Should I sell my 18-55 DAL and get 18-55 AL II?

geekette · 05-12-2012, 05:26 AM

I have a pink pentax k-x with 18-55 DAL lens that I am thinking about selling. Should I keep the lens and use it on my new K-5 or should I sell it with the K-X and buy the : SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II ??

I understand the AL II has quick-shift and a metal mount? -- both features sound really nice.

What are the trade-offs? What should I do? Thanks.

**boriscleto** · 05-12-2012, 05:28 AM

I would get the WR instead of the II.

Eberbachl · 05-12-2012, 05:30 AM

I'd go for the DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR too. I have one and it's pretty nice for a kit lens.

gilsouthwood · 05-12-2012, 05:35 AM

I have the II, and.. To be honest, I don't really care about quick-shift, I find it easier to focus manually on a long throw focus anyway… As for the metal build, It has better build quality, but the WR might be better. Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR

reeftool · 05-12-2012, 05:53 AM

Depends on who you sell the KX to. A noob will want a lens and not likely to buy just a body while someone who is looking for a second camera body will probably already own a 18-55 and isn't interested in a second one. There isn't really any optical difference between the various 18-55 models. I wouldn't buy another 18-55 myself but rather something more versatile like the 18-135 or the 17-70. While the 18-55 isn't a bad lens, to get the most out of your K5, consider investing in some some better quality options. While I still have my original 18-55 kit lens from my K10D, I'm using primes most of the time but there are quality zoom options from Tamron and Sigma. Also, look at the DA 16-50 and DA 16-45 which aren't cheap but have excellent IQ. Your K5 deserves it.

hcc · 05-12-2012, 06:24 AM

Sell your K-x with a 18-55mm. It will sell more quickly.

Consider to get your K-5 with a better non-kit lens: eg a prime (FA31 mm Ltd, DA35mm, DA40mm Ltd) or a zoom (17-70mm).

Relevant threads on some better lenses:
Pentax-FA 31mm Limited F1.8 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1948180
DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Hope that the comment may help.

madbrain · 05-12-2012, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by gilsouthwood

I have the II, and.. To be honest, I don't really care about quick-shift, I find it easier to focus manually on a long throw focus anyway… As for the metal build, It has better build quality, but the WR might be better. Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR

I believe the DA-L and AL II have identical optical quality. They are both better than the original DA 18-55 .

I didn't t even know what a quick shift was, had to look it up . I don't think there is much point to it, either you manual focus or you AF IMO.

If you are going to keep your K-X, keep the DA-L also.

If you upgrade to a WR body such as the K-5, then getting the WR model make sense.

**boriscleto** · 05-12-2012, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by gilsouthwood

Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR

The II, L, and WR are all optically identical.

Marc Sabatella · 05-12-2012, 11:39 AM

The DA 18-55 L is worth next to nothing. No point in selling it; just use it until it fails (if it fails), and then worry about about replacing it. By that time, you might feel you want something beyond just another kit lens, but perhaps a faster or longer range zoom.

zosxavius · 05-26-2012, 10:08 AM

Gonna bump this here? There's not difference between the 2 dal versions?? Why did they introduce a version II then? The database says version II has a newer formula. Can someone clarify? I have the. Mk I and I was thinking I should get version II or the WR version. There's so much conflicting info. The 18-55 I have seems pretty soft @ 18mm and gets pretty sharp @ 55mm. You really gotta stop it down though....even F8 is noticably softer than F11. Can anyone confirm the formula in my lens?

lytrytyr · 05-26-2012, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by zosxavius

I have the. Mk I and I was thinking I should get version II or the WR version. Can anyone confirm the formula in my lens?

If it's the Mk I, it's the older, weaker optical formula.
Even the DA L will give you the newer, better optical formula.
However, there's a lot of sample variation with these cheaply built kit lenses.

zosxavius · 05-26-2012, 10:27 AM

I have the AL not the AL II. No optical difference? The lens database says the AL II uses the. Newer formula.

lytrytyr · 05-26-2012, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by zosxavius

I have the AL not the AL II.

Right, that's what I understood you to have said, you have the Mk I version.
Don't confuse "AL" for "aspheric lens" with "L" for "lightweight."
Both Mk I and Mk II versions have aspheric lenses.
AFAIK, the lightweight DA L version
has only appeared with the newer, Mk II optical formula.

zosxavius · 05-26-2012, 10:35 AM

Yeah, I'm confusing the al with the l....I understand now. Looks like it would be worthwhile to upgrade to the wr version. My copy has no quickshift....the database says the al has quickshift....very odd.

zosxavius · 05-26-2012, 11:05 AM

Nope...I take that back. I have quick shift, just never really tried to use it lol. Explains why my lens sometimes seems to disengage from autofocus. A quick slap to either extreme usually reconnects it. Yep, I think its time to get the wr version and see how much sharper it is. I'm not all that happy with the al I. Its pretty ok for portraits, but anything at hyperfocal looks soft. Thanks for answering my question. This has been puzzling me for a while. When I bought the k-7 I wanted a kit lens, so I bought this for a bit more than it was worth. Keh has the wr version for around $100. Hopefully I can find a decent copy. Asides from spending tons of cash, there aren't a whole lot of good wa options. I hate this lens, but it ends up on my camera a lot because my widest prime is 28mm at the moment. Id love. A. 12-24, but the. Recent price hike just puts it further into dream territory. That with some primes, a 35-105 and a 55-300 would really complete my kit.....one lens at a time....

05-12-2012, 05:26 AM	#1
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Should I sell my 18-55 DAL and get 18-55 AL II? I have a pink pentax k-x with 18-55 DAL lens that I am thinking about selling. Should I keep the lens and use it on my new K-5 or should I sell it with the K-X and buy the : SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II ?? I understand the AL II has quick-shift and a metal mount? -- both features sound really nice. What are the trade-offs? What should I do? Thanks.

05-26-2012, 10:08 AM	#10
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	Gonna bump this here? There's not difference between the 2 dal versions?? Why did they introduce a version II then? The database says version II has a newer formula. Can someone clarify? I have the. Mk I and I was thinking I should get version II or the WR version. There's so much conflicting info. The 18-55 I have seems pretty soft @ 18mm and gets pretty sharp @ 55mm. You really gotta stop it down though....even F8 is noticably softer than F11. Can anyone confirm the formula in my lens? Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 05-26-2012 at 04:02 PM.

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05-12-2012, 05:28 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	I would get the WR instead of the II.

05-12-2012, 05:30 AM	#3
Eberbachl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Doreen Posts: 111	I'd go for the DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR too. I have one and it's pretty nice for a kit lens.

05-12-2012, 05:35 AM	#4
gilsouthwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 111	I have the II, and.. To be honest, I don't really care about quick-shift, I find it easier to focus manually on a long throw focus anyway… As for the metal build, It has better build quality, but the WR might be better. Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR

05-12-2012, 05:53 AM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Depends on who you sell the KX to. A noob will want a lens and not likely to buy just a body while someone who is looking for a second camera body will probably already own a 18-55 and isn't interested in a second one. There isn't really any optical difference between the various 18-55 models. I wouldn't buy another 18-55 myself but rather something more versatile like the 18-135 or the 17-70. While the 18-55 isn't a bad lens, to get the most out of your K5, consider investing in some some better quality options. While I still have my original 18-55 kit lens from my K10D, I'm using primes most of the time but there are quality zoom options from Tamron and Sigma. Also, look at the DA 16-50 and DA 16-45 which aren't cheap but have excellent IQ. Your K5 deserves it.

05-12-2012, 06:24 AM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	Sell your K-x with a 18-55mm. It will sell more quickly. Consider to get your K-5 with a better non-kit lens: eg a prime (FA31 mm Ltd, DA35mm, DA40mm Ltd) or a zoom (17-70mm). Relevant threads on some better lenses: Pentax-FA 31mm Limited F1.8 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1948180 DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com Hope that the comment may help.

05-12-2012, 06:28 AM	#7
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341	Originally posted by gilsouthwood I have the II, and.. To be honest, I don't really care about quick-shift, I find it easier to focus manually on a long throw focus anyway… As for the metal build, It has better build quality, but the WR might be better. Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR I believe the DA-L and AL II have identical optical quality. They are both better than the original DA 18-55 . I didn't t even know what a quick shift was, had to look it up . I don't think there is much point to it, either you manual focus or you AF IMO. If you are going to keep your K-X, keep the DA-L also. If you upgrade to a WR body such as the K-5, then getting the WR model make sense.

05-12-2012, 07:08 AM	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	Originally posted by gilsouthwood Having said that, I believe the image quality is better on the II than the standard. I'm not sure how it compares to the WR The II, L, and WR are all optically identical.

05-12-2012, 11:39 AM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	The DA 18-55 L is worth next to nothing. No point in selling it; just use it until it fails (if it fails), and then worry about about replacing it. By that time, you might feel you want something beyond just another kit lens, but perhaps a faster or longer range zoom.

05-26-2012, 10:23 AM	#11
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by zosxavius I have the. Mk I and I was thinking I should get version II or the WR version. Can anyone confirm the formula in my lens? If it's the Mk I, it's the older, weaker optical formula. Even the DA L will give you the newer, better optical formula. However, there's a lot of sample variation with these cheaply built kit lenses.

05-26-2012, 10:27 AM	#12
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	I have the AL not the AL II. No optical difference? The lens database says the AL II uses the. Newer formula.

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05-26-2012, 10:31 AM	#13
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by zosxavius I have the AL not the AL II. Right, that's what I understood you to have said, you have the Mk I version. Don't confuse "AL" for "aspheric lens" with "L" for "lightweight." Both Mk I and Mk II versions have aspheric lenses. AFAIK, the lightweight DA L version has only appeared with the newer, Mk II optical formula.

05-26-2012, 10:35 AM	#14
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	Yeah, I'm confusing the al with the l....I understand now. Looks like it would be worthwhile to upgrade to the wr version. My copy has no quickshift....the database says the al has quickshift....very odd.

05-26-2012, 11:05 AM	#15
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	Nope...I take that back. I have quick shift, just never really tried to use it lol. Explains why my lens sometimes seems to disengage from autofocus. A quick slap to either extreme usually reconnects it. Yep, I think its time to get the wr version and see how much sharper it is. I'm not all that happy with the al I. Its pretty ok for portraits, but anything at hyperfocal looks soft. Thanks for answering my question. This has been puzzling me for a while. When I bought the k-7 I wanted a kit lens, so I bought this for a bit more than it was worth. Keh has the wr version for around $100. Hopefully I can find a decent copy. Asides from spending tons of cash, there aren't a whole lot of good wa options. I hate this lens, but it ends up on my camera a lot because my widest prime is 28mm at the moment. Id love. A. 12-24, but the. Recent price hike just puts it further into dream territory. That with some primes, a 35-105 and a 55-300 would really complete my kit.....one lens at a time....