Pentax Lens Question for the K-X

[3prettyprincesses]

I bought my first ever Pentax camera (K-X) 2 months ago and am loving it! It has really exceeded my expectations. It came with the 18-55mm lens and I'm looking for a 50-200mm now. Should I go with the Pentax DA 50-200mm f4-5.6? Amazon has it for just over $200. I want something for telephoto shots. I was thinking of perhaps the 70-300mm Tamron but it looks a bit heavy and I don't want to sacrifice clarity too much. I'm still a novice here and would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much!

 

[ukcatfan]

I have that lens and it works pretty well. About as good as you are going to get for a consumer grade standard telephoto. However, the DA 55-300mm is supposed to be even better. It is more expensive, but you get more reach in a fairly compact lens.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I agree with ukcatfan, I have a very good copy of the 50-200 and it has been a favorite. I haven't used the 55-300, but I have heard good things about it and the ratings are very good. The non-VC Tamron 70-300 has ratings lower than either of the Pentax lenses. If you are trying to stay small and lightweight the 50-200 will do that well. Remember it is not a fast lens but with the Kx' high ISO capability it should do okay in low light.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I have that lens and it works pretty well. About as good as you are going to get for a consumer grade standard telephoto. However, the DA 55-300mm is supposed to be even better. It is more expensive, but you get more reach in a fairly compact lens.

Glad to hear from someone who has this lens! I do like that the DA 55-300mm is still rather compact but it's more than I'm looking to spend at this time. That's why the 50-200mm was so attractive to me! Thanks!

I agree with ukcatfan, I have a very good copy of the 50-200 and it has been a favorite. I haven't used the 55-300, but I have heard good things about it and the ratings are very good. The non-VC Tamron 70-300 has ratings lower than either of the Pentax lenses. If you are trying to stay small and lightweight the 50-200 will do that well. Remember it is not a fast lens but with the Kx' high ISO capability it should do okay in low light.

That is great to hear! I did read too that the Tamron ones weren't as sharp as the Pentax lenses. I am trying to stay small and lightweight as well. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[gokenin]

I had the 50-200 then bought the 55-300 and sold the 200. I used the 300 for a while but never really found it to my liking its a good lens but in my opinion a little soft as you get close to 300 (could be the photographer as well ) so i got another copy of the 50-200 and have since sold the 300. I just dont need the range and I find the 50-200 to be a better lens for my needs.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I had the 50-200 then bought the 55-300 and sold the 200. I used the 300 for a while but never really found it to my liking its a good lens but in my opinion a little soft as you get close to 300 (could be the photographer as well ) so i got another copy of the 50-200 and have since sold the 300. I just dont need the range and I find the 50-200 to be a better lens for my needs.

Good to know that the 50-200mm was worth coming back to! I'm very glad to hear this as I've been dropping HEAVY hints for DH to purchase this for me for Christmas! I really don't think I'd have a need for the 300mm either. Thanks so much!

 

[Groucho]

I like my copy of the 50-200mm, also, though admittedly I don't use it a lot anymore. I have used it a lot before I got my 50-135mm, and was generally quite happy with it. It is small and light and was a nice match for my K100D back in the day and now it mainly is kept in my wife's bag to use on her K-x.

I would love to swap it for a 55-300mm but haven't been able to justify the price.

One good thing is that it's a fairly common lens and it's not uncommon for people to move up to "faster" lenses as they become more proficient, which means that you can often find very good deals on second-hand copies. There's not much to break on them so as long as it's not scratched and is a good copy (as I think most are), you'd be fine with a used one.

Here's a few shots taken with my 50-200mm:


Cinderella Castle from Contemporary Resort 14th floor by Groucho Dis, on Flickr


Inside The Land pavilion by Groucho Dis, on Flickr


Train display in Germany by Groucho Dis, on Flickr

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks Groucho! I love that castle picture! Was that taken from California Grill?

So it seems that this is the lens I'm looking for. I do want that 55-300mm too but it's bit pricey for me right now. I'll put it on my wish list! Thanks again for the pictures, they illustrated the distance perfectly for me.

 

[Groucho]

Thanks Groucho! I love that castle picture! Was that taken from California Grill?

Thanks! That was actually from the 14th floor fire escape on New Year's Day morning. I went to the highest floor than anyone can get to (10th, I think), and propped the fire escape door slightly open. (Actually, I think someone already had from the night before!) I then climbed up to the 14th floor and took the photos. I might end up repeating that this year, we've got Chef Mickey's reservations for the 2nd...

Here's one more 50-200mm shot for you.


Self-portrait in American Adventure by Groucho Dis, on Flickr

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks! That was actually from the 14th floor fire escape on New Year's Day morning. I went to the highest floor than anyone can get to (10th, I think), and propped the fire escape door slightly open. (Actually, I think someone already had from the night before!) I then climbed up to the 14th floor and took the photos. I might end up repeating that this year, we've got Chef Mickey's reservations for the 2nd...

Here's one more 50-200mm shot for you.


Self-portrait in American Adventure by Groucho Dis, on Flickr

Ok, when I first read this, I thought you climbed up an actual fire escape! Then I re-read it and saw that it was a door! Your shots are gorgeous. I love the ornament one you posted. I have tried to get a shot similar to that at home but it always looks weirdly distorted.

Can I ask you another lens question, if you don't mind? I love taking portrait shots of my kids and family. The other lens I'm considering is the Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4. It's definitley outside my price range right now but I'm thinking of getting a slightly used one. Anyhow, from what I've read it produces a very soft bokeh which I would love for portraits. Thanks!

 

[gokenin]

The 50mm is often thought of as a good portrait length but it is not the only length that you can use for portraits however i think if you find a length that is good for you then that is the lens you should be looking for. You can always look for the F50 1.7 which i think is better than the FA 50 1.4 but its all about a personal choice.

 

[Golf4food]

I like my 50-200 WR well enough. Nice having the weather sealing on it to go with the weather sealed K-7 body (I know, you have a Kx). Light for a lens of that length, but it still helps to have a monopod or tripod if the lighting is not good enough to get a fast shutter speed.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The 50mm is often thought of as a good portrait length but it is not the only length that you can use for portraits however i think if you find a length that is good for you then that is the lens you should be looking for. You can always look for the F50 1.7 which i think is better than the FA 50 1.4 but its all about a personal choice.

Thank you. The 50mm focal length seems to be a favorite of mine for portraits! So that's why I was leaning toward that particular lens. My K-X came with the 18mm-55mm kit lens which is good but I wanted something a bit better!

I like my 50-200 WR well enough. Nice having the weather sealing on it to go with the weather sealed K-7 body (I know, you have a Kx). Light for a lens of that length, but it still helps to have a monopod or tripod if the lighting is not good enough to get a fast shutter speed.

Thank you. I am looking at tripods on Amazon, several have caught my eye. I don't want a large, heavy one at this point. From what I've heard here on the dis and elsewhere, this lens is compact, light and gets the job done!