Avatarz wrote:.

This is why I came here. I'm looking for someone to either validateor trash my decision to go with the Pentax. Second, I'm trying tofind the most cost effective lens for the pentax. I'm not doing anycrazy pictures, so I don't need a super zoom lens. Merely somethingI can use for non zoom pictures and 3x-4x zoom. Did I mention I'malso looking for cheap .



Any suggestions on lens buying in particular for the Pentax?.

The body is usually supplied as a kit with the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens. That is a very cost effective lens as you save money by buying them together. That is a 3x zoom, covers wideangle, through normal to modest telephoto. As a starter lens it is fine, reasonable quality and versatile enough to cover a variety of situations. It has limitations, but to choose a better lens, you'd really need to consider what you want to achieve..

You haven't said what your particular photographic interests are. For example, for wildlife photography, you would want a longer telephoto for greater magnification, for building interiors, a wider wideangle would be a good idea. For low-light work, a wide aperture prime (non zoom) lens with aperture around f/1.4 or f/1.8 would be ideal..

So I suggest you begin with the 18-55 kit lens and then see where your interests lead you.Regards,Peter..

If you check the pentax dslr forum you will find many threads on buying the k100d. with or without the kit lens. the kit lens is as stated a 18-55, what many are buying to go with that is the 50-200 from pentax. the 50-200 is in the $200-250 range. the body and both lenses make a very nice kit. there many on the pentax dslr forum who own the 3..

The only other possibility is a low light lens probably either the 500mm f1.4 or the 35mm f2.0..

Try asking on the pentax dslr forum...

You have two choices :.

(1) Get a book on basic photography, think about what you need from that, and then choose a camera..

OR.

(2) Get a DSLR and a book on basic photography and learn from there..

Almost any DSLR would be fine. The K100D is a certainly a good choice, without being in any way neagative about the other choices possible..

I'd suggest (1) as a better route as it will give you more confidence in making a purchasing decision later. But either way, get a book..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

The K100D is excellent by any measure and very cheap at the moment - it's the best value out there in my opinion. It has two important features which other DSLR's at the lower end of the market lack:.

1. A second LCD display on the top plate which allows you to see the aperture / shutter speed - I find this very useful and it is why I ended up preferring the K100D over the Nikon D40 / Canon Rebel XTi..

2. Shake reduction built into the camera body which allows you take sharper pictures at low shutter speeds by moving the sensor to compensate for camera shake. Really useful in low-light situations when you don't want to use a flash..

Of course the N / C cameras (and Olympus) have legions of happy users too - there is no bad choice to be made amongst this group so just see what feels best within your budget..

The 18-55 mm lens that comes with the K100D is fine and has a reputation as being one of the best such 'kit' lenses..

There is a learning curve with any DSLR - the only way to climb the curve is to get a camera and start using it. You may well find that a lot of your early pictures are disappointing, but the proportion of 'keepers' will rise as you get used to composing nicely, setting exposure, etc. And it costs nothing to make a mistake and re-shoot..

Have fun!Mike..

GaryDeM wrote:.

The only other possibility is a low light lens probably either the500mm f1.4....

I'm sure you mean the 50mm f/1.4. A 500mm f/1.4 would be a monster of a telephoto lens, but nobody makes one...

I started out thinking I was getting a new p&s. My two criteria were simple-less"shutter lag" and high zoom. I take pretty much all the family event pics, birthdays, recitals, soccer games etc. I was told my needs didn't really exist and I was better off going with a dSLR. I got the k100 for a couple of reasons. I liked the way it felt I'm my hands, the price and lens availabilty, the shake reduction(I drink a lot of coffee)I have been extremely happy with it.

I am a hands-on learner and I have also lurked this forum quite a bit. I also think Oly, Canon and Nikon are great cameras but when I put the k100 in my hands that was it. Good luck with your decision but do your research and you will be happy with whatever you choose.steph..

I have had my K100D since January and have taken 6500+ photos. I found that it is pretty easy to operate and has several very good pre programed settings. I have had very few problems with it, which the most serious getting some dust inside the camera. I was able to blow this out fairly easy. If you would like you can go to my web site @ stopalphotography.smugmug.com an take a look at what it is capable of. The majority of the photos were taken with my k100.ThanksScott..