Thinking about getting into photography...

[allies]

Awesome new forum! The pictures I've seen on here so far are great, keep it up

Anyways, I'm thinking about dabbling in photography. Right now I just have a P&S, but I want to get a DSLR. I'm headed to India for a couple weeks in late June, and then I'm off to Korea for 4 months for study abroad. I feel these would be opportune times to get some good photos.

Anyways, in order to get started I need a camera and glass. Right now there's a deal going on that looks to me as a good one, but I'd like some input, and other suggestions/recommendations. The deal is as follows:

Pentax K100D w/18-55mm Lens Kit: $479
Pentax smc DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED: $239
Rebate: -$150
Total Price: $568

Looks like quite a deal, but as I said before, I'm open to thoughts and suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[foghorn67]

I think the Pentax K100D is an excellent camera for beginners and hobbyist. Go for it!!!
i don't know about the price, but that seems awesome to me.

 

[magomago]

zomg that is awseeeeome....

gah if only i didn't just spend 600 on a pc....and that was what i was seriously considering ><

 

[Spineshank]

I have that exact setup and am quite pleased with it.

 

[Unheard]

That would be a wonderful setup to start out with. The 18-55mm lens kit is decent, and the 50-200mm lens your looking @ is a nice piece of glass (no pun intended). I have the *istDL which is a generation back from the K series, and picked it up when they were on sale for $350 w/ lens a year or so back. Great camera, and I've heard nothing but good about the new ones.

 

[allies]

Awesome... I'm almost past the tipping point of buying it. I think I'm gonna splurge after finals and go for it.

 

[Mrvile]

A used Rebel XT or D70 or something along those lines will probably give you a better base as you build your rig around the respective brands, but Pentax makes some fine cameras.

 

[drifter106]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
A used Rebel XT or D70 or something along those lines will probably give you a better base as you build your rig around the respective brands, but Pentax makes some fine cameras.

If you really get into photography you will be looking to upgrade your lenses. May want to consider that although there are some really decent 3rd party lenses to chose from.

 

[allies]

So the consensus is that Pentax doesn't make good lenses of it's own? Or just that they don't have as much glass as Nikon and Canon? Still really considering pulling the trigger on this package deal, but I just don't want to have buyer's remorse

 

[ProfJohn]

Nikon or Canon will be MUCH better long term choices.

Try to decide how serious you want to become about this hobby. If you think you will really get into then go for one of the big two.
I started with a Nikon film SLR 10 years ago and when I went DSLR I was able to keep all my equipment and still use it.

You can get a D40 for about 512 (via Amazon.com) although it only has one lens.
Might cost more in the long run, but will certainly be worth it for the features and number of lens.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: allies
So the consensus is that Pentax doesn't make good lenses of it's own? Or just that they don't have as much glass as Nikon and Canon? Still really considering pulling the trigger on this package deal, but I just don't want to have buyer's remorse

yes, pentax makes good lenses. no, they don't have quite as many options as canikon. but then, canon has 4 different 70-200 lenses.

 

[allies]

I've heard that Pentax is going to be rolling out more and more high end glass in the future. I can understand that their portfolio isn't as extensive as Canon/Nikon, and probably never will be, but it's really THAT much of a difference? No pros use Pentax to shoot? Hmm... I just find this deal almost too good to pass up, but now I'm having second thoughts.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Nikon or Canon will be MUCH better long term choices.

Try to decide how serious you want to become about this hobby. If you think you will really get into then go for one of the big two.
I started with a Nikon film SLR 10 years ago and when I went DSLR I was able to keep all my equipment and still use it.

You can get a D40 for about 512 (via Amazon.com) although it only has one lens.
Might cost more in the long run, but will certainly be worth it for the features and number of lens.

Pentax's K mount is over 30 years old. Nikon's is old, too, but I wouldn't call Pentax a bad long term investment, when you have such a huge back catalogue of used lenses to pick from (and they're cheap!)

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: allies
I've heard that Pentax is going to be rolling out more and more high end glass in the future. I can understand that their portfolio isn't as extensive as Canon/Nikon, and probably never will be, but it's really THAT much of a difference? No pros use Pentax to shoot? Hmm... I just find this deal almost too good to pass up, but now I'm having second thoughts.

yes, there are professional photographers that shoot pentax.

pentax is planning on bringing out more glass, specially made for the 1.5x crop. so, they may never have a new 70-200, but will have it's equivalent 50-135 (which would also be smaller). based on their lens roadmap, very soon they will have the equivalent of 24 to 202.5 f/2.8 covered with just 2 lenses. that's pretty good right there. there are very few photographic circumstances that you'd wish you had something different, if that was all that was in your bag.

in fact, the 16-50 is already listed at b&h.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: allies
I've heard that Pentax is going to be rolling out more and more high end glass in the future. I can understand that their portfolio isn't as extensive as Canon/Nikon, and probably never will be, but it's really THAT much of a difference? No pros use Pentax to shoot? Hmm... I just find this deal almost too good to pass up, but now I'm having second thoughts.

yes, there are professional photographers that shoot pentax.

pentax is planning on bringing out more glass, specially made for the 1.5x crop. so, they may never have a new 70-200, but will have it's equivalent 50-135 (which would also be smaller). based on their lens roadmap, very soon they will have the equivalent of 24 to 202.5 f/2.8 covered with just 2 lenses. that's pretty good right there. there are very few photographic circumstances that you'd wish you had something different, if that was all that was in your bag.

in fact, the 16-50 is already listed at b&h.

Triumph and ElFenix - I think you two pushed me over the edge. I'll get the credit card out tomorrow I think

I'm reading one of my mom's old SLR (film) books to get familiarized with all the terminology and what does what. Any new books worth reading? Or websites? Thanks guys.

 

[magomago]

good luck...I'm going to get a cash infusion soon that I will use specifically for that purpose and hopefully they'll just keep extending that rebate out

 

[allies]

Went ahead and placed the order for the Camera + Kit lens and the 50-200mm lens as well. Total came to $735 shipped. $150 rebate will net me $585. Now I need an SD card and a bag

 

[pradeep1]

The Pentax K100D w/18-55mm Lens Kit is a nice deal and a capable camera. Also consider the Nikon D40 with kit lens, and the Canon Rebel XTi with kit lens.

 

[Bullhonkie]

Originally posted by: allies
Went ahead and placed the order for the Camera + Kit lens and the 50-200mm lens as well. Total came to $735 shipped. $150 rebate will net me $585. Now I need an SD card and a bag

Congrats! You'll love it and that's one hell of a deal with the Pentax rebates going on.

The kit lens is actually pretty decent although it's not a terribly fast lens by any means. Neither is the DA 50-200 but its speed is fairly standard for a consumer level zoom. It's a real bargain for the price though - sharp through the entire range, even wide open.

You may want to eventually pick up a fast prime like the FA 50/1.4 for available light/low light photography. But the DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 can still provide plenty of opportunities, especially with shake reduction and very good high ISO performance in the K100D. I ended up using the kit lens exclusively for two months before I picked up my 50/1.4.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: Bullhonkie

Congrats! You'll love it and that's one hell of a deal with the Pentax rebates going on.

The kit lens is actually pretty decent although it's not a terribly fast lens by any means. Neither is the DA 50-200 but its speed is fairly standard for a consumer level zoom. It's a real bargain for the price though - sharp through the entire range, even wide open.

You may want to eventually pick up a fast prime like the FA 50/1.4 for available light/low light photography. But the DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 can still provide plenty of opportunities, especially with shake reduction and very good high ISO performance in the K100D. I ended up using the kit lens exclusively for two months before I picked up my 50/1.4.

Thanks for the advice. I have a birthday coming up in August so I'll put that on the list. Also, do you recommend any macro lenses? I love macro shots and bokeh from them

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: allies

I'm reading one of my mom's old SLR (film) books to get familiarized with all the terminology and what does what. Any new books worth reading? Or websites? Thanks guys.

the best thing to read is the manual. front to back, with the camera in your hands, doing what is in the manual.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: allies

I'm reading one of my mom's old SLR (film) books to get familiarized with all the terminology and what does what. Any new books worth reading? Or websites? Thanks guys.

the best thing to read is the manual. front to back, with the camera in your hands, doing what is in the manual.

Alright, will do that tomorrow. Got my stuff today, I'm pretty psyched. But tired since I worked all day

 

[foghorn67]

And we expect a full report.

 

[yhelothar]

There's the 50mm DFA if you have some money to burn. But it's a good $400.
If you're on a budget, I'd recommend getting a used 50mm F/1.4 off ebay for about $50-70, and a set of extension tubes. The 50mm F/1.4 can be a great general purpose lens too, I use it the most on my *istDS - far more than any zoom.