Pentax Da Lens

Looking at getting a Pentax K10D and there's two lens options I'm looking at getting (they're package deals.) I can either get the Pentax K10D with 18-55 and 50-200mm DA Lenses or 16-45 and 50-200mm lenses for an extra $230AUS. I admit I'm a newbie when it comes to photography, or at least when it comes to the technical side of it (I did a lot of the artistic side to it in school but never learnt much about lenses, focal points or apertures etc.) How much better is the 16-45 and is it worth the extra cost, and why?

Look at the maximum aperture of the two lenses. Faster lenses are lenses that have larger maximum lens openings, also referred to as f stops. These "faster" lenses are better suited for low light situations when flash is not desirable. The more expensive lens has a constant f/4 available throughout the focal range (16-45mm), and will be heavier and have better glass. The less expensive lens sells for less than $100 US and when zoomed out is limited to f/5.6. The more expensive lens retails for more than $500 US- more than the camera body alone. Some camera shops will let you rent a lens and that would be a great way to see if you can see enough difference between the two to justify the cost.

2007-10-11 12:55:32 by raazmeister

Just a quick test video of my new pentax da Weather resistant 50-200mm lens NOTE: There is a lot of noise in the background because of the SHAKE ...

I have an *ist dl and I'm looking for a good zoom lens. This one is only $250 and I think there's a mail in rebate. I know pentax makes really nice lenses. I just want to know what other people think of it and if there might be a better alternative. I'm not a pro photographer, I'm a student and I do it mostly as a hobby, so I don't have much money to spend.

A zoom lens is a trade off. You gain convenience, but you lose some photographic quality. The best I can say is that unless you are a professional photographer and trying to market your pictures, GO FOR IT!

Pentax has been incredible since long before I had my first one in 1967. If I had a "druther," I druther have Pentax lenses than Tamron or Sigma. I can't speak too much for Sigma, the ones that I have used have not impressed me. Tamron used to be pure junk, but they have improved a lot. Cheaper zooms are more likely to wobble sooner (that is the front of the lens might wobble after a while) and worse, they don't hold their position in the zoom, they can slide easily back and forth. This does not happen immediately, it happens with age and use. I do have one lesser brand zoom that actually has a zoom lock on it and I like that.

If you want two zooms that will do most of your work, go with a 28-75 (or somewhere close) and a 75 (or 70) - 150.

Probably y ou can buy those lenses used, even the 50-200 from www.KEH.com and if you get the EX, EX+, you can't go wrong. I have been buying from them for eons and the worst thing I can say about them is that they have also given me more than what I expected to get.

2006-09-14 09:47:44 by spuality

Price: $219.95

Highly lightweight design for improved comfort and portability.
Equivalent to 53.5mm in the 35mm format.
PENTAX Super Protect (SP) coating helps repel dust, water, and grease, making the lens easier to clean.

I was in HK recently and wanted to purchase a Sigma 10-20mm for my K110D, when we installed the lens the auto-focus did not work we tried the lens in a K110D on display and it worked there. All settings were reset and alike, we were just dumbfounded on why this happened. We tried a Pentax DA lens on my camera and it worked, but I really wanted the Sigma... ended up not buying it since I had no idea how to get the AF to work.

Sigma HSM lenses are looking for an electronic focusing camera, The K100D and K110D are still using a mechanical drive shaft.

In order to be able to AF a Sigma HSM lens on a pentax body you need to be using the K10D, K20D, K100D Super, or K200D as they support electronic AF lenses.

2008-03-15 17:28:23 by Ian S

Price: $319.99

Weather-resistant to handle damp, inclement conditions.
Standard 3X zoom focal range for a wide range of shooting applications.
The PENTAX-original Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant switching from autofocus to manual focus operation.

Sounds and looks like a revival of the full frame 40mm pancake that Pentax made in the 80's. On a black MX body (the smallest ff 35mm SLR Pentax ever made) with black tape over the Pentax logo on the pentaprism, this was possibly the best camera/lens combination for discreet street photography ever made. The whole thing could be put in a jacket pocket.

2009-07-10 15:25:54 by Mere Mortal

I am new to DSLRs and I want to know if I would benefit from having this lens or if I would be fine without it.

It's made specifically for the tiny sensor in a K2000. So it is going to give you a wider view than you might get with more traditional focal length lenses.

2009-07-10 14:46:30 by anniebannani