[audiobomber]

My theory is have a good walk around zoom to cover as much as you can, fill in the rest with primes. Using the 18-135 and then adding primes would be the way I'd go.You have the 35 and the 70 so you're well on your way.

I agree with this completely. Get the 18-135 for maximum flexibility in a package of reasonable size with WR for when you need it. Then begin collecting the primes you know you want.

That's pretty much what my main kit has become; 18-135mm, with supporting primes and 10-17mm fisheye.

[StephenHampshire]

I agree pretty much with Audiobomber re the relative merits of the 18-135, 18-55 and 16-45. I used to use the 16-45 all the time until I got the 18-135. This is a very versatile lens, I supplementit with a manual 50mm (SMC-A 1.7) and the DA70, which is tiny. I think the DA15 would be worth it for the extra widiness. Here is a compo of three shots from the 18-135 tasken yesterday to give some idea of the versatility



Location-Signal 1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[rob_k20d]

Okay. A number of times now I have thought: that's it. I have decided...

And, each time, it has been a different choice.

Today, I am leaning toward the 18-135.

I have to say, I did really like my Sigma 18-125, and only sold it because a couple of otherwise nice photos were ruined by flare which I was confident I wouldn't get with a Pentax lens.

I do also think I have too many lenses, and reducing my lenses to just 3 or 4 would be nice.

A couple of further questions about the 18-135, if anyone can help.

What is the widest aperture available at 70mm?

Also, I think I read somewhere that some of the problems some people have had with the 18-135 were problems with the early batches, and that quality control got better later (or something like that). Does anyone know if there is any truth in this? Would this count in favour of buying a new one, rather than buying used.

(I almost always buy used. That way - assuming I buy at a reasonable price - I can choose to sell it later and hopefully get my money back, and nothing is lost).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

(Then all I have to do is decide which of my current lenses get sold, and which I keep.)

[audiobomber]

On my K20D, set for 1/3Ev steps, the 18-135 shows a maximum aperture of f4.5 at 68mm and f5.6 at 78mm. Like other zooms, focal length is stepped, it won't show 70mm.

I do think there were more QC issues with early copies.

[StephenHampshire]

On my K20D, set for 1/3Ev steps, the 18-135 shows a maximum aperture of f4.5 at 68mm and f5.6 at 78mm. Like other zooms, focal length is stepped, it won't show 70mm.

I do think there were more QC issues with early copies.

Ditto re aperture, I have had zero problems with flare on the 18-135. I also got an unboxed copy split from a kit, (from SRS Microsystems) which saved a lot of money, I don't think I would have got one if I had to pay full price!