i just got my K-x!

[mariodoe]

Hi guys,

I'm a DSLR newbie too and gotten myself a K-x as well

just curious if a newbies like us should get a Prime lense?

What are the main pros and cons between a 1855mm Kit lense vs a Prime Lense (35mm, 40mm or 50mm)?

Any recommendation of prime lense that complement K-x?

Thanks guys!!

 

[kengoh]

:thumbsup:

Post a pic of your DA 50-200 if possible!

Don't worry about the blur and the oof... you'll learn very fast now!!

Here's the pic

 

[scorpioh]

Hi guys,

I'm a DSLR newbie too and gotten myself a K-x as well

just curious if a newbies like us should get a Prime lense?

What are the main pros and cons between a 1855mm Kit lense vs a Prime Lense (35mm, 40mm or 50mm)?

Any recommendation of prime lense that complement K-x?

Thanks guys!!

Why not? There's nothing difficult about using prime lenses, just a bit more restricting at times (which may not be a bad thing). I started with primes as a newbie too and there's no turning back. Prime lenses are Pentax's forte.

 

[mariodoe]

Hi scorpioh,

thanks for reply

any particular budget-friendly prime lense to recommend?

 

[scorpioh]

Hi scorpioh,

thanks for reply

any particular budget-friendly prime lense to recommend?

Prices for primes have gone up quite abit. For modern lenses, you can look for the DA40mmf2.8, DA35mmf2.8 or FA50mmf1.4. FA35mmf2.0 is also pretty good but can be harder to find. These lenses can cost from $500 to $700. Come think of it, there are no more cheap primes for Pentax. Sadly, we do not have that cheap 50mmf1.8. Else if you do not mind manual focusing, you can get the M, A and F series primes. Probably can get below $200. Keep a lookout in B&S.

 

[kengoh]

Hi scorpioh,

thanks for reply

any particular budget-friendly prime lense to recommend?

I'm also interested to know.
Would like to use on indoor & portrait taking.

 

[kengoh]

Prices for primes have gone up quite abit. For modern lenses, you can look for the DA40mmf2.8, DA35mmf2.8 or FA50mmf1.4. FA35mmf2.0 is also pretty good but can be harder to find. These lenses can cost from $500 to $700. Come think of it, there are no more cheap primes for Pentax. Sadly, we do not have that cheap 50mmf1.8. Else if you do not mind manual focusing, you can get the M, A and F series primes. Probably can get below $200. Keep a lookout in B&S.

How about those 3rd party ones like Sigma?
Are they good? I suppose will be cheaper than Pentax?

 

[Recoil3d]

ok im a student wanting to buy a dslr ! what i want most is good pic quality and VIDEO and zoom lenses , i also want art filter and the ability to retouch pictures in cam budget is below 2k around 1.7k~ at first i liked the 500d with 18-200mm but it has no art filter and the battery is weak(abt 450 shot ?) and the whole of sg is sold out.... . so now my decision would be the d90 with 18-105mm which i dont really want, but do not have the budget to get a 18-200 which i like . Another choice would be the k7 but i dont know if it has art filter and what kit lens it comes with .so if u know pls inform me . Now the kx is really nice ! good noise control and cheap with telephoto lens .but i dont like the idea of carrying 2 lenses around .do you guys also know whether the the 18-55mm ,50-200 or the 55-300 can manual focus while its set to autofocus like the nikon 18-105mm lens? or if it comes with a 18-200mm lens kit? also can you guys recomend reputable shops that offer freebies with a cheap price because i am new and dont have any camera related stuff like mem cards and dry cabinet which i need if i get 2 lenses.. I know that you guys will reccomend kx cause im a begginer but i want something for the long run like d90 ,k7 so im having a hard decision so pls reccomend me guys

 

[scorpioh]

I'm also interested to know.
Would like to use on indoor & portrait taking.

Think the 50mmf1.4 suits or FA35mm suits you well. But they aren't quite budget-friendly. The 50mm cost about ~$500. The FA35mm if you can find should cost at least $600. The DA series primes are a little slow on the aperture but they are generally compact and well-built.

 

[mariodoe]

Prices for primes have gone up quite abit. For modern lenses, you can look for the DA40mmf2.8, DA35mmf2.8 or FA50mmf1.4. FA35mmf2.0 is also pretty good but can be harder to find. These lenses can cost from $500 to $700. Come think of it, there are no more cheap primes for Pentax. Sadly, we do not have that cheap 50mmf1.8. Else if you do not mind manual focusing, you can get the M, A and F series primes. Probably can get below $200. Keep a lookout in B&S.

Hi scorpioh,

So DA and FA series have Auto Focus feature? What about any 3rd party Prime lense with Auto Focus?

Thanks!

 

[scorpioh]

How about those 3rd party ones like Sigma?
Are they good? I suppose will be cheaper than Pentax?

I am not sure of third party lenses. I heard that the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is quite decent but there are mixed reviews and its not that cheap either. Usally for third party lenses, people get them for the standard kit zoom lens like 18-50mm f2.8. Else its really better to stick with Pentax lenses - seriously, Pentax have a range of very good lenses, don't waste the advantage. In photography, good optics comes at a price but there is also a point of diminishing return.

 

[scorpioh]

ok im a student wanting to buy a dslr ! what i want most is good pic quality and VIDEO and zoom lenses , i also want art filter and the ability to retouch pictures in cam budget is below 2k around 1.7k~ at first i liked the 500d with 18-200mm but it has no art filter and the battery is weak(abt 450 shot ?) and the whole of sg is sold out.... . so now my decision would be the d90 with 18-105mm which i dont really want, but do not have the budget to get a 18-200 which i like . Another choice would be the k7 but i dont know if it has art filter and what kit lens it comes with .so if u know pls inform me . Now the kx is really nice ! good noise control and cheap with telephoto lens .but i dont like the idea of carrying 2 lenses around .do you guys also know whether the the 18-55mm ,50-200 or the 55-300 can manual focus while its set to autofocus like the nikon 18-105mm lens? or if it comes with a 18-200mm lens kit? also can you guys recomend reputable shops that offer freebies with a cheap price because i am new and dont have any camera related stuff like mem cards and dry cabinet which i need if i get 2 lenses.. I know that you guys will reccomend kx cause im a begginer but i want something for the long run like d90 ,k7 so im having a hard decision so pls reccomend me guys

I would suggest k7 if you can stretch your budget. You'll go further with it. Probably the best lenses for you to start with is the WR Dual kit. At that promotional price, there is no cheaper alternatives. All lenses can be manual focuses (you can swtich it). And for freebies, they tend to be of sub-par quality or less useful, so not much point also.

 

[scorpioh]

Hi scorpioh,

So DA and FA series have Auto Focus feature? What about any 3rd party Prime lense with Auto Focus?

Thanks!

Ok, a brief introduction of the series in chronological order: K, M, A, F, FA and DA. From F series on, there's auto focus support. Except for the DA series, the rest are all full-frame compatible, covering the full full-frame image size.

 

[Recoil3d]

i know u can switch it but i wanna know if u can auto focus then manual focus without switching anything ,and does the kx have image stabilization built in ? and do you know what lens the k7 comes with ? thx in advance

 

[scorpioh]

i know u can switch it but i wanna know if u can auto focus then manual focus without switching anything ,and does the kx have image stabilization built in ? and do you know what lens the k7 comes with ? thx in advance

ooh. I think you are refering the the Quick-shift feature. Only the DA series have this feature. But iirc , there may be some lower end kit lenses that does not have quick shift. You need to check during your purchase. Yes, kx has SR (shake reduction). k7 does not come with any lenses. You are given the option to purchase the WR dual kit at a promotional price though.

 

[Fireemblem]

i know u can switch it but i wanna know if u can auto focus then manual focus without switching anything ,and does the kx have image stabilization built in ? and do you know what lens the k7 comes with ? thx in advance

yes all auto focus capable lens (apart from DAL series kit lens with no quick shift feature (only 3 lens DAL 18-55,50-200 and DAL 55-300) can auto focus and then manual focus without switching anything.

Yes Kx comes with image stabilization. K-7 set at current promotional price is body only. But you should know that it has feature sets that is better than D90,eg weather seal body, af assist light for night shoot,100% pentaxprism viewfinder, electronic level indicator and some other features that can only be found in a higher grade Nikon body like D300s

Recommendation will definately be getting the dual Weather sealed kit lens (has quickshift feature) 18-55 and 50-200 so even if you are caught in the rain, your camera is still safe for usage.

 

[Recoil3d]

whats iirc?? anyways yea the quick shift feature it come on DA lenses which are the 18-55 and 55-300 right and i saw k7 abt 13xx and the wr dual lens kit is 4xx and they are DA lenses? but what lens are they 18-55 and 55-200? and i think neither pentax cameras come with 18-200mm?

 

[woefulwabbit]

Hi scorpioh,

thanks for reply

any particular budget-friendly prime lense to recommend?

I'm also interested to know.
Would like to use on indoor & portrait taking.

The FA 50mm f/1.4 used to be the obvious choice to go for, back when it was ~$330, but the price has gone up to ~$500, so not so obvious anymore. As Scorpioh has mentioned the DA40mm and DA35mm can also be considered.

How about those 3rd party ones like Sigma?
Are they good? I suppose will be cheaper than Pentax?

Sigma has a 30mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4. The 50mm I think it's not worth it, it's significantly bigger and more expensive than the Pentax FA, unless you really want the HSM. The 30mm may be a decent choice (I'm thinking about this one too) if you can't stomach the price of the FA 31mm Ltd, and if you find the FA35mm or DA35mm too slow for you.

ok im a student wanting to buy a dslr ! what i want most is good pic quality and VIDEO and zoom lenses , i also want art filter and the ability to retouch pictures in cam budget is below 2k around 1.7k~ at first i liked the 500d with 18-200mm but it has no art filter and the battery is weak(abt 450 shot ?) and the whole of sg is sold out.... . so now my decision would be the d90 with 18-105mm which i dont really want, but do not have the budget to get a 18-200 which i like . Another choice would be the k7 but i dont know if it has art filter and what kit lens it comes with .so if u know pls inform me . Now the kx is really nice ! good noise control and cheap with telephoto lens .but i dont like the idea of carrying 2 lenses around .do you guys also know whether the the 18-55mm ,50-200 or the 55-300 can manual focus while its set to autofocus like the nikon 18-105mm lens? or if it comes with a 18-200mm lens kit? also can you guys recomend reputable shops that offer freebies with a cheap price because i am new and dont have any camera related stuff like mem cards and dry cabinet which i need if i get 2 lenses.. I know that you guys will reccomend kx cause im a begginer but i want something for the long run like d90 ,k7 so im having a hard decision so pls reccomend me guys

If you really want to do your art filters on the camera, then I think the K-x is the only choice. I believe the K-7 doesn't do that but I may be wrong. But seriously, this kind of things are best done in post-processing on your PC than in the camera. You get much more control and variety of filters to choose from.

The Pentax doesn't have a megazoom lens as part of the kit, but you can get 18-200mm and 18-250mm lenses from Tamron or Sigma.

I think one of the main points about DSLRs is that you are able to change lenses to suit your needs... if you don't like the idea of owning more than one lens, then maybe a DSLR may not be your thing.

 

[elavan]

yes k7 has art filters, but photoshop/LR or any other half-serious imaging software >> in-cam filters

PP skills imo is an inseparable part of dslr photography..you can really be versatile if you are proficient in it.

 

[scorpioh]

yes k7 has art filters, but photoshop/LR or any other half-serious imaging software >> in-cam filters

PP skills imo is an inseparable part of dslr photography..you can really be versatile if you are proficient in it.

Yes, totally agree. I would rather prefer there's no filters built-in. Such features are more for fun cameras.