[stevejo]

The European prices seem to vary quite a lot for Pentax. I bought my KP in October for £650 (E742), now showing on Amazon at £879 (E1003).
The 18-50 is currently £179 in the UK but not available as a bundle (even though UK stock is shipped from Paris).

[Sidney Porter]

Does pentax even create the bundles any more? In the US it appears adorama and B&H creates the package. B&H has a number of options 18-55, 18-135, 18-85, 35,40, 50 and 20-40. Adorama has 18-55, 18-135 and the 50. It also doesn't seem like you get the lens at a large discount. Accessories seem to be the discount

So it might be the retailers rather than pentax that chose not to push the 18-50 in the US

[ChristianRock]

Pentax, like so many of us, has numerous copies of the 18-55 that they're having a hard time getting rid of.

I don't have one currently so I would gladly help someone get one out of their way if it's bothering them

Quick question on the 18-50mm. Does the HD version have any differences in terms of build quality, or just the coatings? I quite like the images I'm seeing from it.

[JensE]

Does the HD version have any differences in terms of build quality, or just the coatings?

I think it's just coatings and the - debatable - hood. My HD feels as flimsy as described, but is also super lightweight.

[ChristianRock]

I think it's just coatings and the - debatable - hood. My HD feels as flimsy as described, but is also super lightweight.

Yeah the size and how light it is, are the real draws. Retracted, it's shorter than my DA 35 2.4!

I saw one for quite a low price, but I should probably keep the money towards my plan of finally buying a 21 Limited.

[ramseybuckeye]

Does pentax even create the bundles any more? In the US it appears adorama and B&H creates the package. B&H has a number of options 18-55, 18-135, 18-85, 35,40, 50 and 20-40. Adorama has 18-55, 18-135 and the 50. It also doesn't seem like you get the lens at a large discount. Accessories seem to be the discount

So it might be the retailers rather than pentax that chose not to push the 18-50 in the US

I believe you are absolutely right. The current bundles at Adorama and B&H seem to have no discount at all on the lens. I assume Pentax gives them a break when there is a lens discount, and one could be going now, but they have choose to unload flashes at Adorama and memory cards at B&H. I just bought a new KP and chose Adorama, I thought the flash was the better deal. Unfortunately I just shipped the KP back as it had a bad PDAF and the lenses were uncorrectable. They will be sending a replacement out. I suppose I should get that flash out of the box and test it, but I still may decide to sell it.

It is interesting, I have now bought five new Pentax cameras and four were body only. When I bought the K-30 they did have a really good package with the DA18-135. I did buy a used 18-55 several years ago but really didn't care much for it.

[normhead]

For guy like me, who's become a big fan of the 55-300 it could be the perfect light weight hiking canoe tripping lens.

I need to investigate further.

[JensE]

For guy like me, who's become a big fan of the 55-300 it could be the perfect light weight hiking canoe tripping lens.I need to investigate further.

I do have both and prefer to pack the 18-135 into my small case over the 18-50 any time for kayaking and even for multi-day hiking when I have to carry everything. It just requires very careful handling and doesn't feel anywhere as well protected against the elements as the 18-135. Optically, I don't see any advantage either.

[seventysixersfan]

Yeah the size and how light it is, are the real draws. Retracted, it's shorter than my DA 35 2.4!

Yes, that is really its main benefit, how small/compact while retracted, for portability. Though in actual shooting, when it is extended, it is just as long as the original 18-55 kit.

Here is a camerasize comparison of DAL 18-50, FA 43, and DA 18-55, all mounted on the KP: Compact Camera Meter

[angerdan]

I understand that a cheaper version (DA-L) was offered with the KS2. I think this just had an SMC coating rather than the HD.

That's true, there is an rare smc DA-L 18-50mm version. But i guess the only difference is the coating.

1. The European prices seem to vary quite a lot for Pentax.
2. I bought my KP in October for £650 (E742), now showing on Amazon at £879 (E1003).
3. The 18-50 is currently £179 in the UK but not available as a bundle (even though UK stock is shipped from Paris).

1. In Europe the prices for the 18-50mm are stable since 2 years:
   Preisentwicklung für Pentax HD DA 18-50mm 4.0-5.6 DC WR RE schwarz (21357) (90 Tage) heise online Preisvergleich / EU
2. In mid of October 2020 the lowest price for KP in europe was 810€, now showing 999€.
   Pentax KP schwarz Body (16017) ab € 899,99 (2021) | heise online Preisvergleich / EU
3. The 15-50 is currently 130€ in Germany and available as a bundle with K-S2 and KP:
   Produktvergleich Pentax K-S2 schwarz mit Objektiv HD DA 18-50mm WR (11598), Pentax KP schwarz mit Objektiv HD DA 18-50mm 4.0-5.6 DC WR RE (1601700) heise online Preisvergleich / EU

[redrockcoulee]

I find the DA-L does exactly what I want from it. In poor weather I use it instead of my 4 limited lenses plus it takes up next to no space mounted onto my infrared K01.

Small, inexpensive (bought here used) WR and acceptable quality. I never worry about its build though it is a bit difficult to extend if I haven't used it in a while however that is my brain not the lens at fault.

I would probably have purchased a better zoom lens if I wasn't invested in the 15,21,40 and 70 or needed it for action type things. It takes up no space or weight in my camera bag which is the factor that was most important for me when I bought it and so far zero regrets

[ChristianRock]

Yes, that is really its main benefit, how small/compact while retracted, for portability. Though in actual shooting, when it is extended, it is just as long as the original 18-55 kit.

Here is a camerasize comparison of DAL 18-50, FA 43, and DA 18-55, all mounted on the KP: Compact Camera Meter

Yeah it's an attractive feature, no question about it... and to me the HD coatings are of interest as well. I did a flickr search on both the HD and SMC versions and on my work 4K monitor the colors of the SMC are a bit "off" and the micro-contrast doesn't seem particularly good.
The HD version on the other hand seems to give very pleasing images with good definition, clarity and microcontrast. Or is it just the LBA in me that is speaking?

[lytrytyr]

Optically, I don't see any advantage either.

That depends on your format, and whether you only shoot B/W or not.

I ordered an 18 - 50 for USD 30 extra when buying a K-S2. Lay people ooh and aah about the colors it produces on APS-C already, and it's really great as a compact WR 35 - 50 "standard" zoom on the K-1. Check out

Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test - Gear Guides | PentaxForums.com

if you don't have a K-1 to try for yourself.

[lytrytyr]

I don't have one currently so I would gladly help someone get one out of their way if it's bothering them.

I'd send you one, but I don't live where you live.

[bdery]

Quick question on the 18-50mm. Does the HD version have any differences in terms of build quality, or just the coatings? I quite like the images I'm seeing from it.

No difference in build quality.