DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do

szmatefy · 03-29-2013, 05:40 AM

great picture...

jpyykonen · 03-29-2013, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by cali92rs

This is not the sharpest shot ever, but it is not something i would not have attempted with another lens due to the WR:

Very cool. I really like it as most of the wildlife photos I've seen are taken in good weather. This stands out.

jpyykonen · 03-29-2013, 02:02 PM - **2 Likes**

I recently got my DA 18-135. This was the only Pentax zoom that I haven't tried yet that cover "normal" zoom range. Today was the first time I had enough time to take it out. Here are some shots. Nothing more done other than what Lightroom 4 can do:

Only weakness I can see is somewhat soft extreme corners, especially at long end. That won't show of course in these small pictures. Also at 135mm it's bit soft in the center, but that is also mostly pixel peeping. There is some CA, distortion and vignetting but those are corrected by to clicks in Lightroom. Sharpness in the center is very good if not excellent at all focusing distances. I already like this lens very much

It may very well become my "never go without it" lens.

szmatefy · 03-31-2013, 08:58 AM

They are really nice shots. And I agree, the quality is very good. And to be honest, I like a certain vignetting...So, I'll buy this lens, but try to keep my Tamron as well!

**mattb123** · 03-31-2013, 09:39 AM

That was my decision too.

audiobomber · 03-31-2013, 11:14 AM

I still have my 16-45, which is clearly the better lens. Nevertheless, the 18-135 is almost always the zoom that's on the camera or in the bag.

expecting rain or snow?
packing light?
no time or interest for lens changes?
don't know what I will be shooting?

18-135 is the answer.

stu_manchu · 04-07-2013, 12:17 PM

Just got my k-30 with the 18-135mm in the mail. The weather here has been bleak (perfect for the WR); looking forward to more shooting!

Attached Images

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**ramseybuckeye** · 04-07-2013, 02:55 PM

Wide open (f5.6) at 135mm, 1/320:

crop of above:

135mm, 1/200, f8, ISO 3200:

crop of above:

**klh** · 04-07-2013, 03:19 PM

Demonstrating its ability to fast focus on an object moving towards the camera (K20D)...

audiobomber · 04-07-2013, 05:30 PM

Ramseybuckeye, I don't think my 18-135 would fringe like that under similar conditions. I'll have to frame a leaf against a clear sky to see.

**mattb123** · 04-07-2013, 08:58 PM

Last day of lift served skiing at Crested Butte today, It was alternating storming and being sunny. Pretty fun day and perfect for WR!
K-5 & 18-135

David L · 04-08-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by jpyykonen

I recently got my DA 18-135. This was the only Pentax zoom that I haven't tried yet that cover "normal" zoom range. Today was the first time I had enough time to take it out. Here are some shots. Nothing more done other than what Lightroom 4 can do:

Only weakness I can see is somewhat soft extreme corners, especially at long end. That won't show of course in these small pictures. Also at 135mm it's bit soft in the center, but that is also mostly pixel peeping. There is some CA, distortion and vignetting but those are corrected by to clicks in Lightroom. Sharpness in the center is very good if not excellent at all focusing distances. I already like this lens very much

It may very well become my "never go without it" lens.

Nice shots!

How do you compared this lens to other Pentax zoom lenses you have used?

manacho2005 · 04-08-2013, 06:25 PM

This was taken from a kayak in the middle of a lake. Wouldn't have made the risk with any of my other lenses.

manacho2005 · 04-08-2013, 06:32 PM

Not too shabby for portraits either....

cali92rs · 04-09-2013, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by manacho2005

This was taken from a kayak in the middle of a lake. Wouldn't have made the risk with any of my other lenses.

Yes!
I think that is the part of this lens that needs to be touted. No other Pentax lens has WR and has this much zoom, therefore you can break it out in harsh conditions and get a myriad of shots that most people would not consider. The IQ of the lens is totally secondary.

03-31-2013, 11:14 AM	#141
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I still have my 16-45, which is clearly the better lens. Nevertheless, the 18-135 is almost always the zoom that's on the camera or in the bag. expecting rain or snow? packing light? no time or interest for lens changes? don't know what I will be shooting? 18-135 is the answer. Last edited by audiobomber; 03-31-2013 at 11:25 AM.

04-07-2013, 03:19 PM	#144
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Demonstrating its ability to fast focus on an object moving towards the camera (K20D)... Last edited by klh; 04-07-2013 at 07:04 PM.

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03-29-2013, 05:40 AM	#136
szmatefy Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 77	great picture...

03-29-2013, 01:30 PM	#137
jpyykonen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 191	Originally posted by cali92rs This is not the sharpest shot ever, but it is not something i would not have attempted with another lens due to the WR: Very cool. I really like it as most of the wildlife photos I've seen are taken in good weather. This stands out.

03-29-2013, 02:02 PM - 2 Likes	#138
jpyykonen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 191	I recently got my DA 18-135. This was the only Pentax zoom that I haven't tried yet that cover "normal" zoom range. Today was the first time I had enough time to take it out. Here are some shots. Nothing more done other than what Lightroom 4 can do: Only weakness I can see is somewhat soft extreme corners, especially at long end. That won't show of course in these small pictures. Also at 135mm it's bit soft in the center, but that is also mostly pixel peeping. There is some CA, distortion and vignetting but those are corrected by to clicks in Lightroom. Sharpness in the center is very good if not excellent at all focusing distances. I already like this lens very much It may very well become my "never go without it" lens.

03-31-2013, 08:58 AM	#139
szmatefy Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 77	They are really nice shots. And I agree, the quality is very good. And to be honest, I like a certain vignetting...So, I'll buy this lens, but try to keep my Tamron as well!

03-31-2013, 09:39 AM	#140
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	That was my decision too.

04-07-2013, 02:55 PM	#143
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Wide open (f5.6) at 135mm, 1/320: crop of above: 135mm, 1/200, f8, ISO 3200: crop of above:

04-07-2013, 05:30 PM	#145
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Ramseybuckeye, I don't think my 18-135 would fringe like that under similar conditions. I'll have to frame a leaf against a clear sky to see.

04-07-2013, 08:58 PM	#146
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	Last day of lift served skiing at Crested Butte today, It was alternating storming and being sunny. Pretty fun day and perfect for WR! K-5 & 18-135

04-08-2013, 05:21 PM	#147
David L Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 95	Originally posted by jpyykonen I recently got my DA 18-135. This was the only Pentax zoom that I haven't tried yet that cover "normal" zoom range. Today was the first time I had enough time to take it out. Here are some shots. Nothing more done other than what Lightroom 4 can do: Only weakness I can see is somewhat soft extreme corners, especially at long end. That won't show of course in these small pictures. Also at 135mm it's bit soft in the center, but that is also mostly pixel peeping. There is some CA, distortion and vignetting but those are corrected by to clicks in Lightroom. Sharpness in the center is very good if not excellent at all focusing distances. I already like this lens very much It may very well become my "never go without it" lens. Nice shots! How do you compared this lens to other Pentax zoom lenses you have used?

04-08-2013, 06:25 PM	#148
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	This was taken from a kayak in the middle of a lake. Wouldn't have made the risk with any of my other lenses.

04-09-2013, 05:54 AM	#150
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by manacho2005 This was taken from a kayak in the middle of a lake. Wouldn't have made the risk with any of my other lenses. Yes! I think that is the part of this lens that needs to be touted. No other Pentax lens has WR and has this much zoom, therefore you can break it out in harsh conditions and get a myriad of shots that most people would not consider. The IQ of the lens is totally secondary.