MiniVanMan
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- SW Burbs, Chicago
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Hello everybody!! Sorry for the essay, but I want to put down as much information as possible.
I've been absorbing as much as I can on this forum for a couple weeks now. I'm educating myself as much as I can on behalf of my wife that will be the recipient of all this education. So, here's the story.
My wife comes home, after seeing some pictures that a friend had taken, and remarked how great they were, and the camera used was a Nikon D40. She always complains of various problems with her current camera, and past cameras (cheap P&S cameras). Immediately, the thought crossed my mind that that would be a great Christmas gift. So, my search began, (after telling my wife that there was no way in Hell she was getting a $500.00 camera ).
Never one to take the word of just anyone, I started my search around the D40. I compiled a list of wants, and needs. My wife loves having a camera in her hand, but has no experience with anything beyond a cheap Point & Shoot. She's incredibly intelligent, so any learning curve will be easily overcome, should she find the motivation to do so. Which I can assure you she will want to. She's just a little intimidated.
So, looking at features, ability, ease of use, but also a camera that she can grow with, and not feel the need to upgrade (which I've found 90% of D40 users end up doing), I came up with the Pentax K10D. It's probably too much camera at this point, but from everything I've read, it's learning curve isn't that steep, given you understand some fundamentals of photography.
I picked up the K10D for $499.00 at Ritz Camera. I found them cheaper online, at various places, but the 2 (or 3) free photography lessons was a huge selling point for me, as well as an extended warranty. With kids, I wanted to make sure the camera was covered should they decide to play baseball with it or something.
Anyway, I didn't get a kit, so therefore, no kit lens. It seemed the first thing people did was upgrade lenses. Now, I understand the Pentax kit lens is decent enough, but, I wanted to make sure that she would not be left wanting in any regard. So, I purchased the Pentax 18-250mm lens. It's more than I wanted to spend, but I figured, go big or go home. I saw some great shots taken with that combo, and it would be versatile enough to handle "most" situations.
Now, here's where I'm stuck. I'm already waaaaaay over budget for a Christmas gift, but I need a good indoor lens. Pictures will mostly be of the kids and family, but it needs to be hassle free, (i.e. needs to have automatic focus). Christmas is a long way off still, so I have time to wait for some ebay deals if possible.
So, what type of lens should I be looking at? From what I've gathered, a prime lens in the 35-50 mm range with f/2.8 or better. The Pentax 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens is an option, or should I look for something better? What would be better? Is f/2.8 not good enough for consistent, good indoor lighting? Should I be looking at f/1.8 or better?
How about this Tamron lens? It's more than I want to spend, though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...F016P_700_17_50mm_f_2_8_XR_Di_II.html#reviews
Budget being a primary concern at this point, what would be some good options?
In the end, I want to get my wife the lens that she'll be happy with, and not left for wanting. I know I'm not going to get a 50 mm, f/1.4 lens for $100.00. However, where can I cut corners?
I've been absorbing as much as I can on this forum for a couple weeks now. I'm educating myself as much as I can on behalf of my wife that will be the recipient of all this education. So, here's the story.
My wife comes home, after seeing some pictures that a friend had taken, and remarked how great they were, and the camera used was a Nikon D40. She always complains of various problems with her current camera, and past cameras (cheap P&S cameras). Immediately, the thought crossed my mind that that would be a great Christmas gift. So, my search began, (after telling my wife that there was no way in Hell she was getting a $500.00 camera ).
Never one to take the word of just anyone, I started my search around the D40. I compiled a list of wants, and needs. My wife loves having a camera in her hand, but has no experience with anything beyond a cheap Point & Shoot. She's incredibly intelligent, so any learning curve will be easily overcome, should she find the motivation to do so. Which I can assure you she will want to. She's just a little intimidated.
So, looking at features, ability, ease of use, but also a camera that she can grow with, and not feel the need to upgrade (which I've found 90% of D40 users end up doing), I came up with the Pentax K10D. It's probably too much camera at this point, but from everything I've read, it's learning curve isn't that steep, given you understand some fundamentals of photography.
I picked up the K10D for $499.00 at Ritz Camera. I found them cheaper online, at various places, but the 2 (or 3) free photography lessons was a huge selling point for me, as well as an extended warranty. With kids, I wanted to make sure the camera was covered should they decide to play baseball with it or something.
Anyway, I didn't get a kit, so therefore, no kit lens. It seemed the first thing people did was upgrade lenses. Now, I understand the Pentax kit lens is decent enough, but, I wanted to make sure that she would not be left wanting in any regard. So, I purchased the Pentax 18-250mm lens. It's more than I wanted to spend, but I figured, go big or go home. I saw some great shots taken with that combo, and it would be versatile enough to handle "most" situations.
Now, here's where I'm stuck. I'm already waaaaaay over budget for a Christmas gift, but I need a good indoor lens. Pictures will mostly be of the kids and family, but it needs to be hassle free, (i.e. needs to have automatic focus). Christmas is a long way off still, so I have time to wait for some ebay deals if possible.
So, what type of lens should I be looking at? From what I've gathered, a prime lens in the 35-50 mm range with f/2.8 or better. The Pentax 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens is an option, or should I look for something better? What would be better? Is f/2.8 not good enough for consistent, good indoor lighting? Should I be looking at f/1.8 or better?
How about this Tamron lens? It's more than I want to spend, though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...F016P_700_17_50mm_f_2_8_XR_Di_II.html#reviews
Budget being a primary concern at this point, what would be some good options?
In the end, I want to get my wife the lens that she'll be happy with, and not left for wanting. I know I'm not going to get a 50 mm, f/1.4 lens for $100.00. However, where can I cut corners?