anyone used the 18-55 DA-L?

ferals_m38 · 12-17-2008, 04:20 PM

Hi, i cant seem to find much information anywhere online about the image quality of this lens compared to the metal mount DA 18-55..

Im looking for a cheap wide replacement for my abysmally soft Sigma 18-50 f3.5-5.6 and im wondering how much of a step up this would be as a budget lens?

any help would be great..

Cheers, Shayne.

ryno · 12-17-2008, 04:32 PM

Just by the numbers on the kmount page, it looks the same as the 18-55 II, only lighter. Lots of praise for the II.
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/short/index.html
\Ryan

Big Dave · 12-17-2008, 06:15 PM

ferals,
Beach Camera has the original version for $49USD. You don't pay duty on small items, so it should be cheap, even with shipping to down under. The lens is much better then the Sigma. ( I'm get feedback for that). The "L" model most likly is a compromise to small size. Maybe someone has a deal done there.

Dave

Pentax smc DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Digital SLRs W/ USA Warranty |BeachCamera.com

Originally posted by ferals_m38

Hi, i cant seem to find much information anywhere online about the image quality of this lens compared to the metal mount DA 18-55..

Im looking for a cheap wide replacement for my abysmally soft Sigma 18-50 f3.5-5.6 and im wondering how much of a step up this would be as a budget lens?

any help would be great..

Cheers, Shayne.

k100d · 12-17-2008, 06:30 PM

i'd suggest paying the extra bucks and getting a used Kit II instead for the metal mount

ferals_m38 · 12-17-2008, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the quick reply's guys,

ive currently got an add in the Wanted section of the marketplace and the only response ive had so far is for a DA-L, and theres very little info about on image quality for them..

the going rate on here for DA 18-55 is about half what eBay runs to and about quarter what the going rate is locally for a new lens..

what id really like to get my hands on is a 16-45, but alas, they are always beyond my means..

Big Dave, ive shot an email off to BeachCamera to see what the postage quote runs to for a brand new lens Via USPS First class mail international..see how we go, at least the Aussie dollars a little stronger today..

Marc Sabatella · 12-17-2008, 07:04 PM

The "L" version lacks not just the metal mount, but also Quick Shift Focus (ability to adjust focus manually after AF does it's job, or while cancelling AF via a button press). Whatever few dollars you would save couldn't possibly be worth it.

Erik · 12-18-2008, 12:26 AM

Is the DA-L really based on the DA 18-55 II? It doesn't say "II" on it so I was under the impression that it was actually the older version in a new package...

EDIT: Well, I suppose, looking at the above linked page, that it really is the II... That's just being confusing for the sake of being confusing.

Last edited by Erik; 12-18-2008 at 12:32 AM.

RBellavance · 12-18-2008, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by Erik

Is the DA-L really based on the DA 18-55 II? It doesn't say "II" on it so I was under the impression that it was actually the older version in a new package...

The DA L is based on the same optical formula as the DA18-55 II (i.e. 11 elements in 8 groups). The "old" DA18-55 used 12 elements in 9 groups.

The link to Beach Camera above is not to the L version.

Erik · 12-18-2008, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

The DA L is based on the same optical formula as the DA18-55 II (i.e. 11 elements in 8 groups). The "old" DA18-55 used 18 elements in 9 groups.

The link to Beach Camera above is not to the L version.

I know that now. I just find it strange, then, that the L has the same writing on front as the Mark I version (i.e. no red "II"), which would lead one to believe that it does not have the optical construction of Mark II.

Ratmagiclady · 12-18-2008, 06:45 AM

Hrm, well, lens nomenclature is getting a little Byzantine lately, but I suspect the 'L' series, however many of those there'll be, will have their own consistency within that designation, whereas the old lens was an AL of the same designation as the new one, which needed the II to show it was an improvement of the same level.

jsherman999 · 12-18-2008, 09:16 AM

I think the 18-55 II (Regular and L version) are definately optically superior to the
original version.

I couldn't get the original off my camera fast enough, but the II's seem pretty good
as outdoor budget wide-angles. I think sharpness has been improved.

ferals_m38 · 12-18-2008, 03:36 PM

ok, so now im back to square one,

BeachCamera have a great price but will accept not international orders, and i really haven't got the disposable income at this time to buy new locally...

im happy to get my grubby mits on a well priced second hand 18-55, its just a case of wait and see..

thankyou again for the replys.

Alfisti · 12-18-2008, 08:55 PM

I have one if you're interested, Mk I metal mount, excelent copy. See sig for examples.

I am in Canada but from Australia so I know the postal system and will ship at cost.

PM me if interested.

creampuff · 12-18-2008, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by RBellavance

The "old" DA18-55 used 18 elements in 9 groups.

It's actually 12 elements in 9 groups.

ferals_m38 · 12-18-2008, 09:58 PM

i just jumped onboard with a new DA-L 18-55 that jsherman999 offered me for an excellent price, it has to be better then the 18-50 sigma im currently using, and being i don't swap lens that often wear shouldent be an issue with the plastic mount..

next stop...16-45..one day...

12-17-2008, 04:20 PM	#1
ferals_m38 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south east queensland, Australia. Posts: 37	anyone used the 18-55 DA-L? Hi, i cant seem to find much information anywhere online about the image quality of this lens compared to the metal mount DA 18-55.. Im looking for a cheap wide replacement for my abysmally soft Sigma 18-50 f3.5-5.6 and im wondering how much of a step up this would be as a budget lens? any help would be great.. Cheers, Shayne.

12-18-2008, 05:47 AM	#8
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Erik Is the DA-L really based on the DA 18-55 II? It doesn't say "II" on it so I was under the impression that it was actually the older version in a new package... The DA L is based on the same optical formula as the DA18-55 II (i.e. 11 elements in 8 groups). The "old" DA18-55 used 12 elements in 9 groups. The link to Beach Camera above is not to the L version. Last edited by RBellavance; 12-19-2008 at 06:52 AM. Reason: Corrected # of elements for old DA18-55

12-17-2008, 04:32 PM	#2
ryno Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 220	Just by the numbers on the kmount page, it looks the same as the 18-55 II, only lighter. Lots of praise for the II. http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/short/index.html \Ryan

12-17-2008, 06:15 PM	#3
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	ferals, Beach Camera has the original version for $49USD. You don't pay duty on small items, so it should be cheap, even with shipping to down under. The lens is much better then the Sigma. ( I'm get feedback for that). The "L" model most likly is a compromise to small size. Maybe someone has a deal done there. Dave Pentax smc DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Digital SLRs W/ USA Warranty \|BeachCamera.com Originally posted by ferals_m38 Hi, i cant seem to find much information anywhere online about the image quality of this lens compared to the metal mount DA 18-55.. Im looking for a cheap wide replacement for my abysmally soft Sigma 18-50 f3.5-5.6 and im wondering how much of a step up this would be as a budget lens? any help would be great.. Cheers, Shayne.

12-17-2008, 06:30 PM	#4
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	i'd suggest paying the extra bucks and getting a used Kit II instead for the metal mount

12-17-2008, 06:51 PM	#5
ferals_m38 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south east queensland, Australia. Posts: 37 Original Poster	Thanks for the quick reply's guys, ive currently got an add in the Wanted section of the marketplace and the only response ive had so far is for a DA-L, and theres very little info about on image quality for them.. the going rate on here for DA 18-55 is about half what eBay runs to and about quarter what the going rate is locally for a new lens.. what id really like to get my hands on is a 16-45, but alas, they are always beyond my means.. Big Dave, ive shot an email off to BeachCamera to see what the postage quote runs to for a brand new lens Via USPS First class mail international..see how we go, at least the Aussie dollars a little stronger today..

12-17-2008, 07:04 PM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	The "L" version lacks not just the metal mount, but also Quick Shift Focus (ability to adjust focus manually after AF does it's job, or while cancelling AF via a button press). Whatever few dollars you would save couldn't possibly be worth it.

12-18-2008, 12:26 AM	#7
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Is the DA-L really based on the DA 18-55 II? It doesn't say "II" on it so I was under the impression that it was actually the older version in a new package... EDIT: Well, I suppose, looking at the above linked page, that it really is the II... That's just being confusing for the sake of being confusing. Last edited by Erik; 12-18-2008 at 12:32 AM.

12-18-2008, 05:59 AM	#9
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by RBellavance The DA L is based on the same optical formula as the DA18-55 II (i.e. 11 elements in 8 groups). The "old" DA18-55 used 18 elements in 9 groups. The link to Beach Camera above is not to the L version. I know that now. I just find it strange, then, that the L has the same writing on front as the Mark I version (i.e. no red "II"), which would lead one to believe that it does not have the optical construction of Mark II.

12-18-2008, 06:45 AM	#10
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Hrm, well, lens nomenclature is getting a little Byzantine lately, but I suspect the 'L' series, however many of those there'll be, will have their own consistency within that designation, whereas the old lens was an AL of the same designation as the new one, which needed the II to show it was an improvement of the same level.

12-18-2008, 09:16 AM	#11
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	I think the 18-55 II (Regular and L version) are definately optically superior to the original version. I couldn't get the original off my camera fast enough, but the II's seem pretty good as outdoor budget wide-angles. I think sharpness has been improved.

12-18-2008, 03:36 PM	#12
ferals_m38 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south east queensland, Australia. Posts: 37 Original Poster	ok, so now im back to square one, BeachCamera have a great price but will accept not international orders, and i really haven't got the disposable income at this time to buy new locally... im happy to get my grubby mits on a well priced second hand 18-55, its just a case of wait and see.. thankyou again for the replys.

12-18-2008, 08:55 PM	#13
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	I have one if you're interested, Mk I metal mount, excelent copy. See sig for examples. I am in Canada but from Australia so I know the postal system and will ship at cost. PM me if interested.

12-18-2008, 09:23 PM	#14
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by RBellavance The "old" DA18-55 used 18 elements in 9 groups. It's actually 12 elements in 9 groups.

12-18-2008, 09:58 PM	#15
ferals_m38 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south east queensland, Australia. Posts: 37 Original Poster	i just jumped onboard with a new DA-L 18-55 that jsherman999 offered me for an excellent price, it has to be better then the 18-50 sigma im currently using, and being i don't swap lens that often wear shouldent be an issue with the plastic mount.. next stop...16-45..one day...