best hi-quality normal lens for K10D D-SLR

[JAPster]

<p>Hi folks..<br>

This is my first time posting to the Pentax forum. Quite unexpectedly I have acquired a pre-owned Pentax K10D d-SLR. Body only, no battery or lens. Looks to be in very good shape, no dings, no dents, no damage, just a bit of dust. I've removed practically all external dust with the camel hair brush. I've left the lens mount cap/cover in place for now, pending acquisition of a lens.<br>

I'm contemplating using this as a 2nd camera to back up and supplement my main camera. I know I need to get a copy of the manual (pull from WWW), and a new battery, and a lens. Then I can really check the camera out to make sure its not broken in any way.<br>

My question, for folks knowledgable in the K10D, Pentax glass, and the Pentax system... what really good main lens would you recemmend as a good fit for the K10D. By really good, I mean something that will be better than your average run-of-the-mill retail kit lens. Something that will be durable and really good glass. Something that will give me a terrific optic image for the sensor to digitize. It does not have to be Pentax brand, can be third party brands if you feel strongly about a particular lens.<br>

My shooting style is pretty generalist. I'm not a specialist, not do a focus on a specific genre of photo subjects. So versatility would probably be important for this lens. An affordable price would also be highly desirable. I'm not a pro, but I still want to get the very best optic image I can get from this lens.<br>

Also, does this camera model have any particular weaknesses or foibles one should be aware of? Does it have a good reccemendation and comments from the field?</p>

<p>Thank you for any and all thoughtful comments, and thank you even more for taking time to consider my question.</p>

<p>AP</p>

[Jochen_S]

<p>I'm no zooms expert. - I am fairly content with the Pentax kit zooms which seem to be going for 50 Euro /$ My best "weld it on" lens would be a 50mm f2.8 macro. I have an older pre digital version without focus range lock, but still: its a good lens... If you like standard lenses try a 35mm macro.<br>

Zooms worth considering: Pentax "limited" (there is only one) - Maybe the Sigma f1.9?<br>

Before you go over the top with your lens purchase: keep in mind that the k10D is no megapixel monster.<br>

What do you have for your main camera? - Wouldn't it make more sense to use the Pentax as an add on / counterweight to your walk around lens there and get "just something" for the backup purposes?<br>

Pentax AF performance is a bit under average but their 12 - 24mm zoom seems really good. - I also love my old 135mm f2.8 combined with shake reduction in camera.</p>

[AJG]

<p>I owned a Pentax K10, and it was for its time quite a good camera. Be aware that you will need a specific charger for that battery, since current Pentax batteries and chargers (K7 and later) are different. The lens I used the most for it (and still own and use with my k5's) is a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, and as a general purpose sharp lens I would recommend it. Mine is the first version that takes 67 mm filters, there is a later version that takes bigger filters and may be improved optically although I have no complaints about mine. Good luck with the camera!</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>Any of Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited, Pentax-FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited, or Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.4 DL should be very fine normal lenses. The 35/2.4 is a cost-engineered reissue of the Pentax-FA 35mm f/2.0 (which isn't made anymore, but is also a fine choice). The 31mm is large and heavy due to full-frame capability, but is a very highly regarded lens.<br>

If you don't mind a longish normal lens, there's also a pancake Pentax 40mm f/2.8 (two versions DA and XS), and the Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited.<br>

If you want <em>fast</em>, consider the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lenses (I think there's two generations of this now). But they are big lenses.<br>

By the way, the Pentax-DA 18-55mm is one of the best "kit zoom" lenses out there. It's also really cheap used. Worth having.</p>

[bob_marz]

<p>You might consider this lens also. Pentax 16-45 http://www.photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00cgJE</p>

 

[ukhov]

<p>Customary recommendation is prime for normal ,get your self 35 Sigma Art - money should be no object for mature individuals ! </p>

[andrewg_ny]

If you mean zoom, I think the DA 16-45/4 is a safe, inexpensive choice...punches above its weight if you don't need faster

glass.

 

K10D is a great model, excellent at low ISO, very good up to ISO 800, and a serviceable 1600 as long as you're careful

not to underexpose.

 

It's obviously missing live view and video, and it's rear LCD is lower-res by current standards but it's still a great picture-

taking machine.

 

If you want telephoto to go with, suggest DA 55-300/4-5.8.

[Timo Hartikainen]

<p>My first digital camera was the K10D. It's a good camera. There are lots of good choices for the normal lens and you already got some good recommendations. I have an old manual focus K35/3.5 as a normal lens and it's a good lens, too, but f3.5 may not be fast enough for all.</p>

[stemked]

Not quite a normal, but the 50mm F1.8 DA is really cheap, it comes with a lot of cameras as packages so should be easy

to get on the second hand market. It's a nice lens for the price and weighs almost nothing.

[snik75]

<p>+1 to the Pentax-DA 16-45 f/4 for a zoom; Pentax-FA 35 f/2 is a nice normal lens with AF, and the newer and cheaper DA 35/2.4 is supposed to be pretty much the same. Pentax FA 31/1.8 Limited is a wonderful lens, but takes a little time to learn. Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 macro gets a lot of love, although I prefer its close up output to its performance at longer distances.</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>I ave never owned the K10D, but passed it up and later went for a great deal on the K20D. From test reviews of the K10D by dpreview and others, the sharpness of jpeg shots was rated rather below its potential, and I do shoot jpegs most of the time. Its control for setting sharpness apparently had a design flaw. The K20D delivers excellent jpegs. You can, however, compensate for that by simply adding some sharpening using Photoshop Elements unsharp mask or other editing programs. The K10D is a very well-made camera that is capable of delivering fine results, if employing the appropriate processing.</p>

<p>I vote for the DA 16-45mm f/4. A bit largish, but not excessively so, and delivers exceptional image quality. A very versatile range from very wide angle to short telephoto.</p>

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