| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2019 Location: Kalymnos Posts: 3,006
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Weight, WR, Close up quality | | Cons: | Edge Sharpness, Auto-focus | |
Mine came as a kit with the K-70, last year. I've shot street, architecture, various portraits, candid shots, a bit of sports action, much landscape and occasional close-ups, learned the weaknesses of the lens and how to make the best out of it, so I got to review my copy. It is pretty sharp for the category, with minimum fringing, nice image quality in the centre, that drops at the corners. Does pretty well at my close-up attempts too (bugs, flowers, food, etc.). I have found the WR to be much appreciated in certain occasions, it's a big advantage. The body feels a little plastic but not fragile , this is a matter for the clumsy users, I suppose, I can't see any occasion where the plastic mount should be a problem if handled properly. I find apertures between 5.6 and 11 to be really good through the frame. I often shoot at f4.0 with no issues. The lens weighs nothing, so it's a no-brainer in the bag.
I would love to have a hood, the kit doesn't include one,  big foul, as I regularly shoot at noon (I like high contrast scenes) and flaring is often frustrating. Another con is the noisy autofocus. I don't get it right every time, but if you don't do sports or wildlife , worry about nothing. The bokeh isn't great and creamy, but it pays off sometimes. I won't get to judge color rendition , because the body makes it all. Some photos below.
I may be lucky, considering the reputation of the kit lenses, but for a non-professional with no large print expectations, this is a good performer.
 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2013 Location: Norwich, Connecticut Posts: 439 | | Review Date: November 20, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Tight movement during zoom and focus | | Cons: | Plastic momunt | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K7
| |
This lens is from Adorama. It was listed as condition "V" and after unpacking the lens, it looks to be in nearly new condition.
My previous SMC DA18-55mm, which I gave to my nephew along with my K20D... That lens was loose, rattled and would "slide" out of focal length when the camera was left on its back.
I was hesitant to purchase this replacement, based on the performance of my last one, but I was pleasantly surprised how tight this one handles.
Perhaps it is because of the weather seals or perhaps my old one was just plain "old".
But, I am pleased with this one so far, I also like to use the 18mm on my K1 in "Crop and 1:1 mode (square) as an extreme wide angle.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2018 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: March 13, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Weather sealed | | Cons: | Plastic build but expected for the price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-50
| |
Since this lens is weather resistant it makes a perfect inexpensive companion to my K-50 (also weather sealed). Being weather resistant it makes a great landscape camera lens combo that works in snow and light rain. I find the 18mm wide enough for landscapes. The aperture is small f3.5-5.6 however the camera is capable of relatively high ISO and combined with a tripod and longer exposure decent pictures can be made. There are better options for landscape photography like the DA* lenses and large aperture primes but they also cost more. Considering low price and good performance, this lens is great for amateur photographer like myself.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 678 | | Review Date: February 6, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $39.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | weather sealed | | Cons: | plastic base, no lens hood included and takes a different one from the non-weather sealed version | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K200D
| |
Just what I needed--another 18-55mm zoom. I think this makes a total of seven that have made it to or through my hands, but I wanted one that's weather sealed. Other than that, this is a very redundant lens in my collection. The lens is nothing to write home about. It's a little less sharp than some of my others but it does render reds better than some other lenses I've used. I'm still not a fan of the DA L series' plastic bases, but overall, I'm happy with the lens for what it is.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 170 | | Review Date: August 24, 2018 | Not Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | size, weight, zoom, price, wide angle, WR | | Cons: | speed, bokeh, sharpness | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-50
| |
Maybe I have a bad copy. It's much less sharp than my non-WR version! I fine-tuned it, but no help. Even through Live View it's much less sharp.
I keep my non-WR version on the camera and maybe will use this one in rainy conditions.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2014 Location: Linz Posts: 3,098
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | WR, lightweight | | Cons: | IQ at infinity, CAs | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 7
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
| |
I got this lens new with my Pentax K-3 in 2014, to have a WR lens to use with the camera.
A free lens hood was included too but this lens usually doesn't come with a hood.
The build quality, beside the mantle and lens mount beeing made of plastic, is actually not bad, what I unintentionally tested by droping the lens+camera once. The only thing damaged was the lens hood. And because of the plastic build this lens is lightweight too.
The focal range from 18-55mm (wide angle to short tele) is a good fit for a kit-lens because you get a feeling for what focal lengths you actually need or like.
The IQ of the lens for near objects is ok, it's not the sharpest lens but it's not horrible either. Objects near the horizon on the other hand appear a little mushy especially in the corners (centre sharpness is still usable at infinity focus). For general snapshots, viewing on the monitor and small prints IQ is sufficient, but pixel peeping and large prints are not recommended if you photograph distant objects.
Closing down the apperture a little is a must for this lens, because it is very soft wide open.
CAs are visible with this lens, but they can easily be adressed in pp or with the lens correction profile in the camera for immediate jpg use out of the camera.
Additionally my specimen shows a slight glowing effect around bright spots in the image at the tele end of the lens.
For general photography I replaced this lens with the F 35-70mm lens because of the, for me, more convenient focal range and better IQ.
Nevertheless I still use this lens from time to time, because it's still my widest lens (beside a 8mm fisheye) and it's my only lens with WR.
If you need a cheap WR lens for occasional usage in rainy conditions or if you want a cheap wide angle lens this, or the DA counterpart, is a reasonable choice, but if you can spare the money you will probably be more happy with a DA 20-40mm or a DA 16-85mm lens in the long run.
Last but not least some example pictures:
 Burgtor by Patrick Bittermann, auf Flickr
 Mountaineering by Patrick Bittermann, auf Flickr
 Feldaist by Patrick Bittermann, auf Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 791
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 13, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | WR, cheap wide angle | | Cons: | slow, manual focus | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 5
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-50
| |
Ah, the kit lens! I was initially disappointed by this lens. I like portraits and it's not very good for doing the kind with a very blurred background or under low light. In fact, the low-light performance is not very good, which is the main reason for my disappointment. In bright light the 55mm end is decent. Natural light, indoor portraits in the evening would be difficult to do with this lens, but it works well with an on or off-camera flash.
In sufficient light, however, this lens can give pretty nice results. It's reasonably sharp. Having 18mm at f/3.5 is also fairly nice because any other wide angle lens is going to be much more expensive. So you can get pretty decent landscapes and wide-angle closeups.
Another aspect that I like is the flare control. It's actually quite good at it. If the sun is in the shot, it still has great contrast. You can get controlled, elegant loooking flare with it. So in this respect it goes above and beyond some of the older, manual-only glass around. For example, the 50mm f/1.7 has horrible flaring, and still has reduced contrast even with a hood.
Another advantage of this lens is that it's fairly close focusing, 1/3 magnification if the specs above are correct. Even the Pentax-A 70-210 is only 1/4. So you can get pretty cool pseudo macro shots with it, and the wide-angle ones are fun.
It's also weather-resistant. That's pretty great when you need decent results but aren't sure of the weather.
To summarise, I think this is a pretty decent lens, with the only caveat that it is limited in low-light situations. Although I haven't used it too much, I occasionally pull it out when I want to try landscapes or close-focus wide angle, or when the weather is unpredictable.
Here's a sample at 18mm, f/5:
 | | | | | amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,679
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 15, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | color rendition, quick AF, useable zoom length | | Cons: | build quality, focus/zoom ring damping | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
New or Used: New
| |
This lens was part of the 2-lens kit when I bought my K-50 in December 2014. The K-50 and this lens (and the DA L 50-200) are my first DSLR and lenses, so I had nothing to judge my results against... to begin with, anyways.
We see in the PF, time and time again, out of hand routing of the kit lens... seemingly just because it is the kit lens. I recently went back to the 18-55 (mine is called Betty) as my lens for the Single In January challenge and found some surprising things.
Firstly - there is nothing wrong with this lens, just because it is a 'kit' lens. It takes fine pictures, it's WR, and it's nearly-free.
What more could you ask for?
Well, you could ask for another f-stop (3.5 at the wide, down to 5.6 at 55mm) - just remember this if the light starts failing on you.
You could ask for a bit more range, but the DA 18-135mm costs how much more?
You could ask for a hood, which is not provided with the kit, but a quick purchase from eBay for $10 solved that (OEM knock-off - be sure to get the hood for the correct model of the 18-55).
You could ask for a better build - and here is the downfall for me. I used it every day in January and by the end, I didn't want to pick it up any more. That's how bad the plasticky-feel is and it doesn't get better when you actually handle the lens extensively. The zoom and focus rings have nearly-zero damping to them and merely the enhance the low-cost feel to the lens. The oft-mentioned plastic (vs metal) mount is a non-issue for me, since the weight of the lens will not stress the mount in any way.
Now - all that said.... as a first lens, which is the DA L 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR's purpose, it will do just about anything you ask of it. Some of it better, some not-so-much.
Here is my flickr photostream of the Single In January challenge with Betty:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/sets/72157660715415533 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2014 Posts: 1
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 27, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $199.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | contrast, color, sharpness, paper light | | Cons: | it shines when stopped down | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-30
| |
taken at 55mm @ f/8..
This is sharper than 18-135mm WR.
at 18mm it's better to use f/5.6 and above
55mm has glowing effect if not stopped down.. f/8 shows big difference from f/5.6, totally eliminated the glow
This is taken straight from the camera with zero post process..
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2014 Posts: 29 | | Review Date: July 19, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | value, build, WR, ok all rounder | | Cons: | too soft | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 6
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: k-3
| |
I am new to Pentax DSLR's and got this lens with my K-3. To be honest this lens is pretty average. I was not expecting too much from a kit lens but still I think this is slightly below par. If it's stopped down to say f8 it can produce some nice results and the colours are pretty decent. The images though leave me feeling less than impressed. I did think this was my technique but on comparison with a NIkon 18-55 it just didn't seem to be anywhere near as good. This I know is hardly a fair test but overall this is a good value average lens. Handy for bad weather and general 'snaps'
I also got a 35mm prime as part of the camera deal and this lens is much better.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2014 Location: Moscow Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 18, 2014 | Not Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Weather prof | | Cons: | Plastic body | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-50
| |
I have this lens recently. I bought it along with the Pentax K-50 (included two of the lens, not the best choice, may be excused for newbies). But something this lens can draw.
 IMGP0102 by korvinohc2i, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: March 30, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | for a kit lens good sharpness | | Cons: | plastic body, CAs in corners ispite of ED element at 18-24mm visible | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: k-x,k-5,k200, k-s1. fuji x-t100 + x-e1
| |
This water resistant kit lens must be stopped down to f8-11, in order to get best sharpness.
===========================================================
PAY ATTENTION: It has been designed for max.10-12 MP, i.e. K200, K10, K-x 
===========================================================
with k-x you can eleminate most of CA's when activating this in program 
with k200 few CA's wide open especially 18mm wide angle.
****************************************************************
My tip for posters with 10-12 MP cameras:
1. sharpening by PhSh 200%-0,7-0 and contures
2. interpoations from 72 to 144 pix/cm2 bicubic smoother
3. sharpening once more as a..m.
you'll get 40 or 48 MP posters up to 80x120cm
*****************************************************************
resolution with f9.5 at 42mm (values approximately) - not sharpened and not interpolated
10 MP 45 LP/mm = 90 lines
16 MP 50 LP/mm =100 "
24 MP 55 LP/mm =110 "
Remark: the non WR version is worse at 18mm, but approx. 50% sharper from 24. to 55 mm (tested with 24 MP sensor) | | | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 72
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 19, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $89.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | WR, solid,sharpness,good AF | | Cons: | plastic mount, no quick shift | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5
| |
When i bought my K-5, i used the 18-55mm DA WR (kit lens) but i wasn't totally satisfied with AF and sharpness.
That's why i bought this new version sold as kit lens with K50.
Quality is good but unfortunately AF is not better than DA version.
Sharpness seems a little bit better specially @55mm. At wide focal, you must close @ F7.1 to have a good sharpness.
As conclusion what can i say? it's a good lens with good sharpness (specially in the center) but AF is sometimes unpredictable which can be frustrating for the photograph.
End of a day par Blu Horizon, sur Flickr
| | |
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
