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Concerned over lack of 50mm Prime availability

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infidelmatt

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Hi all, long time reader, first time poster to these boards.

Until recently, I've been relegated to the point and shoot world, but I've had a desire to move up to a dSLR.

After a bit of experience with my brother's Canon Rebel XT/350D, I've decided that I'm ready to take this step.

I was especially impressed with the results from using Canon's el-cheapo 50mm/f1.8 prime for portraits.

Now, strictly on body alone I think the K10D is the single best buy for the money out there, however, I understand that I'm not buying a camera, I'm buying into a lens system. That's the problem: Pentax apparently makes a 50mm prime that retails for $170-$250 but it is near impossible to find, as I've discovered in this vary forum. While there are plenty of other comparable lenses at other focal lengths both by Pentax and by third parties, the 50mm prime is integral to my purchase decision.

Are there any 50mm or similar prime fast (

If not, do you foresee their availability some time in the near future? I feel like I'd be losing out on a lot of neat and helpful features if I went the XTi or the D80 route, but at least I can get lenses I need in those systems currently.

Frustrated,

Matt
--
http://mattmcc.smugmug.com
 
Save yourself $150 and pick up one of those good SMC 50s at 1.4. Every bit as good as any AF or DA 50 that Pentax offers.
--



'Nothing could-be-finah-than-to-be-in-Carolina-in-the-morninnnnnn...'
 
at Pentax. Price is a bit high and some say the lens is discontinued. Did anyone actually hit the "buy" button there?????

Anyways the 40 or 43 f1.9 and the 35 f2 (more "normal" on APS) are always available, maybe the 35.

--
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

'The exposure meter is calibrated to some clearly defined standards and the user needs to adjust his working method and his subject matter to these values. It does not help to suppose all kinds of assumptions that do not exist.'
Erwin Puts
 
Hi Matt, I can only speak for myself and similiar to you, I am coming from a camera many here would consider a P&S, but, as I only use the manual modes, it has allowed me to gently merge into the DSLR world and after much research, visits to photo shows, camera shops and spending too much time in DPview lol I went with Pentax.

I'm picking up a Fa 50 1.4 tomorrow, I lucked out and got a F 1.7 adapter/teleconverter which will turn the mint manual focus 50 A 1.7 I just got in an online auction into a great portrait lens and can be used on a bunch of other really fine older glass.

What I'm trying to say is there is no problem finding great glass for the Pentax. You may have to wait,search and check the auctions and a pretty great line of new lenses are just around the corner.

You can see below that the range for my kit now goes 17-400, with the Sigma 135-400 that's not listed and covers a nice range for low light and macro. All done in the past 2 weeks, waiting for the K10D and I'm up here in Canada. I've got things coming in from US, Hong Kong and Australia, all without leaving home, so it's out there.

To tell the truth, I'vr learnt alot by this expirence and am happy it was done this way. Your right, I've chosen the Pentax system so I'm learning all I can about the company, it's history in the photographic world, meeting long time users and getting acquinted with all the different products. All the resourses are here and all the info you need.

I think it might have been easier to walk into a camera store and say, that, that and that please, but I wouldn't have gain much in knowledge about my choice, but that's just me.

Good luck with your decision, this has become an obsessive hobby for me lol but very enriching at the same time.

I honestly believe I'm getting the best bang for the buck, but it is still all about how the cameras feel to you. Enjoy the re-enter.
--
Jerry

Sony p52, H-One, H-Five Digicams, All asscessoy lenses, Pentax KtenD, Pent 50 FA 1.4, DA 50-200, F 35-105 macro f 4-5.6, Sig 17-70 macro, and more toys to come (+:
http://www.pbase.com/tocarver
 
Yup, I see that B&H has it on "back order". So does pretty much everyone else. As far as it looks, it doesn't appear they'll be getting them in any time soon. You'd think inventory would be at it's highest this time of year, what with one month to Christmas.

Re: Pentax's site: $315 (even with rebate) is a mighty hefty price... For that price point I might as well buy a Canon 30D (instead of the K10D) and the same 50 prime my brother uses.

I guess my options are:

A) Tough it out with a manual focus.
B) Wait and hope AF 50 primes start showing up soon.
C) Go with Canon, give up SR.

Thanks for your input,

Matt

--
http://mattmcc.smugmug.com
 
Well, it's listed as current on Pentax' site, and it's available in every store around here. My favourite place has it for 22k yen.

My completely off the cuff guess is that it's the rebate system in the US that causes this. It creates temporary rushes, emptying out stock, while production is slow and steady and not adapted to this behaviour. Stores do not like to keep a lot of stock; it's money sitting and not doing anything after all, so items that normally aren't big sellers (and Pentax has apparently not been that for a long time in the US) would just be lightly stocked. And this year, with the perhaps unaccustomed success of the K100 and the K10, the fall rush was greater than normal, emptying that stock everywhere.

In contrast, in Japan, which does not have this rebate system and which doesn't really have the same kind of concentrated shopping seasons, sales are more even over time. And since Pentax is a big brand here it is well stocked, making sellouts fairly rare.

--
Japan: http://www.lucs.lu.se/people/jan.moren/log/current.html
Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jannem/
 
About a week ago adorama.com had them in stock for a few hours before they sold out. I put my order int but I lucked out and got the email notifcation saying that they were out of stock. I did not cancel my order and left my name on the waiting list. I pretty much forgot that I ordered the lens last week until yesterday adorama.com sent me an email along with the tracking number for the lens. I should be getting it next week.

So my advice is to just place an order, sit and wait for them. Hopefully they will get it in stock and send you one since you are on the waiting list.
 
to possibly drive people crazy. The 200mm Macro. I know it's discontinued but is it? Can it still be found here and there?
--
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

'The exposure meter is calibrated to some clearly defined standards and the user needs to adjust his working method and his subject matter to these values. It does not help to suppose all kinds of assumptions that do not exist.'
Erwin Puts
 
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