Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm

Leopardwizard · 12-22-2012, 06:41 AM

Just picked up this lens recently. It's been perfect for this wet, warm NYC winter.

The handling, colors, and bokeh are all outstanding. The sharpness seems a bit confusing - sometimes it seems to be as good as my 16-45 or 55-300, but at other times, the borders seem wonky even at f8. I just need to shoot more with it!

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**Glenn5995** · 12-27-2012, 08:32 PM - **2 Likes**

21mm f/8

JoeMo · 03-01-2013, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by psychdoc

[I have not seen a thread in this section for this lens. Hope I have not overlooked it. If I did a mod can move it].

In any case, just got this lens and I have only used it for one day. I was hoping it would be a walkaround lens for me for events when i dont want to carry the pentax 50-135 with the tamron 17-50. As people have noted, you can shoot at longer lengths like 135mm provided the person is not far away. So I was satisfied with shots 1 and 2 but shot number 3 the person was at a distance and the 50-135 lens would have done the job better. Shot number 4 was at 18mm and the tamron 17-50 would have been better. But one cannot really compare them. Overall I think it does what it is supposed to do [for amateur photographers like me]?

Beautiful pics. Great lighting/exposures, incredible expressions on the hat girls and the cute-but-weary clown, and beautiful colors throughout, but especially on the flag pic in the courtyard. Thanks for posting this bit of inspiration!

jpyykonen · 05-17-2013, 06:38 AM - **2 Likes**

Time to resurrect this thread little bit

One of my favourite lenses (on the other hand, all my lenses are my favourite

)

5 shot vertical panorama:

normhead · 05-17-2013, 07:08 AM

Lot's of nice shots here.

audiobomber · 05-17-2013, 07:48 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by normhead

Lot's of nice shots here.

I agree, it's become quite the show thread for this vastly underrated lens. My valuation of Photozone reviews has nose-dived after the hatchet job he did on the 18-135. Punchy colour and contrast is so much more important to me than MTF numbers in the corners.

**crewl1** · 05-17-2013, 08:05 AM

On a K-5

Nick Siebers · 05-24-2013, 10:56 PM

Sometimes it is great, sometimes not as much. I like the BW above, crewl1, and the costumed lady. Wow!

Garlic Mustard Fills the Ravine

At the Top

MPrince · 05-25-2013, 04:07 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by audiobomber

I agree, it's become quite the show thread for this vastly underrated lens. My valuation of Photozone reviews has nose-dived after the hatchet job he did on the 18-135. Punchy colour and contrast is so much more important to me than MTF numbers in the corners.

Wait, are you saying cameras should be used for more than just test charts and brick walls?

That's going to open up a whole new world of photography for a lot of people.

Hiroshi · 05-25-2013, 08:00 AM

Nick,

Your comment really made me smile. I am going to be happy with what I have and go out and take pictures!

RonakG · 05-25-2013, 09:11 AM

A macro from first set of photos from my new 18-135 lens. I didn't know that it could focus at such close distances. I'm loving it so far.

Nick Siebers · 05-26-2013, 08:00 PM

A few more from a recent field trip with school kids to a farm:

Field and Sky

Give Me Something To Eat!

The Turkey, an Odd-Looking Bird

RonakG, that is a great shot!

audiobomber · 05-27-2013, 05:17 AM - **2 Likes**

135mm, f5.6

135mm f9.5 (crop)

psychdoc · 06-15-2013, 10:17 AM - **2 Likes**

A set of photos from Big Sur area:

Finstermoor · 07-01-2013, 01:12 PM - **2 Likes**

Hiho!

Some shots I took a couple of weeks ago in Zamosc (Poland) with my K-30 and the DA 18-135 ...

IMGP2545 von Finstermoor auf Flickr

IMGP2556 von Finstermoor auf Flickr

IMGP2560 von Finstermoor auf Flickr

So long, Finster.

05-27-2013, 05:17 AM - 2 Likes	#28
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	135mm, f5.6 135mm f9.5 (crop) Last edited by audiobomber; 12-29-2013 at 07:11 AM.

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03-01-2013, 06:42 AM	#18
JoeMo New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 17	Originally posted by psychdoc [I have not seen a thread in this section for this lens. Hope I have not overlooked it. If I did a mod can move it]. In any case, just got this lens and I have only used it for one day. I was hoping it would be a walkaround lens for me for events when i dont want to carry the pentax 50-135 with the tamron 17-50. As people have noted, you can shoot at longer lengths like 135mm provided the person is not far away. So I was satisfied with shots 1 and 2 but shot number 3 the person was at a distance and the 50-135 lens would have done the job better. Shot number 4 was at 18mm and the tamron 17-50 would have been better. But one cannot really compare them. Overall I think it does what it is supposed to do [for amateur photographers like me]? Beautiful pics. Great lighting/exposures, incredible expressions on the hat girls and the cute-but-weary clown, and beautiful colors throughout, but especially on the flag pic in the courtyard. Thanks for posting this bit of inspiration!

05-17-2013, 06:38 AM - 2 Likes	#19
jpyykonen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 191	Time to resurrect this thread little bit One of my favourite lenses (on the other hand, all my lenses are my favourite ) 5 shot vertical panorama:

05-17-2013, 07:08 AM	#20
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Lot's of nice shots here.

05-17-2013, 07:48 AM - 2 Likes	#21
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by normhead Lot's of nice shots here. I agree, it's become quite the show thread for this vastly underrated lens. My valuation of Photozone reviews has nose-dived after the hatchet job he did on the 18-135. Punchy colour and contrast is so much more important to me than MTF numbers in the corners.

05-17-2013, 08:05 AM	#22
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	On a K-5

05-24-2013, 10:56 PM	#23
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Sometimes it is great, sometimes not as much. I like the BW above, crewl1, and the costumed lady. Wow! Garlic Mustard Fills the Ravine At the Top

05-25-2013, 04:07 AM - 1 Like	#24
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by audiobomber I agree, it's become quite the show thread for this vastly underrated lens. My valuation of Photozone reviews has nose-dived after the hatchet job he did on the 18-135. Punchy colour and contrast is so much more important to me than MTF numbers in the corners. Wait, are you saying cameras should be used for more than just test charts and brick walls? That's going to open up a whole new world of photography for a lot of people.

05-25-2013, 08:00 AM	#25
Hiroshi Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 72	Nick, Your comment really made me smile. I am going to be happy with what I have and go out and take pictures!

05-25-2013, 09:11 AM	#26
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	A macro from first set of photos from my new 18-135 lens. I didn't know that it could focus at such close distances. I'm loving it so far.

05-26-2013, 08:00 PM	#27
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	A few more from a recent field trip with school kids to a farm: Field and Sky Give Me Something To Eat! The Turkey, an Odd-Looking Bird RonakG, that is a great shot!

07-01-2013, 01:12 PM - 2 Likes	#30
Finstermoor New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Dessau Posts: 11	Hiho! Some shots I took a couple of weeks ago in Zamosc (Poland) with my K-30 and the DA 18-135 ... IMGP2545 von Finstermoor auf Flickr IMGP2556 von Finstermoor auf Flickr IMGP2560 von Finstermoor auf Flickr So long, Finster.

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