Currently I have a Pentax k100d (2006) with a 18-55mm lens.
I am very frustrated with it's (or maybe more so the lens) limited capabilities.
So my question is from those in the know, is my money better spent on more lenses for the pentax or upgrading to a new entry level canon (1100D) which comes with the 18mm-55mm lens...then later buying more lenses?
What are the benefits of upgrading the camera body opposed to just new lenses.
Thanks
@agima sorry if it was a silly question.
I saw the canon 1100d with single lens for $398...a dual lens kit is a little out of the budget...so I would be upgrading the camera but not the lens.
So wondered if that was worth the change.
Thanks for your response, it seems it would be :-)
I would get a new camera, but go and try some different models and see which fits better in your hand. Back last may I went and brought my camera after using a small Nikon coolpix, I went and tried all models but wanted a canon because I already had two EF lenses from when I had a 35mm film camera. I looked at the 1100D, 600D, 550D and 500D and I came away with the 500D because 1 it was more comfortable to hold and 2 I got a very good deal.
I now have four lenes with this camera and only seem to use two of them.
I do not know the make of your camera, What types of picture are you likely to take that any 18-55mm lens would do the job? What type of lens are compatible with your camera can you try any out before you decide and see what difference these make to your pictures?
Before you upgrade your camera, you should ask yourself "what do I want that my camera can't do now?"
Then BEFORE you go and buy a shiny new Canon/Nikon (because everyone says it's what they would do), get a few lens catalogues, go into a camera shop and see what you can put on the Pentax. It's a good camera and there lenses out there.
@agima@regiehiguit so I just have to be patient with what I have for a bit ;)
@esox thanks for the advice, my Pentax is a DSLR similar to the canon in size but being a little older slightly heavier.
@pete21 thank you for your post, that was why I asked the question. I don't mind about the shiny new part just being able to learn more and challenge myself :)
Here's why. You buy the canon 1100, the 350 or 400 or whichever you can afford, and then get a pentax-canon ring adaptor, so you can buy pentax k mount lenses which are great lenses and have been for the last 40 years. Then you can buy lenses online (eBay) for $10 instead of $100. So if you price all those different elements up you might want to sell your pentax body and retain its lens and buy the Canon body only to save more money and use the pentax lens. Without the canon stock lens though you'll never be able to shoot fully automatic, only AV at best. I'm on a tight budget so that's what I did
what exactly is frustrating you? i may be the only one who thinks this but, imo i would try different lenses on your body first. i have a pentax DSLR (the kx), and was very frustrated with the limitations of the 18-55 mm kit lens it came with as well. so i went to ebay and bought some old prime manual lenses for $50-$60 each. one 28mm and one 50mm f 1.7,. now, i keep the 28mm on there most the time. i don't know a whole lot about the k100d... but you might try playing around with a few cheap (but GOOD) lenses before upgrading....
i guess it all just depends on exactly what you are feeling limited by.
PS. if you decide to stick with pentax (which i love - again probably another minority here)... I would consider joining and posting to this forum : pentaxforums.com. I've learned a TON there.
@chewyteeth I shot mainly (almost always) in manual, I prefer the control. Thank you for you idea...I didn't know you could do that. Definitely food for thought.
@jennverr at the moment I would probably be happy with a 70-300mm lens...at least to start with.
I did join up the pentax forum when I got my k100d but have not been back in awhile...may have to revisit.
Lenses! You already have a very capable camera. Not sure how you are looking to improve, but a range of lenses can be helpful in some aspects.
However, improvements in camera operating/image processing in camera software have come a long way since 2006. You could likely find a newer Pentax in the used market for less than a new one and save your pennies for lenses.
You might want to stick with Pentax since you are familiar with its "lingo" and have at least one lens to start with. A new system means learning new lingo and a new learning curve for that system.
Lisa, My first camera was the Canon XTI and it came with the 18-55. I really did not think it was a very good lense. I did buy the 70-300 and it was great for longer focal lengths but not for anything close by. I recently purchased the Canon 60d and it has the 18-135 lense and I can get just about any shot with that size lense. So if you are going to go the Canon route def wait for the dual lenses bc like I said the 18-55 is not all that great. I havent used Nikon except as a film camera. I agree with the others though about going into a camera store and seeing what you like. Ebay has some great deals on older cameras. I just bought a lense for my film camera there and the 55-250 for my 60 D I saved about $100 on both and they are both new. It def pays to look around first.
Some really good advice above. I am in agreement with a long term strategy. If you transition to Canon or Nikon, you will have more options for just about everything going forward. In almost every lens, there will be a good-better-best option. If it was my money, I would get. Canon body and a nifty 50mm lens. If you can use the adaptor that Dave suggested and use your Pentax lens with a Canon, then I especially like this option. If you get a great deal on a kit, then you get one more lens. Good luck.
Stick with the brand, Pentax is great, they keep the mount the same(unlike some brands) so there is no need to replace lenses if you switch brands or decide to go with another brand and switch bodies down the road, the lenses can become incompatible with the new camera body. But if you do switch makers, now is the time before you're stocked up on all your favorite lenses.
Maybe look into a new body and at least a telephoto lens or macro, or both ;)
A number of companies make lenses for Pentax, Sigma, Phoenix & Ricoh are three
I have a Pentax K10D and am very happy with it but have been told by my photography teacher and others that it's the lens that you need to spend money on. Buy the best you can afford. He also says if you buy a new camera, buy the body only then the best lens you can afford. The twin lens kits use the bottom end lenses so you will end up being limited with what you can do as you get more into it.
I have been wondering the same thing lately but the more I research the more I am convinced that my money would be spent on better quality lenses. How old is your camera by the way?
Hope this helps.
Good stuff that is a good camera and you will not be disappointed. You now have a great range through the lens and the camera. If you need any help drop me a line and good luck
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If you go a canon of nikon you will be able to expand and grow with your camera
I saw the canon 1100d with single lens for $398...a dual lens kit is a little out of the budget...so I would be upgrading the camera but not the lens.
So wondered if that was worth the change.
Thanks for your response, it seems it would be :-)
I now have four lenes with this camera and only seem to use two of them.
I do not know the make of your camera, What types of picture are you likely to take that any 18-55mm lens would do the job? What type of lens are compatible with your camera can you try any out before you decide and see what difference these make to your pictures?
Then BEFORE you go and buy a shiny new Canon/Nikon (because everyone says it's what they would do), get a few lens catalogues, go into a camera shop and see what you can put on the Pentax. It's a good camera and there lenses out there.
@esox thanks for the advice, my Pentax is a DSLR similar to the canon in size but being a little older slightly heavier.
@pete21 thank you for your post, that was why I asked the question. I don't mind about the shiny new part just being able to learn more and challenge myself :)
Both! Do you shoot in manual or automatic?
Here's why. You buy the canon 1100, the 350 or 400 or whichever you can afford, and then get a pentax-canon ring adaptor, so you can buy pentax k mount lenses which are great lenses and have been for the last 40 years. Then you can buy lenses online (eBay) for $10 instead of $100. So if you price all those different elements up you might want to sell your pentax body and retain its lens and buy the Canon body only to save more money and use the pentax lens. Without the canon stock lens though you'll never be able to shoot fully automatic, only AV at best. I'm on a tight budget so that's what I did
i guess it all just depends on exactly what you are feeling limited by.
PS. if you decide to stick with pentax (which i love - again probably another minority here)... I would consider joining and posting to this forum : pentaxforums.com. I've learned a TON there.
good luck !
@jennverr at the moment I would probably be happy with a 70-300mm lens...at least to start with.
I did join up the pentax forum when I got my k100d but have not been back in awhile...may have to revisit.
However, improvements in camera operating/image processing in camera software have come a long way since 2006. You could likely find a newer Pentax in the used market for less than a new one and save your pennies for lenses.
You might want to stick with Pentax since you are familiar with its "lingo" and have at least one lens to start with. A new system means learning new lingo and a new learning curve for that system.
Maybe look into a new body and at least a telephoto lens or macro, or both ;)
A number of companies make lenses for Pentax, Sigma, Phoenix & Ricoh are three
I have been wondering the same thing lately but the more I research the more I am convinced that my money would be spent on better quality lenses. How old is your camera by the way?
Hope this helps.