[nixcamic]

I just bought a 18-55mm DA L on ebay and the seller said he wasn't sure if it came with his K-X or K-30. I've heard that the DA L that came with the K-30 up has the improved optics from the AL II and was wondering if there was any easy way to tell which version of the lens I have from the exif or serial number?

[seventysixersfan]

hmm, as far as I know, there is only version of the DA-L 18-55. This is optically the same as the AL II version. The K-x and K-30 could come in bundles that include the same DA-L 18-55 model.

[Adam]

I just bought a 18-55mm DA L on ebay and the seller said he wasn't sure if it came with his K-X or K-30. I've heard that the DA L that came with the K-30 up has the improved optics from the AL II and was wondering if there was any easy way to tell which version of the lens I have from the exif or serial number?

Right, there's only one version of the DA L lens, and it's already got the better optical design.

[nixcamic]

So I would be better off with the DA L then the first version AL then, right? I don't ever use quick shift (I use AF on the rear button) so it just comes down to how resilient the plastic mount is basically.

[seventysixersfan]

So I would be better off with the DA L then the first version AL then, right?

from an optical quality standpoint, yes.

[nixcamic]

And that there plastic mount is strong enough? It's not gonna break on me in a few weeks or months or anything?

[scratchpaddy]

That's a non-issue, really. If you hit it hard enough to break the mount, other things that have nothing to do with the mount will be broken, too.

[rawr]

It's not gonna break on me in a few weeks or months or anything?

Nope. It's made of pretty strong and durable plastic.

Nikon also has plastic mounts for some of it's kit lenses, like the 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 sold with the D7000. It's common in the industry.

[nixcamic]

Alrighty thanks, looks like I'll sell my version 1 DA and keep the DA L then. Although I can be kinda rough on lenses I can get another DA L and still come out ahead of the price of a DA II.

[Driline]

I got rid of my DA L so that I could purchase the DA version II lens. So far I haven't been able to tell much diffrence IQ wise, but the green stripe and lens hood sold me

[seventysixersfan]

So far I haven't been able to tell much diffrence IQ wise, but the green stripe and lens hood sold me

I recently got a 18-55 WR for the better overall build quality, metal mount, quick shift, lens hood, and green stripe! but you're right, it's optically about the same as my DA-L version.

[lytrytyr]

hmm, as far as I know, there is only version of the DA-L 18-55. This is optically the same as the AL II version. The K-x and K-30 could come in bundles that include the same DA-L 18-55 model.

Isn't there now also a WR version of the DA-L?

SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[seventysixersfan]

Yes you are right; forgot about that. I meant that at the time of the k-x and k-30, there was only one da-l version bundled with those cameras

[geomez]

Idk about the validity of this site, but they claim the following..
Kit lens DA v1 has an aspherical element.
DA v2 has an extra low dispersion element.
DA WR has one of each.
DA-L has neither.

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-866434-1-1-1.html

[Slice Of Light]

Idk about the validity of this site, but they claim the following..
Kit lens DA v1 has an aspherical element.
DA v2 has an extra low dispersion element.
DA WR has one of each.
DA-L has neither.

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-866434-1-1-1.html

Those guys are wrong. Optically there's only 2 versions.

The various 2nd versions(11 elements in 8 groups) have an identical optical formula. Differences are; some have WR and the cheapest DA L's have plastic mount, no quick manual focus release and the distance scale not etched on lens barrel.