Yes, it is not possible to compare Pentax lenses to other brand lenses fairly because they have different build quality and things like that. However, what I'm trying to point out is that Pentax lenses are not cheap. Different people have different needs. Do you need that metal construction? Do you need your lens to be tiny? There are a lot of things to consider. Sometimes reviews emphasise a lot about build quality, but one must really consider if they really need it. How many people actually complain that their plastic lens fell apart after using it? I see a lot of people have their plastic kit lens in perfect condition after years of shooting, and yet reviews always say that they have horrible build quality.
As for pancake lenses on DSLRs, I think it's a matter of personal preference. I tend to prefer some bulk in front of my camera body so I have something to hold on to, but I do admit that if you need to shoot with one hand only for some reason, it gets irritating to have a heavy lens sticking at the front.
Lenses are not everything. As a lot of people here say, when you buy a camera, you buy into the whole system. It's not just the lenses or stabilisation or image quality you have to consider. It's the whole user interface, ergonomics, availability of equipment that you have to consider. I had a friend who jumped ship to Pentax recently and he complained that it was hard to find third party lenses in Pentax mount in Singapore. I'm not sure how true this is, but if it is true, it's something to consider as well.
I think I lost you.
You started off saying some lenses are too big for MILC.
Fine.
I mentioned smallish primes and pancake lenses would suit it well.
Now you claim big, heavier lenses are more preferred and somehow easier to hold??
Actually everyone held the portion between camera and lens for smaller lenses since film days.
Maybe in this day and age of big heavy zooms, ppl forget that lenses used to be pretty small for all brands
You made an assertion that they are expensive.
I showed the figures that they are not (not in the the whole scheme of lenses anyway).
More like fairly priced within the $250 to $750 range, which most lenses are.
There are real cheap ones too like the DA35/24 and DA40XS.
You proceeded to handpick the cheapest lenses from various brands to show that Pentax lenses are expensive.
Do you realize that some of these examples you used don't even work with AF on lower end bodies as they have no lens AF motor.
I then listed various prices and information on how the lenses are not comparable and the Pentax lenses prices were commensurate to lenses of like focal length, quality, performance, image stabilization
If you really only want the cheapest proposition.
Sure, also got :
M28/2.8 - ~$150
M50/1.4 - ~$170
M50/1.7 - ~$120
M50/2 - Really dirt cheap $60 only
M85/2 - $380
K135/2.5 - $450
and the list goes on... for all the 30+yrs of good and cheap legacy lenses avaliable.
All fully usable w/o need for adapter and they benefit from SR (shake reduction) too.
So now you say build not important, size is not important.
Yeah, like IPPT run with boots or run with track shoe, not important.
Somehow camera and lens. image stabilization, are not enough as a system?
Only interface, egronomics, and stuff easy to buy is considered good system?
Interface, ergonomics all can be re-learned and get used to. All cameras of all brands are not that different in the end.
Easy of buying stuff and spend money easily more important for a system than image stabilization, weight, build quality..... hmm.... I really don't agree.
Then I think Iphone wins as its got the most tweakable camera UI, just download appropriate camera app.
You can also go check out in the Pentax sub-section on who uses Sigma/Tamron stuff, quite a few.
If your friend has problems getting stuff, he/she can find out where to get them from the folks in the sub-section.
Usually he/she can place an order at the shop too.
To the TS, my apologies for turning your thread into some sort of slinging match.
Gd luck on your camera quest
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