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08-08-2011, 02:18 AM   #1
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selling 16-45mm and 55-300 mm & getting 18-135 is it worth it?

for the last three to four months i have used the K5 with 16-45mm and 55-300 mm but i have found its a pain to change lenses. so im thinking of switching to 18-135mm WR selling the above mentioned lens(only the 16-45mm) .
would like to know is it worth it or a reasonable trade off in terms of IQ,sharpness,blokeh etc....

thanks

08-08-2011, 03:02 AM   #2
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if you don't like changing lens have you considered the 18-250mm?
08-08-2011, 03:24 AM   #3
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Yes I Have but its out of production.cant seem to find it any where in japan then i searched eBay with 0 results
08-08-2011, 04:14 AM   #4
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I wouldn't. Individually, the 16-45 and 55-300 are fine lenses, I have both, and find them to be very good. The 18-135 has less than glowing reviews, and you're losing a lot at the long end.

08-08-2011, 04:43 AM   #5
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Sounds like a bad idea - you are sacrificing width, length (unless you are definately keeping the 50-300mm) and probably image quality, for what? That you don't like changing lenses?

Do you have a problem physically changing lenses, do you not like carrying two lenses, or do you find it gets in the way of your shooting style? The first is just practice; the second is up to the individual, but that's how SLRs are designed to work, with a number of lenses optimised for the individual task; if its the third then maybe again it is just practice, or you decide that you are happy with potentially lower quality images but can potentially grab more shots.

You also need to ask yourself why you bought the K5. If you want to get the most out of an SLR (and a K5 isn't a minor investment) then you need to change lenses to suit what you are shooting. If you really don't want to change lenses then maybe a high-end compact with a wide zoom range would suit better.

At the end of the day, you get out of a hobby what you put into it (and I don't mean how much you spend!). I really would advise you to persevere for longer and try to get used to your currrent kit.
08-08-2011, 05:05 AM   #6
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I agree that it is a bad idea. You would be trading two better lenses for a lesser lens. I agree with you that a superzoom if most convenient. If you can't find a DA or Tamron 18-250, look for the Sigma 18-250. Or, look outside Japan for a DA18-250, it really is a worthy lens.
08-08-2011, 05:15 AM   #7
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thanks for the info guys ill stick with the current setup and try to work around the inconveniences.


Last edited by nirVaan; 08-08-2011 at 05:21 AM.
08-08-2011, 05:29 AM   #8
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Photography is for enjoyment, so if you don't enjoy changing lenses then you should buy the 18-135.
08-08-2011, 05:46 AM   #9
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GOod choice... looking at my current gear... the 18-135 is the one that gets traded in next time I upgrade... it's not a bad lens, but there are a lot of better lenses.
08-08-2011, 05:46 AM   #10
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Those were my two original lenses for my Pentax system. I moved in several directions seeking to improve my work and lessen the inconvenience, especially looking for economy-yet-sealed lenses for my K-7. Finally I had to sell off many things, mostly due to (non-photo) budget issues including 18-135 and the K-7. I tried a single step down, selling K-7 and buying a k200d, but the 18-135 really requires either K-7 or -5 to do its best, the in-cam corrections or PP is needed esp. over 100mm with my copy.

After a month or so I landed a used k-x, and started thinking of a minimum kit.

Last week I picked up a bargain da-l 55-300, so I have both of them back again. I still have a very nice 18-200 Sigma, but plan to let it go soon. Not doubting the inconvenience of an occasional lens change, but also cannot doubt the IQ and general talent of the DA16-45 and 55-300 in either variant. I'm keeping the equally-talented 50-200wr (a rare early-day wr holdover) for when size trumps range and several MF primes for IQ when time to compose available.

Perhaps you could think of a 'tweener lens to overlap the gap? Do you shoot mostly in the 28-70 range with those lenses & that's why you swap as you do? Perhaps not, but it was worth a go from my side

Last edited by jimr-pdx; 08-08-2011 at 06:03 AM.
08-08-2011, 05:50 AM   #11
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What you gain is WR & DC motor. For WR I picked up a 18-55 WR for $90.
08-08-2011, 10:55 AM   #12
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wr and dc for quality i would not go for it 17-45 better quality, 55-300 not great but not worst, look at reviews, i just went thru same for pentax and canon and ive decided to not buy any compact zooms cause of pic quality showed in reviews,
08-08-2011, 12:18 PM   #13
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I wouldn't sell the 55-300mm because at some point you will want the range.

My 18-135 is such a joy to use and at least in my copy IQ is better than what I've seen from the reviews.

The focal length is extremely convenient.

IQ of the 18-135 is also better than 18-55WR in my experience.

I do use this lens pretty exclusively with my K-5 and the two paired up feel like they were made for each other. Kind of hard to describe it.
08-08-2011, 12:51 PM   #14
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I think the main gain or point in this change would be WR, that would make your system "complete". If its not the main reason and a thing you require, because of various factors (your local weather specifics, favorite shooting places etc), might not be the best decision.

E.g. me, even being a lazy, occasional photographer still find my camera wet quite often, because its rains here too often to stay at home just because of that.

In addition. If you proceed with changes in your system, why not aim for improvement. E.g. 16-50. It wont give you the reach instantly, but will take you one step closer to top system and make a better investment as well. Otherwise, you'd be going for a more expensive replacement, with very small or no improvement.



Btw...
QuoteOriginally posted by jimr-pdx Quote
selling K-7 and buying a k200d
Currently i have k200d and i feel like its quite lacking AF performance wise. How big is the difference in reality? K200d feels weak when driving heavier lenses and often very indecisive.
08-08-2011, 12:57 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by nirVaan Quote
Yes I Have but its out of production.cant seem to find it any where in japan then i searched eBay with 0 results
There is one in KEH at the moment 'BGN' categorized.
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