[Neisey]

I am your basic hobbyist and have been using a K-10D since Christmas 2007 - shutter count of over 32,000.

I am pretty sure I am going to press the buy button on a K-30 with 18-135 WR for about $1000 Canadian. The upgraded ISO capabilities, ability to shoot video and the pixel peaking for focusing are reasons for upgrading as my current camera still performs well.

Anyone know of a better deal? Or a better lens choice in the same price range? I already have the kit 18-55, a manual 50 1.7, 55-300 (and a couple of 25+ year old lenses from pentax film days - 28-70 and a 70-210 but these are mediocre at best.)

Thanks for any input.

[Docrwm]

It is one of the best deals on a Pentax dSLR that I have seen. The 18-135 is a solid walk around lens for any weather. The improvements in ISO and other aspects of the camera are very significant too.

[jatrax]

What he said. Quit fooling around and press the button...............

[Ken T]

What he said. Quit fooling around and press the button...............

That is what I am going to say.

[SteveB]

I haven't got the Pentax 18-135, but if I were in the market for this type of lens I would research the Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-5.6 HSM as well before deciding. Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[Pradesian]

I bought my K30 with the 18-135mm WR kit lens in early February for about $1000 CAD plus tax after a couple of months of researching. This is my first DSLR and I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase. I bought from a B&M store...I wanted to hold the cameras I was researching before making the plunge. If your store provides price protection (mine has a standard 15 day protection), you should be good.

Good luck!

[Docrwm]

I haven't got the Pentax 18-135, but if I were in the market for this type of lens I would research the Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-5.6 HSM as well before deciding. Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Not WR, not as good an AF setup, and is $299.

[colonel00]

Push the button and don't look back. I bought the K-30 with the 18-135 a couple months ago and I have no regrets at all. Granted, I am still new to dslr's but it seems great to me. I know that if I had not gotten the 18-135 kit I would be kicking myself.

[Hamiltom]

I picked up The K-30 with the 18-55 WR and have been very happy with the combination. I wanted at least one WR lens to go with the WR features of the body. I would have chosen the 18-135, but the extra $350 at the time seemed excessive. Now the price difference is about $170, so I think it is well worth it. Aden has the combo on for $895 plus tax. They charge extra to ship if you need it.

[GlennG]

Good deal - buy it! The K-30 market by now is pretty mature and rational. You might always find a little better deal 2 mos. from now, but if now is the right time to move up, punch the button. Life motors on.

[jeffw]

Press the button and pull the trigger ! Great camera and a good all around lens . You can take this set up anywhere . Fun camera , excellent images.

[drpower]

I was almost going to get a used A77 16-50, then as I started researching again I came across an old friend... Pentax. I'm at the K30 18-135 button pressing stage too. Sort of on the K5 ii kick still, I just can't think of a reason not to get the K30. I'll be taking shots on the the water west side Haida Gwaii out of a small boat, so the chances of breaking this unit are higher. Might as well get the lower cost unit... sounds like a serious bargain from Pentax. This is my 1st post... of many to come I'm sure!

[Weldon Berger]

I am your basic hobbyist and have been using a K-10D since Christmas 2007 - shutter count of over 32,000.

I am pretty sure I am going to press the buy button on a K-30 with 18-135 WR for about $1000 Canadian. The upgraded ISO capabilities, ability to shoot video and the pixel peaking for focusing are reasons for upgrading as my current camera still performs well.

Anyone know of a better deal? Or a better lens choice in the same price range? I already have the kit 18-55, a manual 50 1.7, 55-300 (and a couple of 25+ year old lenses from pentax film days - 28-70 and a 70-210 but these are mediocre at best.)

Thanks for any input.

For what it's worth, I just ordered the same setup for about the same amount, although unlike you this is my first DSLR. I looked for quite a while and didn't find anything offering comparable toughness and image quality for anywhere near the price. I can't say much about the 18-135 lens other than that I wanted something wider than the 50-200 and longer than the 18-55 in a WR version, and I didn't want to spend a thousand bucks on it, so that sort of narrowed the selection down.

[Docrwm]

For what it's worth, I just ordered the same setup for about the same amount, although unlike you this is my first DSLR. I looked for quite a while and didn't find anything offering comparable toughness and image quality for anywhere near the price. I can't say much about the 18-135 lens other than that I wanted something wider than the 50-200 and longer than the 18-55 in a WR version, and I didn't want to spend a thousand bucks on it, so that sort of narrowed the selection down.

While the 18-135 isn't as long as the 50-200 it has the distinct advantage of covering 18 to 135 without the need to swap at 50-55, which can be a real dilemma in inclement weather. Despite that, if one wants the 18-55 plus 50-200 WR K-30 kit it is on sale at Costco right now.

[Al_Kahollick]

While the 18-135 isn't as long as the 50-200 it has the distinct advantage of covering 18 to 135 without the need to swap at 50-55, which can be a real dilemma in inclement weather. Despite that, if one wants the 18-55 plus 50-200 WR K-30 kit it is on sale at Costco right now.

Another advantage of the 18-135 over the 18-55 / 50-200 combo is the built in focus motor which is faster and quieter than screw drive lenses. That said, the Costco deal IS pretty sweet, if that was available when I pulled the trigger on the K30, I'd have jumped all over it!