Smallest WR lens

Groove · 08-11-2017, 08:52 AM

Is it the 20-40?

felixenfeu · 08-11-2017, 08:57 AM

the 18-50

SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Groove · 08-11-2017, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by felixenfeu

the 18-50

SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Yes of course. Forgot about that one. Thanks

Adam · 08-11-2017, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by felixenfeu

the 18-50

SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Yup, that one is the smallest by far when collapsed, and also the lightest. Here's a full list of WR options so you can compare:

Weather Sealed Lenses | PentaxForums.com

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Blacknight659 · 08-11-2017, 09:48 AM

I know the 18-50 is small when collapsed, but I still think the 20-40 is a better investment.

Just my opinion.

victormeldrew · 08-11-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by Blacknight659

I know the 18-50 is small when collapsed, but I still think the 20-40 is a better investment.

It ought to be, at about 4x the price (of a new HD 18-50) and infinitely more than the price of a bundled kit lens!!

Interestingly, the DA L version gets reasonable reviews here (8.8), but the HD DA version is panned (6.2, which is practically zero here) - I thought this would be because people had paid good money for the HD version and so were more likely to be disappointed than those that had received it 'free'. But then on reading, several of the reviews for the HD version said 'it's ok for a kit lens' so that just muddied the waters more. I'm deducing it's 'good-for-a-cheap-lens' and people who wanted a high-end lens for pennies felt cheated, but those that have tried other cheap lenses are fairly impressed.

Anyway, it might be the answer to my current lack of knockabout WR lens...I was tempted with the 20-40, the 16-50 and the 16-85, but since I just found a new DA L 18-50 (split from a kit) with a warranty for £79 ($100) I think I might keep my pennies for now and get this as a stopgap. I've seen used ones for higher prices, so I won't be losing much if I hate it...

felixenfeu · 08-11-2017, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by victormeldrew

Interestingly, the DA L version gets reasonable reviews here (8.8), but the HD DA version is panned (6.2, which is practically zero here)

I'm not sure which one of these I got as a kit lens, I'd have to double check, but it sure felt a bit cheap. The way you need to unlock it before changing the focal lenght is awkward and meh. IQ was ok at best, wasn't impressed. I didn't try doing landscape though and nothing with a tripod.

Once I got new lenses I didn't even re-used it once. I'd have to try it again and capture some landscapes this winter. Maybe I'll like it more. It's the widest lens I own at the moment so maybe it's worth revisiting.

**mikesbike** · 08-11-2017, 02:49 PM

I have both the DA-L 18-50mm DC WR and the DA 20-40mm LTD DC WR. I got the former as a kit with the K-S2 for next to nothing. It is very satisfactory as providing quite decent IQ (tested slightly better than the DA 18-55mm WR), AF is fast, quiet and sure, and being the smallest-carrying zoom lens for APS-C on a DSLR. I can carry it on the K-S2 in a large jacket pocket! Very useful.

The 20-40mm LTD is a different animal. Small and light, but built like crazy, and of course, not as small and light as the DA-L 18-50mm. The LTD has slightly less range, but is a faster lens with very fine handling and exceptional image quality. There is no point in comparing the two, since they are in a different class and each is especially applicable and advantageous under a different set of circumstances. I use it a lot on my KP.

leekil · 08-12-2017, 12:39 AM

The DA55 is pretty small too -- at least in length -- though somewhat heavier than the other options mentioned.

Groove · 08-13-2017, 04:02 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I already have the 20-40 and recently took it on a trip. I found it a little large as a good travel/walkaround lens and was hoping to find something smaller. A weather sealed 15 or 21 LTD would be perfect for my needs.

Na Horuk · 08-13-2017, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Groove

A weather sealed 15 or 21 LTD would be perfect for my needs.

Yes, this is a Pentax weakness. There are very few primes that are WR or AW. And I don't think any of them are wide angle. A number of users here complained about that

08-11-2017, 08:52 AM	#1
Groove New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 23	Smallest WR lens Is it the 20-40?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Smallest "Master" P-TTL flash for K1	Paul the Sunman	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	56	10-22-2018 04:58 AM
SL2....its still the smallest Dslr	surfar	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	10	07-01-2017 11:34 PM
Building the smallest M42 set. Need recommendations for a 28mm.	Cabessius	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	26	05-21-2017 04:59 AM
Smallest Extension Ring for the K Series Cameras	MichaelErlewine	Pentax DSLR Discussion	3	05-15-2016 10:56 AM
K-30 WR body + spare battery + 18-135mm WR lens + 18-55mm WR lens = £738	jido	Pentax Price Watch	4	01-16-2013 04:36 AM

08-11-2017, 08:57 AM	#2
felixenfeu New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 23	the 18-50 SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

08-11-2017, 08:58 AM	#3
Groove New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by felixenfeu the 18-50 SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Yes of course. Forgot about that one. Thanks

08-11-2017, 08:59 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by felixenfeu the 18-50 SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Yup, that one is the smallest by far when collapsed, and also the lightest. Here's a full list of WR options so you can compare: Weather Sealed Lenses \| PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-11-2017, 09:48 AM	#5
Blacknight659 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	I know the 18-50 is small when collapsed, but I still think the 20-40 is a better investment. Just my opinion.

08-11-2017, 12:01 PM	#6
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by Blacknight659 I know the 18-50 is small when collapsed, but I still think the 20-40 is a better investment. It ought to be, at about 4x the price (of a new HD 18-50) and infinitely more than the price of a bundled kit lens!! Interestingly, the DA L version gets reasonable reviews here (8.8), but the HD DA version is panned (6.2, which is practically zero here) - I thought this would be because people had paid good money for the HD version and so were more likely to be disappointed than those that had received it 'free'. But then on reading, several of the reviews for the HD version said 'it's ok for a kit lens' so that just muddied the waters more. I'm deducing it's 'good-for-a-cheap-lens' and people who wanted a high-end lens for pennies felt cheated, but those that have tried other cheap lenses are fairly impressed. Anyway, it might be the answer to my current lack of knockabout WR lens...I was tempted with the 20-40, the 16-50 and the 16-85, but since I just found a new DA L 18-50 (split from a kit) with a warranty for £79 ($100) I think I might keep my pennies for now and get this as a stopgap. I've seen used ones for higher prices, so I won't be losing much if I hate it...

08-11-2017, 02:21 PM	#7
felixenfeu New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 23	Originally posted by victormeldrew Interestingly, the DA L version gets reasonable reviews here (8.8), but the HD DA version is panned (6.2, which is practically zero here) I'm not sure which one of these I got as a kit lens, I'd have to double check, but it sure felt a bit cheap. The way you need to unlock it before changing the focal lenght is awkward and meh. IQ was ok at best, wasn't impressed. I didn't try doing landscape though and nothing with a tripod. Once I got new lenses I didn't even re-used it once. I'd have to try it again and capture some landscapes this winter. Maybe I'll like it more. It's the widest lens I own at the moment so maybe it's worth revisiting.

08-11-2017, 02:49 PM	#8
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,552	I have both the DA-L 18-50mm DC WR and the DA 20-40mm LTD DC WR. I got the former as a kit with the K-S2 for next to nothing. It is very satisfactory as providing quite decent IQ (tested slightly better than the DA 18-55mm WR), AF is fast, quiet and sure, and being the smallest-carrying zoom lens for APS-C on a DSLR. I can carry it on the K-S2 in a large jacket pocket! Very useful. The 20-40mm LTD is a different animal. Small and light, but built like crazy, and of course, not as small and light as the DA-L 18-50mm. The LTD has slightly less range, but is a faster lens with very fine handling and exceptional image quality. There is no point in comparing the two, since they are in a different class and each is especially applicable and advantageous under a different set of circumstances. I use it a lot on my KP.

08-12-2017, 12:39 AM	#9
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	The DA55 is pretty small too -- at least in length -- though somewhat heavier than the other options mentioned.

08-13-2017, 04:02 AM	#10
Groove New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies. I already have the 20-40 and recently took it on a trip. I found it a little large as a good travel/walkaround lens and was hoping to find something smaller. A weather sealed 15 or 21 LTD would be perfect for my needs.

08-13-2017, 04:42 AM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Groove A weather sealed 15 or 21 LTD would be perfect for my needs. Yes, this is a Pentax weakness. There are very few primes that are WR or AW. And I don't think any of them are wide angle. A number of users here complained about that