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Photography Question 

Thomas Lam
 

Pentax ist DS lens


I know it all comes down to preferences, but I thought I ask to help me determine a lens purchase.

Question: Should I get lens kit consist of 28-70mm and 70-300mm or a lens that will do both 28-300mm?

I am looking at two models: Sigma 28-70mm/70-300mm and Tamaron 28-300mm.

It is probably better to just carry one lens than two...

What do you think?

Thanks,

TL


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January 18, 2006

 

doug Nelson
  The one-lens-does-all option is a popular one for all the obvious reasons, but. . .

If you bang it or get it caught in the rain on a trip or a hike, you have no more lens for your trip photos. Affordable zooms of such a wide range inevitably show barrel distortion at the wide and and pincushion distortion at the extreme tele end. You may not mind this, unless you do scenics with architectural features, or groups. Also, the relatively small maximum aperture will make focusing a rather dim, hit or miss exercise. Your (any) camera's autofocus like a bright iamge on which to focus. Also, you don't want to negate one of the istD's great strengths, its compactness, by carrying too big a lens.

If you're heavily into sports or wildlife, by all means get a tele (70-300, 80-200, etc) lens. Otherwise, you can put off this purchase.

Consider Pentax's middle or upper level zoom, in as narrow a range as possible. Even their cheapest zoom just MAY be a winner. Check online with other users. Consider also a prime (one focal length) Pentax lens, maybe a 24, which, with the digital 1.5x multiplication factor, will be a 36mm, fine for scenics, and a minimum of distortion at the edges.

That said, the two narrower range lenses you mention are probably not bad at all, but check with other owners.


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January 19, 2006

 

Thomas Lam
  Hi Doug,

Thanks for the quick reply. I forgot to mention that the Pentax ist DS comes with a 18-55mm lens, which I like a lot, but wanted something that I can consider to take along with for those special telephoto shots.

I think I will go with the 2 lens kit option, but I am going to try them out at Ritzcamera before deciding.

Thanks again.

TL


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January 19, 2006

 
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