[rustynail925]

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

---

anyone knows yet the focal length it stops down aperture? from 3.5-4.5-5-5.6

[garethwebber]

it depends on how really good it is. if it's only a step higher than the kit lens, then you are better off with a faster 2 lens combo.

Cheaper to get a tamron 17-50 and a Sigma 50-150 given the deals on the latter. Wide range and 2.8 to boot although no pixie dust, waterpoofing and double the lens count.

G

[HGMonaro]

Cheaper to get a tamron 17-50 and a Sigma 50-150 given the deals on the latter.
G

Deals where though? On the same website those two lenses are $549 & $853

[steve1307]

Cheaper to get a tamron 17-50 and a Sigma 50-150 given the deals on the latter. Wide range and 2.8 to boot although no pixie dust, waterpoofing and double the lens count.

G

This is about the cheapest way to get a faster range between 18-135
but its still significantly more than the new 18-135 WR which in itself is pricey in comparison to others

It is a bit like comparing apples with oranges though.

Throwing some numbers, all from the same store as the OP noted with occasionally odd pricing

single lens convenience
Pentax 18-135 DC WR = 799 AUD
Sigma 18-125 (HSM OS) = 407 AUD
Sigma 18-250 (HSM OS) = 682 AUD


twin kit same f-stop
Pentax 18-55 mkII + 55-200 = 300(?!) + 261 = 561 (non WR)
Pentax 18-55 WR + 55-200 WR = 277 + 499(?!!) = 776 (WR version)

Sigma cheaper and heavier of course.


at 2.8
Tamron 17-50 (non VC) = 549 AUD
Sigma 18-50 = 501 AUD
Sigma 50-150 = 853 AUD
2 lens total = about 1,400


Pentax 16-50 = 1,254 AUD
Pentax 50-135 = 1,359 AUD
total = about 2,600


I suppose it all depends on how much money / LBA you have been blessed with.

[garethwebber]

at 2.8
Tamron 17-50 (non VC) = 549 AUD
Sigma 18-50 = 501 AUD
Sigma 50-150 = 853 AUD
2 lens total = about 1,400

I suppose it all depends on how much money / LBA you have been blessed with.

My bad, I was using UK pricing. We had an end of life special offer on the 50-150 that looks like it has cleared the stock but was 349 UKP and the Tamron is 299 UKP.

Most consumer electronics translates to the UK at 1USD becomes 1UKP despite the exchange rate (partly because of 20% sales tax which is included in our advertised prices).

So when someone talks about a $599 lens I assume it will end up at 599UKP. At that price you can see my preference to the sigma and tamron.

Gareth

(Deal was SRS Microsystems)

[summonbaka]

Saw it at ¥53,821(around $600) at amazon japan. Stating they'll start selling by 20 of november.
Amazon.co.jp： PENTAX DA18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL DC WR(フード付) DA18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL DC WR: 家電・カメラ

In that same line are the colorful DA-L 35/2.4 at ¥23,800-26,200 (between $250-290 last one for the pink version). Also available from 11/20
Amazon.co.jp: ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX - ŒðŠ·ƒŒƒ“ƒY / ƒJƒ�ƒ‰�EƒfƒWƒ^ƒ‹ƒJƒ�ƒ‰ / ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX: ‰Æ“d�EƒJƒ�ƒ‰

[nickthetasmaniac]

Bear in mind that regardless of the exchange rate with the US, camera gear is f#%king expensive in Australia...

[Pentaxor]

Bear in mind that regardless of the exchange rate with the US, camera gear is f#%king expensive in Australia...

you can always import.

[HGMonaro]

you can always import.

and have no local warranty.

[Pentaxor]

and have no local warranty.

for what? it's not even a silent dying motor (SDM). even if it has local warranty, I bet it's over after a year or two.

[Rondec]

I thought that Pentax offered international warranties. I have purchased several lenses from Canada and then gotten them serviced in the US without problems. The international warranty is only one year, but that is all that comes standard with a Pentax lens in the US anyway.

[HGMonaro]

for what? it's not even a silent dying motor (SDM). even if it has local warranty, I bet it's over after a year or two.

if it's DOA or full of junk (dust) it will cost you more than your savings to send it back. But yes, after a year, your on your own anyway!

Local Pentax importer is very vocal about not supporting grey market items.

[Pentaxor]

if it's DOA or full of junk (dust) it will cost you more than your savings to send it back. But yes, after a year, your on your own anyway!

Local Pentax importer is very vocal about not supporting grey market items.

this is the funny part, how can a newly released DA 18-135 be full of dust or DOA? I think this is more of being paranoid about buying outside from down under. it is more of the responsibility of the buyer to make sure that what he/she buys is what is described. this is no different from someone who is buying stuff in our Pentax marketplace. surely, there are a lot there that would be glad to import stuff for lesser cost with the added security that the marketplace has a pretty good record of working or properly disclosed conditions of the item.

I can understand the sentiments of the Local Pentax importer, but I believe the biggest reason for such strong opposition from them is they could lose profit when everybody is buying from the outside rather than having a genuine concern to the consumer. I mean c'mon, whether if you import your stuff directly from Japan or North America, these are still authorized Pentax sellers who offer the same product and warranty at a much cheaper price than your local Pentax distributor. about the grey market, it's more of using your intelligence. I think that there are a lot of Pentax Aussie Users that regularly sell cheaper items locally as well.

p.s. I just ordered and received 2 individual items yesterday and today off the grey market within the continent. items are as described.

it cost me an extra for the newly imposed tax duties but still way cheaper than what it could be worth. I have a pretty good record of getting stuff off the grey market and it's been working perfectly.

[Matthew]

if it's DOA or full of junk (dust) it will cost you more than your savings to send it back. But yes, after a year, your on your own anyway!

Local Pentax importer is very vocal about not supporting grey market items.

If you read the fine print on CRK warranty, it is pretty clear that it is not worth the paper it is written on for lenses. I know that some people have had good experiences when it comes to the actual service they have received, but just be aware that the fine print attempts to give them every out possible and you are really relying on Australian consumer protection laws for your peace of mind.

I have bought overseas once because I could afford to buy two lenses at the Hong Kong price for one at the CRK price. Other times the price was close enough that I didn't care.

[robjmitchell]

Aussie prices a weird and usually a rip off. Pentax camera's on release are good value but hardly come down, Lenses are usually 40% more expensive but sometimes cheaper. other brands are just the same or worse, Nikon 18-105 is $290 at BH for imported version vs $540 here. D7000 is $1800 vs $1600 for K-5