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Old December 10th 07, 01:58 AM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems
Wilba[_2_]
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Default Pentax k100d body, but which lens?

Stilgar wrote:

I would like to get a Pentax k100d. I'm not completely sold on
getting the kit with the 18-55 lens however, and I was wondering if
anyone had information on that lens or an alternative?

Originally, I wanted to get the Pentax 50-200mm, because most of the
shots I'd like to take are wildlife shots, and my biggest complaint
about my old point and shoot is the lack of a decent zoom. That being
said, we have a baby on the way in January, and I've since realized
that most of the initial shots I'll probably be taking are indoor
Christmas shots followed by baby pictures.

Several people have told me just to buy the kit with the 18-55mm lens,
but I always thought that the lenses in the kits aren't the best
quality you can get. So I was wondering if I should get the 18-55, or
if there's a better alternative that's less than $200? I'm open to
non-Pentax lenses.


I'm going through a similar search right now. As tony said, the Pentax 16-45
is well regarded, but it's something like twice the standalone price of the
18-55.

Check out the Sigma 17-70 -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._DC_Macro.html.
F/2.8 would be handy for your indoor shots.

If you want an all-in-one lens, the Pentax 18-250 seems like a good choice -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._5_6_3_ED.html.
There is a Tamron equivalent (esentially the same lens) if you're not
attached to the Pentax brand -
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...6_3_Di_II.html.

The 18-55 is pretty much given away as part of a kit, so it will cost you
several to many hundreds more to take any of these options. You can get kits
which include the Pentax 16-45, Sigma 17-70, or Sigma twin combinations
(e.g. 18-50 & 70-300), so you can save some money by looking for one of them
that fits. Personally, I'm only looking at "designed for digital" lenses
(Pentax DA, Sigma DC, Tamron Di).