New DA 18-135mm a step backwards?

Urkeldaedalus · 09-20-2010, 12:31 PM

What caught my eye was the rounded aperture blades. If this lens is weather resistant with nice smooth bokeh, and the images turn out to be sharp and contrasty with Pentax colors, I may have to adjust my longstanding views against all-in-one zooms.

Pentaxor · 09-20-2010, 09:14 PM

I'm not sure if it is a step backwards. since it has some things that answer a photographers' need in a zoom lens.

very good versatility - the 18mm-135mm focal length is the ideal choice for general purpose single zoom lens setup for most occasions. eliminates the need for the 18-55 completely, 55-200 (almost) and DA55-300's 55-135 focal length (the strong focal range or sweet spot distances) of the lens.
the 18-250mm has a bit more versatility but has some major issues in some important aspects that is important for the above novice user.

promising optical construction - we could only hope that the optical quality of the elements produce some outstanding images that deserves more than a kit lens status but a bang for the buck, budget version of an above good consumer grade or high-end lens. I wish it's even better than the DA55-300 already very good and sometimes/occasional great rendering. I hope that it does solve or not have the awful distortion of the 18-55 and 18-250 at 18mm.

DC Auto-Focus - this is a promising new development. silent, yet still fast. eliminates the annoying screwdrive noise while shooting in public.

WR - not that I really need it but still a great addition on those occasions you least expect, especially when travelling.

IF - atleast it doesn't extend while doing focusing.

rounded aperture blades - possibly for stopped down portraits.

compact size - it is smaller and lighter than it's other zoom lens equivalent. I believe it is even smaller and lighter than some of the zoom lens with less reach.

on a sidenote: the $550+ price premium seems to be a bit much for a lens with a variable aperture speed, unless it's a slightly above consumer grade lens. but still a $400 would be more of a reasonable price.
also, this could jeopardize the future of the 16-45, 17-70 and coul have an impact on the sales of both DA16-50 and DA50-135.

timo · 09-21-2010, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

everyone is bashing pentax left and right for not giving them what they want, but believe it or not what pentax is offering is really appealing to a lot of people.

The outbreaks of virulence and negativity particularly on the 'other' forum seem weird to me - with both new camera announcements and this new lens it seems to me that Pentax have been sitting there with a notebook writing down exactly what everyone has been asking for and now giving it to them. There seems to be have been a bit of a screwup with the initial K-5 price announcement but as we all know prices initially announced mean very little.

pinholecam · 09-21-2010, 08:00 PM

Nikon has the 18-105 as a kit for the D90 and new owners are pretty happy with it. Pretty good optical performance as well from what I have tried.
So a 18-135 is a right step forward for entrant users.

We can't expect Pentax to always give the lenses we old birds want. Give some thought for the new ppl.

Boris · 09-21-2010, 10:25 PM

Originally posted by Adam

hey're talking about a new DC motor- maybe it'll actually be fast?

I'd rather hope it were more reliable over time

...

aleonx3 · 09-21-2010, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

Nikon has the 18-105 as a kit for the D90 and new owners are pretty happy with it. Pretty good optical performance as well from what I have tried.
So a 18-135 is a right step forward for entrant users.

We can't expect Pentax to always give the lenses we old birds want. Give some thought for the new ppl.

The Nikon 18-105 kit lens that came with the D90 has the plastic mount. Let's hope that this 18-135 with WR has also good optical performance that I can use for traveling. Does this come with metal or plastic mount?

deadwolfbones · 09-21-2010, 11:29 PM

Certainly a metal mount. DA-L are the only ones with plastic mounts.

Stringmike · 09-22-2010, 04:10 PM

With Pentax calling it a direct current motor, it definitely isn't SDM.

Some of us are wondering whether it is the first lens to have the direct drive described in a recent Pentax patent. This patent shows a phased pulse-drive motor that can be coupled both to the normal screw drive and quick-shift system.

If it's just an el cheapo DC motor driving a gear train, I won't be as excited.

Mike

KxBlaze · 09-22-2010, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by brofkand

what is the lens' msrp? I can't find it anywhere.

$529.95

rustynail925 · 09-22-2010, 06:43 PM

Anyone knows what focal length the variable apertures changes ?

Marc Sabatella · 09-23-2010, 12:34 AM

Lenses with variable maximum aperture really are variable. They don't suddenly change from f/4 to f/4.5 (or whatever) at some particular focal length; the camera just makes it seem that way because it rounds off the actual aperture to the nearest half stop. It's really just a long slow steady decline, not a series of steps.

m42man · 09-23-2010, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by Stringmike

With Pentax calling it a direct current motor, it definitely isn't SDM.

Some of us are wondering whether it is the first lens to have the direct drive described in a recent Pentax patent. This patent shows a phased pulse-drive motor that can be coupled both to the normal screw drive and quick-shift system.

If it's just an el cheapo DC motor driving a gear train, I won't be as excited.

Mike

Do we actually know for sure that "DC" stands for "Direct Current" here? It strikes me that a lot of people might be jumping to an obvious - but wrong - conclusion.

It could easily stand for something like "Direct Coupled", for example.

Whatever - it sounds like a highly desirable lens to me, I just wish I could afford one!

**Rondec** · 09-23-2010, 04:39 AM

Two or three years ago, Pentax said that they were planning over time to move to in lens motors for zooms and continue to screw drive for limited primes. I would say that lenses like this one, the DA 17-70 are in line with that. There are still plenty of lenses that are useable with pre-K100super camera bodies and I am sure will continue to be for a long time to come.

There has been some conjecture that having both screw drive and SDM capability in the 50-135 and 16-50 increased their complexity and made them more prone to failure. Not sure if that is true, but it probably didn't help matters any.

alohadave · 09-23-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by reeftool

SDM only will make a lot of people leery of this lens, myself included.

Get used to it. Pentax users are feeling the pain now, but look at Canon. They made the change in the late 80's, and Nikon has been making the change for a few years (especially in the lower consumer models like the D40).

A couple body revisions from now there likely won't be a screw drive in any new bodies, and it will all be SDM/DC (or whatever).

It will mean that lenses with only screw drive AF will become manual focus lenses. Such is life. They will still be usable, just like a K lens is usable with stop down metering (if not the same way as designed).

the swede · 09-24-2010, 12:52 AM

Originally posted by alohadave

Get used to it. Pentax users are feeling the pain now, but look at Canon. They made the change in the late 80's, and Nikon has been making the change for a few years (especially in the lower consumer models like the D40).

A couple body revisions from now there likely won't be a screw drive in any new bodies, and it will all be SDM/DC (or whatever).

It will mean that lenses with only screw drive AF will become manual focus lenses. Such is life. They will still be usable, just like a K lens is usable with stop down metering (if not the same way as designed).

All this is probably true, but as an "enthousiast" brand, they will have at least one body with backwards compability.

Nikon did it NOW with the D7000 as a direct response to demand.

The voices of pentaxians is quite loud so Pentax will never get away with removning screw support.

Personaly i look forward to the 18-135 and will most likely buy it. And i hope the do continue in that direction. But i think they will support screw in the future to.

09-20-2010, 09:14 PM	#17
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I'm not sure if it is a step backwards. since it has some things that answer a photographers' need in a zoom lens. very good versatility - the 18mm-135mm focal length is the ideal choice for general purpose single zoom lens setup for most occasions. eliminates the need for the 18-55 completely, 55-200 (almost) and DA55-300's 55-135 focal length (the strong focal range or sweet spot distances) of the lens. the 18-250mm has a bit more versatility but has some major issues in some important aspects that is important for the above novice user. promising optical construction - we could only hope that the optical quality of the elements produce some outstanding images that deserves more than a kit lens status but a bang for the buck, budget version of an above good consumer grade or high-end lens. I wish it's even better than the DA55-300 already very good and sometimes/occasional great rendering. I hope that it does solve or not have the awful distortion of the 18-55 and 18-250 at 18mm. DC Auto-Focus - this is a promising new development. silent, yet still fast. eliminates the annoying screwdrive noise while shooting in public. WR - not that I really need it but still a great addition on those occasions you least expect, especially when travelling. IF - atleast it doesn't extend while doing focusing. rounded aperture blades - possibly for stopped down portraits. compact size - it is smaller and lighter than it's other zoom lens equivalent. I believe it is even smaller and lighter than some of the zoom lens with less reach. on a sidenote: the $550+ price premium seems to be a bit much for a lens with a variable aperture speed, unless it's a slightly above consumer grade lens. but still a $400 would be more of a reasonable price. also, this could jeopardize the future of the 16-45, 17-70 and coul have an impact on the sales of both DA16-50 and DA50-135. Last edited by Pentaxor; 09-20-2010 at 09:28 PM.

09-22-2010, 04:10 PM	#23
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	The DC drive is a mystery With Pentax calling it a direct current motor, it definitely isn't SDM. Some of us are wondering whether it is the first lens to have the direct drive described in a recent Pentax patent. This patent shows a phased pulse-drive motor that can be coupled both to the normal screw drive and quick-shift system. If it's just an el cheapo DC motor driving a gear train, I won't be as excited. Mike

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
General rule for step-up step-down rings?	uchinakuri	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	06-18-2010 09:54 PM
Step up or Step down ring for FA 50mm f1.4 and filters.	Xcom	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	4	05-11-2009 11:56 PM
Starting with the Eye and Working Backwards	mithrandir	Photographic Technique	13	07-18-2008 09:06 PM
A Step-by step guide to using M and A Lenses	krs	Pentax DSLR Discussion	33	03-18-2008 07:21 PM
backlit and backwards	NaClH2O	Monthly Photo Contests	0	03-07-2008 07:13 PM

09-20-2010, 12:31 PM	#16
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	What caught my eye was the rounded aperture blades. If this lens is weather resistant with nice smooth bokeh, and the images turn out to be sharp and contrasty with Pentax colors, I may have to adjust my longstanding views against all-in-one zooms.

09-21-2010, 04:48 PM	#18
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	Originally posted by séamuis everyone is bashing pentax left and right for not giving them what they want, but believe it or not what pentax is offering is really appealing to a lot of people. The outbreaks of virulence and negativity particularly on the 'other' forum seem weird to me - with both new camera announcements and this new lens it seems to me that Pentax have been sitting there with a notebook writing down exactly what everyone has been asking for and now giving it to them. There seems to be have been a bit of a screwup with the initial K-5 price announcement but as we all know prices initially announced mean very little.

09-21-2010, 08:00 PM	#19
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Nikon has the 18-105 as a kit for the D90 and new owners are pretty happy with it. Pretty good optical performance as well from what I have tried. So a 18-135 is a right step forward for entrant users. We can't expect Pentax to always give the lenses we old birds want. Give some thought for the new ppl.

09-21-2010, 10:25 PM	#20
Boris Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Israel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 932	Originally posted by Adam hey're talking about a new DC motor- maybe it'll actually be fast? I'd rather hope it were more reliable over time ...

09-21-2010, 11:08 PM	#21
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by pinholecam Nikon has the 18-105 as a kit for the D90 and new owners are pretty happy with it. Pretty good optical performance as well from what I have tried. So a 18-135 is a right step forward for entrant users. We can't expect Pentax to always give the lenses we old birds want. Give some thought for the new ppl. The Nikon 18-105 kit lens that came with the D90 has the plastic mount. Let's hope that this 18-135 with WR has also good optical performance that I can use for traveling. Does this come with metal or plastic mount?

09-21-2010, 11:29 PM	#22
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Certainly a metal mount. DA-L are the only ones with plastic mounts.

09-22-2010, 04:26 PM	#24
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	Originally posted by brofkand what is the lens' msrp? I can't find it anywhere. $529.95

09-22-2010, 06:43 PM	#25
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Anyone knows what focal length the variable apertures changes ?

09-23-2010, 12:34 AM	#26
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Lenses with variable maximum aperture really are variable. They don't suddenly change from f/4 to f/4.5 (or whatever) at some particular focal length; the camera just makes it seem that way because it rounds off the actual aperture to the nearest half stop. It's really just a long slow steady decline, not a series of steps.

09-23-2010, 12:46 AM	#27
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	Originally posted by Stringmike With Pentax calling it a direct current motor, it definitely isn't SDM. Some of us are wondering whether it is the first lens to have the direct drive described in a recent Pentax patent. This patent shows a phased pulse-drive motor that can be coupled both to the normal screw drive and quick-shift system. If it's just an el cheapo DC motor driving a gear train, I won't be as excited. Mike Do we actually know for sure that "DC" stands for "Direct Current" here? It strikes me that a lot of people might be jumping to an obvious - but wrong - conclusion. It could easily stand for something like "Direct Coupled", for example. Whatever - it sounds like a highly desirable lens to me, I just wish I could afford one!

09-23-2010, 04:39 AM	#28
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Two or three years ago, Pentax said that they were planning over time to move to in lens motors for zooms and continue to screw drive for limited primes. I would say that lenses like this one, the DA 17-70 are in line with that. There are still plenty of lenses that are useable with pre-K100super camera bodies and I am sure will continue to be for a long time to come. There has been some conjecture that having both screw drive and SDM capability in the 50-135 and 16-50 increased their complexity and made them more prone to failure. Not sure if that is true, but it probably didn't help matters any.

09-23-2010, 02:11 PM	#29
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by reeftool SDM only will make a lot of people leery of this lens, myself included. Get used to it. Pentax users are feeling the pain now, but look at Canon. They made the change in the late 80's, and Nikon has been making the change for a few years (especially in the lower consumer models like the D40). A couple body revisions from now there likely won't be a screw drive in any new bodies, and it will all be SDM/DC (or whatever). It will mean that lenses with only screw drive AF will become manual focus lenses. Such is life. They will still be usable, just like a K lens is usable with stop down metering (if not the same way as designed).

09-24-2010, 12:52 AM	#30
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310	Originally posted by alohadave Get used to it. Pentax users are feeling the pain now, but look at Canon. They made the change in the late 80's, and Nikon has been making the change for a few years (especially in the lower consumer models like the D40). A couple body revisions from now there likely won't be a screw drive in any new bodies, and it will all be SDM/DC (or whatever). It will mean that lenses with only screw drive AF will become manual focus lenses. Such is life. They will still be usable, just like a K lens is usable with stop down metering (if not the same way as designed). All this is probably true, but as an "enthousiast" brand, they will have at least one body with backwards compability. Nikon did it NOW with the D7000 as a direct response to demand. The voices of pentaxians is quite loud so Pentax will never get away with removning screw support. Personaly i look forward to the 18-135 and will most likely buy it. And i hope the do continue in that direction. But i think they will support screw in the future to.