18-135mm or 18-55mm ?
Posted 10/07/2014 - 20:51
Link
Owning both the 50-200mm WR & 18-135mm amongst others the 18-135mm is the lens that spends most time on my camera body.Whilst like any lens it has limitations it is my go to lens, not least because like the camera it's WR
I guess it really hangs like many of these discussions on a self analysis of what sort of photography you do , what your expectations are and what compromises you are prepared to make.
Whilst the 18-135mm does seem to get very mixed reviews , I can only speak as I find and it's my favourite lens.
Phil
I guess it really hangs like many of these discussions on a self analysis of what sort of photography you do , what your expectations are and what compromises you are prepared to make.
Whilst the 18-135mm does seem to get very mixed reviews , I can only speak as I find and it's my favourite lens.
Phil
Posted 10/07/2014 - 21:04
Link
I find the 18 - 135mm DA WR excellent, good colour rendering, quiet and quick DC motor. It can show a slight vignette mid range in high contrast images, easily corrected. Obviously not particularly fast apertures above 35mm where it starts at F4.5. If you like manual use it's not a good choice as it's pure AF digital so it has a continuous focus ring and no scale or as is usual these days F stops on the lens.It has 40mm focal distance all through the range so a good close up lens.
I find it plenty sharp enough and use it alongside a 15mm Ltd (love that lens for landscapes), one of the plastic 35mm F2.4's (very sharp and 30cm close up focus)and the 55 - 300mm DA that despite known hunting in high contrast is excellent. I love the 18 - 135mm as standard on my K5
I find it plenty sharp enough and use it alongside a 15mm Ltd (love that lens for landscapes), one of the plastic 35mm F2.4's (very sharp and 30cm close up focus)and the 55 - 300mm DA that despite known hunting in high contrast is excellent. I love the 18 - 135mm as standard on my K5
Posted 10/07/2014 - 22:51
Link
I very tongue in cheek bought my 18 - 135 as a walk around lens to stick on the end of a K7 which I would take out on my bike, in the car etc
However, I found my self increasingly impressed with this innocuous little lens and migrated it up to my K5 II S.
Well it is now in pole position and coupled with my K3, is and absolute gem; see the cat photo and mouse photo, in my portfolio, and a couple of others.
It will never replace my DA* 16-50 and 50 135 on absolute quality but on convenience it definitely does and ii it's low to middle reaches gives stunning quality..
Clearly you will get some distortion at each end but what lens doesn't deteriorate at extreme focal lengths but optically , sharpness and contrast is just lovely. I love it
Wouldn't go anywhere without it
Regards
However, I found my self increasingly impressed with this innocuous little lens and migrated it up to my K5 II S.
Well it is now in pole position and coupled with my K3, is and absolute gem; see the cat photo and mouse photo, in my portfolio, and a couple of others.
It will never replace my DA* 16-50 and 50 135 on absolute quality but on convenience it definitely does and ii it's low to middle reaches gives stunning quality..
Clearly you will get some distortion at each end but what lens doesn't deteriorate at extreme focal lengths but optically , sharpness and contrast is just lovely. I love it
Wouldn't go anywhere without it
Regards
mille19 wrote:
I had to sell my 18-55mm WR kit lens whan I sold my K30 and am thinking about replacing it, I already have the 50-200mm WR kits lens and usually use this with the 18-55mm as my travel kit.
I got to thinking maybe I should sell the 50-200mm and buy a 18-135mm and have this one lens as my travel kit.
The question is would I see a step-up in IQ with the 18-135mm, it seems to get very mixed reviews.
I'm quite happy with the IQ of the 18-55mm and 50-200mm if used within their limitations.
I had to sell my 18-55mm WR kit lens whan I sold my K30 and am thinking about replacing it, I already have the 50-200mm WR kits lens and usually use this with the 18-55mm as my travel kit.
I got to thinking maybe I should sell the 50-200mm and buy a 18-135mm and have this one lens as my travel kit.
The question is would I see a step-up in IQ with the 18-135mm, it seems to get very mixed reviews.
I'm quite happy with the IQ of the 18-55mm and 50-200mm if used within their limitations.
Daronl
Posted 10/07/2014 - 23:59
Link
As many, I have owned the 18-55 and currently have the 18-135. I much prefer the 18-135 due to reach, silence and build quality. In my opinion it's perfect for travelling, as the reach is excellent.
Only thing to keep in mind, the 18-135 is a rather heavy lens and does suffer from mild zoom creep, but that is expected.
Only thing to keep in mind, the 18-135 is a rather heavy lens and does suffer from mild zoom creep, but that is expected.
Pentax K-5 and co.
Posted 11/07/2014 - 11:18
Link
Thanks guys, looks like a 18-135mm could be coming my way.
Anyone want to buy a 50-200mm WR
Anyone want to buy a 50-200mm WR
Posted 11/07/2014 - 12:13
Link
This is a lens that puzzles me - have seen a fair few owners defend it but as you say reviews are pretty mixed. Photozone's ending comment is:
"Just to mention again - we couldn't believe the rather poor performance so we asked the local Pentax service in Hamburg/Germany for an assessment of the situation. Result: the lens is within factory specifications."
That killed my interest in it stone dead and I went for the sigma 18-125 instead - which pretty much lives on my K5 ii
"Just to mention again - we couldn't believe the rather poor performance so we asked the local Pentax service in Hamburg/Germany for an assessment of the situation. Result: the lens is within factory specifications."
That killed my interest in it stone dead and I went for the sigma 18-125 instead - which pretty much lives on my K5 ii
- -
Mike
Pentax K5 / Pentax K5 11/ Pentax K200D / Canon Rebel T1 i / Canon 650D / Pentax MX-1 / Fuji XF1 /Fuji X 10 / Canon EOS-M / Canon G10/ Pentax Mz-7 x 2
Mike
Pentax K5 / Pentax K5 11/ Pentax K200D / Canon Rebel T1 i / Canon 650D / Pentax MX-1 / Fuji XF1 /Fuji X 10 / Canon EOS-M / Canon G10/ Pentax Mz-7 x 2
Posted 11/07/2014 - 12:46
Link
I have an 18-135 and a 17-70. The 18-135 pretty much lives on the camera nowadays. It does have some distortion, and some vignetting, but I can live with that. It is fast to focus and quiet, and has a good range. Not the best lens every produced by Pentax true, but I am more than happy with mine.
My big problem now will be which one goes in the camera bag with me to America.
My big problem now will be which one goes in the camera bag with me to America.
Posted 11/07/2014 - 13:15
Link
This is what I concluded for the EPZ test, which doesn't really contradict was you are saying about Photozone, but it does explain why there is this division of perception:
Quote:
At 18mm, the lens puts in its strongest performance. The MTF50 chart shows good levels of detail, albeit it falling off in the corners. The MTF20 chart reveals a contrasty lens that has a high visual sharpness. This contributes to the good overall perception of the images. In terms of chromatic aberration, the centre of the field is very well controlled but this falls off dramatically towards the edges. It is in the area of distortion that things have been really let go, and we have quite high levels of barrel distortion that would easily be noticeable in architectural shots.
By 35mm the distortion and CA are coming under better control, and the high contrast is well maintained across the frame. The fine detail as shown by the MTF50 chart is not there in the corners, but is reasonable to about half way across the field. Images still look good because the coarser details are reproduced very well.
This pattern is maintained through the 70mm and 135mm charts. High central resolution falling over very severely towards the corners, good even contrast across the frame and good central control of CA being allowed to drift considerably toward the outer field and especially the corners. Distortion is quite visible throughout as it varies from wide angle barrel to telephoto pincushion.
However, we do not routinely buy lenses to take pictures of test charts and in the real world this is a very attractive lens that produces really good images. This is clearly because high visual sharpness is achieved through an excellent MTF20 result, where coarser detail is reproduced well across the frame.
Verdict
There is a lot to like about this lens and in a practical sense it gives a good account of itself. There are design compromises that have led to drawbacks, but often it is a matter of matching a lens design with the desired application.
If a lens for architecture and copying of documents is wanted, then this is not it. If it is wanted for general shooting of pictorial subjects and portraits then the lens produces excellent, visually appealing images that have a very attractive character about them. When we add to this the ability to keep shooting in the rain and cold, then we do have an extremely versatile option for Pentax users. In terms of handling the lens is an absolute joy to use.
At 18mm, the lens puts in its strongest performance. The MTF50 chart shows good levels of detail, albeit it falling off in the corners. The MTF20 chart reveals a contrasty lens that has a high visual sharpness. This contributes to the good overall perception of the images. In terms of chromatic aberration, the centre of the field is very well controlled but this falls off dramatically towards the edges. It is in the area of distortion that things have been really let go, and we have quite high levels of barrel distortion that would easily be noticeable in architectural shots.
By 35mm the distortion and CA are coming under better control, and the high contrast is well maintained across the frame. The fine detail as shown by the MTF50 chart is not there in the corners, but is reasonable to about half way across the field. Images still look good because the coarser details are reproduced very well.
This pattern is maintained through the 70mm and 135mm charts. High central resolution falling over very severely towards the corners, good even contrast across the frame and good central control of CA being allowed to drift considerably toward the outer field and especially the corners. Distortion is quite visible throughout as it varies from wide angle barrel to telephoto pincushion.
However, we do not routinely buy lenses to take pictures of test charts and in the real world this is a very attractive lens that produces really good images. This is clearly because high visual sharpness is achieved through an excellent MTF20 result, where coarser detail is reproduced well across the frame.
Verdict
There is a lot to like about this lens and in a practical sense it gives a good account of itself. There are design compromises that have led to drawbacks, but often it is a matter of matching a lens design with the desired application.
If a lens for architecture and copying of documents is wanted, then this is not it. If it is wanted for general shooting of pictorial subjects and portraits then the lens produces excellent, visually appealing images that have a very attractive character about them. When we add to this the ability to keep shooting in the rain and cold, then we do have an extremely versatile option for Pentax users. In terms of handling the lens is an absolute joy to use.
Best regards, John
Posted 11/07/2014 - 13:33
Link
judderman62 wrote:
This is a lens that puzzles me - have seen a fair few owners defend it but as you say reviews are pretty mixed. Photozone's ending comment is:
"Just to mention again - we couldn't believe the rather poor performance so we asked the local Pentax service in Hamburg/Germany for an assessment of the situation. Result: the lens is within factory specifications."
That killed my interest in it stone dead and I went for the sigma 18-125 instead - which pretty much lives on my K5 ii
That Photozone review seems to live on forever and is most quoted. The lens is used by a lot of us because it is a nice lens with a whisper quiet fast focusing DC motor and as John says weatherproofing. It was designed for the K5 and sits well on it and its siblings.
This is a lens that puzzles me - have seen a fair few owners defend it but as you say reviews are pretty mixed. Photozone's ending comment is:
"Just to mention again - we couldn't believe the rather poor performance so we asked the local Pentax service in Hamburg/Germany for an assessment of the situation. Result: the lens is within factory specifications."
That killed my interest in it stone dead and I went for the sigma 18-125 instead - which pretty much lives on my K5 ii
Posted 11/07/2014 - 14:05
Link
I've just ordered a 18-135mm from SRS, 50-200mm has gone as PX
Posted 11/07/2014 - 14:22
Link
I don't think you will be disappointed!
I'm another happy DA18-135 owner.
I'm another happy DA18-135 owner.
Bob
Posted 11/07/2014 - 14:34
Link
doingthebobs wrote:
I don't think you will be disappointed!
I'm another happy DA18-135 owner.
I'm sure I won't, the 50-200mm WR lens seems to get bad reviews but I find that a very good lens, with certain limitations.I don't think you will be disappointed!
I'm another happy DA18-135 owner.
I'm not expecting DA* quality but if it's as good as the other WR kit lenses but with faster and silent AF I'll be very happy, I'm sure I'll just have to find it's limitations but there's not many lenses you don't say that about.
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
799 posts
19 years
I got to thinking maybe I should sell the 50-200mm and buy a 18-135mm and have this one lens as my travel kit.
The question is would I see a step-up in IQ with the 18-135mm, it seems to get very mixed reviews.
I'm quite happy with the IQ of the 18-55mm and 50-200mm if used within their limitations.