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12-24-2015, 04:16 PM   #1
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KS-2 Lens question

Guys I just bought a Pentax KS-2, it came with with two lens. One with the camera (SMC PENTAZ-DAL 1:4-5.6 18-50mm DC WR RE) and another one was given to me by the store employee (SMC PENTAX-DA 1:3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL WR). I just want to know what is the difference and which one should I keep with me when I'm out and about.
Here are two pictures I took with each lenses. Both in full AUTO mode.

Sample 1 (original lens) https://www.flickr.com/gp/132156893@N03/E9r51p
Sample 2 (extra lens) https://www.flickr.com/gp/132156893@N03/b44265

12-24-2015, 06:41 PM   #2
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Someone will probably be along to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the optical differences between the two are pretty minor, and you should just use the one that you like using the most.
12-24-2015, 07:03 PM   #3
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If one has a metal mount and the other doesn't, I'd keep the one with the metal mount.
12-24-2015, 08:16 PM   #4
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I found this link that was very helpful.

Pentax 18-50mm F4-5.6 First Impressions Review - Hands-on Reviews | PentaxForums.com

12-24-2015, 08:52 PM   #5
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The 18-55 WR was the previous "kit lens"; optically the same as the non-Weather Resistant model before it. The 18-50 is the new "kit lens" that just came out last year. It gave up 5mm off the tele end in exchange for a collapsible design and a quieter internal DC motor. Some people have found the collapsible design to be fiddly and annoying; some people have been begging for a DC-motorized kit lens for a long time. Both lenses are Weather Resistant, and there isn't a huge difference in IQ. As Outis said, it really comes down to which you prefer to shoot with.

There is an in-depth comparison of the two (and the slightly upgraded HD version of the 18-50) here:

Pentax 18-50mm and 18-55mm Kit Lens Comparison - Hands-on Reviews | PentaxForums.com
12-25-2015, 01:34 AM   #6
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When I bought my k-s2 recently I was offered the same choice. In the end I went with the standard non-collapsible, as I felt the collapsible lens felt fiddly and flimsy and I didn't care so much for the space saving it would give me. However, the pictures I've seen from both seem very similar in IQ. Ultimately I guess it's down to personal preference, but the comparison @THoog posted is very useful and explains all the differences between the two very well.

HTH
01-15-2016, 02:14 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Not a Number Quote
If one has a metal mount and the other doesn't, I'd keep the one with the metal mount.
There's zero evidence that that is or will be an issue. It's just prejudice against plastics. Plastics need to get organized and fight back!

The fact is, plastics work much better than metal in many situations. If you whack your lens hard enough to break the mount, you've got bigger problems.

01-15-2016, 02:35 PM   #8
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I think the lenses are equivalent. Both are OK, but not great. I guess it depends on how much you appreciate the collapsible aspect of the 18-50.
01-15-2016, 06:15 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by paulvzo Quote
There's zero evidence that that is or will be an issue. It's just prejudice against plastics. Plastics need to get organized and fight back!

The fact is, plastics work much better than metal in many situations. If you whack your lens hard enough to break the mount, you've got bigger problems
Wrong. There were people on one of the Yahoo lens groups complaining that plastic mounts on Nikon kit lenses routinely break conveniently after the warranty period.
01-16-2016, 10:08 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Not a Number Quote
Wrong. There were people on one of the Yahoo lens groups complaining that plastic mounts on Nikon kit lenses routinely break conveniently after the warranty period.
Well, of course! That's Nikon, not Pentax!

I suspect stupid or bad handling more than material. OK, maybe they can do stupid and bad handling and not break a metal mount, got it.

There's a huge range of plastics to choose from for such an application. Hopefully Pentax has picked a better one that Nikon. In fact, because I want that to be the case, they did!
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