Zoom lenses

[RBennett]

True, but the K20 is lacking in a few features that are quite common in their Nikon/Canon counterparts for not that much more money (once you remove the name premium charge, haha). I tried to convince myself to get a K20 but until Pentax adds some of those other features that are no commonplace in that level of camera, it will still be a few steps behind and not worth my investment, no matter how much I want to stick with Pentax for the long haul. If the next update doesn't get them more in line with the capabilities of the D90 or 50D, etc. then I think it will be time to jump ship. We can only wait for so long. I don't have a giant collection of old lenses and other bodies to keep me that loyal. It's a great camera and very good at what it does, but for now there are too many things it doesn't do at all that keep me from pulling the trigger, even at the lower price point.

Just out of curiousity (because I've had this same debate in my head) what features are you talking about the K20 lacking? I've thought about going over to Canon/Nikon, but the fact that everything I have now is Pentax and the in-camera stabilization keeps me here.

 

[boBQuincy]

I am not surprised to see a new crop of bridge cameras that emulate a SLR with a "one size fits all" lens. We see many posts from SLR owners (and potential owners) who like the cameras but do not like the idea of carrying or changing lenses. Many of them are asking about 18-200, 18-250, and so on. A SLR is not the best choice for most of this group and they are not going to buy numerous lenses amyway so the manufacturers need to give them another option. Enter the long range bridge camera.

On paper the bridge has it all, image stabilization, wide zoom range, lots of megapixels, good image quality, video, and most importantly, nothing else to carry or fiddle with! Small maximum apertures and high ISO noise are not things this group worries about, nor is the lack of 10mm or fisheye capability (although at least one bridge camera has a 10mm emulation mode). The "multi-lens shuffle" will probably be the defining image (pun intended) of photographers who are concerned enough about their composition, aperture, etc. to carry and use various lenses but for most people a 95th percentile solution is a better choice. It may also be a much easier sell for the manufacturers, SLRs are the flagships but it is the P&S that boosts the bottom line.

Ps: I can see the attraction, I had an "oh darn" moment while photographing "Wishes" from behind the castle when I realized I needed the 10-22 instead of the 24-105. I almost missed some good photos while changing lenses and it would have been nice to just crank the lens further instead.

 

[Groucho]

Like RBennett, I'm not sure what "features" Golf4food is talking about.

The closest competitors feature-wise to the K20D are the 50D and the D300, I would say it's spec'ed somewhere between them. (It's certainly higher spec'ed than the D90 despite the D90 costing more!)

Both the D300 and 50D have faster FPS ratings and "common knowledge" is that they have faster autofocus, but anecdotal evidence has also shown that the Pentax might be more consistent. They also can both AF in Live View mode unlike the K20D but it is pretty slow. They do both have larger LCDs.

Neither of the C/N models do video, but the K20D has a 21fps "burst" mode that is pretty comparable to what you get from the D90's video mode (minus sound.)

The 50D has minimal weathersealing. The K20D has excellent weathersealing, certainly as good and maybe better than the D300. To the best of my knowledge, the 50D cannot control a wireless flash without added hardware, whereas the K20D and D300 can using the onboard flash.

Some K20D-exclusive features include the ability to tune the color of the LCD, the Hyperprogram mode (instant Av and Tv modes without touching the mode dial), the aforementioned burst mode, higher mp ratings than anything other than the 50D, dedicated buttons for bracketing (instant HDR!) and Raw, the ability to shoot in DNG mode, in-body RAW processing, built-in dust checking (no need to shoot a wall then adjust levels later), Sensitivity Priority mode, Shutter/Aperture Priority mode (select both and ISO adjusts as needed), and probably several others that I'm forgetting. IMHO, these are mostly features that are really useful for a photographer rather that just checkboxes in a feature list.

Then there's that whole image stabilization thing! These seems to be rarely mentioned in the C/N world but it's amazing to me that they still refuse to add it. The upshot is that you have pretty much no stabilized primes and very few stabilized third-party lenses. If you want a stabilized "standard zoom" (17-50mm or so), better be prepared to dig deep!

So, feature-wise, I think it's pretty solid compared to its competition. It's also older than the 50D and about six months newer than the D300. It also retailed at about $700 cheaper than the D300 and is currently $800 cheaper, and is $450 cheaper currently than the 50D. It's a screaming deal no matter how you slice it.

If you feel that you must have AF in liveview or faster FPS ratings or a .3" larger screen in order to get acceptable photos, then the K20D isn't for you. I would say that it's pretty much a given that the K20D replacement will have those features and almost certainly some form of video.

 

[RBennett]

Well, to be fair, they've been much said there will definitely be new ones announced in the May/June timeframe. They had stated after Hoya bought them that they wanted to go to a steady 18-month refresh rate, and have the updates be more than just minor tweaks... the K20D is barely over a year old, so it's not like it's all that old yet.

I don't mind, I'm still happy with mine and no rush to get the urge to go out and upgrade again!

So basically, what you're saying is that I should wait until closer to the end of the year before I attempt to upgrade my Pentax to see what comes out? I think what I'm going to try and get first is the fish-eye that you have. Is there something on the description of the lenses that says if they are weathersealed? Or are all Pentax lenses weathersealed on the K20?
And BTW: I loved your last post. That REALLY helped me to decide and stick with the Pentax cameras. If I can't get the photos I want with my K100 or the K20, then I need to look at the operator and not the camera.

 

[gokenin]

the only lens that I know of that are weathersealed are the DA* lens any other lens will not be weathersealed but the body will still be sealed.

 

[ukcatfan]

Is there something on the description of the lenses that says if they are weathersealed? Or are all Pentax lenses weathersealed on the K20?

I am pretty sure that only the DA* are weathersealed.

 

[Groucho]

Yeah, like the others said, only the DA* lenses. One way to tell a sealed lens is that it has a rubber gasket on the lens mount.

That being said, many of their lenses (including the fisheye and I think all the newest lenses) have a coating that claims to resist water, fingerprints, etc... I'm sure you could do a drizzle with no problem with most lenses (and many have), but when it starts really raining hard (or you're on Splash Mt or Kali River Rapids!), you want as many gaskets as you can get.

RBennett, I'd hate to make a recommendation. Who knows what the summer will bring... the K20D had some pretty serious upgrades over the K10D, who knows what the summer will bring... maybe a vastly upgraded K30D, maybe a mildly tweaked K20D Super, maybe a full-frame camera... But as of right now, the K20D at $690 from Amazon is absolutely amazing. I don't think you can get more camera for your money (not even close.) There's not too much I wish mine did that it doesn't do...

 

[JoWiJo]

I am not surprised to see a new crop of bridge cameras that emulate a SLR with a "one size fits all" lens. We see many posts from SLR owners (and potential owners) who like the cameras but do not like the idea of carrying or changing lenses. Many of them are asking about 18-200, 18-250, and so on. A SLR is not the best choice for most of this group and they are not going to buy numerous lenses amyway so the manufacturers need to give them another option. Enter the long range bridge camera.

This almost describes me. I'm not an owner of SLR, but you have me on the other points. I'm novice enough that the thought of owning one (using it) intimidates me. Plus, as you mention, I don't like the idea of having to change lenses for different shots, carrying around the lenses, having something else to keep protected from damage, and paying the amount of money required to have all those lenses.

---

About six months ago I bought a Panasonic camera with similar features to the Pentax mentioned, but with slightly lower specs (18x, 10 MP for example). Lots of people criticized these specs before the camera was released, saying that there was no way that the camera could produce good images. I am happy to say that they were very wrong. Some of the pictures I have taken I would have never gotten with a simple P&S and probably wouldn't have gotten with an SLR (too busy fumbling with lenses). Granted, this doesn't mean that all of the pictures I take have been great ones, but that has more to do with the photographer than the camera.

The lesson here is don't assume that the specs with a fancy P&S are too good to be true. Check out images made by these cameras first. The camera industry is working hard at technology to counteract the problems inherent to cameras with such lofty numbers.

 

[ms_mckenna]

I got a Nikon D60 at Christmas. No extras just the plain jane lens that comes with it. I am fine with it for the most part but the zoom capabilities are just not cutting it. So I am looking to buy a new lens. I don't want to break the bank as this is my first upgrade and I am easing hubby into the DSLR world lol. Any ideas on a good lens? I am looking for something that I can focus in on things for example across the yard. Would love suggestions.

 

[handicap18]

The 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR lens is a very good buy at just over $200. Its not to big yet still gives you a good amount of reach. Having the VR is great especially when using it at the long end to help prevent camera shake.

For some this might not be long enough. There is also the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR that runs a littlel more than $500.

I think that for those just starting out and still learning everything the 50-200mm VR is a very good buy.

 

[rossb]

I got a Nikon D60 at Christmas. No extras just the plain jane lens that comes with it. I am fine with it for the most part but the zoom capabilities are just not cutting it. So I am looking to buy a new lens. I don't want to break the bank as this is my first upgrade and I am easing hubby into the DSLR world lol. Any ideas on a good lens? I am looking for something that I can focus in on things for example across the yard. Would love suggestions.

You will have to explain what you don't like about your current lens. The 18-55VR kit lens is a good optic with a very useful zoom range. This is a lens you can do a lot with.

Do you want wider focal lengths? Do you want more reach? Do you want a "faster" (F2.8 or faster)?

 

[boBQuincy]

With your goals of zooming in on something across the yard and of not breaking the bank I agree with handicap18 that the Nikon 55-200 is your best option. It is a good first long lens and complements the 18-55 kit lens nicely.

 

[ms_mckenna]

Thanks that is the one that we had been looking at but I did not know if I would be disappointed in it. My main issue with the zoom now is I cannot really even zoom in across my living room. Looks like we will be going with the 55-200. Yeah my first lens ... why do I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks that is the one that we had been looking at but I did not know if I would be disappointed in it. My main issue with the zoom now is I cannot really even zoom in across my living room. Looks like we will be going with the 55-200. Yeah my first lens ... why do I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

Because it is only the beginning! Welcome to the world of NAS= Nikon Acquisition Syndrome. All of us Nikon Shooters suffer from it. It's a borderline addiction!
Not sure if you are interested but I got the 18-200VR lens last year and I really like it. It's a great walk around lens. Some people don't like it, but I do. I used this as my primary walk around on my last DL trip and was able to get zoomed in pretty close. There were very few instances in which I missed my 70-300VR, and I can honestly say I didn't miss carrying around the extra weight of that one lens all day long. Anyway, I just thought I'd toss that out for your consideration. This lens runs around $600-700. It's a little pricey, but very convenient and no need to swap lenses. (Although I did swap lenses for my wide angle Sigma, 30mm 1.4 Sigma and 18-50 2.8 Sigma for some low light shots.)
Have fun and good luck with your decision!

 

[handicap18]

Thanks that is the one that we had been looking at but I did not know if I would be disappointed in it. My main issue with the zoom now is I cannot really even zoom in across my living room. Looks like we will be going with the 55-200. Yeah my first lens ... why do I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

Look at the last line in my signature. Yes, this IS ONLY the beginning!!!

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I know i won't find anything like 12X times zoom. Right now i have a camera that is 5 megapixels, 3 X optical zoom and is pretty thin. Whenever i try to take pics at Disney the pictures always come out really fuzzy when i try to upload them on my computer but seem fine when i look in the little screen. Any ideas on a thin camera with alot of zoom???

 

[MICKEY88]

I know i won't find anything like 12X times zoom. Right now i have a camera that is 5 megapixels, 3 X optical zoom and is pretty thin. Whenever i try to take pics at Disney the pictures always come out really fuzzy when i try to upload them on my computer but seem fine when i look in the little screen. Any ideas on a thin camera with alot of zoom???

before buying a new camera, you should find out why your pics are fuzzy, if by chance it's blur casued by camera motion, a stronger zoom will amplify that
and your pics will be worse..

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

could it have anything to due with the megapixels??? When i look through the ittle screen on the camera it looks fine but when i put it on a big 17 inch monitor it becomes fuzzy. Could that be why it's fuzzy???

 

[MICKEY88]

could it have anything to due with the megapixels??? When i look through the ittle screen on the camera it looks fine but when i put it on a big 17 inch monitor it becomes fuzzy. Could that be why it's fuzzy???

5 mega pixels should be fine, any blur or lack of sharp focus will be more noticeable the more you enlarge the photo, if you could post a few examples, those with a sharp eye, could help figure it out..

 

[Soupermom]

What about the new Canon Powershot SX200 IS. It has 12.1MP, 12x Optical zoom (but not sure if this is accurate), and lots of other features for $350. It got a #1 rating in my photography magazine...