Pentax DA 18-135mm, general discussions and samples

deadwolfbones · 04-06-2011, 10:22 AM

Some shots from Boston.

Camos1313 · 04-08-2011, 06:03 AM

Hi all,

Here are some shots I took with the 18-135, which I really like for its all around purpose... Still thinking to buy a ltd prime, but for the moment this lens is still a keeper!

Enjoy!

the swede · 04-08-2011, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Some shots from Boston.

Very nice set! Thanks for sharing

Originally posted by Camos1313

Hi all,

Here are some shots I took with the 18-135, which I really like for its all around purpose... Still thinking to buy a ltd prime, but for the moment this lens is still a keeper!

Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing these. Very good looking images. Also proves that its not all in the lens!

The lens is surely a keeper. The only zoom one really needs (my pref). Only thing that i keep an lookout for is distortion at the 18mm end, but its not to bad really. I use it as a complement to a DA Ltd trio. And that package IS the only thing one ever needs

gtxtom · 04-08-2011, 09:43 AM

I really like this lens and am extremely happy I chose it over the 18-55mm with my K-5. I have noticed vignetting is pretty common. I forget what focal length as I usually end up cropping it out.

kheldour · 04-13-2011, 02:07 PM

Great impressions from the lens. I wonder what Cheaper alternatives are out there, if any.
If not that big price tag, this could be my "always on" lens, when I'm not shooting my Taks.

Vylen · 04-13-2011, 02:57 PM

I can't say there's other cheaper alternatives... the 18-135mm is the only lens that is a superzoom, with a DC motor.. and with weather sealing...

If you want a superzoom, you'd have to sacrifice weather sealing and probably the motor... if you want weather sealing, you sacrifice the superzoom and the motor....

To be honest, i'd say the 18-135mm is a good deal for what it has and provides. Maybe wait for a sale or something if you want to buy... I managed to get mine when a store was selling it at a special price of something like $200 less than now...

HeavyD · 04-14-2011, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by Vylen

I can't say there's other cheaper alternatives... the 18-135mm is the only lens that is a superzoom, with a DC motor.. and with weather sealing...

If you want a superzoom, you'd have to sacrifice weather sealing and probably the motor... if you want weather sealing, you sacrifice the superzoom and the motor....

To be honest, i'd say the 18-135mm is a good deal for what it has and provides. Maybe wait for a sale or something if you want to buy... I managed to get mine when a store was selling it at a special price of something like $200 less than now...

How does it work on your K20d? Is the AF faster with the 18-135mm than with the 18-55 DA lens?

pinholecam · 04-18-2011, 12:39 AM

Bump! For this thread.

Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am.
Cosplay is just the Japanese version of Comics/Sci-Fi fest for the uninitiated.

#1

#2

#3

#4

I did a review recently and posted it here :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/140258-review-...resistant.html

A point on the WR and how it can turn out to be wonderful to just have it.
A friend of mine recently went with a colleague who is into motor sports to a local motorcross event. Nice photos from them BTW. He was using a Nikon D90 and the 70-300. You just can't imagine the dust thrown about by these cars. Basically, he had a dusty red colored lens at the end of the day. At the awards ceremony, the champion poped the champagne sprayed it all round and well, you guessed it, free drinks to all the front photographers and their cameras

Mike.P® · 04-18-2011, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am.

Nothing wrong with them, great shots

Couple taken with mine in Spain week before last.

the swede · 04-18-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

Bump! For this thread.
Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am.
Cosplay is just the Japanese version of Comics/Sci-Fi fest for the uninitiated.

I did a review recently and posted it here :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/140258-review-...resistant.html

A point on the WR and how it can turn out to be wonderful to just have it.
A friend of mine recently went with a colleague who is into motor sports to a local motorcross event. Nice photos from them BTW. He was using a Nikon D90 and the 70-300. You just can't imagine the dust thrown about by these cars. Basically, he had a dusty red colored lens at the end of the day. At the awards ceremony, the champion poped the champagne sprayed it all round and well, you guessed it, free drinks to all the front photographers and their cameras

Great pictures! And thanks for posting them here!

Originally posted by Mike.P®

Couple taken with mine in Spain week before last.

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

Here's some ordinary "snaps" from me. Basicly daily family & friends stuff when i dont take the camera bag with me.
No advanced PP done here.

jeffrey r · 04-18-2011, 02:59 PM

I just got back from a Caribbean vacation with the family, and I took my K-5 with my new and untested 18-135, and took my FA 35/2 just to have with me. The 18-135 performed wonderfully.

It was strange, but the 18-135 did not seem to be communicating properly with the K-5, in that exposure was consistently off using P mode. Sure, it was a tough environment with the bright sun, sand and surf, but I expected a bit better synergy between the newest camera and one of the newest lenses.

Through a bit of trial and error (just going based on the results on the LCD), I settled on standard settings of TAV mode, f7.1-f8, and shutter speed of 500-640 generally. In general, in TAV mode, the camera stayed around iso100. At night, if I used the built in flash on P mode, in Auto ISO of 100-3200, the camera would jump to ISO3200 despite using the flash. This resulted in somewhat noisy pictures at night, and again, I am not sure if everything was communicating properly.

All that said, once I dialed in the settings, I was very pleased with a large percentage of the pictures. Sharp, colorful, contrasty. 18-135mm was a great range to have, and offered a lot more versatility to me on a daily basis than if I had used let's say my Tamron 17-50 or 28-75. And having the weather resistance was very reassuring.

Glad I bought the lens, and it will become a walkaround staple for me. I'll try to get around to posting some shots from the trip.

Mr_Canuck · 04-21-2011, 04:33 AM

jeffrey_r, I'm glad to hear your positive comments about this lens as it looks like you have some high quality glass to compare it to.

This lens seems to have been well conceived and do what it was intended to do. While I am getting some limiteds and the 50-135 soon, I expect this will be my take-everywhere lens.

The way I look at it is this: right now, my only option for an all-round lens for hikes or whatever is a high-end Panasonic point-and-shoot. Whatever the shortfalls in border sharpness of the DA, it will surely beat the daylights out of the Panasonic. I will have no hesitation dumping this and the K5 into a small bag and taking it everywhere.

audiobomber · 04-21-2011, 06:41 AM

I've only taken the 18-135 on a couple of day trips. It did a fine job. I also carry the DA 15mm and DA 40mm Ltds in a small shoulder bag for wide angle and low light shots.

Edit: The next two photos were gone so I added these.

SDAfoto · 04-22-2011, 12:47 AM

Took my new 18-135 to sydney recently. pretty happy with it.
Here's a very common sight. JPEG straight out of K-7.

Chex · 04-22-2011, 03:15 PM

Well Photozone finally has their review up.. but not totally completed. I must admit I'm on board with everything that the review states.. IQ wise this lens is over priced, but its livable and WR for multi use in any conditions. IMHO this lens should retail for $400 tops. I'm not "happy" with this lens, but at the same time, for having a decent walk about WR lens to not worry about.. it does the job, just with a bit higher price tag than it's worth.

Here's a shot from a recent trip to the Vancouver/Squamish area along the Sea To Sky highway.

04-18-2011, 11:54 AM	#115
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310 Original Poster	Originally posted by pinholecam Bump! For this thread. Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am. Cosplay is just the Japanese version of Comics/Sci-Fi fest for the uninitiated. I did a review recently and posted it here : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/140258-review-...resistant.html A point on the WR and how it can turn out to be wonderful to just have it. A friend of mine recently went with a colleague who is into motor sports to a local motorcross event. Nice photos from them BTW. He was using a Nikon D90 and the 70-300. You just can't imagine the dust thrown about by these cars. Basically, he had a dusty red colored lens at the end of the day. At the awards ceremony, the champion poped the champagne sprayed it all round and well, you guessed it, free drinks to all the front photographers and their cameras Great pictures! And thanks for posting them here! Originally posted by Mike.P® Couple taken with mine in Spain week before last. Nice! Thanks for sharing! Here's some ordinary "snaps" from me. Basicly daily family & friends stuff when i dont take the camera bag with me. No advanced PP done here. Last edited by the swede; 04-18-2011 at 12:10 PM.

04-21-2011, 06:41 AM	#118
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I've only taken the 18-135 on a couple of day trips. It did a fine job. I also carry the DA 15mm and DA 40mm Ltds in a small shoulder bag for wide angle and low light shots. Edit: The next two photos were gone so I added these. Last edited by audiobomber; 01-11-2012 at 11:24 AM.

04-22-2011, 12:47 AM	#119
SDAfoto New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Antipolo Rizal Philippines Posts: 11	Took my new 18-135 to sydney recently. pretty happy with it. Here's a very common sight. JPEG straight out of K-7. Last edited by SDAfoto; 04-22-2011 at 12:48 AM. Reason: add text

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Scanner Questions/Discussions...Where Do They Belong?	stevebrot	Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom	22	09-27-2010 01:08 PM
Suggestion Recent discussions (List of)	hcc	Site Suggestions and Help	6	04-26-2010 12:09 PM
Takumar 135mm f/2.5 - samples	ajuett	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	12	04-24-2009 06:56 AM
50-135mm - looking for low light samples	Duh_Vinci	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	04-15-2008 03:23 AM
PENTAX-DA★ 50-135mm Samples Collection	and	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	18	07-29-2007 05:44 PM

04-06-2011, 10:22 AM	#106
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Some shots from Boston.

04-08-2011, 06:03 AM	#107
Camos1313 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 74	Hi all, Here are some shots I took with the 18-135, which I really like for its all around purpose... Still thinking to buy a ltd prime, but for the moment this lens is still a keeper! Enjoy!

04-08-2011, 06:35 AM	#108
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310 Original Poster	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Some shots from Boston. Very nice set! Thanks for sharing Originally posted by Camos1313 Hi all, Here are some shots I took with the 18-135, which I really like for its all around purpose... Still thinking to buy a ltd prime, but for the moment this lens is still a keeper! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing these. Very good looking images. Also proves that its not all in the lens! The lens is surely a keeper. The only zoom one really needs (my pref). Only thing that i keep an lookout for is distortion at the 18mm end, but its not to bad really. I use it as a complement to a DA Ltd trio. And that package IS the only thing one ever needs

04-08-2011, 09:43 AM	#109
gtxtom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philly Posts: 395	I really like this lens and am extremely happy I chose it over the 18-55mm with my K-5. I have noticed vignetting is pretty common. I forget what focal length as I usually end up cropping it out.

04-13-2011, 02:07 PM	#110
kheldour Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cologne Photos: Gallery Posts: 306	Great impressions from the lens. I wonder what Cheaper alternatives are out there, if any. If not that big price tag, this could be my "always on" lens, when I'm not shooting my Taks.

04-13-2011, 02:57 PM	#111
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	I can't say there's other cheaper alternatives... the 18-135mm is the only lens that is a superzoom, with a DC motor.. and with weather sealing... If you want a superzoom, you'd have to sacrifice weather sealing and probably the motor... if you want weather sealing, you sacrifice the superzoom and the motor.... To be honest, i'd say the 18-135mm is a good deal for what it has and provides. Maybe wait for a sale or something if you want to buy... I managed to get mine when a store was selling it at a special price of something like $200 less than now...

04-14-2011, 06:13 PM	#112
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155	Originally posted by Vylen I can't say there's other cheaper alternatives... the 18-135mm is the only lens that is a superzoom, with a DC motor.. and with weather sealing... If you want a superzoom, you'd have to sacrifice weather sealing and probably the motor... if you want weather sealing, you sacrifice the superzoom and the motor.... To be honest, i'd say the 18-135mm is a good deal for what it has and provides. Maybe wait for a sale or something if you want to buy... I managed to get mine when a store was selling it at a special price of something like $200 less than now... How does it work on your K20d? Is the AF faster with the 18-135mm than with the 18-55 DA lens?

04-18-2011, 12:39 AM	#113
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Bump! For this thread. Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am. Cosplay is just the Japanese version of Comics/Sci-Fi fest for the uninitiated. #1 #2 #3 #4 I did a review recently and posted it here : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/140258-review-...resistant.html A point on the WR and how it can turn out to be wonderful to just have it. A friend of mine recently went with a colleague who is into motor sports to a local motorcross event. Nice photos from them BTW. He was using a Nikon D90 and the 70-300. You just can't imagine the dust thrown about by these cars. Basically, he had a dusty red colored lens at the end of the day. At the awards ceremony, the champion poped the champagne sprayed it all round and well, you guessed it, free drinks to all the front photographers and their cameras

04-18-2011, 11:31 AM	#114
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by pinholecam Recent SOY Cosplay event where I am. Nothing wrong with them, great shots Couple taken with mine in Spain week before last.

04-18-2011, 02:59 PM	#116
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	I just got back from a Caribbean vacation with the family, and I took my K-5 with my new and untested 18-135, and took my FA 35/2 just to have with me. The 18-135 performed wonderfully. It was strange, but the 18-135 did not seem to be communicating properly with the K-5, in that exposure was consistently off using P mode. Sure, it was a tough environment with the bright sun, sand and surf, but I expected a bit better synergy between the newest camera and one of the newest lenses. Through a bit of trial and error (just going based on the results on the LCD), I settled on standard settings of TAV mode, f7.1-f8, and shutter speed of 500-640 generally. In general, in TAV mode, the camera stayed around iso100. At night, if I used the built in flash on P mode, in Auto ISO of 100-3200, the camera would jump to ISO3200 despite using the flash. This resulted in somewhat noisy pictures at night, and again, I am not sure if everything was communicating properly. All that said, once I dialed in the settings, I was very pleased with a large percentage of the pictures. Sharp, colorful, contrasty. 18-135mm was a great range to have, and offered a lot more versatility to me on a daily basis than if I had used let's say my Tamron 17-50 or 28-75. And having the weather resistance was very reassuring. Glad I bought the lens, and it will become a walkaround staple for me. I'll try to get around to posting some shots from the trip.

04-21-2011, 04:33 AM	#117
Mr_Canuck Guest	jeffrey_r, I'm glad to hear your positive comments about this lens as it looks like you have some high quality glass to compare it to. This lens seems to have been well conceived and do what it was intended to do. While I am getting some limiteds and the 50-135 soon, I expect this will be my take-everywhere lens. The way I look at it is this: right now, my only option for an all-round lens for hikes or whatever is a high-end Panasonic point-and-shoot. Whatever the shortfalls in border sharpness of the DA, it will surely beat the daylights out of the Panasonic. I will have no hesitation dumping this and the K5 into a small bag and taking it everywhere.

04-22-2011, 03:15 PM	#120
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	Well Photozone finally has their review up.. but not totally completed. I must admit I'm on board with everything that the review states.. IQ wise this lens is over priced, but its livable and WR for multi use in any conditions. IMHO this lens should retail for $400 tops. I'm not "happy" with this lens, but at the same time, for having a decent walk about WR lens to not worry about.. it does the job, just with a bit higher price tag than it's worth. Here's a shot from a recent trip to the Vancouver/Squamish area along the Sea To Sky highway.