DA 18-135mm first impressions

**mgvh** · 05-28-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Unsinkable II

I seem to be walking, zombie like, towards a 18-135/K-30 (blue) kit...

Resistance is futile... They own all my bases

Giklab · 05-28-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by mgvh

Resistance is futile... They own all my bases

Well, you're doomed, moving on...

Sort of repeating everyone, but except for the high price, who wouldn't want this lens in their bag?

Penmacgal · 05-29-2012, 08:51 PM

I'd like to add my experience with this lens which I purchased about 6 weeks ago. I have been very happy with it. It is my first WR lens and it is nice being able to take pictures in the rain - no problem! Here is my first attempt:

Attachment 130173

I also purchased this lens to have something between my Tamron 17-50 and my 55-300 when with my family. I always seemed to want to be to be a little wider or longer depending on the lens; the 18-135 fits perfectly the role perfectly without changing lenses.

For me though, it's real forte is its fast and almost silent focusing with my K-5. My family runs out of patience rather quickly, and is not always delighted to be photographed, so this lens keeps helps keep the peace

I can get some candid shots and even get a few for myself, it seems to be a very forgiving lens in these situations.

Yes, I have other wonderful lenses with great IQ, but for I need it for, it delivers good images. Here are a few more, taken at my grandson's birthday party at the local nature center. And one rose I managed to quickly get on a "no one's stopping for you again" family walk

The ducks and rose are 50% crops.

Sharon

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Penmacgal · 05-29-2012, 08:53 PM

Not sure why the link didn't open like the rest of the images. Here it is:

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Unsinkable II · 05-30-2012, 07:43 PM

Very nice.

I'm liking this more and more. I too have young kids, the Tammy 17-50 and the 55-300, and change lenses more than I'd like. This would seem to be a good compromise for a day out when I don't want to carry a bag of lenses. K-30 with the 18-125 and my spider holster and I'm set, rain or shine!

bwDraco · 07-20-2012, 07:27 PM

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the tightness of the zoom I mentioned in the first post is due to the fact that the lens is nearly air-tight when mounted on the K-5. With the lens detached with rear cap not installed, the zoom is noticeably loose. This seems to be perfectly normal for this sort of lens.

In any case, this is my favorite lens for my K-5 and I rarely take it off these days.

--DragonLord

Tanzer · 07-20-2012, 08:25 PM

One thing I noticed is that if you pop open the rubber cover for the microphone input, and twist the zoom, you will pump a big stream of air in an out of that hole. I guess ideally the mic socket would have been sealed from the inside; this just demonstrates that the outer cover is critical to the weather sealing. So, I haven't been caught in the rain yet but when I do, I will try to be careful about moving the zoom around a lot until everything is dry. (And I won't try to test the weather sealing with a mic plugged in.)

Enjoy the lens!

05-29-2012, 08:51 PM	#33
Penmacgal Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Photos: Gallery Posts: 73	Happy with the 18-135 I'd like to add my experience with this lens which I purchased about 6 weeks ago. I have been very happy with it. It is my first WR lens and it is nice being able to take pictures in the rain - no problem! Here is my first attempt: Attachment 130173 I also purchased this lens to have something between my Tamron 17-50 and my 55-300 when with my family. I always seemed to want to be to be a little wider or longer depending on the lens; the 18-135 fits perfectly the role perfectly without changing lenses. For me though, it's real forte is its fast and almost silent focusing with my K-5. My family runs out of patience rather quickly, and is not always delighted to be photographed, so this lens keeps helps keep the peace I can get some candid shots and even get a few for myself, it seems to be a very forgiving lens in these situations. Yes, I have other wonderful lenses with great IQ, but for I need it for, it delivers good images. Here are a few more, taken at my grandson's birthday party at the local nature center. And one rose I managed to quickly get on a "no one's stopping for you again" family walk The ducks and rose are 50% crops. Sharon

05-29-2012, 08:53 PM	#34
Penmacgal Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Photos: Gallery Posts: 73	The missing flower in the rain Not sure why the link didn't open like the rest of the images. Here it is:

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05-28-2012, 08:16 AM	#31
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,030	Originally posted by Unsinkable II I seem to be walking, zombie like, towards a 18-135/K-30 (blue) kit... Resistance is futile... They own all my bases

05-28-2012, 08:24 AM	#32
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by mgvh Resistance is futile... They own all my bases Well, you're doomed, moving on... Sort of repeating everyone, but except for the high price, who wouldn't want this lens in their bag?

05-30-2012, 07:43 PM	#35
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Very nice. I'm liking this more and more. I too have young kids, the Tammy 17-50 and the 55-300, and change lenses more than I'd like. This would seem to be a good compromise for a day out when I don't want to carry a bag of lenses. K-30 with the 18-125 and my spider holster and I'm set, rain or shine!

07-20-2012, 07:27 PM	#36
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	Sorry to revive an old thread, but the tightness of the zoom I mentioned in the first post is due to the fact that the lens is nearly air-tight when mounted on the K-5. With the lens detached with rear cap not installed, the zoom is noticeably loose. This seems to be perfectly normal for this sort of lens. In any case, this is my favorite lens for my K-5 and I rarely take it off these days. --DragonLord

07-20-2012, 08:25 PM	#37
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	One thing I noticed is that if you pop open the rubber cover for the microphone input, and twist the zoom, you will pump a big stream of air in an out of that hole. I guess ideally the mic socket would have been sealed from the inside; this just demonstrates that the outer cover is critical to the weather sealing. So, I haven't been caught in the rain yet but when I do, I will try to be careful about moving the zoom around a lot until everything is dry. (And I won't try to test the weather sealing with a mic plugged in.) Enjoy the lens!