[hZti]

I want to buy a K3 soon (finally ), but I'm not sure if i should get it with the 18-135mm or wait for the 16-85mm that they announced at photokina (klick). I'm currently using a d7100 with the Nikon 16-85mm and I'm pretty happy with that range, but the Camera died because water got in it so now it's time for a pentax .
I would go with the 18-135mm if the quality is the same as the Pentax 16-85mm, but are there any information regarding quality and release date so far? (because i need it as soon as possible)

[dakight]

If time is a critical factor I think your decision is made for you. The 18-135 is currently available and in stock while, if I'm not mistaken, the 16-85 though announced is not yet available for sale. There are other options though; check the lens database for possibilities in both Pentax and 3rd party offerings.

[hZti]

Times is critical, but i could go with the 18-55 kit which is actually only 1 € more expensive than body only and then buy the 16-85mm later. But if i don't have a guarantee that the 16-85mm will be better than the 18-135mm and i would end up buying the 18-135mm later for a much higher price than the kit i would choose it now.
So is there anybody here that knows when we will see first informations about the 16-85mm or even the launch date?

[mee]

No one that is willing to speak I suspect will be speaking about release dates.. they said publicly at Photokina end of the year IIRC

You should buy what seems more useful to you now. It is good to think of the future but should keep in mind your tomorrow may arrive different than you expected.

[jimr-pdx]

For a single € I'd take the 18-55 and wait for first impressions. All three lenses at Photokina were prototypes, only the 16-85 was far enough along to get a name so it could be a while before it's in anyone's hands.

[hZti]

For a single € I'd take the 18-55 and wait for first impressions.

The problem there is, if i don't choose the 18-135mm in the Kit it would be much more expensive to buy afterwards if the 16-85mm is bad.

[jatrax]

I would get the 18-135 with the camera.
- no one knows when the 16-85 will be released
- no one knows if it will be better or not as good as 18-135
- if you want the 16-85 later you can sell the 18-135 to help fund it
- you might find you like the 18-135 and keep it
- you will have a good lens and camera for months instead of waiting

[DeadJohn]

The 18-135 is a decent lens. There are sharper lenses, faster lenses, or wider lenses but the 18-135 is a good all purpose lens combining image quality, versatility, and weather resistance. The 16-85 has no firm release date and your wait for comparison reviews might take weeks or months or longer.

Did you often want more zoom beyond 85 on your Nikon? If yes, that's an argument for the 18-135. Buy it now.

Did you use the 16-18 range much on your Nikon? If yes, that's an argument against the 18-135. Wait indefinitely for the Pentax 16-85, or buy the more expensive (and IMO better) DA* 16-50 2.8 if you can live without the 50-85 range. Or get the 18-135 now and plan to buy a wider lens at some point in the future (The DA15 gets rave reviews if you want to spend that much on your hobby, or maybe the Tamron 10-24 for less money and more versatility).

I'll close with "don't overanalyze". There are probably several good choices and no perfect choice.

[hZti]

Okay, i guess if there are no further information about this lens in the near future i will just buy the kit with 18-135mm and then sell the lens if the 16-85mm looks way better.

[formercanuck]

I've 'tried' the 18-135mm WR (lensrentals.com) on my K-30. Its a nice lens. The hard part for me was getting used to having no physical stop on the AF ring.
Just remember - this is pretty much a short super-zoom. If you keep to the center, its a great lens. The corners/edges have some vignetting/mush due to the fact that its a 7.5x zoom (note: my Sigma 18-200mm is worse!)
It has WR and DC-AF so its decently quiet, and ok for dusty/wet environments.

[boriscleto]

The earliest any more information would possibly be available is at CP+ next year.

[mikeodial]

I want to buy a K3 soon (finally ), but I'm not sure if i should get it with the 18-135mm or wait for the 16-85mm that they announced at photokina (klick). I'm currently using a d7100 with the Nikon 16-85mm and I'm pretty happy with that range, but the Camera died because water got in it so now it's time for a pentax .
I would go with the 18-135mm if the quality is the same as the Pentax 16-85mm, but are there any information regarding quality and release date so far? (because i need it as soon as possible)

I would grab a 16-45 used which is a good quality lens that can be had for less than $250 on the used market and then sell it for same money on eBay when the 16-85 appears. Also if you want, there are lots of other old A series onward primes that will fill in the other gaps in the meantime.

[mbukal]

DA17-70 / 4 is optically better than DA18-135 / 3.5-5.6 and from DA 18-55 3.5-5.6 but not WR
DA17-70/4 there are a lot more useful range of 16-45 DA / 4, which is not the same WR

[boriscleto]

DA17-70 / 4 is optically better than DA18-135 / 3.5-5.6 and from DA 18-55 3.5-5.6 but not WR
DA17-70/4 there are a lot more useful range of 16-45 DA / 4, which is not the same WR

It also sells for twice as much as the 16-45 and is prone to SDM failure.

[crewl1]

If you can get a good price for the 18-135 as a combo, I would get it for now.

If the 16-85 turns out more desirable you can always sell it later and put the money towards the new lens.

---------- Post added 10-13-14 at 07:01 AM ----------

I've 'tried' the 18-135mm WR (lensrentals.com) on my K-30. Its a nice lens. The hard part for me was getting used to having no physical stop on the AF ring.
Just remember - this is pretty much a short super-zoom. If you keep to the center, its a great lens. The corners/edges have some vignetting/mush due to the fact that its a 7.5x zoom (note: my Sigma 18-200mm is worse!)
It has WR and DC-AF so its decently quiet, and ok for dusty/wet environments.

All of the Pentax lenses with 'Quick shift' behave the same.
The no stop AF is a feature.
Sigma HSM lenses are similar.