K-70 with 18-135mm for less than $800?

peptheyep · 07-08-2019, 03:21 AM

Hi everyone, I am writing here (Hope to be in the right section) looking for some advices about the camera that could be my first DSLR. I think that the title Is
Self explanatory but in particular I found some months ago on a site a kit made of a K-70 with the 18-135mm lens for €690 (~$775). I didn't buy It and now the price is €750 (~$840). Anyway, the price rise in not the real problem here, in fact I want to ask you: do you think that this kind of kit and most of all choosing the k-70 for this price is still a good choice? I currently have a Helios M40 Lens from a Zenit that I know I could easily mount on a Pentax with an adapter, but then I do not have any other compatible lenses that could me make choose Pentax over other brands.

**rogerstg** · 07-08-2019, 05:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by peptheyep

do you think that this kind of kit and most of all choosing the k-70 for this price is still a good choice?

It's a good kit choice for all around photography. The camera has advanced features, yet the menus and configuration make it easy for beginners to take good photos too.

---------- Post added 07-08-19 at 08:32 AM ----------

Re: the capabilities of the 18-135mm, check this thread

**gump** · 07-08-2019, 05:41 AM - **2 Likes**

I have been using the K70 for over a year with the 18-55 kit, 16 mm rokinon, and 55-300 PLM. It has served very well for outdoor photography. It is my first DSLR and the learning curve was not too bad. Upon reflection (and money) I would have gone with the 18-135 based on reviews and opinions on this site.

**FozzFoster** · 07-08-2019, 06:25 AM - **1 Like**

+1 for 18-135mm

peptheyep · 07-08-2019, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by rogerstg

It's a good kit choice for all around photography. The camera has advanced features, yet the menus and configuration make it easy for beginners to take good photos too.

---------- Post added 07-08-19 at 08:32 AM ----------

Re: the capabilities of the 18-135mm, check this thread

Thanks for the informations and the thread

normhead · 07-08-2019, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by gump

I have been using the K70 for over a year with the 18-55 kit, 16 mm rokinon, and 55-300 PLM. It has served very well for outdoor photography. It is my first DSLR and the learning curve was not too bad. Upon reflection (and money) I would have gone with the 18-135 based on reviews and opinions on this site.

I'd say go for it, I've had an 18-135 for many years now, at least 8, and it has been by far my most used lens. That being said, buy a DA 55-300 to compliment it. With those tow you're all set to start looking at primes, like the DAF 100 macro and DA* 55 1.4.

With those 4 lenses you can do just about anything.

**pres589** · 07-08-2019, 09:53 AM

It sort of depends what a person wants to photograph, thought, as to how much the 55-300's would really be of benefit. As I never pick up my 50-200, the 18-135 is my longest lens, and I don't suffer for it. The K-70 seems very good in low light and the relative lack of speed offered by the 18-135 is probably nicely balanced out overall. There are some ultra-wide zooms or the DA 15 Ltd. and something like the DA 50 or one of the other 50ish mm lenses for portraits that I would rather pick up next after the K-70/18-135 kit. But first is to just use that combo a lot and really get experienced with it before getting more lenses.

**gump** · 07-08-2019, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by pres589

It sort of depends what a person wants to photograph, thought, as to how much the 55-300's would really be of benefit. As I never pick up my 50-200, the 18-135 is my longest lens, and I don't suffer for it. The K-70 seems very good in low light and the relative lack of speed offered by the 18-135 is probably nicely balanced out overall. There are some ultra-wide zooms or the DA 15 Ltd. and something like the DA 50 or one of the other 50ish mm lenses for portraits that I would rather pick up next after the K-70/18-135 kit. But first is to just use that combo a lot and really get experienced with it before getting more lenses.

You are quite right as to what you want to photograph. The 55-300 almost never leaves my camera. Today was a steam locomotive in the Colorado mountains. A couple of days ago it was prehistoric pueblos in the desert. Yet, it worked for flora and fauna in general. It would be a handicap for portrait, urban, and street photos (in general). It is after all a tool to get the results you want.

normhead · 07-08-2019, 03:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gump

You are quite right as to what you want to photograph. The 55-300 almost never leaves my camera. Today was a steam locomotive in the Colorado mountains. A couple of days ago it was prehistoric pueblos in the desert. Yet, it worked for flora and fauna in general. It would be a handicap for portrait, urban, and street photos (in general). It is after all a tool to get the results you want.

Exactly, here's the thing with the DA 55-300 PLM. With this type of lens, the front element is designed to be sharp a the longest length. That means that if the front element is designed to match the sensor, as you reduce the focal length the lens becomes really sharp. By 270mm some have said it will work with a 1.4 TC. By 55mm- 200mm its' simply excellent. My Sigma 70-300 was the same way. So matched with an 18-135 it gives you excellent possibilities, even if you only plan to use it form 55mm to 250mm. At 55mm it's a great lens and 70n-135, it's better than the 18-135 if you need edge to edge sharpness.

rickc118 · 07-09-2019, 12:59 AM

I have been shooting with the K-70 for over 2 1/2 years and love it! I have a number of lenses, including both primes and zooms, but the two that get the most use (in order) are the 18-135mm and the 55-300mm PLM. The 18-135mm is hard to beat for versatility and shooting in all kinds of different situations, while I really like the quick AF, size/weight, and reach of the 55-300mm PLM. I have been a faithful DSLR Pentax user for over ten years and I think you would be very happy with the combination of K-70 with the 18-135mm for a long, long time!

Good luck.

Matty · 07-20-2019, 09:16 AM

I have been looking to "graduate" from the 18-55mm kit lens and have been keeping my eyes peeled for a second hand 18-135mm. In my mind that's more than enough zoom range for my current ability. I hope you get it too!

reh321 · 07-20-2019, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by Matty

I have been looking to "graduate" from the 18-55mm kit lens and have been keeping my eyes peeled for a second hand 18-135mm. In my mind that's more than enough zoom range for my current ability. I hope you get it too!

My K-30 was kitted with a 18-55, and after using it once I ordered the 18-135mm; it is a wonderful lens .... I have never had a moment of regret at making that purchase.

07-08-2019, 03:21 AM	#1
peptheyep Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 39	K-70 with 18-135mm for less than $800? Hi everyone, I am writing here (Hope to be in the right section) looking for some advices about the camera that could be my first DSLR. I think that the title Is Self explanatory but in particular I found some months ago on a site a kit made of a K-70 with the 18-135mm lens for €690 (~$775). I didn't buy It and now the price is €750 (~$840). Anyway, the price rise in not the real problem here, in fact I want to ask you: do you think that this kind of kit and most of all choosing the k-70 for this price is still a good choice? I currently have a Helios M40 Lens from a Zenit that I know I could easily mount on a Pentax with an adapter, but then I do not have any other compatible lenses that could me make choose Pentax over other brands.

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07-08-2019, 05:06 AM - 1 Like	#2
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by peptheyep do you think that this kind of kit and most of all choosing the k-70 for this price is still a good choice? It's a good kit choice for all around photography. The camera has advanced features, yet the menus and configuration make it easy for beginners to take good photos too. ---------- Post added 07-08-19 at 08:32 AM ---------- Re: the capabilities of the 18-135mm, check this thread

07-08-2019, 05:41 AM - 2 Likes	#3
gump Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,016	I have been using the K70 for over a year with the 18-55 kit, 16 mm rokinon, and 55-300 PLM. It has served very well for outdoor photography. It is my first DSLR and the learning curve was not too bad. Upon reflection (and money) I would have gone with the 18-135 based on reviews and opinions on this site.

07-08-2019, 06:25 AM - 1 Like	#4
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	+1 for 18-135mm

07-08-2019, 08:54 AM	#5
peptheyep Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by rogerstg It's a good kit choice for all around photography. The camera has advanced features, yet the menus and configuration make it easy for beginners to take good photos too. ---------- Post added 07-08-19 at 08:32 AM ---------- Re: the capabilities of the 18-135mm, check this thread Thanks for the informations and the thread

07-08-2019, 09:38 AM	#6
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by gump I have been using the K70 for over a year with the 18-55 kit, 16 mm rokinon, and 55-300 PLM. It has served very well for outdoor photography. It is my first DSLR and the learning curve was not too bad. Upon reflection (and money) I would have gone with the 18-135 based on reviews and opinions on this site. I'd say go for it, I've had an 18-135 for many years now, at least 8, and it has been by far my most used lens. That being said, buy a DA 55-300 to compliment it. With those tow you're all set to start looking at primes, like the DAF 100 macro and DA* 55 1.4. With those 4 lenses you can do just about anything.

07-08-2019, 09:53 AM	#7
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	It sort of depends what a person wants to photograph, thought, as to how much the 55-300's would really be of benefit. As I never pick up my 50-200, the 18-135 is my longest lens, and I don't suffer for it. The K-70 seems very good in low light and the relative lack of speed offered by the 18-135 is probably nicely balanced out overall. There are some ultra-wide zooms or the DA 15 Ltd. and something like the DA 50 or one of the other 50ish mm lenses for portraits that I would rather pick up next after the K-70/18-135 kit. But first is to just use that combo a lot and really get experienced with it before getting more lenses.

07-08-2019, 02:35 PM	#8
gump Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,016	Originally posted by pres589 It sort of depends what a person wants to photograph, thought, as to how much the 55-300's would really be of benefit. As I never pick up my 50-200, the 18-135 is my longest lens, and I don't suffer for it. The K-70 seems very good in low light and the relative lack of speed offered by the 18-135 is probably nicely balanced out overall. There are some ultra-wide zooms or the DA 15 Ltd. and something like the DA 50 or one of the other 50ish mm lenses for portraits that I would rather pick up next after the K-70/18-135 kit. But first is to just use that combo a lot and really get experienced with it before getting more lenses. You are quite right as to what you want to photograph. The 55-300 almost never leaves my camera. Today was a steam locomotive in the Colorado mountains. A couple of days ago it was prehistoric pueblos in the desert. Yet, it worked for flora and fauna in general. It would be a handicap for portrait, urban, and street photos (in general). It is after all a tool to get the results you want.

07-08-2019, 03:01 PM - 1 Like	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by gump You are quite right as to what you want to photograph. The 55-300 almost never leaves my camera. Today was a steam locomotive in the Colorado mountains. A couple of days ago it was prehistoric pueblos in the desert. Yet, it worked for flora and fauna in general. It would be a handicap for portrait, urban, and street photos (in general). It is after all a tool to get the results you want. Exactly, here's the thing with the DA 55-300 PLM. With this type of lens, the front element is designed to be sharp a the longest length. That means that if the front element is designed to match the sensor, as you reduce the focal length the lens becomes really sharp. By 270mm some have said it will work with a 1.4 TC. By 55mm- 200mm its' simply excellent. My Sigma 70-300 was the same way. So matched with an 18-135 it gives you excellent possibilities, even if you only plan to use it form 55mm to 250mm. At 55mm it's a great lens and 70n-135, it's better than the 18-135 if you need edge to edge sharpness.

07-09-2019, 12:59 AM	#10
rickc118 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 28	I have been shooting with the K-70 for over 2 1/2 years and love it! I have a number of lenses, including both primes and zooms, but the two that get the most use (in order) are the 18-135mm and the 55-300mm PLM. The 18-135mm is hard to beat for versatility and shooting in all kinds of different situations, while I really like the quick AF, size/weight, and reach of the 55-300mm PLM. I have been a faithful DSLR Pentax user for over ten years and I think you would be very happy with the combination of K-70 with the 18-135mm for a long, long time! Good luck.

07-20-2019, 09:16 AM	#11
Matty New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 27	I have been looking to "graduate" from the 18-55mm kit lens and have been keeping my eyes peeled for a second hand 18-135mm. In my mind that's more than enough zoom range for my current ability. I hope you get it too!

07-20-2019, 07:40 PM	#12
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,181	Originally posted by Matty I have been looking to "graduate" from the 18-55mm kit lens and have been keeping my eyes peeled for a second hand 18-135mm. In my mind that's more than enough zoom range for my current ability. I hope you get it too! My K-30 was kitted with a 18-55, and after using it once I ordered the 18-135mm; it is a wonderful lens .... I have never had a moment of regret at making that purchase.