Lens debate- Should I get the 18-55,55-200 or 18-135

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 08:25 AM

This is a lot of info so sorry and thanks

My camera has been on back order for months and I recently came across the 18-135mm lens club. I'm debating whether I should continue with my order as is. K-50 and 18-55 kit lens or see if I can get the 18-135 instead? The WR is REALLY appealing, that and the added zoom factor w/o lens changing. Also it'd be forever before I could get the WR 55-300mm.

Lenses I have now are

Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 24mm Super Wide II MF
50mm f2 MF

Also just the k-50 is $449.49
With 18-55 $614.49
With 18-135 $849.49

Last edited by when-daybreaks; 10-03-2014 at 05:41 AM.

**crewl1** · 09-27-2014, 08:42 AM - **1 Like**

The 18-135 is a nice alternative to the 18-55 as the range gives more flexibility without having to change lenses.
The IQ is equal or better than the standard kit lenses.
If you can get it you will not be disappointed.
It is on my cameras quite a bit.

FYI suggest you cancel the Pentax web store order and buy from adorama or B&H instead.

And don't forget to order the 20$ pentax warranty extension.

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 08:57 AM

Thanks I did get the warranty yesterday, I know kind of early but oh well. . Cancel the lens order part or the whole thing? I did get custom colors with the k-50 b/c why not, it's the same as the black. Does adorama have the custom colors?

**crewl1** · 09-27-2014, 09:05 AM

Oh so the back order is due to custom colors?
Probably you will run into same issue anywhere else.
I thought you were waiting on standard colors.

You could always call adorama or b h and see what they have in stock.
http://t.adorama.com/IPXK50KPUW.html

fsge · 09-27-2014, 09:06 AM

I would not hesitate a second and go blindfolded for 18-135. While performance is close to 18-55 in this range it is much better than 50-200 in their overlap.
Also 18-135 is rather silent and fast focusing

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 09:08 AM

I think so they just said they are waiting on parts but parts should be in week of Oct. 3 rd.
I thought you meant it was a better deal or quality from adorama!!

So bottom line though go with the 18-135mm lens?

Driline · 09-27-2014, 09:13 AM

Yea, forget the 18-55 and 50-200. Just buy the 18-135. It's a better lens, WR, and you don't have to swap. Buy one used if you want to save some coin.

**crewl1** · 09-27-2014, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by when-daybreaks

I think so they just said they are waiting on parts but parts should be in week of Oct. 3 rd.
I thought you meant it was a better deal or quality from adorama!!

So bottom line though go with the 18-135mm lens?

I'd go with 18-135.
Adorama and b h provide good service and have most items in stock and prices are usually better than the pentax web store which is not actually run by Ricoh, they contract out to a third party.

Best prices I've seen are from prodigital 2000 in Canada but then you give up the warranty.
699 for k-50/18-135 combo.
I've bought from them they are a good outfit.

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 09:17 AM

Oh wow that is a lot better than $850!!! If I bought the warranty card though I'm okay right?? Can I get custom colors from them??

bigted · 09-27-2014, 09:21 AM - **1 Like**

Another vote for both the 18-135 and for Prodigital. I bought my K-3 grip from Prodigital and had excellent service from them

**crewl1** · 09-27-2014, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by when-daybreaks

Oh wow that is a lot better than $850!!! If I bought the warranty card though I'm okay right?? Can I get custom colors from them??

If you are in us and buy from Canada I'm not sure the warranty applies. Best call Ricoh and confirm.

That price I have seen in their ebay sales and only standard black white or red

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 09:50 AM

Yes I'm in the US - okay I think I'm going to keep my camera order with pentax just for warranty peace of mind and the colors but get the lenses elsewhere. I'm really looking forward to my silver and pink!! : D I just hope pentax will cancel the lens part of the order!

johnyates · 09-27-2014, 09:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by crewl1

If you are in us and buy from Canada I'm not sure the warranty applies

US customers get a one-year international warranty (Canadians get 2 years). Prodigital is a good place to buy.

when-daybreaks · 09-27-2014, 10:03 AM

Thanks!

tibbitts · 09-27-2014, 12:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by crewl1

The 18-135 is a nice alternative to the 18-55 as the range gives more flexibility without having to change lenses.
The IQ is equal or better than the standard kit lenses.
If you can get it you will not be disappointed.
It is on my cameras quite a bit.

FYI suggest you cancel the Pentax web store order and buy from adorama or B&H instead.

And don't forget to order the 20$ pentax warranty extension.

I bought the $20 extension for two bodies, but wouldn't now. I think we just have to consider Pentax products, at least in the US, as disposable, unless Pentax decides to fix its warranty process, which doesn't seem likely.

09-27-2014, 08:25 AM	#1
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72	Lens debate- Should I get the 18-55,55-200 or 18-135 This is a lot of info so sorry and thanks My camera has been on back order for months and I recently came across the 18-135mm lens club. I'm debating whether I should continue with my order as is. K-50 and 18-55 kit lens or see if I can get the 18-135 instead? The WR is REALLY appealing, that and the added zoom factor w/o lens changing. Also it'd be forever before I could get the WR 55-300mm. Lenses I have now are Tamron 70-300mm Sigma 24mm Super Wide II MF 50mm f2 MF Also just the k-50 is $449.49 With 18-55 $614.49 With 18-135 $849.49 Last edited by when-daybreaks; 10-03-2014 at 05:41 AM.

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09-27-2014, 08:42 AM - 1 Like	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	The 18-135 is a nice alternative to the 18-55 as the range gives more flexibility without having to change lenses. The IQ is equal or better than the standard kit lenses. If you can get it you will not be disappointed. It is on my cameras quite a bit. FYI suggest you cancel the Pentax web store order and buy from adorama or B&H instead. And don't forget to order the 20$ pentax warranty extension.

09-27-2014, 08:57 AM	#3
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72 Original Poster	Thanks I did get the warranty yesterday, I know kind of early but oh well. . Cancel the lens order part or the whole thing? I did get custom colors with the k-50 b/c why not, it's the same as the black. Does adorama have the custom colors?

09-27-2014, 09:05 AM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Oh so the back order is due to custom colors? Probably you will run into same issue anywhere else. I thought you were waiting on standard colors. You could always call adorama or b h and see what they have in stock. http://t.adorama.com/IPXK50KPUW.html

09-27-2014, 09:06 AM	#5
fsge Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,138	I would not hesitate a second and go blindfolded for 18-135. While performance is close to 18-55 in this range it is much better than 50-200 in their overlap. Also 18-135 is rather silent and fast focusing

09-27-2014, 09:08 AM	#6
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72 Original Poster	I think so they just said they are waiting on parts but parts should be in week of Oct. 3 rd. I thought you meant it was a better deal or quality from adorama!! So bottom line though go with the 18-135mm lens?

09-27-2014, 09:13 AM	#7
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Yea, forget the 18-55 and 50-200. Just buy the 18-135. It's a better lens, WR, and you don't have to swap. Buy one used if you want to save some coin.

09-27-2014, 09:14 AM	#8
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by when-daybreaks I think so they just said they are waiting on parts but parts should be in week of Oct. 3 rd. I thought you meant it was a better deal or quality from adorama!! So bottom line though go with the 18-135mm lens? I'd go with 18-135. Adorama and b h provide good service and have most items in stock and prices are usually better than the pentax web store which is not actually run by Ricoh, they contract out to a third party. Best prices I've seen are from prodigital 2000 in Canada but then you give up the warranty. 699 for k-50/18-135 combo. I've bought from them they are a good outfit.

09-27-2014, 09:17 AM	#9
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72 Original Poster	Oh wow that is a lot better than $850!!! If I bought the warranty card though I'm okay right?? Can I get custom colors from them??

09-27-2014, 09:21 AM - 1 Like	#10
bigted Moderator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,593	Another vote for both the 18-135 and for Prodigital. I bought my K-3 grip from Prodigital and had excellent service from them

09-27-2014, 09:43 AM	#11
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by when-daybreaks Oh wow that is a lot better than $850!!! If I bought the warranty card though I'm okay right?? Can I get custom colors from them?? If you are in us and buy from Canada I'm not sure the warranty applies. Best call Ricoh and confirm. That price I have seen in their ebay sales and only standard black white or red

09-27-2014, 09:50 AM	#12
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72 Original Poster	Yes I'm in the US - okay I think I'm going to keep my camera order with pentax just for warranty peace of mind and the colors but get the lenses elsewhere. I'm really looking forward to my silver and pink!! : D I just hope pentax will cancel the lens part of the order!

09-27-2014, 09:58 AM - 1 Like	#13
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Originally posted by crewl1 If you are in us and buy from Canada I'm not sure the warranty applies US customers get a one-year international warranty (Canadians get 2 years). Prodigital is a good place to buy.

09-27-2014, 10:03 AM	#14
when-daybreaks Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 72 Original Poster	Thanks!

09-27-2014, 12:46 PM - 1 Like	#15
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	Originally posted by crewl1 The 18-135 is a nice alternative to the 18-55 as the range gives more flexibility without having to change lenses. The IQ is equal or better than the standard kit lenses. If you can get it you will not be disappointed. It is on my cameras quite a bit. FYI suggest you cancel the Pentax web store order and buy from adorama or B&H instead. And don't forget to order the 20$ pentax warranty extension. I bought the $20 extension for two bodies, but wouldn't now. I think we just have to consider Pentax products, at least in the US, as disposable, unless Pentax decides to fix its warranty process, which doesn't seem likely.