18-135mm lens being discontinued?

normhead · 05-27-2015, 10:17 AM

I believe mine was a similar deal. It had clearly been opened, came in a white box at a good price. It's been years and it's still doing fine. I wouldn't worry much. An even funnier thing was we bought a K-5 also at a good price, that the 18-135 had clearly been removed from for such a sale. The white box of the 18-135 was gone, but the lens hood was still there. I lost the lens hood for my 18-135 a year or so ago, and still had the spare one in the cupboard. Sometimes the universe looks after you.

Last edited by normhead; 06-09-2015 at 07:25 AM.

**realitarian** · 05-27-2015, 09:37 PM

For the sake of completeness, I wanted to post that having tested the lens now I am rather pleased with the whole deal. The lens and hood function well and the pricing was great.

Cheers!

TheGrandPrixKid · 06-02-2015, 04:38 AM

Originally posted by realitarian

I wanted to buy this lens at some point and was looking on Amazon, the title on the listing for $369 said "Discontinued by manufacturer". I called Ricoh USA and they confirmed it was indeed being discontinued. It is going for about $297 on eBay now by some dealer who sells them unbundled from camera+kit lens combos. So snag these while you can if you still want it folks.

I first saw this rumour on a review site a few weeks back, since then it does seem to be coming up more reguarly that it is now discontinued. I can only assume its being replaces by the 16-85 given the similar feature set and some improvements although you lose the 50mm off the long end.

totsmuyco · 06-02-2015, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid

I first saw this rumour on a review site a few weeks back, since then it does seem to be coming up more reguarly that it is now discontinued. I can only assume its being replaces by the 16-85 given the similar feature set and some improvements although you lose the 50mm off the long end.

I wouldn't say that the 16-85 will replace the 18-135. Though the 16-85 is another fine lens, I would say that they're different. The 18-135 is a great walk around lens. As you've said with the 16-85 you lose 50 mm and that's about 75 mm on full frame. Like I said earlier, if this will be discontinued, I speculating that a newer version will be introduced.

shuttles12000 · 06-03-2015, 01:30 AM

I agree. It's more likely that it's being "re-freshed" or updated to the more modern coatings than deleted from the catalogue altogether.

JPT · 06-03-2015, 01:55 AM

Perhaps they'll make the standalone version HD to differentiate it from the kit version. Because they've sold so many kits over the last few years, second hand shops in Japan are full of 18-135 lenses, which sell for about $200. And new lenses that are split from a kit are about $300. It must be next to impossible to sell the official new ones for $400. Note that they are using this distinction to sell the new HD 18-50 and the HD 55-300 as upgrades from the kit.

totsmuyco · 06-03-2015, 02:07 AM

I would assume yes it will be HD. But I hope that the upgrade will provide a better motor for fast focusing.

jon404 · 06-09-2015, 07:21 AM

I ordered one from Amazon yesterday. Confusing -- the Ricoh website said $500, and nothing about being discontinued... although they seem to be selling an 18-270 lens, but no price on the website for it. Japanese marketing is so fun! Anyway, the Amazon price was $365, and says it IS discontinued.

I like Amazon. Sold my books via them for four years, did very well. Never had any problems with camera gear from them, or anything else. I think of them as the modern Sears-Roebuck, revolutionizing distribution. About a month ago, a friend of mine self-published a book via Amazon's CreateSpace. I ordered one -- hardcopy paperback -- and it arrived 22 hours after I ordered it ... printed on demand at the Amazon facility 150 miles away in San Bernardino. And the 18-135 lens, which I ordered last night, will be here in San Diego today. Amazon can keep companies like Ricoh/Pentax afloat in the USA... offsetting the advantages held by Nikon, Canon, and Sony.

saurabhs2004 · 06-22-2015, 07:52 AM

not sure how much better the newer version be.

pathdoc · 06-22-2015, 07:55 AM

So long as it maintains the use of screw drive, I might one day consider it. If it goes over to an internal motor, Ricoh will have proved that they are idiots.

normhead · 06-22-2015, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

So long as it maintains the use of screw drive, I might one day consider it. If it goes over to an internal motor, Ricoh will have proved that they are idiots.

Like all the other camera companies?

The screw drive is an endless source of complaints by camera reviewers, and camera reviewers are an essential force in sales. Just look at the endless number of quotes of the forum, were erroneous or irrelevant information is posted as if it were meaningful fact, because some reviewer write that it was true.

I don't know if Pentax has a choice. Everything going forward needs to be electrical.

**luftfluss** · 06-22-2015, 08:10 AM

If the DC motor failed, would the 18-135 work via screwdrive?

normhead · 06-22-2015, 08:16 AM

No. There is no slot to engage the screw drive. It's missing entirely.

**luftfluss** · 06-22-2015, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by normhead

No. There is no slot to engage the screw drive. It's missing entirely.

Well, there you go, lol.

Like you implied, I don't think Ricoh folks are "idiots". If the other camera companies provide photogs with fast, quiet AF then it behooves Ricoh to do so as well. I know this adds another fail-point to lenses, but oh well.

pathdoc · 06-22-2015, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by normhead

The screw drive is an endless source of complaints by camera reviewers, and camera reviewers are an essential force in sales.

It doesn't stop them from being wrong, or people wouldn't be rushing to deliberately cripple certain lenses and force reversion to the tried and true. There is not, and never has been, anything wrong with the belt-and-braces approach. If anything, Pentax needs to provide a software/firmware switch to allow reversion on command.

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05-27-2015, 10:17 AM	#31
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	I believe mine was a similar deal. It had clearly been opened, came in a white box at a good price. It's been years and it's still doing fine. I wouldn't worry much. An even funnier thing was we bought a K-5 also at a good price, that the 18-135 had clearly been removed from for such a sale. The white box of the 18-135 was gone, but the lens hood was still there. I lost the lens hood for my 18-135 a year or so ago, and still had the spare one in the cupboard. Sometimes the universe looks after you. Last edited by normhead; 06-09-2015 at 07:25 AM.

05-27-2015, 09:37 PM	#32
realitarian Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 221 Original Poster	For the sake of completeness, I wanted to post that having tested the lens now I am rather pleased with the whole deal. The lens and hood function well and the pricing was great. Cheers!

06-02-2015, 04:38 AM	#33
TheGrandPrixKid Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 34	Originally posted by realitarian I wanted to buy this lens at some point and was looking on Amazon, the title on the listing for $369 said "Discontinued by manufacturer". I called Ricoh USA and they confirmed it was indeed being discontinued. It is going for about $297 on eBay now by some dealer who sells them unbundled from camera+kit lens combos. So snag these while you can if you still want it folks. I first saw this rumour on a review site a few weeks back, since then it does seem to be coming up more reguarly that it is now discontinued. I can only assume its being replaces by the 16-85 given the similar feature set and some improvements although you lose the 50mm off the long end.

06-02-2015, 04:51 AM	#34
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid I first saw this rumour on a review site a few weeks back, since then it does seem to be coming up more reguarly that it is now discontinued. I can only assume its being replaces by the 16-85 given the similar feature set and some improvements although you lose the 50mm off the long end. I wouldn't say that the 16-85 will replace the 18-135. Though the 16-85 is another fine lens, I would say that they're different. The 18-135 is a great walk around lens. As you've said with the 16-85 you lose 50 mm and that's about 75 mm on full frame. Like I said earlier, if this will be discontinued, I speculating that a newer version will be introduced.

06-03-2015, 01:30 AM	#35
shuttles12000 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hobart TAS Posts: 87	I agree. It's more likely that it's being "re-freshed" or updated to the more modern coatings than deleted from the catalogue altogether.

06-03-2015, 01:55 AM	#36
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Perhaps they'll make the standalone version HD to differentiate it from the kit version. Because they've sold so many kits over the last few years, second hand shops in Japan are full of 18-135 lenses, which sell for about $200. And new lenses that are split from a kit are about $300. It must be next to impossible to sell the official new ones for $400. Note that they are using this distinction to sell the new HD 18-50 and the HD 55-300 as upgrades from the kit.

06-03-2015, 02:07 AM	#37
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I would assume yes it will be HD. But I hope that the upgrade will provide a better motor for fast focusing.

06-09-2015, 07:21 AM	#38
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	I ordered one from Amazon yesterday. Confusing -- the Ricoh website said $500, and nothing about being discontinued... although they seem to be selling an 18-270 lens, but no price on the website for it. Japanese marketing is so fun! Anyway, the Amazon price was $365, and says it IS discontinued. I like Amazon. Sold my books via them for four years, did very well. Never had any problems with camera gear from them, or anything else. I think of them as the modern Sears-Roebuck, revolutionizing distribution. About a month ago, a friend of mine self-published a book via Amazon's CreateSpace. I ordered one -- hardcopy paperback -- and it arrived 22 hours after I ordered it ... printed on demand at the Amazon facility 150 miles away in San Bernardino. And the 18-135 lens, which I ordered last night, will be here in San Diego today. Amazon can keep companies like Ricoh/Pentax afloat in the USA... offsetting the advantages held by Nikon, Canon, and Sony.

06-22-2015, 07:52 AM	#39
saurabhs2004 New Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1	not sure how much better the newer version be.

06-22-2015, 07:55 AM	#40
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	So long as it maintains the use of screw drive, I might one day consider it. If it goes over to an internal motor, Ricoh will have proved that they are idiots.

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06-22-2015, 08:03 AM	#41
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	Originally posted by pathdoc So long as it maintains the use of screw drive, I might one day consider it. If it goes over to an internal motor, Ricoh will have proved that they are idiots. Like all the other camera companies? The screw drive is an endless source of complaints by camera reviewers, and camera reviewers are an essential force in sales. Just look at the endless number of quotes of the forum, were erroneous or irrelevant information is posted as if it were meaningful fact, because some reviewer write that it was true. I don't know if Pentax has a choice. Everything going forward needs to be electrical.

06-22-2015, 08:10 AM	#42
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,618	If the DC motor failed, would the 18-135 work via screwdrive?

06-22-2015, 08:16 AM	#43
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	No. There is no slot to engage the screw drive. It's missing entirely.

06-22-2015, 08:29 AM	#44
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,618	Originally posted by normhead No. There is no slot to engage the screw drive. It's missing entirely. Well, there you go, lol. Like you implied, I don't think Ricoh folks are "idiots". If the other camera companies provide photogs with fast, quiet AF then it behooves Ricoh to do so as well. I know this adds another fail-point to lenses, but oh well.

06-22-2015, 08:34 AM	#45
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by normhead The screw drive is an endless source of complaints by camera reviewers, and camera reviewers are an essential force in sales. It doesn't stop them from being wrong, or people wouldn't be rushing to deliberately cripple certain lenses and force reversion to the tried and true. There is not, and never has been, anything wrong with the belt-and-braces approach. If anything, Pentax needs to provide a software/firmware switch to allow reversion on command.