18-55 versions

As far as I am aware there have been four versions of the 18-55. The original 18-55 DA AL, the 18-55 DA -AL II, the 18-55 DA AL WR and the 18-55 DAL.
I was going to order an 18-55 WR version but have been told that it is the same optically as the DA-AL. I had assumed that as it came out after the DA-AL II that it was an upgrade to that lens. I am now lost as to whether the AL-II is the best option or the WR,one is better IQ wise, the other is sealed.
I have never got a K200D wet but its nice to know that if I do and have the WR version, the lens is sealed but is it worth upgrading the DA AL to the AL-II

Hi Donald,

I've owned every version of this lens, and can confirm that the DA-L, the DA-ALII and DA-WR are all the same optically, and show a good improvement over the (still good for a kit lens) DA-AL.

It then comes down to a question as to whether you value an included hood and metal lens mount (the DA-L doesn't have these) and weather sealing (the DA-L and DA-ALII don't have this).

Personally, the DA-WR feels a bit better assembled than the other two, and that is the one I chose. Park Cameras have them new but unboxed for £54.99 at the moment.

N.B. Some people say that the coatings on the WR are different, and that leads to slightly different image quality compared to the DA-ALII. I could never tell the difference though (although I could tell the difference between the original DA-AL and the other three).

Hope this helps.

The difference Rob could spot with the original DA 18-55 and the three current versions is that they are different optically. I too have had every version of the 18-55.

12 elements in 9 groups in the original DA, vs 11 elements in 8 groups for the MKII, DAL and WR.

I also agree with Rob - the WR version just feels better. It's a lens of substance! (in a good way).

You forgot quick-shift, the DA-L miss that one also the other version have it though.

Many thanks guys. I had an 18-55 WR version and was going to buy another one, but was told that it is the same lens as the original DA. However if it is the same as the AL II then that is different so I will get one.
The build quality is the highest of any kit lens I have seen, although I think the Nikon 18-55 VR may be sharper.

yes you're right but I don't think it's a useful to buy the first version of the lens though. The newer version have upgraded and better optic performance while the rest is the same as the DA AL II lens.
Why would you want to have 2 kit lenses to begin with?

About the Nikon being sharper, are you comparing RAW or JPG?
Pentax hardly sharpen their JPG output compared to the rest so to make a good comparison you should use RAW.

Or adjust the sharpening.

That's very hard to do I think, not adjusting the sharpening but to get two different camera to sharpen at the same level and there are also other adjustments like colour and contrast going on.

The objective is to get the images as we want them. If we can do that with either or both cameras then comparing the cameras themselves becomes a bit futile.

You're right John but that isn't what I'm talking about at least.
Donald said that the Nikon kit lens looks sharper, I said that the differnce in sharpness can be make because by the in-camera processing for creating the JPG file.
If you want to compare solely the lens performance you should use the same processing on both photos.
The closest you can get to that with digital is to compare the RAW files which have under gone the same processing.

The Nikon 18-55VR is a strong performer in the available lens tests, with some showing it delivering better results than higher spec Nikon lenses, and its consistency is centre, border, and extreme border.
Non VR version
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/234-nikkor-af-s-18-55mm-f...
Pentax
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/135-pentax-smc-da-18-55mm-f35-56-al-review--test-...

I feel the images I have taken with the Nikon would bear out the test findings.
Someone asked why would I want two kit lenses ? I don't, if the 18-55 WR is an upgrade of the DA AL then I would upgrade for the weather proofing.

Photozone claim the Nikon lens is sharp, but of very poor
build quality. So comparing sharpness isn't everything.

Donald those aren't the Nikon 18-55 VR or the Pentax 18-55 WR.
Don't know how much the Nikkon VR is different than the DX II but the Pentax DA-AL is optically different than the WR lens.

The DA-AL is the first version.
DA-AL II is the same lens but with improved optics, it's quite a bit sharper.
The DA-L is the light weight version of the DA-AL II.
The WR is weather resistance version of the DA-AL II with a different lens coating as well.

here are two comparable reviews
http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?test=obiektywu&test_ob=202

http://www.lenstip.com/225.1-Lens_review-Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_DX_18-55_mm_f_3.5-5.6...

It's hard to say that one is sharper then the other, Nikon is only quite a bit sharper on the long end wide open.
Centre
Pentax


Nikon



Edge
Pentax


Nikon

From the MTF curves, the Pentax is the better lens, but we know that anyway from anecdotal evidence. The Pentax kit lenses are probably the best of the bunch.

I agree, the Pentax Kit lens is probably the best kit out there.
Now for the variations, I have two DA and one DAII. There is minor resolution differences with the K20D, but the K10D and DS, nothing really. Still, I use the DAII if I use the kit lens.
If I was starting from scratch and wanted one of the Kit lenses, I would go for the WR version, if only for its sealing that works. We are in a british climate after all....