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07-16-2021, 10:36 PM   #811
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QuoteOriginally posted by maw Quote
The comparison shots between the two versions are like night and day. This is going to be a great lens.

07-17-2021, 02:56 AM - 3 Likes   #812
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QuoteOriginally posted by JPT Quote
I agree. It has been puzzling why they introduced the 55-300 and did not release an updates 18-135, or maybe an 18-55. Those lenses come with so many of the bodies that they are critical in forming people's opinions of Pentax AF. I think they would sell a lot of lenses to existing users if they made a faster focusing 18-135 and sold it for around $500.
I think the thing the DA 18-135 has going for it is that it is cheap. If you spend money updating it, it becomes more expensive -- maybe the same ball park as the 16-85, which by all accounts is a better lens. And kit lenses are kit lenses. There have been a lot of different versions of the 18-55 including a WR version and then more recently, the had the retractable 18-50. I think Pentax would rather have people look for better lenses, than to be satisfied with their kit lens.
07-17-2021, 05:27 AM - 2 Likes   #813
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
I think the thing the DA 18-135 has going for it is that it is cheap.
Absolutely correct.

The latest iteration of the DA 18-135 is an exceptionally good cheap lens. The original DA* 16-50 was a seriously flawed expensive lens.

It's pretty obvious to me which one should have been updated first. It appears Pentax agreed.
07-17-2021, 06:04 AM   #814
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
I think the thing the DA 18-135 has going for it is that it is cheap. If you spend money updating it, it becomes more expensive -- maybe the same ball park as the 16-85, which by all accounts is a better lens. And kit lenses are kit lenses. There have been a lot of different versions of the 18-55 including a WR version and then more recently, the had the retractable 18-50. I think Pentax would rather have people look for better lenses, than to be satisfied with their kit lens.
It entirely depends on what you are looking for.

A 18-55mm was kitted with my K-30. I purchased a 18-135mm almost immediately because I wanted a quieter lens.
I have absolutely no idea how the two lenses compare, because I am not a pixel-peeker …. I simply knew that the first lens did not meet my needs, and the second did.
The me, the first lens was a “kit lens” - because it was packaged with my camera - and the second was not - because I purchased it separately.
Incidentally - a ‘A’ 50mm f/1.7 was packaged with my “Super Program” - does that make it ‘inferior’??
I later sold the 18-55mm lens and purchased a 20-40 Ltd.
I don’t have a 16-50*mm lens {because I don’t trust it’s unreliable motor, which is as important to me as it’s optics}, so that makes it “non-existent” in my case.
If later, I purchased a K-3iii packaged with the new 16-50*mm, I guess that would make it an “inferior” ‘kit lens’.
I have talked about getting one eventually if I purchased a K-70 successor, because of its KAF4 interface, not because of its optical qualities.


Last edited by reh321; 07-17-2021 at 06:31 AM.
07-17-2021, 06:58 AM   #815
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QuoteOriginally posted by reh321 Quote
It entirely depends on what you are looking for.

A 18-55mm was kitted with my K-30. I purchased a 18-135mm almost immediately because I wanted a quieter lens.
I have absolutely no idea how the two lenses compare, because I am not a pixel-peeker …. I simply knew that the first lens did not meet my needs, and the second did.
The me, the first lens was a “kit lens” - because it was packaged with my camera - and the second was not - because I purchased it separately.
Incidentally - a ‘A’ 50mm f/1.7 was packaged with my “Super Program” - does that make it ‘inferior’??
I later sold the 18-55mm lens and purchased a 20-40 Ltd.
I don’t have a 16-50*mm lens {because I don’t trust it’s unreliable motor, which is as important to me as it’s optics}, so that makes it “non-existent” in my case.
If later, I purchased a K-3iii packaged with the new 16-50*mm, I guess that would make it an “inferior” ‘kit lens’.
I have talked about getting one eventually if I purchased a K-70 successor, because of its KAF4 interface, not because of its optical qualities.
If your only issue with the 18-55 was the noise of screwdrive then it would seem that a lens like the 18-50 WR lens would take care of that issue pretty easily, as it is DC driven and it is cheap -- in the 150 dollar range. I suppose you do get what you pay for and lenses that are 150 dollars probably won't be as sharp as lenses in the 500 dollar or 1500 dollar range, nor will they have as fast apertures.

As far as KAF4 goes, Pentax has been a bit slow to release those lenses as there are still many who shoot with Pre-K-30 cameras that are not compatible with it.
07-17-2021, 07:15 AM   #816
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
I think the thing the DA 18-135 has going for it is that it is cheap. If you spend money updating it, it becomes more expensive -- maybe the same ball park as the 16-85, which by all accounts is a better lens. And kit lenses are kit lenses. There have been a lot of different versions of the 18-55 including a WR version and then more recently, the had the retractable 18-50. I think Pentax would rather have people look for better lenses, than to be satisfied with their kit lens.
My main point is that they need a standard range equivalent to the 55-300 PLM. The reason I mentioned the 18-135 is that it still hasn't had the HD treatment and it has the potential to be a big seller, like the 55-300 has been. But I suppose you could argue that the 18-135 focuses pretty well anyway. I've got one and focusing is not a particular weakness.
07-17-2021, 08:13 AM   #817
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QuoteOriginally posted by JPT Quote
My main point is that they need a standard range equivalent to the 55-300 PLM. The reason I mentioned the 18-135 is that it still hasn't had the HD treatment and it has the potential to be a big seller, like the 55-300 has been. But I suppose you could argue that the 18-135 focuses pretty well anyway. I've got one and focusing is not a particular weakness.
The 18-135 is "decent." It is relatively sharp to 100mm, has weather sealing and reasonable performance. It has a DC motor which is probably the fastest you will get with regard to focusing in this price range. Putting an HD coating on it wouldn't change much except to give it a little better flare resistance (see comparison of the HD FA limiteds to the FA limiteds). It looks like a K-70 with the 18-135 runs 800 dollars or about 250 more than the K-70 kit alone.

I guess I just see there being two levels of "kit lens" -- the 18-55/18-50 and 18-135. Anything else you'll have to buy separately without a kit lens discount.

07-17-2021, 08:24 AM   #818
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Basically what we're doing it's that Pentax should revise the 17-70mm f/4 as an upgrade option from kit lenses. All they'd really need to do is change the motor, from what I understand the optics are decent.

07-17-2021, 08:29 AM   #819
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The 18-135 is also quite compact and not overly heavy. Especially considering the large zoom range it covers.


The 16-50 star lenses and the 18-135 are really not aimed at the same purposes. If anything the comparison makes the 18-135 look even better. It is for sale in the US right now for $400 new. I would hope that a lens priced at $1400 out of the gate is better with all of its attendant drawbacks.
07-17-2021, 08:55 AM   #820
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Even if old DA*16-50 is not amazing in image quality, it still does do pretty good job, especially when you need constant 2.8 through out the zoom range. This is something, what need to be underlined at all times. If you don’t need that, then by any mean buy just normal ‘kit’ lens. I have very nice 28-105 which is on my K-1 better than 18-135 is on Crop body. Although it is not as long. It is pretty nice on my K-3III too. What it is not, is that it is slower than 16-50. I’v now used my old 16-50 and it is nice, colour is nice, classic tone from that SMC coating am with nice warm tone and time you avoid situations where you can get flare, it is nice. And it is 2.8.

This new lens is going to really open that wide open shooting possibilities and also starburst looks amazing with out ugly ghosting and flare. It is together with PLM and AW sealing going to make that price worth it. Unless you don’t see those things important to fr your needs ofcourse
07-17-2021, 09:50 AM   #821
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
If your only issue with the 18-55 was the noise of screwdrive then it would seem that a lens like the 18-50 WR lens would take care of that issue pretty easily, as it is DC driven and it is cheap -- in the 150 dollar range. I suppose you do get what you pay for and lenses that are 150 dollars probably won't be as sharp as lenses in the 500 dollar or 1500 dollar range, nor will they have as fast apertures.
I began by saying "It entirely depends on what you are looking for."

I was disagreeing with you characterizing the 18-135mm as you did. Some of us don't need 'fast' apertures, and for us the 18-135mm was just fine.
I was also disagreeing with your characterizing 'kit' lenses as you did, Kitting the new lens with the K-3iii wouldn't reduce the quality of either.
"Kit" is not another way of saying "inexpensive".

added: Of course, this will be the 'better' lens, but that will not be dependent upon how it is distributed or how its AF is powered.
It will be a fine lens for people who want to shoot wider than f/4, don't mind lugging a big lens around. and/or whose framing depends upon corner-to-corner sharpness to work.

Last edited by reh321; 07-17-2021 at 10:05 AM.
07-17-2021, 10:06 AM   #822
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QuoteOriginally posted by reh321 Quote
I was disagreeing with you characterizing the 18-135mm as you did. Some of us don't need 'fast' apertures, and for us the 18-135mm was just fine.
I was also disagreeing with your characterizing 'kit' lenses as you did, Kitting the new lens with the K-3iii wouldn't reduce the quality of either.
Just one small note. 18-135 is not ‘kit’ lens. It is kind of upgrade from that. They did not even bother to give to us equivalent of ‘kit’lens with K-1, as well as there is none with 645Z.

18-55 is not very good, especially at it’s widest aperture. Where one can get away with wide open apertures with 18-135 and 28-105, with the kit lens you really can’t.

I know that it is not what everyone really do care about. And stopped down to f8 or more you can’t tell the difference necessarily. (Many can, and they are enthusiastic about it. (28-105 don’t do starburst and many other things, some don’t find them interesting, I do)

Then again, one can choose to choose their preferences and with this new 16-50 and 11-18 all of a sudden we have very nice professional grade set up available and this is important too.

I hope that they will continue this trend throughout all lines and also update good old 55 as well as 50-135…and those nice other primes too.
09-06-2021, 12:38 PM   #823
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Neocamera review of the HD DA* 16-50 f2.8 PLM AW
Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW Review | Neocamera
09-06-2021, 02:24 PM   #824
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To say the neocamera reviewers are impressed by this lens is an understatement.
09-06-2021, 03:08 PM - 1 Like   #825
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QuoteOriginally posted by Dave L Quote
To say the neocamera reviewers are impressed by this lens is an understatement.
Indeed. And I just learned that mine should arrive at my office today
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