Pentax vs ?? lenses: I have a Pentax K5-IIs with a Sigma 17 50 f2.8 which takes great photos. I now wish to expand with a 14mm and a 70mm or 100mm lens. Macro on the 100mm would be...

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Pentax vs ?? lenses

Nov 24, 2013 12:29:31 #

RichardE Loc: California

I have a Pentax K5-IIs with a Sigma 17 50 f2.8 which takes great photos. I now wish to expand with a 14mm and a 70mm or 100mm lens. Macro on the 100mm would be nice but I can get very nice macro photos with my Panasonic LX-3. Weather proofing would be a plus as then the system would be completely WR.

So, now the question:
All the Pentax lens I have looked at are extremely expensive these days ( since the double the cost debacle last year). The Pentax HR 70mm is over $700, the 14mm is more affordable but then I can only get it and not a mid-tele prime.

Does anyone know of lenses that will give me the same quality for these mm's from a different MFG? I have done some research but have no conclusions.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Nov 24, 2013 13:07:43 #

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

RichardE wrote:

I have a Pentax K5-IIs with a Sigma 17 50 f2.8 whi... (show quote)

The Tamron 90mm would be a good choice in the 100mm area the Sigma 70mm macro is also a great lens and the Penatax 14 or 15mm

Nov 24, 2013 13:51:31 #

RichardE Loc: California

Thanks, Hangman, I am looking into these now.

Nov 25, 2013 14:34:57 #

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

One of the reasons I moved away from Pentax. It appears the new strategy is to lower camera prices and make up the difference with lenses. Not a bad strategy I guess. If they had only backed it up with good customer service, I would still be on board.
Ditto the Tamron 90 for Macro. Borrowed one for my Canon. Very nice lens.

Nov 25, 2013 14:52:23 #

RichardE Loc: California

Thanks, SirLensAlot

Nov 25, 2013 15:06:20 #

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

RichardE wrote:

I have a Pentax K5-IIs with a Sigma 17 50 f2.8 whi... (show quote)

I also have the Tamron 90mm macro for my K20D. It's quite a good lens. The weather sealed part is tough. Only Penatx makes sealed lenses for their cameras. Pentaxes sealed lenses for the most part are expensive. There is a new 55mm to 300mm Lens that is sealed and not too expensive.

As far as 14mm is concerned I don't know of any sealed lenses. Penatx makes a 14mm but it's pricey, Samyang and it's derivitives are available and from what I understand are quite good if you don't mind manual focus. They are also quite inexpensive.

Hope this helps,
Tim

Nov 25, 2013 15:14:36 #

RichardE Loc: California

Thanks, Kestrel1029

Nov 25, 2013 17:17:55 #

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Kestrel1029 wrote:

I also have the Tamron 90mm macro for my K20D. It'... (show quote)

Beg your pardon, but Canon also makes weather-sealed lenses and I believe Nikon may as well. Not sure about Sigma and Tamron, but it's more likely than not.
Unless Samyang and their re-badged Rokinon, Bower, Vivitar branding has a new lens offering I am not aware of any weather sealed lens, but I may have missed a couple. lol

Nov 25, 2013 17:33:26 #

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

sirlensalot wrote:

I believe you misunderstand me. I meant only Pentax makes weather sealed lenses for Pentax. Unless there are done canon and Nikon weather sealed lenses made with a Pentax mount that I'm unaware of.

Nov 25, 2013 22:17:06 #

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Kestrel1029 wrote:

I believe you misunderstand me. I meant only Pentax makes weather sealed lenses for Pentax. Unless there are done canon and Nikon weather sealed lenses made with a Pentax mount that I'm unaware of.

Understood. There are adapters, but I would have to assume based on past experience, they are nothing close to sealed when adapted.

Nov 25, 2013 22:20:24 #

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

sirlensalot wrote:

Understood. There are adapters, but I would have to assume based on past experience, they are nothing close to sealed when adapted.

And as far as I've seen the third party manufacturers do not make weather sealed lenses for any mount. That always adds quite a bit of expense to any lens.

Nov 25, 2013 22:30:40 #

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

But Pentax is the only company that makes decent price weather sealed lens
55-300mm WR for $449.00
18-55mm WR for $196.00
18-135mm WR $496.00
55-200mm WR $246.00
Nobody else can give you a complete weather sealed kit for anywhere close to what Pentax can

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