Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens

Xajoman · 03-01-2015, 01:10 PM

I finally purchased a K-3 with SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 WR Lens from ebay. I read some bad reviews about this lens but some said that it might be a bad lens reviewed.
How can I tell if mine isn't a bad one. I personally wasn't satisfied with the few picture taken so far.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/16498863910/
Thank you in advance guys

Adam · 03-01-2015, 01:15 PM

I that particular photo, it looks like you were shooting at a too wide aperture, which caused a lot of the foreground and background to end up being blurry.

As for things to check for, take a photo on a tripod and see if the four corners of the image (when shooting a flat target) are equally sharp.

**kiwi_jono** · 03-01-2015, 04:45 PM

Xajoman, these first images would benefit from a bit exposure compensation (being a bit dark). This will often happen when shooting with a sky background - the camera will try and expose for the background (it does not know what is important to you).

My experience with this lens is positive but it depends on your expectations. For a compact WR lens that reaches from 18 to 135, it is an excellent lens to travel or walk around with. The 16-85 may end up being sharper (we will have to wait for the reviews!) but then its a bit bigger, less telephoto reach and more expensive. One thing about the 18-135 is that it does get soft in the corners of the image at the longer focal lengths (85 - 135mm) but the central sharpness is always pretty good (on my copy anyway) and I know what its limitations are.

**Stavri** · 03-01-2015, 05:23 PM

There was initially a lot of complaint from buyers of K3's on poor in camera JPG compression when it came out. Try to update the firmware and shoot both in Raw and JPG and see the difference. Also try a different lens, a prime preferably to pinpoint the problem of the camera vs the lens. The K3 is a mid-upper enthusiast DSLR featuring a lot of features and controls, take your time with the camera get to know it and It will render fantastic results.

Last edited by Stavri; 03-01-2015 at 05:29 PM.

Xajoman · 03-01-2015, 05:32 PM

Thank you guys
I took several photos at different focal length as advised by Adam.
Please take a look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/with/16068617783/

Pavel_Zhelev · 03-02-2015, 03:43 PM

I haven't had a chance to look at the sample images, however if you use f 6.3-7.1 you should be able to get some pretty sharp images with K3/ 18-135 combo. You can take a look at what I have posted on the lens review earlier, please contact me if you have any questions.

mgvh · 03-03-2015, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by Xajoman

Thank you guys
I took several photos at different focal length as advised by Adam.
Please take a look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/with/16068617783/

Actually, what Adam was suggesting is not shooting at different focal lengths (i.e., 18mm - 135mm) but at different aperture settings (i.e., f3.5 - f22). You are shooting at nearly wide open aperture (i.e. f3.5) and that is where you will get your softest pics. You need to close down to f8 or so to get sharper pics.

Kozlok · 03-03-2015, 07:46 PM - **1 Like**

You need to learn about the exposure triangle. I suggest Peterson's book "Understand Exposure ". It will help you know how to intentionally choose aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

03-01-2015, 01:10 PM	#1
Xajoman New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 2	Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens I finally purchased a K-3 with SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 WR Lens from ebay. I read some bad reviews about this lens but some said that it might be a bad lens reviewed. How can I tell if mine isn't a bad one. I personally wasn't satisfied with the few picture taken so far. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/16498863910/ Thank you in advance guys

03-01-2015, 01:15 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,618	I that particular photo, it looks like you were shooting at a too wide aperture, which caused a lot of the foreground and background to end up being blurry. As for things to check for, take a photo on a tripod and see if the four corners of the image (when shooting a flat target) are equally sharp. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com's high server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover those costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version E-mail to a Friend	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: $1000! - Pentax K-3 w/ MC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR	tumbleweedlabs	Sold Items	10	04-03-2014 08:45 PM
For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR	sholtzma	Sold Items	2	02-05-2014 01:11 PM
The NEW Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens	Chuck-B&H	Ask B&H Photo!	2	11-24-2010 07:16 AM

03-01-2015, 04:45 PM	#3
kiwi_jono Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,057	Xajoman, these first images would benefit from a bit exposure compensation (being a bit dark). This will often happen when shooting with a sky background - the camera will try and expose for the background (it does not know what is important to you). My experience with this lens is positive but it depends on your expectations. For a compact WR lens that reaches from 18 to 135, it is an excellent lens to travel or walk around with. The 16-85 may end up being sharper (we will have to wait for the reviews!) but then its a bit bigger, less telephoto reach and more expensive. One thing about the 18-135 is that it does get soft in the corners of the image at the longer focal lengths (85 - 135mm) but the central sharpness is always pretty good (on my copy anyway) and I know what its limitations are.

03-01-2015, 05:23 PM	#4
Stavri Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,644	There was initially a lot of complaint from buyers of K3's on poor in camera JPG compression when it came out. Try to update the firmware and shoot both in Raw and JPG and see the difference. Also try a different lens, a prime preferably to pinpoint the problem of the camera vs the lens. The K3 is a mid-upper enthusiast DSLR featuring a lot of features and controls, take your time with the camera get to know it and It will render fantastic results. Last edited by Stavri; 03-01-2015 at 05:29 PM.

03-01-2015, 05:32 PM	#5
Xajoman New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thank you guys I took several photos at different focal length as advised by Adam. Please take a look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/with/16068617783/

03-02-2015, 03:43 PM	#6
Pavel_Zhelev Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 190	I haven't had a chance to look at the sample images, however if you use f 6.3-7.1 you should be able to get some pretty sharp images with K3/ 18-135 combo. You can take a look at what I have posted on the lens review earlier, please contact me if you have any questions.

03-03-2015, 11:59 AM	#7
mgvh Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 849	Originally posted by Xajoman Thank you guys I took several photos at different focal length as advised by Adam. Please take a look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/52821512@N06/with/16068617783/ Actually, what Adam was suggesting is not shooting at different focal lengths (i.e., 18mm - 135mm) but at different aperture settings (i.e., f3.5 - f22). You are shooting at nearly wide open aperture (i.e. f3.5) and that is where you will get your softest pics. You need to close down to f8 or so to get sharper pics.

03-03-2015, 07:46 PM - 1 Like	#8
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,741	You need to learn about the exposure triangle. I suggest Peterson's book "Understand Exposure ". It will help you know how to intentionally choose aperture, shutter speed and ISO.