Best Prime Lenses for Pentax K-7 I am thinking about buying a Pentax k-7 (am also looking at the Nikon d300s and Canon 7d) and was wondering what are the best prime lenses for this camera. If I could only carry 2 or 3, what would you recommend. And what would be best for most shooting situations if I only wanted to carry one? Right now, I shoot mainly high school sports, some landscapes and some portrait shots of family, friends, etc. Obviously, I am not a pro, just a hobbyist who has been using a point-and-shoot for years since I put away my old Canon A-1 SLR which I recently sold on Ebay. Best Prime Lenses for Pentax K-7 I am thinking about buying a Pentax k-7 (am also looking at the Nikon d300s and Canon 7d) and was wondering what are the best prime lenses for this camera. If I... » Read More Best Prime Lenses for Pentax K-7 I am thinking about buying a Pentax k-7 (am also looking at the Nikon d300s and Canon 7d) and was wondering what are the best prime lenses for this camera. If I could only carry 2 or 3, what would you recommend. And what would be best for most shooting situations if I only wanted to carry one? Right now, I shoot mainly high school sports, some landscapes and some portrait shots of family, friends, etc. Obviously, I am not a pro, just a hobbyist who has been using a point-and-shoot for years since I put away my old Canon A-1 SLR which I recently sold on Ebay. « Show Less
1430889
Top 3 Primes:smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limitedsmc PENTAX FA 31mm F1.8 Limitedsmc PENTAX FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
1430890
21mm limited is nice too but feels not-quite-wide-enough. I wish I took the 15mm instead. I've since sold the 21mm for a Canon S95. I've looked through Pentax's other pancake lenses as well--all excellent.
1430891
I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I haven't had opportunity to try it. I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I... » Read More I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I haven't had opportunity to try it. « Show Less
1430892
The lens I keep on my K7 is the 35 mm limited Macro. It translates to a 50 mm in 35 mm film format. It is versitle (focus down to one inch), very sharp, small, fast enough. Why do you think the standard lens on 35 mm film cameras was a 50 mm?
812303
Thanks very much for your advice.Any recommendations for a fast 50 or 30 mm prime lens?
1884402
I replaced my Canon 60d and smaller Sony A55 with an Olympus E-P3. I've owned several intro/mid-level dSLRs, and I would say the E-P3 was my favorite camera of all time. My pictures were amazing, it was fast, and best of all was that it was truly portable - perfect for my hiking trips. Were you mainly using the camera in auto mode? I always used it in manual, so can't really tell you how good or bad the camera did in 'A' mode - but in manual mode it was nearly perfect. The lenses you use may also play a role. My favorite lens of all time had been (maybe still is) the Canon 24-70mm lens, and I thought I would never find something that worked just as well, but I came across the Panasonic 14-140mm lens, which is super amazing, and became my favorite and main lens for the E-P3. The lack of viewfinder was never an issue for me, since I used the VF-2 view finder by Olympus. Sure, I was never happy using the E-P3 without the viewfinder, so I kept it on most of the time. I did sell the E-P3 on Ebay soon after the OM-D was announced. I figured that if the E-P3 had become my favorite camera of all time, getting the OM-D would be a no brainer since the specs are better than the E-P3 and it included a built in viewfinder. I have used an NEX-5 (first gen) in the past, and I must say I hated that camera due to how hard it made to shoot in 'M' mode; however, Sony released the NEX-7, a nearly perfect camera targeted towards potential dSLR owners. Deciding between the NEX-7 and the OM-D is a challenge, and they each have their pluses and negatives; however, those looking to replace a dSLR for some trips, shouldn't consider anything other than the OM-D(m4/3) or NEX-7(e-mount) for the time being; although, I bet Panasonic has something in the works to compete with Sony and Olympus.
107775
My understanding is the 55-300 DA L is sold as part of the kit only. The optical performance apparently is the same, but it is a lighter lens matched to the K-X. You have already mentioned the other differences. I have the same kit you do. You may also want to do a search on the Pentax User Forum. I have found many of my Pentax K-X questions are common ones that have been posed & answered before.
1641314
I purchased the Sigma 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom lens for my K-30 and am very happy with it. For a relatively inexpensive lens, it is well made and takes excellent photos. I have even taken interest in Macro photography since this lens is also designed for that purpose. I use this lens in addition to my Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5 -5.6 AL WR and a Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8 lens. Also, I am crazy about my K-30 camera and am so glad I have it.
893044
I found it. The menu has a setting for a lens that has an aperture ring. So all I did was change the setting to "permitted" and it worked. So thanks to K. Johnson for the response and I will now put this forum to rest. What a great little camera, the Pentax Kx! And I just found out that it takes multiple exposure pictures; how much fun is that?
2253694
I don't have a k-r camera but I would think the 50-200 F4-5.6 would fit. Suggest you log onto pentaxforums.com You will definitely find the answer there. By the way I love this 50-200 lens on my Pentax K100D. It is a very fine lens and I even shoot flowers fairly close up with splendid resolution. And it is an excellent bargain for the price. It is made with ED glass and I get consistently good shots with it. Certainly a better lens than the 18-55 which I also own. Good luck, my friend. I think when my old K100d stops working I will definitely buy either a kx or kr Pentax camera. I don't have a k-r camera but I would think the 50-200 F4-5.6 would fit. Suggest you log onto pentaxforums.com You will definitely find the answer there. By the way I love this 50-200 lens on my Pentax K100D. It is a very fine lens and I even shoot flowers fairly close up with splendid resolution. And it is an excellent bargain for the price. It is made with ED glass and I get consistently good shots with it. Certainly a better lens than the 18-55 which I also own. Good luck, my friend. I think when my old K100d stops working I will definitely buy either a kx or kr Pentax camera.
568372
Pentax K-7 is in the same class as a Nikon D300. Most people would cringe at the idea of comparing the K7 with the D90. If AF is your concern then that is not pentax's strongest spot, but almost everything else on par with the competition (D300, 7D). I would suggest that you check this out: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk7/
1358526
I don't have a Pentax digital camera, but as I understand it they should have the standard K-mount. Be careful of the Ricoh K-mount lenses that have an extra pin that can get stuck on the digital cameras so that you cannot easily remove the lens.
101690
I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s)... » Read More I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail « Show Less
1609031
I read some comments on dpreview.com of a guy who tested the Pentax k-7 with two different class 4 SDHC cards and one worked well (SanDisk Ultra II) while the other didn't (PNY). You can see the site below for more details. I would think a class 6 would work fine. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message;=33814313
2148669
I don't have a K3 (sadly), but I do know that this lens is fully compatible with my K5 and K5IIs. Therefore, I am confident that it is fully compatible with your K3. Pentax seems to be a company that avoids incompatibilities between cameras and lenses. I have often wondered where this advice came from - no idea, but I believe it to be either incorrect or based on criteria of which most of us are unaware.
1027473
I have this lens, it's very nice. I bought it for my Pentax K3 and recently started researching how to adapt it to a Pentax Q7 so I purchased a Pentax adapter K for Q. From what I read the adapters work but you will have to manually focus since there are no auto focus contact points on the adapters. I believe the same is true with all the less expensive adapters.
79696
The good news is, any Pentax lens will mount on a Pentax DSLR (Hats off to Pentax). Even if you have an old screw mount lens, the screw mount to Pentax K adapter will work. Functionality is limited to the type of lens. If it's a manual type, you can use aperture priority mode on the DSLR and the camera will choose the sutter speed, like your ME Super can. I have a collection of Pentax lenses and bought a Pentax DSLR because I can use them on it. I use the standard screw mount 50mm that came with my old Spotmatic because the glass is super on it. If you love your Pentax optics, the Pentax DSLR is the way to go. The good news is, any Pentax lens will mount on a Pentax DSLR (Hats off to Pentax). Even if you have an old screw mount lens, the screw mount to Pentax K adapter will work. Functionality is limited to the type of lens. If it's a manual type, you can use aperture priority mode on the DSLR and the camera will choose the sutter speed, like your ME Super can. I have a collection of Pentax lenses and bought a Pentax DSLR because I can use them on it. I use the standard screw mount 50mm that came with my old Spotmatic because the glass is super on it. If you love your Pentax optics, the Pentax... » Read More The good news is, any Pentax lens will mount on a Pentax DSLR (Hats off to Pentax). Even if you have an old screw mount lens, the screw mount to Pentax K adapter will work. Functionality is limited to the type of lens. If it's a manual type, you can use aperture priority mode on the DSLR and the camera will choose the sutter speed, like your ME Super can. I have a collection of Pentax lenses and bought a Pentax DSLR because I can use them on it. I use the standard screw mount 50mm that came with my old Spotmatic because the glass is super on it. If you love your Pentax optics, the Pentax DSLR is the way to go. « Show Less
1536569
Thank you so much for explaining the difference. I have used a 35 mm Pentax for years. And I have a small digital that I use now for quick shots. But I wanted to move up to something that would give me a good combination of options. So the dSLR cameras are all new to me.
23199
I have the old Pentax as well and 4 lenses so I was wanting to know the same thing. I recently took my old lenses into a camera shop and they helped me quite a bit. You will have to focus manually with them of course but depending on what type of lens you have, some of them have the sensors and will adjust the exposure automatically. The guy at the shop did find a way to use the full manual lens but you have to create a custom setting for it in the menu for the camera to recognize the lens or the shutter won't even work. I plan to get the body and then replace lenses eventually as money allows. I have the old Pentax as well and 4 lenses so I was wanting to know the same thing. I recently took my old lenses into a camera shop and they helped me quite a bit. You will have to focus manually with them of course but depending on what type of lens you have, some of them have the sensors and will adjust the exposure automatically. The guy at the shop did find a way to use the full manual lens but you have to create a custom setting for it in the menu for the camera to recognize the lens or the shutter won't even work. I plan to get the body and then replace lenses eventually as money... » Read More I have the old Pentax as well and 4 lenses so I was wanting to know the same thing. I recently took my old lenses into a camera shop and they helped me quite a bit. You will have to focus manually with them of course but depending on what type of lens you have, some of them have the sensors and will adjust the exposure automatically. The guy at the shop did find a way to use the full manual lens but you have to create a custom setting for it in the menu for the camera to recognize the lens or the shutter won't even work. I plan to get the body and then replace lenses eventually as money allows. « Show Less
1093346
You'll be able to use all your old Pentax lenses. If they're screw mount you'll need to get an adapter. Good ones (Original Pentax) run about $20 on ebay or you get one from the Pentax Online Store for $30.95.I suspect the metering will work but you may have to change some camera settings. You'll have to stop the lens down, then the camera will set the shutter speed. At least that's how it works with my Pentax *istD and screw mount lenses. If you're using K-mount lenses the same applies. With my camera I do get an "in focus" indicator in the viewfinder when I use manual K-mount lenses. You can download the manual for free from www.pentaximaging.com. Go to the Support section. You'll be able to use all your old Pentax lenses. If they're screw mount you'll need to get an adapter. Good ones (Original Pentax) run about $20 on ebay or you get one from the Pentax Online Store for $30.95.I suspect the metering will work but you may have to change some camera settings. You'll have to stop the lens down, then the camera will set the shutter speed. At least that's how it works with my Pentax *istD and screw mount lenses. If you're using K-mount lenses the same applies. With my camera I do get an "in focus" indicator in the viewfinder when I use... » Read More You'll be able to use all your old Pentax lenses. If they're screw mount you'll need to get an adapter. Good ones (Original Pentax) run about $20 on ebay or you get one from the Pentax Online Store for $30.95.I suspect the metering will work but you may have to change some camera settings. You'll have to stop the lens down, then the camera will set the shutter speed. At least that's how it works with my Pentax *istD and screw mount lenses. If you're using K-mount lenses the same applies. With my camera I do get an "in focus" indicator in the viewfinder when I use manual K-mount lenses. You can download the manual for free from www.pentaximaging.com. Go to the Support section. « Show Less