Aug 21, 2014
Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 Review
Introduction
Announced in 2010, the Pentax DA 18-135 WR lens was a highly anticipated lens that has since then proven to be a Pentax favorite. Because of its compact and weather sealed construction, this lens has enjoyed immense popularity, especially when considered in conjunction with the many weather resistant cameras offered by Pentax as part of a bundled kit (more on the bundles later in this review).
The Pentax smc DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR mounted on a Pentax K-3.
It is now available for purchase for $496.95 (US MSRP) from both Adorama and B&H photo. At three times of the price of the standard DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 WR, the 18-135 can be seen as an "upgraded" kit lens, as it offers additional zoom reach and silent DC autofocusing.
But does that added focal length length come at a cost in image quality? Is it truly weather sealed and fast in its autofocusing? If you're a serious amateur or simply looking for a flexible all-in-one walkaround zoom, read on!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Specifications
- What's in the Box
- Construction and Handling
- Weather Sealing
- Autofocus
- General Image Quality
- Distortion
- Vignetting
- Aberrations and Flare
- Sharpness
- Comparison One - Center Sharpness at 18mm or 17mm
- Comparison Two - Edge Sharpness at 18mm or 17mm
- Comparison Three - Center Sharpness at 35mm
- Comparison Four - Edge Sharpness at 35mm
- Comparison Five - Center Sharpness at 55mm
- Comparison Six - Edge Sharpness at 55mm
- Comparison Seven - Center Sharpness at 70mm
- Comparison Eight - Edge Sharpness at 70mm
- Comparisons Nine and Ten - Center & Edge Sharpness at 135mm
- Verdict
- Bokeh
- Pseudo Macro
- Sample Photos
- Conclusion