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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-21-2013, 08:57 AM
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My first DSLR was a K10D and the 18-55 and right from the first day, I loved the results I got. I was a total noob to digital and didn't even know the first thing about image editing. What I shot was what I got. One thing I did notice was my setup was noticably smaller than what I saw other guys carrying around. I'm also an outdoors guy. I hike, XC ski and will travel to my destinations on a motorcycle weather permitting. I also have spinal stenosis and the weight I carry around will cause big problems for me in a few hours. For that reason alone, I still carry the kit. I also have a pair of Limiteds, the DA 15 and 40. Again, they are easy to carry. For a while, I substituted the F 35-70 Macro for the 18-55. Unfortunately, the zoom mechanism of the old film kit broke and now it's just a 70mm macro. It's also a very small and light lens. I have seriously considered a small P&S camera like the Fuji X10 and have also considered one of Panasonic's super zooms but haven't jumped on one of them yet.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-20-2013, 10:32 PM
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Just about every lens has strengths and weaknesses. One of the biggest "problems" I see in so many posts around the forum is that most users don't spend enough time learning the strengths and weaknesses of their lenses. They get some bad results and write the lens off as junk. The 18-55 is a good walk around performer. It holds it's own against other similar zooms very well. I can pretty much count on some flare shooting into the sun with any lens but I know the 18-55 will show it far more than a Limited. That isn't really a fair comparison either when you look at the price you pay. I'm not sure of the current price but the 18-55 was readily available for under $150 while alternatives will cost around $500.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-20-2013, 09:07 AM
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This is an example of my main gripe, the flare. I also realize that I am pushing the lens to the extreme with this kind of shot. I shot this as I walked to our boat with friends for a recent fishing trip in Cape Cod. This is Sesuit Harbor in E. Dennis. Once we got on board, I switched to the DA 15. Still, I didn't delete this shot.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-15-2013, 10:26 PM
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I've tried to hate the 18-55 because general wisdom says all kit lenses are junk. The reality is, the 18-55 continues to surprise me. It's not very fast but that's hardly a defect. However, since the majority of my shots with it are outdoors, in fairly strong light and stopped down to f/8 or more, it's a fine walk around lens IMO. You can get some pretty good close focus shots with it also. My biggest problem issue with it is that it is very prone to flare so I have to be a little more thoughtful about that while using it. If I was buying a new camera/kit lens combo today, I would go with the 18-135 because of the greater range. Another favorite lens of mine is the kit lens of the film days, the F 35-70 Macro.
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