Pentax DA 18-135mm, general discussions and samples

**RobA_Oz** · 07-05-2011, 03:48 AM - **1 Like**

I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way.

Then I discovered this piece Camera Reviewers Don’t See What I See | Black Star Rising which, combined with the more positive comments in this thread, has somewhat restored my confidence in the idea.

So, we'll see about the lens, but I thought others might like the article, too. It doesn't just apply to the 18-135, of course.

GaryH · 07-05-2011, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way.

I was disappointed in the review also. However, I still bought the lens and have been very satisfied with its performance. Sometimes we get so caught up in controlled tests results that we forget to go out and take pictures.

gtxtom · 07-05-2011, 06:53 PM

I used this lens last night for the party/concert at the art museum in Philly. Paired with the K-5, it took excellent pictures.

Although, in this instance, a little more reach would've been nice since I was soooo far away. These were handheld with the camera above my head to get the crowd out of the shots.

dgaies · 07-23-2011, 06:40 PM

Took my K-5 and 18-135WR into the pool today, literally

K-5 + 18-135 @ 135mm, f/8, 1/3200s, iso400

northcoastgreg · 07-23-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way.

Photozone makes way too much out of the poor corner performance at the long end of the lens. How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm? And with a lens that f5.6 at 135mm, perhaps poor corner performance is a feature, not a bug, as it will enhance subject isolation. Zooms always involve trade-offs and compromises, particularly when they have a 7.5x zoom ratio. Except for the non too stellar corner to corner performance at 18mm, it seems that Pentax made the right choices as far as these tradeoffs with this lens.

dgaies · 07-23-2011, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

Photozone makes way too much out of the poor corner performance at the long end of the lens. How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm? And with a lens that f5.6 at 135mm, perhaps poor corner performance is a feature, not a bug, as it will enhance subject isolation. Zooms always involve trade-offs and compromises, particularly when they have a 7.5x zoom ratio. Except for the non too stellar corner to corner performance at 18mm, it seems that Pentax made the right choices as far as these tradeoffs with this lens.

I completely agree with you. The shot I posted right above your post is a good example of why most of what I shoot at 135mm doesn't need (or want) perfectly sharp corners with lots of resolution. As far as prioritizing the attributes of the 18-135, I think Pentax did a good job, and I for one very much like the lens

Pentaxor · 07-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

Took my K-5 and 18-135WR into the pool today, literally

K-5 + 18-135 @ 135mm, f/8, 1/3200s, iso400

did you go down under as well? any pics?

dgaies · 07-23-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

did you go down under as well? any pics?

Under the water? Nope, no underwater pictures

It was a pool party with about two dozen four year-olds, so needless to say both the camera and lens got splashed quite a bit when I was in there. I was very careful not to submerge the camera as I wasn't really looking to test the boundaries of what water resistant really meant (as I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been pretty if I did submerge it).

audiobomber · 07-24-2011, 06:50 AM

I used the 18-135mm for about half of my photos in Paris. It's a terrific walkaround lens and by that I mean focal length and IQ.

Half of my favourite photos were taken with the 18-135mm: https://picasaweb.google.com/bonhommed/ParisTrip#

audiobomber · 07-24-2011, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm?

How about a 135mm cityscape? A travel magazine editor might disagree, but I find this photo completely acceptable for my purposes.

18-135mm @ 135mm, f11, 1/125s, ISO 400

Sinister · 08-23-2011, 12:30 AM

I am already in love with it. Just the K-5, a set of Limiteds and the 18-135 and I am done for travelling:

An approaching Loop von Ineound auf Flickr

Triangular von Ineound auf Flickr

Airiness von Ineound auf Flickr

Chicago Sunset von Ineound auf Flickr

Morning Laundry von Ineound auf Flickr

deadwolfbones · 08-23-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Sinister

I am already in love with it. Just the K-5, a set of Limiteds and the 18-135 and I am done for travelling:

An approaching Loop von Ineound auf Flickr

Triangular von Ineound auf Flickr

Airiness von Ineound auf Flickr

Chicago Sunset von Ineound auf Flickr

Morning Laundry von Ineound auf Flickr

Quite an impressive set here, but I think it has more to do with the photographer than the lens.

normhead · 08-23-2011, 10:43 AM

A few more shots, you might say the lens doesn't add much, but it doesn't ruin any shots either..

Redhedgehog · 08-31-2011, 04:41 AM

I had concerns about buying this lens partly due to some reviews and partly because of price in U.K. but was able to get an "unboxed" lens split from a K5 kit at an advantageous price so took the plunge.

I am realy pleased with the results from my initial "real life" test shots. It meets my expectations both optically and from the convenience aspect and am looking forward to many happy hours using it.

Spotmatic · 08-31-2011, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Quite an impressive set here, but I think it has more to do with the photographer than the lens.

True. I bought the lens too...and I like it. It is not by any stretch perfect...no lens is. It is however, a versatile tool.

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07-05-2011, 03:48 AM - 1 Like	#211
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,195	I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way. Then I discovered this piece Camera Reviewers Don’t See What I See \| Black Star Rising which, combined with the more positive comments in this thread, has somewhat restored my confidence in the idea. So, we'll see about the lens, but I thought others might like the article, too. It doesn't just apply to the 18-135, of course.

07-05-2011, 05:27 AM	#212
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way. I was disappointed in the review also. However, I still bought the lens and have been very satisfied with its performance. Sometimes we get so caught up in controlled tests results that we forget to go out and take pictures.

07-05-2011, 06:53 PM	#213
gtxtom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 395	I used this lens last night for the party/concert at the art museum in Philly. Paired with the K-5, it took excellent pictures. Although, in this instance, a little more reach would've been nice since I was soooo far away. These were handheld with the camera above my head to get the crowd out of the shots.

07-23-2011, 06:40 PM	#214
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Took my K-5 and 18-135WR into the pool today, literally K-5 + 18-135 @ 135mm, f/8, 1/3200s, iso400

07-23-2011, 07:50 PM	#215
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,172	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I've recently been thinking about the 18-135 as a walk-about lens, but that damned photozone review was getting in the way. Photozone makes way too much out of the poor corner performance at the long end of the lens. How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm? And with a lens that f5.6 at 135mm, perhaps poor corner performance is a feature, not a bug, as it will enhance subject isolation. Zooms always involve trade-offs and compromises, particularly when they have a 7.5x zoom ratio. Except for the non too stellar corner to corner performance at 18mm, it seems that Pentax made the right choices as far as these tradeoffs with this lens.

07-23-2011, 07:57 PM	#216
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by northcoastgreg Photozone makes way too much out of the poor corner performance at the long end of the lens. How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm? And with a lens that f5.6 at 135mm, perhaps poor corner performance is a feature, not a bug, as it will enhance subject isolation. Zooms always involve trade-offs and compromises, particularly when they have a 7.5x zoom ratio. Except for the non too stellar corner to corner performance at 18mm, it seems that Pentax made the right choices as far as these tradeoffs with this lens. I completely agree with you. The shot I posted right above your post is a good example of why most of what I shoot at 135mm doesn't need (or want) perfectly sharp corners with lots of resolution. As far as prioritizing the attributes of the 18-135, I think Pentax did a good job, and I for one very much like the lens

07-23-2011, 08:22 PM	#217
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by dgaies Took my K-5 and 18-135WR into the pool today, literally K-5 + 18-135 @ 135mm, f/8, 1/3200s, iso400 did you go down under as well? any pics?

07-23-2011, 08:28 PM	#218
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Pentaxor did you go down under as well? any pics? Under the water? Nope, no underwater pictures It was a pool party with about two dozen four year-olds, so needless to say both the camera and lens got splashed quite a bit when I was in there. I was very careful not to submerge the camera as I wasn't really looking to test the boundaries of what water resistant really meant (as I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been pretty if I did submerge it).

07-24-2011, 06:50 AM	#219
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I used the 18-135mm for about half of my photos in Paris. It's a terrific walkaround lens and by that I mean focal length and IQ. Half of my favourite photos were taken with the 18-135mm: https://picasaweb.google.com/bonhommed/ParisTrip#

07-24-2011, 07:29 AM	#220
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by northcoastgreg How important are the corners at 135mm? How many landscape shots are you going to take at 135mm? How about a 135mm cityscape? A travel magazine editor might disagree, but I find this photo completely acceptable for my purposes. 18-135mm @ 135mm, f11, 1/125s, ISO 400

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08-23-2011, 12:30 AM	#221
Sinister Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Berlin Posts: 1,045	I am already in love with it. Just the K-5, a set of Limiteds and the 18-135 and I am done for travelling: An approaching Loop von Ineound auf Flickr Triangular von Ineound auf Flickr Airiness von Ineound auf Flickr Chicago Sunset von Ineound auf Flickr Morning Laundry von Ineound auf Flickr

08-23-2011, 10:15 AM	#222
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by Sinister I am already in love with it. Just the K-5, a set of Limiteds and the 18-135 and I am done for travelling: An approaching Loop von Ineound auf Flickr Triangular von Ineound auf Flickr Airiness von Ineound auf Flickr Chicago Sunset von Ineound auf Flickr Morning Laundry von Ineound auf Flickr Quite an impressive set here, but I think it has more to do with the photographer than the lens.

08-23-2011, 10:43 AM	#223
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	A few more shots, you might say the lens doesn't add much, but it doesn't ruin any shots either..

08-31-2011, 04:41 AM	#224
Redhedgehog Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2	I had concerns about buying this lens partly due to some reviews and partly because of price in U.K. but was able to get an "unboxed" lens split from a K5 kit at an advantageous price so took the plunge. I am realy pleased with the results from my initial "real life" test shots. It meets my expectations both optically and from the convenience aspect and am looking forward to many happy hours using it.

08-31-2011, 06:56 AM	#225
Spotmatic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Myers Florida Posts: 169	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Quite an impressive set here, but I think it has more to do with the photographer than the lens. True. I bought the lens too...and I like it. It is not by any stretch perfect...no lens is. It is however, a versatile tool.