16-45mm vs WR 18-55mm vs Samsun 18-55mm field comparison

I hate to break the consensus, but I found my version of the 18-55 (the MkI that came with a K10D) to perform quite poorly wide open and at wide angles in particular. It vignetted horribly. Possibly I had a bad version, I don't know.

I've since replaced the kit with a 16-45 and then a DA17-70. I've had no such problems with either of these. The best performer at a wide angle is probably the 16-45 in my experience (due to the worse distortion with the 17-70) - which is impressive given it's usefully wider than the other two.

Given that I shoot quite a lot in low light situations I really wouldn't want to go back to the 18-55, though I would be curious about how much of an improvement the MkII version is. Oh and WR would be nice - when I eventually upgrade my K20 I'll probably get one for this reason alone (if the price is right).

For me too, 16-45 just seems to deliver nicer results in a broader range of situations. I wish this wasn't the case, as i'd rather have the compactness and weatherproofing of the WR.

The consensus is that the 16-45mm is better than the 18-55mm kit lens, rather than my obverse narrow field observation. Looking hard at the images I would say the 16-45mm has the edge BUT not dramatically.

The point of the test was for me to see why I didn't feel the benefit under my typical shooting conditions. Jpeg, bright light, wide angle.

It will of course depend what type of kit lens you have and the way in which you use your kit. My good Nokton lens gives shoddy results if I use it poorly.

I was always happy with the Samsung lens and it shapes up well against the other two.

The status quo continues and people with decent kit lenses can go about our business without too much of an inferiority complex or overwhelming LBA urges.

That's the Mark I version of the Pentax the WR has Mark II optics and those have been quite improved at the corners, I believe someone did some tests here but can't find it.

As for an idea, might it not be handy to make something like the lens review on Pentaxforums.com?

There are plenty of user reviews on www.photodo.com which is the sister site to this one. What you are suggesting actually already exists!

Still it's different John and it isn't "PUF" if you know what I mean.

Anyone remember this thread?

K.

It's part of the family and includes all makes of lens. Professional reviews and tests plus user reviews as well.

I would suggest it is far more extensive and useful than anything on a forum could hope to be.

It's only a click away, just like the next page you view on PU.

I agree John but it isn't personal like this forum is, a good word from you or any other member of this forum, certainly Mike with his extensive lens collection is worth much more then any review in my opinion.

You see I've good suggestions sometimes