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hoanpham · 02-13-2011, 12:20 PM

Can anyone help me to compare the range of 18-55 from both lenses? Or redirect me to the existing thread.

I m also interested in comparing 18-55 ALii and 18-55WR, Are they optical identical?

Thanks.

hawk1500 · 02-13-2011, 12:49 PM

I read that the 18-55mm AL II is optically identical to the WR. They basically added WR to the II to get it, but I haven't personally tested it or looked at the specifications.

Adam · 02-13-2011, 12:59 PM

Check our review: SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm Review | Pentax 18-135mm | PentaxForums.com

The optical design of the WR and the II kit lens is the same.

**Ash** · 02-13-2011, 01:15 PM

Big difference in focal range between the 18-55 and 18-135.
If you were to choose between the two, and had the money for both, the 18-135 is an excellent choice.

normhead · 02-13-2011, 01:21 PM

If you look at the comparison photos in the link above, you'd never buy the 18-55 if you could use the 18-135 instead. Just select a couple of images from the same focal length and f-stop. I didn't examine the whole chart, but I didn't find any combination of settings where the 18-55 out performed the 18-135.

piesforyou · 02-13-2011, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by normhead

If you look at the comparison photos in the link above, you'd never buy the 18-55 if you could use the 18-135 instead. Just select a couple of images from the same focal length and f-stop. I didn't examine the whole chart, but I didn't find any combination of settings where the 18-55 out performed the 18-135.

Wide open the 18-135 slaughters the 18-55, but actually by F11 the 18-55 has almost caught up. Worse CA though.

hoanpham · 02-13-2011, 03:06 PM

Thanks all of you.

I did a closer look this time. 18-135 is sharper than 18-55 over all, $500 vs $150, but maybe well spend $500.

I was consider 18-55WR as travel kit together with the 50-200WR. The 18-135 seems like a good all-round lens.

Can anyone redirect me to images taken by the 55-300? Is there a thread for this lens other than the reviews?
I may left the 50-200WR home as well.
Thanks.

**Ash** · 02-13-2011, 03:18 PM

Look for the DA lens club and you'll see lots of good examples of what the 18-55, 50-200 and 55-300 can do.

piesforyou · 02-13-2011, 04:19 PM

Also there are websites like Pixel-Peeper which are great for checking out what different lenses can do.

Also I like how Pentax lenses feature very heavily in the top rated lenses on that site - in fact I just checked and we now have 9 out of the top 10 lenses. haha. Brand loyalty or genuine class?

Spock · 02-13-2011, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by piesforyou

Wide open the 18-135 slaughters the 18-55, but actually by F11 the 18-55 has almost caught up. Worse CA though.

Strange that a lens with a much larger zoom range can have better IQ...?

twitch · 02-13-2011, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by Spock

Strange that a lens with a much larger zoom range can have better IQ...?

IQ ~= Price / zoom range. I suspect that $$$ have a lot to do with it.

GeneV · 02-14-2011, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by twitch

IQ ~= Price / zoom range. I suspect that $$$ have a lot to do with it.

True. About the only reason to buy the 18-55 over the 18-135 is price. The longer lens is over three times the price. You do get something of what you pay for. The 18-55 is a tad smaller, but not enough to overcome the other advantages of the 18-135, if you can afford it.

02-13-2011, 12:20 PM	#1
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	18-55WR vs 18-135WR ? Can anyone help me to compare the range of 18-55 from both lenses? Or redirect me to the existing thread. I m also interested in comparing 18-55 ALii and 18-55WR, Are they optical identical? Thanks.

02-13-2011, 12:59 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Check our review: SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm Review \| Pentax 18-135mm \| PentaxForums.com The optical design of the WR and the II kit lens is the same. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-13-2011, 12:49 PM	#2
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	I read that the 18-55mm AL II is optically identical to the WR. They basically added WR to the II to get it, but I haven't personally tested it or looked at the specifications.

02-13-2011, 01:15 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Big difference in focal range between the 18-55 and 18-135. If you were to choose between the two, and had the money for both, the 18-135 is an excellent choice.

02-13-2011, 01:21 PM	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	If you look at the comparison photos in the link above, you'd never buy the 18-55 if you could use the 18-135 instead. Just select a couple of images from the same focal length and f-stop. I didn't examine the whole chart, but I didn't find any combination of settings where the 18-55 out performed the 18-135.

02-13-2011, 01:32 PM	#6
piesforyou Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 129	Originally posted by normhead If you look at the comparison photos in the link above, you'd never buy the 18-55 if you could use the 18-135 instead. Just select a couple of images from the same focal length and f-stop. I didn't examine the whole chart, but I didn't find any combination of settings where the 18-55 out performed the 18-135. Wide open the 18-135 slaughters the 18-55, but actually by F11 the 18-55 has almost caught up. Worse CA though.

02-13-2011, 03:06 PM	#7
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366 Original Poster	Thanks all of you. I did a closer look this time. 18-135 is sharper than 18-55 over all, $500 vs $150, but maybe well spend $500. I was consider 18-55WR as travel kit together with the 50-200WR. The 18-135 seems like a good all-round lens. Can anyone redirect me to images taken by the 55-300? Is there a thread for this lens other than the reviews? I may left the 50-200WR home as well. Thanks.

02-13-2011, 03:18 PM	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Look for the DA lens club and you'll see lots of good examples of what the 18-55, 50-200 and 55-300 can do.

02-13-2011, 04:19 PM	#9
piesforyou Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 129	Also there are websites like Pixel-Peeper which are great for checking out what different lenses can do. Also I like how Pentax lenses feature very heavily in the top rated lenses on that site - in fact I just checked and we now have 9 out of the top 10 lenses. haha. Brand loyalty or genuine class?

02-13-2011, 06:07 PM	#10
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Originally posted by piesforyou Wide open the 18-135 slaughters the 18-55, but actually by F11 the 18-55 has almost caught up. Worse CA though. Strange that a lens with a much larger zoom range can have better IQ...?

02-13-2011, 07:29 PM	#11
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Spock Strange that a lens with a much larger zoom range can have better IQ...? IQ ~= Price / zoom range. I suspect that $$$ have a lot to do with it.

02-14-2011, 05:48 AM	#12
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by twitch IQ ~= Price / zoom range. I suspect that $$$ have a lot to do with it. True. About the only reason to buy the 18-55 over the 18-135 is price. The longer lens is over three times the price. You do get something of what you pay for. The 18-55 is a tad smaller, but not enough to overcome the other advantages of the 18-135, if you can afford it.

18-55WR vs 18-135WR ?

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