Hello from England

netizensmith · 01-19-2013, 03:04 PM

Hi,

No Pentax for me yet but it's imminent. I want a weather-sealed system so by a process of elimination that system has to be Pentax!
Trying to decide between K-5 and K-30, and whether to get the 18-55 or jump straight in with the 18-135. Need something before last week of feb so I'd better hurry up I guess.

Brad

**RobA_Oz** · 01-19-2013, 03:22 PM

Hi Brad and welcome,

The choice between the K-5 and the K30 comes down to what you want to use it for. The (original) K-5 doesn't have the AF speed of the K30, but it is a fully metal chassis and body. The K30 works in 12-bit colour, whereas the K-5 has 14-bit. The K30 is notably lighter than the K-5, and it's ergonomics are different (I haven't spent enough time with a K30 to know if it suits me better or not).

The original K-5 is currently priced a bit above the K30, as it's no longer in production. The K-5II(s) models are near market-entry prices, but will fall with time.

Over to you, and good luck!

Rob

bigdog104 · 01-19-2013, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by netizensmith

Trying to decide between K-5 and K-30, and whether to get the 18-55 or jump straight in with the 18-135.

I have the K-30 and really enjoy it. I would suggest that you go for the 18-135mm, I wish I had. As you probably know, the 18-55 that come with most of the K-30 kits is not the weather sealed version.

**RobA_Oz** · 01-20-2013, 12:29 AM

Yes, I agree, wholeheartedly: get the 18-135. It's a great walk around lens. I had the original 18-55, and for the price I think it was remarkably good value, but the 18-135 is more versatile, the IQ is more than acceptable and it's WR. No contest, really, unless you're on a very restricted budget.

netizensmith · 01-20-2013, 09:23 AM

I am on a tight budget. The 18-55 is available in WR format. Is the picture quality from the bigger zoom just as good or have compromises been made?

**RobA_Oz** · 01-20-2013, 10:27 AM

Have a look at the reviews of each lens, here:
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database and
SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

There are over forty reviews of each, so you can judge for yourself.

01-19-2013, 03:04 PM	#1
netizensmith New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2	Hello from England Hi, No Pentax for me yet but it's imminent. I want a weather-sealed system so by a process of elimination that system has to be Pentax! Trying to decide between K-5 and K-30, and whether to get the 18-55 or jump straight in with the 18-135. Need something before last week of feb so I'd better hurry up I guess. Brad

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01-19-2013, 03:22 PM	#2
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Hi Brad and welcome, The choice between the K-5 and the K30 comes down to what you want to use it for. The (original) K-5 doesn't have the AF speed of the K30, but it is a fully metal chassis and body. The K30 works in 12-bit colour, whereas the K-5 has 14-bit. The K30 is notably lighter than the K-5, and it's ergonomics are different (I haven't spent enough time with a K30 to know if it suits me better or not). The original K-5 is currently priced a bit above the K30, as it's no longer in production. The K-5II(s) models are near market-entry prices, but will fall with time. Over to you, and good luck! Rob

01-19-2013, 04:04 PM	#3
bigdog104 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: South Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 289	Originally posted by netizensmith Trying to decide between K-5 and K-30, and whether to get the 18-55 or jump straight in with the 18-135. I have the K-30 and really enjoy it. I would suggest that you go for the 18-135mm, I wish I had. As you probably know, the 18-55 that come with most of the K-30 kits is not the weather sealed version.

01-20-2013, 12:29 AM	#4
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Yes, I agree, wholeheartedly: get the 18-135. It's a great walk around lens. I had the original 18-55, and for the price I think it was remarkably good value, but the 18-135 is more versatile, the IQ is more than acceptable and it's WR. No contest, really, unless you're on a very restricted budget.

01-20-2013, 09:23 AM	#5
netizensmith New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2 Original Poster	I am on a tight budget. The 18-55 is available in WR format. Is the picture quality from the bigger zoom just as good or have compromises been made?

01-20-2013, 10:27 AM	#6
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Have a look at the reviews of each lens, here: SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database and SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database There are over forty reviews of each, so you can judge for yourself.