Can anyone explain this?

Why is it that the older 18-35 kit lens as supplied with the istD is commanding higher prices than the more modern and far more useful focal length 18-55? (as per ebay listings and SRS used prices) is there something I am missing, I know both lenses are optically good but I cant say one is any better than the other.

The 18-35mm is a full frame lens and can be used on film cameras.

:blushOH!

Should have realised that John, FAJ as opposed to DAL, but even so, taking into account the lack of popularity in film cameras it still seems odd.
I shall have to run a film through my MZ7 now, especially as it can utilise FAJ lenses

I've looked at the 18-35mm before now, only snag is the lack of an aperture ring.

I would be looking seriously at the Samyang 14mm if reviews were a little more unanimous, as that would be usable on everything from my 1970s KX to my K-m.

Just had a look on Dimitrovs pages, apparently this lens is supposed to have Ghostless Coating, which may further explain the higher price, unless of course Pentax have produced an ordinary SMC verion with plastic mount as a kit lens to bundle with the istD:.

The inability to use Av or manual modes on a film body that cannot set the aperture (i.e., everything before the A series and a good smattering of bodies thereafter including the MZ-S) makes this lens less attractive to me than it might be otherwise. If I ever end up with an MZ-6 I might be more tempted.

K.

It's a nice lens and the widest full frame zoom ever produced. Had some good results with it, although from memory I tended to use the upper end of the range more than the wider end when it was matched with a crippled KAF2 body. Never used it with either of my ist Ds and it's slipped off the active list, especially now I've got the FA20-90 which I can use with my MZSs


Steve

Can you elaborate on this a little as I have two FF zooms that are wider.

Best regards

I can only think of the fish eye Gary, maybe you could enlighten us both

Well as Steve didn't say : it's a nice lens and the widest full frame zoom ever produced by Pentax I have to offer up my Sigma 12-24mm and 17-35mm lenses.

Both having aperture rings.

I have to say that I agree with Spider. Very odd.

Perhaps the number of people hoping for (and actually expecting) a 135-format DSLR from Pentax is greater than hitherto suspected.

Or perhaps just a few optimists are trying to corner the market in 135-format lenses, just as Nelson Bunker Hunt did with the silver market in the late seventies. (He got wiped out.)

Or perhaps Pentax really ARE going to turn myth into reality, and surprise the sober citizens. And Pentax employees-in-the-know are doing the buying.

But there is a flaw in all these suppositions. Why aren't the prices of other 135-format lens also taking off?

G
(Baffled)

A number of people will value the fact it has an extremely useful range on both 135 format film and APSC digital, and is full-frame future proof. This niche market probably exceeds supply. The 18-55mm on the other hand is oversupplied, and can even be bought new for under £50

As Mike points out, the missing words were "by Pentax" but as you say the fish eye is the obvious one. I have that and a 14-24mm zoom. Either way, no big issue as enlightenment is normally for the better good.

Best regards