lens for digital SLR

I was going to buy it online, but I guess I can take into a local camera shop and ask for advice there. Thanks Gone Bush

Hi Heather - Would your conscience let you do that? Service is the main reason why your local shop is more expensive that buying on line. A bit cheeky having it both ways?

Does the on line store have a 'contact us' section? Sometimes they can offer advice, but mostly are just on selling an item in a box.

Motherhen

Who bought her cameras from Hong Kong

You are probably right but i did buy the original camera locally... and paid a couple of hundred dollars more for doing it! We pay considerably more here than the big retail chains can offer them, but next time I am passing a Harvey Norman or similar I might take it in and ask.
I had to return my Olympus digital compact to head office in Sydney for repairs last year so didnt get local service for that.
Bit cheeky buying yours in Hong Kong too Motherhen!!!
Heather G

Yes, my Olympus played up (kept saying 'no batteries'). That one had been purchased from DSE as a pocket cheapy when i was working at a Real Estate office and got sick of the boss pinching my Sony when he misplaced his camera. I posted it back to the DSE store and they sent it on for repair.

I know with the Hong Kong ones, i would just have to assess paying for a repair v buying a new one. None are SLR, so it isn't huge money.

To correct for Chromatic Aberration you need a long lens made with Low Dispersion glass... which usually means you need a high dispersion wallet!! I have a nikon 300mm which produces stunning results because of this.

Seriously though, as a working pro photographer I support our local camera shop industry.... although the cameras are imported (mainly from China and the Philipines theses days) there is a group of people who get their employment from the wholesaling and retailing of these products in Australia.

When you import "Grey Market" direct from Hong Kong you aren't helping the Australian Economy.

It's called "buy your kid a job" when you buy locally.

Cheers

Mark T

So the sigma lenses do fit then Kev? My original Pentax is in almost new condition as I bought it a couple of years before digital cameras started to become popular and hardly used it.
Thanks Heather G

They most certainly do,

If I had another camera I'd take a photo of it hahaha

Thanks Sir kev (or maybe Your Highness would be more appropriate???) Much appreciated.
I will investigate further now with the Pentax SLR.
Heather G

nope the crop factor is 2x with pentax so she will be missing any kind of a wide angle on the pluss side the lenses will have plenty of zoom but another negative they are veeeery slow lenses so very high ISO will be needed on the long end say for birds to get high enough shutter speeds which will lead to noise

uh uh I thought pentax used 4/3 sensors but they dont so they would be around 1.5 crop

Yes, the crop factor is 1.5.

Yep, Nikon and Canon both make great cameras, however I would like to see my sigma lenses used rather than gather dust in the back of the cupboard. And this will be my entry level SLR so I will probably upgrade in a few years anyway.
I have a small compact Olympus which is great when bushwalking as it slips into a pocket and is lightweight.
Thanks.
Heather G

Thanks Steve,
have just sent Pentax a question re this and hope they get back to me before too long. Couldnt see any lenses other than Pentax mentioned on their website but maybe I wasnt looking in the right place.
Regards,
heather G

How can film lenses be longer ??? Film SLR cameras used the same swing-up mirrors.

You're thinking of rangefinder cameras.

Mike ,

I am not sure which way round this is but a digital sensor and a film cartridge are different thicknesses so the end of the lens that is inside the camera can be a different depth - It most definitely is for Canon EF-S lenses because Canon state quite clearly NOT to use these lenses in any other of their cameras as the mirror will smash into the lens base ... It may well be different with Pentax as I said I don't have one == But the lenses need to be taken to a shop and popped into a digital body to see if anything goes crash ...

Rgds

Steve

"Canon state quite clearly NOT to use these lenses in any other of their cameras as the mirror will smash into the lens base "

That's something Pentax owners don't need to worry about.

Every Pentax SLR lens can be used on every Pentax digital SLR. My 50/1.4 I bought in 1971 works beautifully on the K20D I bought in 2008.

Hi Mike - I received the following email yesterday from Pentax advising that this is indeed the case after I contacted them late last week.

'Dear Heather,

Pentax past and present digital SLR cameras will work with your existing Sigma AF lenses. However for optimum image quality it is best to use a digitally designed lens.
Thank you'

It is very handy to know when you are the already owner of an SLR (Pentax) camera.
I received my new K200D yesterday from Stephen in Clare SA and have already taken some experimental pics. Love it!
Regards,
Heather G

Stephen,
would you mind clarifying something. You refer above to a Pentax 19-55 lens but when I was looking, the K200D came with a Pentax DA 18-55 lens. Whats the difference. One of the difficulties when getting into SLRs is that a lot of them come with kit lenses which obviously you are going to replace fairly soon if you're serious. The next step up is a single lens at about the $700-800 mark so the jump can be a large one. Are you saying that the Pentax as opposed to the Sigma is a good compromise and if so, is the lens I'm referring to in that category?

Hi Wigger,
Sorry about that, it is a typo error. It should have read 18-55 Lens.
For only $50 dearer, you got the Pentax lens compared to the 18-50 Sigma lens. This 18-55 lens is a superb lens. The only setback with any brand of camera, is that there will be times when you want that extra distance out of your lens. Having said that, I had a look back from the photos that I took on this years outback trip into the Gibson Desert. Of the 1100 odd photos that I took, there were only about 20 photos that I took using the telephoto zoom lens - with focal length greater than 70mm, so in real terms of photography of my personal usage, the standard small 18-55 lens will be used with excellent results for over 98% of my shots.

The next question that will be asked, what camera and lens do I personally uses???

My first DSLR was a Pentax K100 D Super with Pentax 18-250 Lens, which I still use in conjunction my second DSLR, the Pentax K200 D with Pentax 18-55 Lens.

I hope this is what you wanted to hear.

Cheers

Stephen

Tks Stephen,
Very good to hear that you're happy with the 18-55 and it's enough of a recommendation to go out and buy. A couple more questions if you don't mind.
This lens is designated DA, why not AF?
Is the battery setup supplied a drawback -AA's as against the lithium ion battery that others come with?
Have you personnally found the lack of liiveview a disadvantage?
Does the company you work for have any other outlets, say Nthn
NSW- Q.land?

Hi Wigger
For me, the standard 18-55 is a great set up, like I said there are only a few times only that I required the extra focal length. The lens is definitely an auto focus lens, so there is no need to worry.

Batteries??? Well I will probably get shot down by some, but the Pentax Cameras are very good for power consumption, to the fact that I could not believe what I actually got out of the K100 with the Silver Energiser Lithium non rechargable batteries. In the shop where I work, we have seen various people from overseas and interstate that have left their battery charger home for their rechargable batteries to recharge the batteries=flat battery, not being able to take those special holiday shots. At least with the AA batteries, you can get them in any country store. I took over 1800 shots with my K100 D before I replaced the first set of batteries and have taken over 900 shots in the new K200 D with the same set of batteries, so battery life is not a problem. I always have a spare set on new batteries in my bag just in case though. Our camera rep said that they tried out a set of Energiser Lithium batteries in a K100 D to set for themselves how many shot they could expect, and they achieved over 2200 shots. The K200 D is a bigger camera, very similar specs to the old K10, but without the rechargable battery pack.

As for live view, I have never liked looking at the small screen on the back of the cameras and have always preferred to used the viewfinder.

Our store is a Retravision store in Clare SA. As far as I am aware, their are only 3 other Retravision stores in SA that can get the Pentax DSLR cameras. Look around the camera stores where you live if you are after the K200 D with the Pentax 18-55 Lens. We only have 1 left at $749 and a few with the Sigma 18-50 lens at $699. As I have said before, when they are sold out, that is it, which is a real pity, as they are a very under rated camera for their money. One internet report that I read on the K100 D Super before I purchased it when they were selling for $1499 with the 18-250 lens was that if they were $1000 dearer, more people would have purchased them, for the fact only that most people thing that you had to pay good money for a good camera

Cheers

Stephen

Thanks Stephen,
I thought would buy from you guys but now you tell me that you're R V, it's not poss because as you say a lot of the stores don't stock DSLR's. Latest local R V catalogue only has compact digitals in it. With your knowledge aren't you a bit wasted not working in a specialist camera store but then again I don't know Clare.
Thanks for your guidance. It's been very helpful. I'll go ahead with the 200D because of yours and Nige's recommendations.

Was looking at an Australian seller online Graham but after so much good advice it seems I have a bit to think about before I make any decisions. thanks

Hi Nige
Re the point about the K200 D not being replaced by the K-M
When I spoke to the people in Adelaide this morning, I asked this very question and was told that when their stock on the K200 D and the K20 has been sold, they will not be bringing any further stock into Australia and the new K-M will be their new Digital SLR Camera, even the K20 will not be replaced at this stage.
The new K-M does not have as many features as the K200 D, yet will be a lot dearer because of the Australian Dollar factor.

I am only repeating what I have been told from the Importers.

Cheers

Stephen

Stephen,

Ok, that's a local view (which we have to deal with if it's the importer rather than an individual shop) as opposed to a "Pentax" model line-up, which I'm pretty sure will still have the current models until replacements materialise.

Bit of a worry if they run out of K20D's and don't bring in any more... one way to get rid of your user base!

Cheers, Nige

Hi Nige
I agree 100% in what you say. CR Kennedy are the Australian Importers of the Pentax line up and I said that they must be mad, they could not even understand themselves why Sydney was going that way. There must be logic somewhere being their decision, perhaps to hasten the introduction of their newer 3000 series quicker.

Cheers

Stephen

Hg Monaro (or anyone else who doesn't mind responding)

I have been looking for a DSLR and a Pentax 200D was on my shortlist but didn't go ahead becaus it doesn't have liveview. I realize that bright sunlight can affect the image but I suspected that a viewfinder wouldn't have sufficient diatropic adjustment because my right eye is bad following a retinal occllusion. What is the experience of bods who have LV. Do you regard it as being like buying a Hilux with no turbocharger?
Is the Pentax 19-55 lens you talk about still a kit lens as oposed to the Sigma?
I've done a lot of homework looking at sites such as DPreview etc
but the mass of technical detail leaves you feeling a bit overawed.
(Eos 1000D, E 520, Nikon D60VR.............
I am principally interested in photgraphing buildings.

Any thoughts

Hi wigger,

I don't know what the K200D has for diopter adjustment, my K10D has some built in but I don't know the specs. Just checked the book and it says -2.5 to +1.5 (it uses some weird measurement m to the power -1, whatever that means!). It goes on to say there's an Diopter adaptor that has -5 to +3 available. No idea if the K200D is the same or if that adaptor fits (most likely does). I imagine most camera systems would have similar accessories, I remember my 35mm Nikon did. It's something you really need to have a look through to see if it's ok or not as you might find you can't see the edges of the viewfinder if the adaptor makes your eye further away from the viewfinder..

If you were to use live view for all your compositioning, I think you can get LCD protectors that have shades built in to block the sunlight. My sister has a E-520 but I've never used liveview with it, didn't know it did that! If you put your camera on a tripod (buildings don't run away on you!) then using live view would be feasable, you only have to see the image good enough to compose and focus. Use the histogram to confirm exposure and don't fuss too much what the colours look like on the LCD (which you need to train yourself to do anyway). I use a 4x5" View camera and it's focusing screen is sorta like live view... just need to put 'ya head under a darkcloth to see anything!!!

Pentax cameras are regularly sold as "kits" with Sigma lenses or Pentax lenses. Just need to make sure you're getting what you want when buying. As I said above, the Pentax DA18-55 gets very good reviews. I've got a 16-45mm so can't give 1st hand experience. If you had a look at my link about, all pics where either taken on the 16-45 or a Pentax DA50-200mm (which is the one that's usually in the kits).

Cheers, Nige

P.S. Stephen, may they know more than they are letting on! hope so!!!

Nige,
I just had a look at your gallery and thoroughly enjoyed the experience - I will be more than happy if I can produce similar shots with the SLR.
It has been probably close to 10 years since I used my SLR and I look forward to learning all about the digital one.
Thanks so much for your input.
Heather G

Tks Nige,
Good info. As I said to Stephen (above) it's a good recommendation when you guys say that the DA(why not AF designation?) 18-55 lens is a good one and sounds like you could live with it rather than having to go out and replace the usual kit lens with something better.
I think that I can manage without liveviewand this will be the tradeoff for doing better lenswise. The in body stabilistion has been criticised as being less effective than the lens stab. that
Canon etc use. Is this Valid?
Does the 10D have the same battery setup i.e.AA's that you would probably need to replace with lithium ion.

the DA is the Pentax line of lenses that are only suitable for APS-C sensors (I think there are a few exceptions but generally true). Only a worry if you think you'll buy Pentax's "full frame" digital if they ever release one (the DA lense may not cover the sensor without vignetting) DA* are Pentax's "pro" lenses, which happen to be weatherproof. I think for the Pro Nikon and Canon lenses it's generally accepted that in lens stabiliation is better than in body, no idea about the new consumer ones. Most reports give Pentax a 2 - 3 stops (shutter speeds or aperture changes) for their IS. I uploaded an example of what can be achieved. Not sure this is due to the skill of the operator (that's me... lol!) or the camera :) see example (a handheld shot @ 1/3sec)

The K10D uses a special battery (lithium ion) and can't use AA's like the K200D. I have a spare (eBayed from Hong Kong for about $15 inc postage) and the 2 combined I can take a lot of pics. Not sure how many, but probably over 1000.

Cheers, Nige

Thanks Stephen,
I thought would buy from you guys but now you tell me that you're R V, it's not poss because as you say a lot of the stores don't stock DSLR's. Latest local R V catalogue only has compact digitals in it. With your knowledge aren't you a bit wasted not working in a specialist camera store but then again I don't know Clare.
Thanks for your guidance. It's been very helpful. I'll go ahead with the 200D because of yours and Nige's recommendations.

Wigger
You will be more than very impressed with the K200 D You may have problems tracking them down, and the usual selling price is $749, even though their selling price should be a lot dearer. We still have one left in stock with the Pentax 18-55 lens. If you are still having problems tracking one down, get in contact with me. I have sold one to Heather, and she should be receiving it in the next couple of days by post from Clare in SA to NSW
I am a jack of all trades in the shop that I work. Clare is a small country town in the Mid North of South Australia.

Cheers

Stephen