy with the quality of my pictures (maybe it's a little of ignorance is bliss - I don't know what I am missing!). I do have a 50mm prime I use for certain circumstances and in the future I would like to get a faster lens to use for special occasions. But until my kids are older and my husband develops a little patience, I will be using primarily one "walk-around" lens. I understand you can get better quality pitures with several specialized lenses, but I still get what I consider to be pretty good quality and the convenience is worth a lot to me right now.

 

[ukcatfan]

If you are willing to do a little switching around of lenses, the Pentax DA 50-200mm is a well respected lens for the price. You could also consider a used lens if cost is an issue. I bought a used Tamron 80-210mm zoom for about $20 from KEH. It is generally not considered to be a very good lens, but it is at least as good as a typical p&s at that focal length. I do not have the $$ or a willing DW right now to get a better one, but I am happy enough with the results.

Kevin

 

[Jeanne B]

I've seen the Sigma 18-125 mentioned often. I have the 18-55 and 50-200 which gives me a nice range but I would prefer to have one lens most of the time. I've debated on whether or not to get the Sigma but I can't seem to make up my mind because I know I have a very good combination now.

 

[Groucho]

The 50-200mm is generally regarded as a great companion to the kit lens.

Personally, I would definitely go with two separate lenses. The actual task of switching lenses is pretty quick and painless and both those lenses are pretty small and light. If you're shooting indoors, then you don't need the lens hoods, which cuts down things further (the 50-200mm has, understandably, a decent-size hood.)

Your photos will thank you for not putting on a lens with fewer compromises.

Of course, if you're in a situation where you need the convenience or simply cannot switch lenses fast enough (like if you're taking picture of far-away action and your child's reaction to them next to you), then you really don't have much choice.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Pentax has a nice 50-200 zoom. When I purchased my Pentax K100D It came with both lenses the 18-55 and 50-200.