Pentax K10D Lens advice

Radu <cuca_macaii2000.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi. I have a PentaxK10D camera and two lens:
> - the kit lens, SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
> - and one I bought from B&H as the same time as the camera, for about
> 200$: Normal-Telephoto SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
>
> I would like to spoil myself for Christmas with a nice lens with macro
> capability - with the kit lens I can't go closer than probably 75cm,
> so when I wanted to take a close-up of a bee in a flower, I had to
> stay far away and then crop like crazy in photoshop...
>
> I have a limited budget - about 500$. Do you have any suggestions ?
>
> At B&H they have
> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens
> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus
> Lens

Find a used Tamron SP CF Macro 35-80/2.8-3.8 (model 01A). Then get the
matching 2x teleconverter (model 01F). These are Adaptall lenses, so
you'll need the P-K/A adaptor, or else suffer fully manual metering with
the P-K adaptor. Manual focus, but that's not a liability for close
focus (it's easier to just move the whole camera anyway).

This gives you 80mm/5.6, about 20cm close focus, with 1:1.2 macro
capability. For about $100. Without the 2x TC, you're still doing
pretty well: 80mm/3.8, same close focus, but 1:2.2 macro. The lens is
super sharp, and a total bargain.

Spend the rest of your budget on flash equipment:
<http://www.strobist.com/>

And if you ever switch to another brand of camera body, you just get a
new adaptor and re-use the lens.

--
http://www.xoverboard.com/cartoons/2007/070416_argument.html
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

"Radu" <cuca_macaii2000 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193765969.886595.11500@t8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Hi. I have a PentaxK10D camera and two lens:
> - the kit lens, SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
> - and one I bought from B&H as the same time as the camera, for about
> 200$: Normal-Telephoto SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
>
> I would like to spoil myself for Christmas with a nice lens with macro
> capability - with the kit lens I can't go closer than probably 75cm,
> so when I wanted to take a close-up of a bee in a flower, I had to
> stay far away and then crop like crazy in photoshop...
>
> I have a limited budget - about 500$. Do you have any suggestions ?
>
> At B&H they have
> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens
> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus
> Lens
>
> Thank you.
> Alex
>

I've got the Sigma 17-70 and it's handy for close up macro, but like most
general purpose zooms it's not a true macro. You have to get very close
with this lens to get the quoted 1:2.3 macro magnification. Good lens
though, as I say it's handy for occasional macro. I get much better macro
shots with an old manual focus 55mm f1.8 Pentax lens using auto extension
tubes, the tubes cost about £30 on eBay and I already had the lens from many
years ago but they're dirt cheap and excellent. Manual focus is no problem
with macro, but make sure the extension tubes are 'Auto' types with an
aperture lever otherwise you'll be trying to manual focus with a closed down
aperture (i.e. very dark, & can't see what you're doing!).

To do better than those, you're really looking at something like a Tamron 90
f2.8 macro lens, which will let you work a bit further away which makes
lighting easier and doesn't scare bees away so easily.
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/90mm.asp
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

best advice, sell your pentax and stay away from them
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

"Le Patriote" <lepat.RemoveThis@qc.qc> wrote in message
news:qeUVi.19735$hM3.42967@wagner.videotron.net...
> best advice, sell your pentax and stay away from them
>


Not happy with your K10D?
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

"The Spider Formally Seated Next To Little Miss Muffet" <muffet.RemoveThis@spider.com>
wrote in message news:472792bd$0$14134$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> "Radu" <cuca_macaii2000.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1193765969.886595.11500@t8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>> Hi. I have a PentaxK10D camera and two lens:
>> - the kit lens, SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
>> - and one I bought from B&H as the same time as the camera, for about
>> 200$: Normal-Telephoto SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
>>
>> I would like to spoil myself for Christmas with a nice lens with macro
>> capability - with the kit lens I can't go closer than probably 75cm,
>> so when I wanted to take a close-up of a bee in a flower, I had to
>> stay far away and then crop like crazy in photoshop...
>>
>> I have a limited budget - about 500$. Do you have any suggestions ?
>>
>> At B&H they have
>> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens
>> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus
>> Lens
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Alex
>>
>
>
> I too am looking for a Macro lens for my K10D. I am most likely going to
> go with the Pentax 100mm Macro. I only buy Pentax brand lenses they are by
> far better than any of the Tamron or Sigma. The lens isn't cheap, but it
> should go quite nicely.
>

I would argue that the Tamron 90mm is a better lens, built a little
stronger, sharper in several places and has a limit switch and is a known
excellent performer on the Pentax cameras..
>
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

Pete D wrote:
> "Le Patriote" <lepat.RemoveThis@qc.qc> wrote in message
> news:qeUVi.19735$hM3.42967@wagner.videotron.net...
>
>>best advice, sell your pentax and stay away from them
>>
>
>
>
> Not happy with your K10D?
>

Probly the paycheck it gets from Canikon to post anti Pentax drivel
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

Thank you all for your input.

In the end I have decided on the Sigma 17-70 - I have found it at a
decent price. I really hope that I will be satisfied with it.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer !
Alex

PS. Regarding the advice to run away from Pentax. I'm quite happy with
my camera, I have bought a lot of toys for it (the battery grip, the
AF540FGZ flash, etc) and it takes great pictures (for my limited know-
how, experience, and talent). You should bring some arguments to the
table to be taken seriously, otherwise your post is just a waste of
electrons. Sorry.
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

"Pete D" <no.DeleteThis@email.com> wrote in message
news:47284a08$0$17155$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>
> "The Spider Formally Seated Next To Little Miss Muffet"
> <muffet.DeleteThis@spider.com> wrote in message
> news:472792bd$0$14134$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>> "Radu" <cuca_macaii2000.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1193765969.886595.11500@t8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>>> Hi. I have a PentaxK10D camera and two lens:
>>> - the kit lens, SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
>>> - and one I bought from B&H as the same time as the camera, for about
>>> 200$: Normal-Telephoto SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
>>>
>>> I would like to spoil myself for Christmas with a nice lens with macro
>>> capability - with the kit lens I can't go closer than probably 75cm,
>>> so when I wanted to take a close-up of a bee in a flower, I had to
>>> stay far away and then crop like crazy in photoshop...
>>>
>>> I have a limited budget - about 500$. Do you have any suggestions ?
>>>
>>> At B&H they have
>>> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens
>>> - Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus
>>> Lens
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>> Alex
>>>
>>
>>
>> I too am looking for a Macro lens for my K10D. I am most likely going to
>> go with the Pentax 100mm Macro. I only buy Pentax brand lenses they are
>> by far better than any of the Tamron or Sigma. The lens isn't cheap, but
>> it should go quite nicely.
>>
>
> I would argue that the Tamron 90mm is a better lens, built a little
> stronger, sharper in several places and has a limit switch and is a known
> excellent performer on the Pentax cameras..
>>
>
>

I am not found of non Pentax brands, but I will take a look at the Tamron.
Thanks.

The Spider

--
Ignorance really is bliss, just look how happy President Bush is.
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice 

The Spider Formally Seated Next To Little Miss Muffet wrote:

>"Pete D" <no.TakeThisOut@email.com> wrote
>>
>> "The Spider Formally Seated Next To Little Miss Muffet"
>> <muffet.TakeThisOut@spider.com> wrote in message
>>>
>>> I too am looking for a Macro lens for my K10D. I am most likely going to
>>> go with the Pentax 100mm Macro. I only buy Pentax brand lenses they are
>>> by far better than any of the Tamron or Sigma. The lens isn't cheap, but
>>> it should go quite nicely.
>>
>> I would argue that the Tamron 90mm is a better lens, built a little
>> stronger, sharper in several places and has a limit switch and is a known
>> excellent performer on the Pentax cameras..
>
>I am not found of non Pentax brands, but I will take a look at the Tamron.

You ought to be able to find a second-hand Pentax 50 or 100/2.8 macro
for reasonable money. Check keh.com or eBay.

--
Mark Roberts Photography & Multimedia
www.robertstech.com
412-687-2835
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax K10D Lens advice