K18/3.5 experience anyone?

Hi,

I'm really interested in this lens. I missed one here in UK for £349 in good condition. I'm thinking of getting one from states and selling my 10-20.
Does anybody have an experience with this lens?
I found few reviews, which seem to be positive, but it's hard to dig out any data on this beauty (or the beast? )

Thanks Peter

I always pop over to here if I want to know anything about a lens.

thanks Mike,

I know that page very well, I've been member there for 3 years
I've read those reviews, but as I mentioned it's really hard to dig any other info on this lens. I'm trying to decide between this one and FA20/2.8.
I want to keep my K24 and I'm leaning towards K18 but kind of can't decide...

BR
Peter

I had one, albeit very briefly, I picked it up along with its big brother the K15f3.5 as part of a job lot, exceptionally well made lens and heavy, it comes with its own built in filters, attaching standard filters causes vignetting but I didn't have a thin pro filter to test on it.

I sold both lenses within a couple of weeks of obtaining them as I already had those focal lengths covered with the Sigma 10-20 and a DA15mm. I didn't think keeping them was worth the inconvienience of the extra weight, No AF, No A setting on the aperture ring, Flares easily. More pain than gain IMO.
What are you planning on using it for :
This is the only shot I could find with it. Hope this helps.
[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x261/ClarkyinAus/00K72467-1.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks Clarky,

what camera was that taken with?
And the vignetting, was it even on APS-C cameras or on film?
I just want to use it as normal wide angle. I'm trying to finish my prime line up.
I have Sigma 10-20 but because of it's jerky focusing I've been using it as 10mm f4 prime. And 10mm is really too wide for many applications. But since my K10D has trouble to focus this thing, I was thinking of replacing it...

It was taken on my K7 and as I recall it was a very bright day so I put a 58mm Hoya uv filter on it and it vignetted quite noticeably, I assume thats why they put in the built in filters. You can see the flare in my pic, notice that red reflection at the bottom right. I am not even sure if you can put a hood on it without vignetting??

I got about £400 for mine when I sold it, but it was in mint condition with its original embossed case.

Another one of Clarky's bargains ~mutter mutter~

I would atribute those reflections to the UV filter. And I can't see any vignetting???
Still, even with UV filter, FF designed lens was vignetting on APS-C sensor?!?

Sorry axl, this pic was taken without the filter attached. I must have deleted the others.

Sorry Kris