lens to go with pentax k7

[kicko]

I've been using film of and on for over thirthy years now I'm taking the plunge into digital buting a pentax k7 but I was wondering what lenes to go with the k7 have done a lot of reading and now I'm confused at the start I was looking at 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 and 10-24 f/3.5-4.5 any advice would be helpful.Thank you

[tim71]

G'day Kicko,

depends on what sort of photos you like to take? go the sigma 10-20 f3.5-40 for wide stuff. The pentax da 55-300mm F4-5.8 gets better reviews than the pentax da 50-200 and is still affordable but have a look at the equivalents or better from tamron and sigma. But you would also need something in between these two, again have a look at sigma or tamron or the pentax DA 17-70 SDM. If you haven't had a chance yet, go to dp review or photoreview or pentax forums na dlook at the lens reviews on these sites. Another option is to go to ebay and buy some second hand Pentax A lenes that will work nicely on the K-7 (no AF though but supports all modes) and this will help you determine your preferred focal length; but the $$ could add up too via this approach as they are fetching strong prices. What old leneses do you currently have?

cheers,

Tim

ps I have also justed moved from 20+ years of film to a K-7 and am able to use all my old m42 screw mounts via the k-mount adaptor. I bought the two Pentax DA WR kit zoom lenses(18-55 and 50-200), they are good for starters and the weather proofing was impt to me. Next purchase will be a wide angle zoom probably the sigma but if the rumors are true it will be the pentax da* 10-20. I also have a Pentax M 400mm which suffices at the other end of the spectrum.

[Falcons]

Seems like you are wanting an all rounder lens in the 18- 200 and a wide angle in the 10-24, both will do you quite well if that is trhe focal lengths you require.

Pentax doesn't produce any lenses in these focal lengths but I will assume you are referring to the Pentax 18 - 250mm and the Pentax 10 - 17mm - If so I would mention that the 18-250mm is a badged version of the Tamron 18-250, and the Tamron usually sells for cheaper.

I would also highly recomend the Pentax DA 16-45mm which is exceptional value for the price.

[kicko]

Thanks Tim
that was a great help.I got pentax f3.5-4.5 35-70 tamron f3.8-4.5 80-250 and a pentax 1.7 50. Ilike taking landscapes, sport just about anything.

[mudman]

When i bought my K7 i got the 18-250mm and the 100mm macro. both pentax, the 100mm also makes a good medium length telephoto lens.
both give excellent IQ.

[Tonto]

A interesting couple of things I learned in my K7 research.
Pentax DA lenses can be auto corrected in camera for distortion & CA - a huge advantage for something like a Pentax 18-250 as it will help out this lens alot (this is a key difference to factor between the Pentax and the Tamron)
Another great piece of advice is to go with a 18-250 initially and then look through your most common focal lengths through EXIF data. Then buy tighter zooms or limiteds in those ranges. The 18-250 will ALWAYS be useful for those times you just want to stay like or walk around not knowing what you may come across to shoot.

Edit: Oops, too late, oh well will post for any future K7 owners out there :)

[tim71]

G'day Kicko,

I am assuming you have Pentax A lenses, hang on to these as they are good lenses. Maybe go with a wide angle as you have the longer end of things covered, particulalry given the crop factor of 1.5 increases your reach at the telephoto end of things. The pentax 18-55 comes fairly cheaply as a kit lens on the K7 and works ok as a wide angle (starts at 27mm in the old 35mm language), thus giving you some money to put towards a fast (f2.8) telephoto zoom for your sports. Having said this my next lens will probably be the new Sigma 8-16 as I like wide angle work and am missing my 20mm which is now equivalent to a 30mm.

I keep studyng the reviews at http://www.dpreview.com and http://www.photozone.de/ to get my head around this digital age.

cheers,

Tim

http://www.dpreview.com