next lens for my Pentax K-X

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I've had my Pentax KX with 2 kit lenses(50-200/18-55) for about 2 months now and i'm hooked.
I've started to look at expanding my lens kit and i'm not sure what to get
I don't want to spend too much as i'm still a novice

I've seen a Pentax M 50mm 1.7 lens for £24 2nd hand in a local shop and have seen a lot of good things said about this lens
Being a novice would this manual? lens be too tricky to handle and is it suitable for my camera

Also seen a Tamron 30-300 f4-5.6 for £74.
Would this a be a worthwhile upgrade of my current 50-200 kit lens

Also seen for £10 an old Chinon 50mm 1.9 Pentax K mount - any good ?

Thanks
 
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As you describe yourself as a novice I would suggest you forget the "M" lenses and look at the PK/A (or "A") mount. These have the electrical contacts that will allow your camera to auto meter and change the aperture for you. As for which lens, it depends on whether you want to go wider, longer, faster or just want a decent quality 50mm prime.

You could pick up a manual focus mint Pentax-A 50mm f2 for about £25/30, a f1.7 for about £50/60 or a f1.4 will be around £100.
 
so essentially with a 50mm 'A' mount other than focussing manually the lens would function just as my kit lenses
are these lenses easy to focus manually
i've spoken to a friend who reckons when they use manual focus lenses a lot of there pictures are blurry althought they do think there camera is getting on a bit and there viewfinder isn't that great anymore
 
Really dependson your eyesight I suppose.
I have no problem focusing manually (mainly use it for macro) but you can always use liveview or get yourself a magnifying eye piece if you do.

Otherwise you are looking at £150 for a AF 50mm f1.7/£200 for a f1.4 (used prices)

Expensive hobby this photography lark ...... :shrug:
 
my eyesights fine so hopefully i can cope with a manual focus and save some money
is it worth spending the extra on a f1.4 or keeping with a 1.7
i'll prob be using it for portraiture and general purpose
how good are these lenses for macro
 
I find the ƒ/1.4 50mm very difficult to focus manually.

The M and earlier lenses, and others e.g. older Tokinas without the "A" setting only require a press of the green button to stop down, meter and set the exposure. Sure, it's something you could forget and there are some treasures among the Pentax A lenses, but don't be put off the pre-A types.
 
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