K-x which kit lens?

I'm about to purchase the K-x and just deciding whether to get the 200 mm zoom or the 300. It's about a $100 more for the 300.

I've been using a P&S with a 10x optical zoom, so the 200 covers what I'm used to, but I do find myself often wanting for a little more pull.

Is it worth the extra hundred for the 300 mm?

Thoughts?

Thank you.

yes, it's worth it, because 55-300 is optically superior to the other. it is a bargain lens in any concern, at a fraction of more weight & volume you gain better IQ.

anselesn said:

I'm about to purchase the K-x and just deciding whether to get the 200 mm zoom or the 300. It's about a $100 more for the 300.

I've been using a P&S with a 10x optical zoom, so the 200 covers what I'm used to, but I do find myself often wanting for a little more pull.

Is it worth the extra hundred for the 300 mm?

Thoughts?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

anselesn said:

Is it worth the extra hundred for the 300 mm?

Click to expand...

I think it depends on your need for sharpness vs your desire for small size. Many copies of the 50-200 are a bit soft at 200mm while the 55-300 is typically a bit sharper at 300mm and much sharper at 200mm.

If small, lightweight and compact is your goal with the K-x then I don't think the 50-200 will disappoint. If your goal is the best telephoto images possible on a budget, $100 extra isn't too much to pay for greater sharpness and reach, IMO.

Personally, I could live with the plastic mount and foil stickers instead of plastic badges on any of the DA-L lenses. On the telephoto lenses though, I'd miss both the lens hoods and the quick-shift. Case in point - shooting close-ups of helmeted sports players. AF will virtually always focus on the face guard leaving the eyes soft. With quick-shift, it's easy enough to give focus a touch-up and get the eyes sharp with the face guard soft - ideal. I'm not sure how I'd do that without quick-shift. I probably just wouldn't try those shots any more.

The DA-L 55-300 costs $200 over the one-lens kit while I just got the DA55-300 for $272 shipped. For me, it's worth $72 to get a metal mount, real badges, a lens hood and quick-shift. I expect that I'll probably sell off my DA50-200 soon enough as I don't see why I'd ever use it with the better DA55-300 in my bag.

DA50-200mm vs ZD40-150mm (test shots)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=34013768

I hope to have test shots up next week comparing my older DA50-200 to my new copy of the DA55-300.
--

Group Captain Mandrake: 'I was tortured by the Japanese, Jack, if you must know; not a pretty story....Strange thing is they make such bloody good cameras.' ( Dr. Strangelove , 1964)

Am I to take it there is a marked difference in the bundled kit lens and the same focal length lenses purchased separately ?

Jon.
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Why is it when I open a bottle of wine the bit I want is always at the bottom.
Merry Xmas Jon.

According to the previous post, it sure sounds like there is a difference between the kit 200 or 300 lens and something bought after the fact.

That's interesting, since the 18-55 kit lens gets such good reviews from the posters on this site.

A quick look around finds a couple of sigma zooms, both 70-300, one for $159, another for $209, and then there's the one mentioned in the previous post.....which all leads me to think I'll just get the 18-55 kit lens for now, and wait to buy a 300 lens at another time.

Thanks for all the feedback.

jonwilly said:

Am I to take it there is a marked difference in the bundled kit lens and the same focal length lenses purchased separately ?

Click to expand...

The K-x kit lenses are "DA-L" versions which have a plastic lens mount, foil stickers instead of plastic badges, no quick-shift focusing clutch, and they don't come with lens hoods. The retail versions of these lenses are either the "DA" or "DA Weather Resistant" versions - optically the same but with more features.

I can certainly see why some people don't mind the DA-L versions at all. Many people never use their lens hood or quick-shift (I use them but that's just me).

--

Group Captain Mandrake: 'I was tortured by the Japanese, Jack, if you must know; not a pretty story....Strange thing is they make such bloody good cameras.' ( Dr. Strangelove , 1964)

Appreciete the replies, what generated the question was my searching through the retailers I come across one who was selling a 300mm lens but was emphasising that it was a 'Kit' lens and a brief mention of 'Plastic mount' which I can now understand.

My thinking has always been that buying as a package OR bundle made the price more attractive, not that the quality of the additional items were manufactured down to a price.

Jon.
--
Why is it when I open a bottle of wine the bit I want is always at the bottom.
Merry Xmas Jon.