[Budster48]

I am going to Peru in a couple of months and want to get a DSLR. So far I have decided on the K-5 body but am now looking at lenses. I would prefer a lens that is multi-purpose. By that I mean something that can be used for shots within a foot to something like a 100 yards and most of the time I will be stable but the images may be moving or stable but sometimes I will be moving (in a canoe on a river for example) and the image may be moving or stable, some shots may be in early dawn or at dusk but most will be in full daylight. I was thinking about having two lenses like the DA 18-55 and then a telephoto/zoom like a 55-300 but from what I have read it appears a Pentax DA 18-135 ED AL IF DC WR may be able to satisfy my needs overall in just one lens and that would be very convenient. I am just looking for hobby capability and mostly for vacation type outdoor photos of things in nature, structures, people, etc. So is the Pentax DA 18-135 a good choice as a one lens solution for my photo needs?

[Docrwm]

It is more versatile than either of the others alone. It also has the advantage of being Weather Resistant, neither of the standard lenses you mention are. Plus it covers the 18-135 range which means you will not have to swap lenses at the 55mm mark like you do with the 18-55 + 55-300 combination. I really like my 55-300, its a great kit long zoom IMHO. The downside of the 18-135 is its not as fast as some more expensive alternatives. If it were me and I were canoeing in Peru I would only take a WR lens and if I were to take just one, the 18-135 would be it.

[jatrax]

Yes. Excellent lens, good image quality, not too heavy and WR. Very fast, almost silent focusing. My wife carries a two lens kit of the 18-135 and the 55-300. Covers everything from 18 to 300mm. But the 18-135 is on the camera 90% of the time.

[Tanzer]

+1, yes, a good all around choice. Lots of good, nothing very bad about this lens. Quite versatile

[mdodrill]

I have the K-30 with the 18-135 and consider it a great value for a WR combo.
It is my understanding that the new K-50 can be ordered with the 18-55 and 55-200 kit lens which our both WR (this is new). Maybe you can also get the K-5 with these kit WR's

[Docrwm]

I have the K-30 with the 18-135 and consider it a great value for a WR combo.
It is my understanding that the new K-50 can be ordered with the 18-55 and 55-200 kit lens which our both WR (this is new). Maybe you can also get the K-5 with these kit WR's

Haven't seen that combo but it's possible of course. The problem with the 18-55+50-200 combo is that you have to swap out at 50-55mm thereby defeating the WR part of the whole combination with the K-5/30/50 models. Having the extra reach of the 200 would be nice but I'd prefer, and did decide personally, to go with the 18-135 because of the WR integrity it offers throughout that range.

[callmeraymon]

I'm headed to Costa Rica next month and just ordered the 18-135WR. This thread makes me feel a little bit better about it. The confidence of this forum really does influence my choices.

[Tanzer]

Haven't seen that combo but it's possible of course. The problem with the 18-55+50-200 combo is that you have to swap out at 50-55mm thereby defeating the WR part of the whole combination with the K-5/30/50 models. Having the extra reach of the 200 would be nice but I'd prefer, and did decide personally, to go with the 18-135 because of the WR integrity it offers throughout that range.

Yeah, I hate the cutoff at 50-55. The 18-135 covers so much of my needs, rarely do I need to go longer, so in challenging environments I don't need to worry about dust and what not. Although I do suppose the choice of focal length is a matter of personal taste.

[crewl1]

I'm headed to Costa Rica next month and just ordered the 18-135WR. This thread makes me feel a little bit better about it. The confidence of this forum really does influence my choices.

I went to Costa Rica last year with K-5 and 18-135 and second body K-5 DA*300 so I wouldn't have to switch lenses.
Worked great in the rainforests, I did not worry about them getting wet.
Enjoy your trip, it is a beautiful place with lots of exotic birds and wildlife.

[JimJohnson]

When I owned by K-r I had the 18-55, 50-200 (which sat on the shelf most of the time, because) ... I also had the 55-300. Especially at family events where zooming with your feet wasn't practical, it seemed every other shot called for a lens on the other side of that 55mm boundary. I ended up buying a F 35-70 and loving it.

I sold my K-r, 18-55 and 50-200 to offset the cost of a K-30 with 18-135. It is a toss-up at any given time whether the 18-135 or the 35-70 is already mounted when I pick up my camera. The reason is the F35-70 also supports a close-focus 'macro' mode.Otherwise, my most used lens hands-down would be the 18-135.

[jeallen01]

K-5 +18-135 + kenko 1.5 SQ = same + extra reach!:-)

[crewl1]

K-5 +18-135 + kenko 1.5 SQ = same + extra reach!:-)

Just don't forget no longer WR with the Kenko.

[abmj]

Although I have a pretty complete suite of lenses, when I want to travel light, the K-5 plus the 18-135 and a few accessories makes up my full kit. When hauling it around some foreign country on my back for 2 or 3 weeks, my back thanks me. An added plus is that I never check baggage and the small kit takes up much less of my limited carry-on space.

[BirdDude007]

I too have the 18~135 lens on my K-5 as well, I even have the grip and although it adds a bit of weight to my setup it has many advantages, extra battery/SD card, better grip for my large hands, and even the added versatility of being able to take portrait shots easier.
This lens is on my Camera 95% of the time, I use it for everything, the other 5 percent of the time I like to play with my 50mm 1:1.4 SMC M lens. I take this camera around water a lot and even when we are out wheeling in our Jeep, it is tough and durable setup and I never gotta worry about whether or not it will hold up or even leak.
Here is a pic of a hawk I got two weeks ago with that same lens-




Here is another one I took real quick out the side of a Jeep Wrangler, luckily I had the camera ready on the draw, this is at awy more than a 100% crop too!-

[crewl1]

I too have the 18~135 lens on my K-5 as well, I even have the grip and although it adds a bit of weight to my setup it has many advantages, extra battery/SD card, better grip for my large hands, and even the added versatility of being able to take portrait shots easier.
This lens is on my Camera 95% of the time, I use it for everything, the other 5 percent of the time I like to play with my 50mm 1:1.4 SMC M lens. I take this camera around water a lot and even when we are out wheeling in our Jeep, it is tough and durable setup and I never gotta worry about whether or not it will hold up or even leak.
Here is a pic of a hawk I got two weeks ago with that same lens-

Here is another one I took real quick out the side of a Jeep Wrangler, luckily I had the camera ready on the draw, this is at awy more than a 100% crop too!-

Flickr

Nice shots!