| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
I've had this lens for at least two years and thought it's time to share my experience. As with most Pentax WR lenses, the build quality of the 18-135 is excellent and a perfect match for a K5. Unfortunately, my initial experience with this lens was rather disappointing. The images produced were mediocre at best and easily shamed by a 3-Megapixel point-and-shoot. My first thought was the negative review by Photozone was accurate and that I should just return this lens and forget about it. In the end, since it was still under warranty I decided to give it a second chance and sent both the body and lens to CRIS for evaluation. As it turned out, it was just a calibration issue. Not only CRIS recalibrate the lens to factory specs, but they also calibrated both the lens and my K5 together.
Coming back from CRIS the lens had a whole different attitude. It may not outclass primes but the IQ produced by this 18-135 were impressively sharp across the frame especially stopped down at the longer end. Color rendition and contrast are typical of Pentax DA lenses (Excellent). Focusing is quick and accurate. Some users have commented on this lens at its best around 24mm-40mm range. Strangely enough my copy's weakest point is at the wide end, while the sweet spot is at 80mm-100mm range.
PROS:
Excellent build quality
Silent DC Motor (Ideal for live-video AF on a K-01)
Sharp especially stopped down at the long end (My Copy)
Fast and accurate focusing
WR
Quick-Shift
Versatile rang... |
