Pentax 18-50 WR kit lens

biz-engineer · 03-04-2015, 01:42 AM

Anyone already having the new 18-50 WR? I'd eventually be interested to acquire this lens for it's small size and weight for hiking.

But:
- What image quality can we expect? Similar to the DA 18-55 ?
- Does it have internal AF or does the lens extend when focusing?
- It is WR but how about the build quality?

**forest_bear59** · 03-04-2015, 01:44 AM

... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type?

jimr-pdx · 03-04-2015, 01:56 AM

Question 1.. 18.50 available soon, but not just yet. Probably not internal AF, hopefully better img quality.

Question 2 .. not focus by wire as the K system cannot do that just the Q. The entire mount and camera would need to change for such a system.

biz-engineer · 03-04-2015, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by forest_bear59

... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type?

What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor?

**clackers** · 03-04-2015, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor?

In focusing by wire, you're actually activating a motor. Take the lens off the camera and you can't change its focus.

A bit like a lens only having power zoom, you can get annoyed if you're good at manual focus by touch.

JimmyDranox · 03-04-2015, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by forest_bear59

... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type?

Is a DC lens, so focusing is made by an electric motor inside the lens. It is compatible with older camera at some extend. At least K-5 series, K-r, K-x, and maybe more. You can check the camera review section to find out.

The lens is extending, clear, but I don't know if it does only when is making zoom, or also when is focusing. But because the IF designation is missing from its name I thing that not internal focusing.

HYS · 03-04-2015, 03:21 AM

I have both 18-55 WR and 17-70 SDM. The later is better, much better.

JimmyDranox · 03-04-2015, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by clackers

In focusing by wire, you're actually activating a motor. Take the lens off the camera and you can't change its focus.

A bit like a lens only having power zoom, you can get annoyed if you're good at manual focus by touch.

It's a quick-shift lens, so I think that can be focus manually all the time.

EarlVonTapia · 03-04-2015, 06:14 AM - **1 Like**

Here's a question that I can't find the answer to.

Will the lens work in retracted mode? Kind of like a fake 18mm f4 pancake?

normhead · 03-04-2015, 06:25 AM

Just from the cut away image of how the lens retracts, I'd guess no, areas that would be in sharp focus would be way out beyond infinity.

biz-engineer · 03-04-2015, 07:17 AM

That no problem if the lens should be extended when in use. The advantage I see from this lens is small size and light weight for backpacking/landscape photography (smaller and lighter than 16-50 or Tamy 17-50). Just wondering about the image quality has improved compared to the cheap 18-55. It looks like it is not possible to buy the lens alone on amazon yet. As soon as someone will have a change to use/evaluate this 18-50 lens, I'd be interested.

Marktax · 03-04-2015, 08:33 AM

I have the new 18-50 lens with a new K-S2. The lens does not work when retracted, it must be extended first. The focus ring has no detents -- it rotates 360 degrees freely in both directions but seems to be quick shift. It is very lightweight. I intend to sell my copy after I test it against the 20-40mm Ltd. since I plan to use the K-S2 with my Ltd. primes only.

derekkite · 03-04-2015, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor?

No. On my old Olympus four thirds lenses the focus ring isn't connected to the focus mechanism. In fact you can set which direction to turn it to set the focus far. The DA*300 has quick shift but the ring is mechanically connected to the focus mechanism.

03-04-2015, 01:42 AM	#1
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,239	Pentax 18-50 WR kit lens Anyone already having the new 18-50 WR? I'd eventually be interested to acquire this lens for it's small size and weight for hiking. But: - What image quality can we expect? Similar to the DA 18-55 ? - Does it have internal AF or does the lens extend when focusing? - It is WR but how about the build quality?

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03-04-2015, 01:44 AM	#2
forest_bear59 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Idstein (near Frankfurt - Germany) Photos: Gallery Posts: 147	... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type?

03-04-2015, 01:56 AM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Question 1.. 18.50 available soon, but not just yet. Probably not internal AF, hopefully better img quality. Question 2 .. not focus by wire as the K system cannot do that just the Q. The entire mount and camera would need to change for such a system.

03-04-2015, 03:03 AM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,239 Original Poster	Originally posted by forest_bear59 ... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type? What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor?

03-04-2015, 03:17 AM	#5
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by biz-engineer What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor? In focusing by wire, you're actually activating a motor. Take the lens off the camera and you can't change its focus. A bit like a lens only having power zoom, you can get annoyed if you're good at manual focus by touch.

03-04-2015, 03:18 AM	#6
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	Originally posted by forest_bear59 ... and another question from me: Is it true, that focusing is the 'by wire' type? Is a DC lens, so focusing is made by an electric motor inside the lens. It is compatible with older camera at some extend. At least K-5 series, K-r, K-x, and maybe more. You can check the camera review section to find out. The lens is extending, clear, but I don't know if it does only when is making zoom, or also when is focusing. But because the IF designation is missing from its name I thing that not internal focusing.

03-04-2015, 03:21 AM	#7
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	I have both 18-55 WR and 17-70 SDM. The later is better, much better.

03-04-2015, 03:27 AM	#8
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	Originally posted by clackers In focusing by wire, you're actually activating a motor. Take the lens off the camera and you can't change its focus. A bit like a lens only having power zoom, you can get annoyed if you're good at manual focus by touch. It's a quick-shift lens, so I think that can be focus manually all the time.

03-04-2015, 06:14 AM - 1 Like	#9
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Here's a question that I can't find the answer to. Will the lens work in retracted mode? Kind of like a fake 18mm f4 pancake?

03-04-2015, 06:25 AM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Just from the cut away image of how the lens retracts, I'd guess no, areas that would be in sharp focus would be way out beyond infinity.

03-04-2015, 07:17 AM	#11
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,239 Original Poster	That no problem if the lens should be extended when in use. The advantage I see from this lens is small size and light weight for backpacking/landscape photography (smaller and lighter than 16-50 or Tamy 17-50). Just wondering about the image quality has improved compared to the cheap 18-55. It looks like it is not possible to buy the lens alone on amazon yet. As soon as someone will have a change to use/evaluate this 18-50 lens, I'd be interested.

03-04-2015, 08:33 AM	#12
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	I have the new 18-50 lens with a new K-S2. The lens does not work when retracted, it must be extended first. The focus ring has no detents -- it rotates 360 degrees freely in both directions but seems to be quick shift. It is very lightweight. I intend to sell my copy after I test it against the 20-40mm Ltd. since I plan to use the K-S2 with my Ltd. primes only.

03-04-2015, 08:43 AM	#13
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by biz-engineer What is focusing "by wire"? Isn't it the SDM or DC motor? No. On my old Olympus four thirds lenses the focus ring isn't connected to the focus mechanism. In fact you can set which direction to turn it to set the focus far. The DA*300 has quick shift but the ring is mechanically connected to the focus mechanism.