K-30 dilemma

loco · 07-05-2012, 12:41 PM

So, depending on reviews and what forum folks have to say about the camera, I'm pretty sure I will be upgrading from my K-r to a K-30. My real decision is whether or not to get the 18-135 lens kit or to go with some other option. You can see my lenses in my signature.

I have been looking for a kit lens upgrade, but haven't really decided on one yet. I only have one WR lens, the DA*55. So the 18-135 would sort of kill two birds with one stone (WR and kit lens replacement). However, I am aware that Pentax has both an 18-200 and 18-80-ish lens on their roadmap. Not knowing any details about WR for those lenses, it's hard to count on them. Still, they remain intriguing.

It would seem the 18-135 is a no-brainer since it is so much cheaper to buy with the K-30. I would kick myself for having to spend $150 more if I should decide to get it later. However, I really don't have $1200 to spend right now. I guess I could get the 18-55 WR, but I don't believe it's optically any better than the 18-55 I currently own.

Fact is, I don't even know how much I will use the WR-ness, but I know I won't use it if I don't have any WR lenses. The DA*55 is great, but certainly it would be nice to have a WR zoom.

Any options I'm missing or is the 18-135 so good for that price that I should just bite the bullet and get it? Thanks for any advice!

GDRoth · 07-05-2012, 12:47 PM

stretch the $$ to get the 18-135. You won't be sorry

Anvh · 07-05-2012, 12:48 PM

Well the 18-80 ish is a DA* lens so AW sealed.

About the kit lenses, the DA18-55 mkII DAL18-55 and DA 18-55 WR have the same optical formula, i believe the later one has SP coating extra

seventysixersfan · 07-05-2012, 12:49 PM

Just bite the bullet. The 18-135 is a good enough WR lens and it's compact and great for travel. Not worth getting the 18-55 WR when you could get the K-30 with 18-135 at a discounted price, in my opinion. And I don't think you should wait on the 18-200 or 18-80 lenses; who knows if/when they will arrive?

Since you don't have the money, I would not suggest a DA* lens like 16-50 or 50-135.

seventysixersfan · 07-05-2012, 12:50 PM

You could always the the DA* 18-80 if/when it appears, as a higher-end supplement to your "everyday" DA 18-135. It would presumably offer better optics (in part because of the shorter zoom range) and higher build quality.

**crewl1** · 07-05-2012, 12:56 PM

The 18-135 is a good, useful all around WR option, and can replace your 18-55.
If you get it you will find yourself using it with the K-30 on rainy days.
You have a good complement of lenses and I don't see any holes, so the only real reason is to take advantage of the WR of the K-30.
The other 18-55WR and 50-200WR options are fine, but in reality when it is raining you don't want to have to switch lenses when you need to straddle the 40 - 70mm range.

Just yesterday, out by the pool with it and the K-5, got pics of the kids and I didn't have to worry about getting splashed

Docrwm · 07-05-2012, 12:58 PM

I haven't used my 18-55 II since I got the 18-135. Also, I wasn't sure how much I would need the WR, it has turned out to be useful enough that I am very happy that I have it in my bag. If you get it and decide to upgrade when a new model arrives, or simply decide you don't like it, you're likely to make money on the deal selling it used. It seems to be, given the prices and it adding around $350 to the cost of the body alone and runs $459 alone, a solid deal.

loco · 07-05-2012, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Lots of great food for thought here. Looks like the consensus is to get the 18-135. I guess I can justify it if I can sell the K-r and maybe being able to include the 18-55 lens with it will make it more attractive to buyers.

Docrwm, you are right - I can always sell the 18-135 later if I decide to go for something else. I actually didn't realize the DA 18-80-ish was a DA* lens, so that makes it even more interesting. But it's listed as 2014 or later and I don't believe I want to wait that long.

Thanks again and if anyone else has any thoughts, please chime in!

Docrwm · 07-05-2012, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by loco

Thanks for the feedback. Lots of great food for thought here. Looks like the consensus is to get the 18-135. I guess I can justify it if I can sell the K-r and maybe being able to include the 18-55 lens with it will make it more attractive to buyers.

Docrwm, you are right - I can always sell the 18-135 later if I decide to go for something else. I actually didn't realize the DA 18-80-ish was a DA* lens, so that makes it even more interesting. But it's listed as 2014 or later and I don't believe I want to wait that long.

Thanks again and if anyone else has any thoughts, please chime in!

Good luck. Check the recent sales here and at eBay on K-r's with 18-55 lenses. I sold mine a while back to offset some of the cost of my K-5.

**jatrax** · 07-05-2012, 02:56 PM

Back in October of 2011 the rumor was that a new camera would be soon released to replace the k-5. I was ready to upgrade my k-x and had decided when the new one came out I would buy. But after a month or so I decided that the k-5 would be good in the interim and I probably would not lose much on the deal when the new camera came out so I got the k-5. That was over 6 months ago and still no new camera so I am kinda glad I just went ahead and got the k-5. I am guessing at this point I will have had it a year and 40,000 exposures before the 'new' camera comes out.

So, don't wait for a mythical 18-85, get 18-135 and don't look back.

Anvh · 07-05-2012, 04:04 PM

The 18-80 will be a fast aperture lens, f/4 most likely so not a light camera, the 18-135 will always be great as a light versatile traveling lens.

loco · 07-05-2012, 04:32 PM

Great points, jatrax and Anvh. Thanks for your input! I hadn't thought about the weight of the 18-80. I do covet lighter lenses.
Good idea, Docrwm! Thank you!

joe.penn · 07-05-2012, 04:56 PM

Lori, I suggest a fast zoom to compliment your kit - a 50~135 2.8 or a 70-200 2.8...

loco · 07-05-2012, 05:00 PM

I'd love the 50-135, Joe, but I just can't afford it and the K-30 at the moment. The weight bothers me some, too. I know it's a fantastic lens, though.

Anvh · 07-05-2012, 05:37 PM

The DA*50-135 isnt that heavy when in use, it really balance well when mounted on a camera with or without a grip.

But thats a different discussion...

07-05-2012, 12:41 PM	#1
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	K-30 dilemma So, depending on reviews and what forum folks have to say about the camera, I'm pretty sure I will be upgrading from my K-r to a K-30. My real decision is whether or not to get the 18-135 lens kit or to go with some other option. You can see my lenses in my signature. I have been looking for a kit lens upgrade, but haven't really decided on one yet. I only have one WR lens, the DA55. So the 18-135 would sort of kill two birds with one stone (WR and kit lens replacement). However, I am aware that Pentax has both an 18-200 and 18-80-ish lens on their roadmap. Not knowing any details about WR for those lenses, it's hard to count on them. Still, they remain intriguing. It would seem the 18-135 is a no-brainer since it is so much cheaper to buy with the K-30. I would kick myself for having to spend $150 more if I should decide to get it later. However, I really don't have $1200 to spend right now. I guess I could get the 18-55 WR, but I don't believe it's optically any better than the 18-55 I currently own. Fact is, I don't even know how much I will use the WR-ness, but I know I won't use it if I don't have any WR lenses. The DA55 is great, but certainly it would be nice to have a WR zoom. Any options I'm missing or is the 18-135 so good for that price that I should just bite the bullet and get it? Thanks for any advice!

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07-05-2012, 12:47 PM	#2
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	stretch the $$ to get the 18-135. You won't be sorry

07-05-2012, 12:48 PM	#3
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Well the 18-80 ish is a DA* lens so AW sealed. About the kit lenses, the DA18-55 mkII DAL18-55 and DA 18-55 WR have the same optical formula, i believe the later one has SP coating extra

07-05-2012, 12:49 PM	#4
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Just bite the bullet. The 18-135 is a good enough WR lens and it's compact and great for travel. Not worth getting the 18-55 WR when you could get the K-30 with 18-135 at a discounted price, in my opinion. And I don't think you should wait on the 18-200 or 18-80 lenses; who knows if/when they will arrive? Since you don't have the money, I would not suggest a DA* lens like 16-50 or 50-135.

07-05-2012, 12:50 PM	#5
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	You could always the the DA* 18-80 if/when it appears, as a higher-end supplement to your "everyday" DA 18-135. It would presumably offer better optics (in part because of the shorter zoom range) and higher build quality.

07-05-2012, 12:56 PM	#6
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	The 18-135 is a good, useful all around WR option, and can replace your 18-55. If you get it you will find yourself using it with the K-30 on rainy days. You have a good complement of lenses and I don't see any holes, so the only real reason is to take advantage of the WR of the K-30. The other 18-55WR and 50-200WR options are fine, but in reality when it is raining you don't want to have to switch lenses when you need to straddle the 40 - 70mm range. Just yesterday, out by the pool with it and the K-5, got pics of the kids and I didn't have to worry about getting splashed

07-05-2012, 12:58 PM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I haven't used my 18-55 II since I got the 18-135. Also, I wasn't sure how much I would need the WR, it has turned out to be useful enough that I am very happy that I have it in my bag. If you get it and decide to upgrade when a new model arrives, or simply decide you don't like it, you're likely to make money on the deal selling it used. It seems to be, given the prices and it adding around $350 to the cost of the body alone and runs $459 alone, a solid deal.

07-05-2012, 02:28 PM	#8
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback. Lots of great food for thought here. Looks like the consensus is to get the 18-135. I guess I can justify it if I can sell the K-r and maybe being able to include the 18-55 lens with it will make it more attractive to buyers. Docrwm, you are right - I can always sell the 18-135 later if I decide to go for something else. I actually didn't realize the DA 18-80-ish was a DA* lens, so that makes it even more interesting. But it's listed as 2014 or later and I don't believe I want to wait that long. Thanks again and if anyone else has any thoughts, please chime in!

07-05-2012, 02:51 PM	#9
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by loco Thanks for the feedback. Lots of great food for thought here. Looks like the consensus is to get the 18-135. I guess I can justify it if I can sell the K-r and maybe being able to include the 18-55 lens with it will make it more attractive to buyers. Docrwm, you are right - I can always sell the 18-135 later if I decide to go for something else. I actually didn't realize the DA 18-80-ish was a DA* lens, so that makes it even more interesting. But it's listed as 2014 or later and I don't believe I want to wait that long. Thanks again and if anyone else has any thoughts, please chime in! Good luck. Check the recent sales here and at eBay on K-r's with 18-55 lenses. I sold mine a while back to offset some of the cost of my K-5.

07-05-2012, 02:56 PM	#10
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Back in October of 2011 the rumor was that a new camera would be soon released to replace the k-5. I was ready to upgrade my k-x and had decided when the new one came out I would buy. But after a month or so I decided that the k-5 would be good in the interim and I probably would not lose much on the deal when the new camera came out so I got the k-5. That was over 6 months ago and still no new camera so I am kinda glad I just went ahead and got the k-5. I am guessing at this point I will have had it a year and 40,000 exposures before the 'new' camera comes out. So, don't wait for a mythical 18-85, get 18-135 and don't look back.

07-05-2012, 04:04 PM	#11
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The 18-80 will be a fast aperture lens, f/4 most likely so not a light camera, the 18-135 will always be great as a light versatile traveling lens.

07-05-2012, 04:32 PM	#12
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Great points, jatrax and Anvh. Thanks for your input! I hadn't thought about the weight of the 18-80. I do covet lighter lenses. Good idea, Docrwm! Thank you!

07-05-2012, 04:56 PM	#13
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Lori, I suggest a fast zoom to compliment your kit - a 50~135 2.8 or a 70-200 2.8...

07-05-2012, 05:00 PM	#14
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	I'd love the 50-135, Joe, but I just can't afford it and the K-30 at the moment. The weight bothers me some, too. I know it's a fantastic lens, though.

07-05-2012, 05:37 PM	#15
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The DA*50-135 isnt that heavy when in use, it really balance well when mounted on a camera with or without a grip. But thats a different discussion...