If You Could Only Have....

<p>... one lens for your Pentax, what would it be and why?</p>

<p>TIA (:</p>

<p>On a desert island, right? Else, impossible to imagine how to refrain my LBA, lol...<br>

FA 35/2 or DA 18-55. Why? Because they are the most used.</p>

 

<p>This is really tough, but I would have to say my Tamron 18-250mm lens or my Tamron 28-75F/2.8 lens.</p>

<p>Or on a budget 'cause you're a student ;)</p>

<p>I'm going to restrict this answer to *real* lenses rather than a made-up sealed FF-compatible/sealed D-FA* 10-300 f/3.5 SDM that weighs only 300 grams, accepts 58mm filters with internal zoom & focus with MSRP of $220. <br>

Current real-world answer, DA 17-70/4 SDM. Covers my most-used range from landscapes to portraits with reasonable speed, size/weight, and build. There are of course other less versatile lenses I love such as FA43/1.9 Limited.</p>

<p>What's the budget & goal? For film or digital?</p>

<p>Eventually I would like to have my own business doing landscape, architectural structures, dog sports, equine sports, pet photography and engagement photos (MAYBE weddings too, if the brides are not like me ROFLMAO!).<br>

First I will have to make it through school LOL<br>

The budget is still somewhat undeterminded, but I would most definetly say that $4500 is tops ... I still have to buy the camera. I really would like the K20D, however I don't start school until September so I am holding off on that purchase in case they come out with a new model and to see if the price comes down.</p>

<p>Now I am going to stick to her rules. Only 1 lens. I would choose my Pentax 18-250. It is the most versatile lens I own. <br /> Now I am assuming that the reason I can only have 1 lens is because I am stranded on a deserted island. Therefore, I don't have to worry about my fast glass because I won't be doing any indoor photography. Outdoors, this lens is excellent and the difference between it and other glass is slight. Here is one of my favorite shots with it:<br /> <br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2895461349_912851d83e.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /> <br /> <br /> Now, where am I going to charge my batteries though...</p>

<p>Wrong forum, here we deal with 3 digits figures only ;)<br>

Now, serious... is $4500 right a student budget ?!!! not 450? not 1450?<br>

You can build a complete studio with this lttle fortune, with lamps and backdrops, not only a single lens !!! I miss something...</p>

<p>Having already answered with 'one' lens, I'm going to proceed to break your rule and say that a DA 17-70/4 + DA 55-300/4-5.8 makes for a very sweet mid-range pair without breaking the bank. I would think you'd want to learn the limits of gear like this before making more personally tailored choices about what issues you'd like to address. Don't forget to include some lighting (ideally two accessory flashes that can be used off-camera) and a decent tripod in your budget.<br>

For portraits/engagement photos, etc. the pro-level DA* 50-135 f/2.8 would be a great choice, but I'd still say go with the other pair first.</p>

<p>$4500 is the (approximate) budget for basic equipment, camera, tripod, spare battery, lens, bag, ect..</p>

<p>With $4,500 you could buy:<br>

K20d<br>

DA* 16-50 (Although I prefer the Tamron 17-50)<br>

DA* 50-135<br>

Two AF540FGZ flashes<br>

Dual umbrella kit<br>

High-end tripod<br>

a really nice bag,<br>

A new laptop<br>

And have enough money left over to buy 25 spare batteries!</p>

<p>LOL A new laptop!<br>

Why two flashes that are the same?</p>

<p>Because with the k20d you have wireless flash capability. You set up each 540FGZ in one of the umbrellas, and trigger them from the built in flash. This is how I do studio-type portraits. As long as you don't need cycle times faster than 4 to 6 seconds, this is a very cost-effictive, portable, and powerful setup for small groups. You also then have a backup 540FGZ when you do walk-around pictures with the flash on-camera.</p>

<p>Really now!</p>

<p>One lens only: DA*16-50mm f/2.8 Why? Great speed, outstanding sharpness, good focal length range (WA to medium portrait)...not going to work well for tele needs, but you did say only *one* lens...</p>

<p>Or you could buy;<br />K20D<br />16-50 DA*<br />50mm FA 1.4<br />50-135 DA*<br />300mm DA* (or 200mm DA*)<br />AF540 FGZ Flash<br />For about 4000 Canadian dollars.<br />$4500 is a lot of money in the Pentax world.</p>

<p>Haha! Canadian Dollars, how did you know?</p>

<p>I am kind of vearing off topic now, but what would you say are the basics to have?</p>

<p>FA 50mm f1.4 ($229 @ Henry's in TO) - I have this lens and love it.</p>

<p>FA 35mm f/2 ($419 @ most places in Canada) - this is my next purchase simce the FA 50 isn't quite wide enough for general use and the FA 31mm Limited is over $900 here in Canada.</p>

<p>Louisa - I see you made a post about applying for a college photo program. Are you sure Pentax is acceptable? I know at least some programs dictate the exact camera brand and model to be used. The Canadian dollars was just me in my own currency.</p>

<p>Patrick - I did ask about that. They said that any dSLR is acceptable and that I need to choose the one that would be best for me. After a lot of research and handling different cameras I quite like the K20D.</p>

<p>As far as I'm concerned, the Tamron 18-250mm (and the Pentax clone) is the ultimate "one lens" lens. </p>

<p>Vivitar 24mm (MF), DA 40mm, Tamron 90mm macro. And I'm set! Although, perhaps my FA 20-35mm in place of the Vivitar.</p>

<p>If I could only have one, I might have to buy a DA 35mm limited macro. But I do not know for sure, having never owned one.</p>

<p>Aside from the FA build 35mm f/2. Superb optics and sharp at F/2.</p>

<p>Or the 21mm DA. Just a good all around FL, not fast, but not slow either. A good compromise lens with a small footprint, good optics, and highly usable in an era of ISO 1600, and SR. It's currently my favorite lens. When I owned it the 35mm FA was my favorite lens, and I have a feeling if I don't buy the 35mm DA Macro, I will replace the 35mm FA.</p>

<p>If macro is your thing, the 35mm DA seems like a solid all arounnd choice. Sharp, flat field, and 1:1 macro, made for a great panorama lens too at f/8. The panos I took with it were incredible detailed, and crisp.</p>

<p><br /> For me, assuming the optics are limited quality, and it's sharp at f/4, and has no glaring flaws....the not yet released 15mm f/4 Limited MIGHT be the lens of choice for me. Obviously the 15mm isn't quite as good an all around lens focal length as the 21mm or 35mm's listed so that needs tobe considered. Not being one to love the ultrawides, I've always found 24mm (in film) to be a nice all around lens for lanscapes, and evironmental portraits of people in the wilds. It's also a nice lens for on route climbing photography. And indoors without being nearly as goofy as those ultra wides.</p>

<p>*I* would get a K20D and the 18-55 and the 50-200 as a starter kit. Use these good but inexpensive lenses until you decide what *better* lenses you need.</p>