| Author: | | New Member Registered: August, 2018 Posts: 2 | | Lens Review Date: March 13, 2020 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, good rendition of colour | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Km/K2000
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Inexpensive lens, performs well. It is a screw drive so it is noisy but that is expected. Covers wide range of focal lengths, and is a sturdy lens as far as kit lenses go. Performs well on my Km/K2000 camera.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2019 Posts: 2 | | Lens Review Date: October 27, 2019 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $38.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Overall a great lens | | Cons: | None so far | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-50
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- SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
- Pentax K-50 DSLR (16.3mp)
- mounted on tripod
- aperture priority
- ISO 100
- F3.5
- 1 second exposures
- white balance set to AWB
- focus peaking enabled on camera
- using manual focus assist
- 2-second timer
 | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2018 Posts: 12 | | Lens Review Date: March 12, 2018 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Good bang per buck | | Cons: | Not the sharpest | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K30
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Initially a kit on my DL, then transferred to my K30.
I wonder if some of the bad reviews are manufacturing variability? Mine performs remarkably well, though it'll see a lot less use now I've got the HD 16-85 which is better in every way.
Very light and easy handler. One aspect not to be sniffed at is that this is not an 'intimidating' lens to a subject - quite petite!
Mine (again!) gives better IQ than anyone should have a right to expect for the price. (Price indicated estimated as part of kit) The vignetting is there, but may be post-pro'd away. As others have remarked, better IQ to the short-to-middle end that at 55.
Start pixel-peeping and it's definitely softer than the 16-85 and why shouldn't it be at a tenth of the (street) price. It is on the other hand sharper (my example anyway) than the 55-300.
Colour rendering is a little gaudy and bright, but CA very slight and not a problem.
With the derisory price I'd get trying to ebay this lens, I'll be keeping it as a back up in case I drop the 16-85.
8/10 overall reflects the VFM, is not saying it's the greatest.
  | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2 | | Lens Review Date: December 21, 2017 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Cheap, light, and good results. | | Cons: | Not always sharp if you don't use focus peaking and stay around the middle app settings. | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K50
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I'm not going to rate this lens low, it's a bargain and has given me great photos. There has, however, been the odd occasion where the edges were too soft but I couldn't see it until I got home and downloaded on screen. I have to concentrate and rely on manual with "focus peaking", rather than autofocus.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,237 | | Lens Review Date: November 22, 2017 | I can recommend this lens: No |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | It's cheap! | | Cons: | I've got an original 18-135 and that's an all round better performer | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 6
Value: 5
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Samsung G10D
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Used my original one supplied with the G10D for a few things very early on - and it's been in the cupboard ever since 
Edited Dec 2017: 18-135 now replaced by an old 17-70 F2.8-F4.5 Sigma for about 100$ US - even better! | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2015 Location: Golden, Colorado Posts: 189 | | Lens Review Date: April 1, 2017 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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I think this lens gets a worse rap than it deserves. If it were weatherproof, I'd give it much higher marks, because I'd take it along hiking and wouldn't care if I smacked it around, because it's so inexpensive and takes pictures that are above mid-grade.
Overall it's a nifty little lens. I got mine for "free" as an extra inducement to pay a little more than I wanted for a used K-S2. I was sitting in my lens bag for months until I picked it up yesterday and started playing with it.
DP Review rates it pretty highly for sharpness (if you keep it at f/5.6 to f/11) and avoid 55mm. Its close focus distance is less than 10 inches. CA is less than some other Pentax zooms (my 18-135, for instance). My copy is very sharp.
I don't know if I'll keep it, as I have the 18-135 and other lenses in this range already, but it is not the worst kit lens I've ever seen. It came with a hood (I keep all my lenses hooded—no "protective" filters to muddle up the pictures in this household) and it's got a metal mount.
Autofocus is reasonably accurate, but noisy (it's a Pentax lens, after all!). The quick shift is a nice feature and the lens balances well on my K-50 and K-S2 bodies.
  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2014 Location: Nagoya Posts: 577 | | Lens Review Date: August 31, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $50.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Cheap, light, IQ not bad | | Cons: | Won't set the world alight, but you wouldn't expect it to | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-7, K100D, K-S2
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For what it is, this lens is good. It's inexpensive, light and it produces nice images with good colours. If you pixel peep it won't astound you, it vignettes a little, and it feels a bit cheap compared to some other Pentax lenses (it is cheap, however).
Good things about the green-striped DA version are quick-shift focusing and supplied hood which does a good job.
There's not a huge amount to say about this lens really, except that it does what it's supposed to in a competent way. If you've got it it makes a useful walk around lens, especially if you want a light package. Don't spend more than £30/$50.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2007 Location: Thach, Alabama Posts: 169
2 users found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: February 28, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | light weight, inexpensive, good focal range | | Cons: | need to work with it to get it's best | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K10D, KX, K7
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This one came with my K10D when I bought it new. This for about 2 years was the only lens I had for that camera. It worked really well. I learned so much while using this lens. I have to say it is still these many years later one of my favorites. Wide angle to normal to short tele this one functions well. I go on walkabout with this 18-55, my Sigma 50-500 and an F series 50mm f/1.7 and these cover the focal range from 18mm to 500mm and the 50 1.7 acts as my macro.
Below is a photo of my Granddaughter Regan taken with this lens. I almost threw it away till I ran it thru Photo Shop. You see the results this lens can give you. I will not sell or stop using this one for a long long time.
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 11,697 | | Lens Review Date: September 10, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: No |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 4 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, quick auto focus. | | Cons: | Very difficult to work with. Not sharp at all. | | Sharpness: 3
Aberrations: 3
Bokeh: 1
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 3
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax k100d Super
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I have been a loyal Pentaxian for nearly 40 years and I can honestly say this is the first negative review I have posted for a Pentax product. I do not understand how the focus can appear razor sharp and the image as sharp as a ball bearing. This is just not a good lens regardless of how the user attempts to manipulate its settings. My old Takumar F 70~210mm lens and my Pentax-A 50mm 1.7 far out shine this technological marvel that for whatever reason Pentax decided to punish its loyal customers. Unless a photographer can live with mediocre or sub-mediocre
results, don't buy it. 
Thanks for reading,
Tonytee
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 618 | | Lens Review Date: August 15, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, surprisingly capable | | Cons: | Nothing that's a deal killer | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: *istDL, Samsung 1XGL, K2000, K100D
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I've had two of these lenses. One was a Schneider Kreutznach branded version that came bundled with a Samsung 1XGL, which I passed on to my girlfriend. The Pentax version came bundled with my first DSLR, an *ist DL, which met an untimely end. The lens now has a semi-permanent place on my K100D. I saw no functional differences between the two lenses. I've taken some nice photos with both lenses and as a hobbyist with previous professional experience, it's quite adequate for my needs and sometimes exceeds my expectations.
UPDATE (19 Sept 2016)—I've now acquired a third copy of this lens, attached to the front of a K10D. I picked up the camera and lens for $74, which seems like a pretty good deal to me. I can't tell any difference between it and the other one I still have and it's a good enough lens to warrant having a duplicate copy. The second lens now more or less lives on my K30 but it moves around a lot.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 7,914 | | Lens Review Date: April 6, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Light weight, cheap, focal range | | Cons: | Image quality when used with high resolution sensors | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K200D
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The 18-55 was my first lens, I made a number of nice photos with it. The WR version could be a cheap weather resistance alternative for landscape, general photograph when pro image quality is not needed. Actually, if no large prints are done, and to display photos even on large display, the image quality is good enough; and the WR version is cheap and light weight. This lens was good enough until the 16Mpixel CMOS sensor came out.
Pros:
- size
- weight
- very cheap for what it can do.
- good IQ with 6Mpixels,10Mpixel and 12Mpixels bodies
- decently sharp at 35mm (middle of the zoom range) and f8.
- it's a Pentax, so in-camera lens corrections work
Cons:
- it's not the top IQ, especially for high res sensors
- not internal focusing
- best used at f8, not so fast but ok in day light
Would I recommend this lens? It depends: if you are using it with a K10,K200,Kr,Kx, I'd say why not. If you are using a K20D,K7,K5,K30,K50,K500,K3,K-S2, I'd say that you won't get the benefit from the better sensor.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2014 Location: Warsaw Posts: 76 | | Lens Review Date: October 4, 2014 | I can recommend this lens: No |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 3 |
| Pros: | "wide" angle of view | | Cons: | Plastic mount, super soft, image quality | | Sharpness: 3
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 2
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-500
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I got this lens with my K-500 but I haven’t used it much since last weekend when encouraged by lack of any other "wide" angle lens I decided to give it a try.
And I am super disappointed, lens is awful!
I rated it 3 and I am not exaggerating it is sooooooooo bad... I just lost a lots of respect to Pentax when I tried this lens it is just so bad I cant imagine any one would want to give it for free not to mention to sell it.
To prove how bad it is below 100% crop
centre of the image
corner of the image (not the corner itself just slightly aside from centre)
This is one of my better pictures taken with this lens, when there is slightly less light lens gives even worse IQ.
At f7-8 and 18mm only centre of image is not super soft rest of picture is very soft and ugly pictures are literally useless and can be compared at best to quality of pictures taken by smartphone...
Seriously I can’t say anything good about it.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2011 Posts: 45 | | Lens Review Date: February 6, 2014 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good enough, shows good result as a kit lens | | Cons: | loud AF | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: kx, k7
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It is bundled with my Kx.
It is free, but usable.
AF speed is OK, but noisy.Faster my Sigma HSM lens to catch a focus.
Build quality is OK for a kit lens which bundled for free.
I used often when shooting landscape and group shots. Widest angle has f3.5, OK for the speed.
I suggest keep this kit lens for wide angle and buy expensive lense that has f2.8 for other purpose.
Makes vignetting, but you can fix it by using incamera vignette fixing module or using photoshop.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2013 Location: Blacktown Posts: 34 | | Lens Review Date: January 27, 2014 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Free with K-5, can be made to use as macro if reverse mounted | | Cons: | Not very sharp, Low light performance not very good. | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5
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This lens is a good inclusion to the K-5 purchase. It has 18-55 range which takes care of wide angle needs and portrait needs easily. The Weight is not too bad either. The Lens feels plasticky but performs well for most amateur photography needs. If you don't have one...I will not suggest to buy one but if you can find it below $30, it's not a bad lens for a street photography enthusiast.
Some photos I took with this lens are as follows:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65615102@N00/sets/72157636863268855/ | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2013 Location: BC Posts: 138 | | Lens Review Date: November 2, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | metal lens mount, non-rotating front element, price/value ratio | | Cons: | focus hunts (but could be camera issue) | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K100D
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excellent price/value ratio.
Not the sharpest lens out there but for a kit lens it does great.
Like all kit lens, they are great on a bright day but performs poor on indoor low-light situations.
Focus tends to hunt at times but you can quickly do manual focus adjustment without without flicking the af/mf switch.
with that being said Don't let the cons turn you off this lens.
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