Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Lens confusion..

Snoops27
Posted 12/07/2014 - 19:49 Link
Hi folks, I'm a bit of a newbie so please be gentle with me. Could someone please explain to me what the difference is between the 18-55 DAL lens and the 18-55 WR lens. Thanks..
Follow me, I'm right behind you...
McGregNi
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:05 - Helpful Comment Link
As far as I understand it the DAL is a budget kit lens without weather sealing and with a plastic lens mount. The WR is a higher quality item with 'weather resistance' and a metal mount. It also adds on 'quick shift' focussing allowing instant manual adjustment if needed even while still in autofocus mode, a great Pentax feature. Optically I think the WR is better, but I'm only going on memory really with that. All in all the 18-55 AL WR is an excellent kit lens, better than the norm for this type of bundled offering. As such it is added with the kit for the higher end Pentax models ... First introduced with the flagship K7 in 2009, now probably with the K3 / K5ll or K50 packages. The DAL version would be bundled with the K500 mainly.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 12/07/2014 - 20:08
davidstorm
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:23 - Helpful Comment Link
There's no difference optically Nigel, they use the same glass, you are correct on all other points.

Regards
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
McGregNi
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:27 - Helpful Comment Link
wow, excellent, I did pretty well then. While I'm on a roll then I'll add that in value for money terms I think the WR is the clear winner ... Not much more money for a number of worthwhile extra features plus a very nice looking design and quality feel.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 12/07/2014 - 20:32
cbrog
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:38 - Helpful Comment Link
In addition to the DA18-55mm WR there is the 'original' DA18-55mm kit lens and then the DA18-55mm MkII'
The MkII version is supposed to be superior but I have both and have not found any difference between them.


Roger

SILLY ME! Duly corrected
Edited by cbrog: 12/07/2014 - 21:04
McGregNi
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:47 - Helpful Comment Link
Yes, you're still talking about the 18-55 zoom range I think, and I believe the mk11 version of the original non-wr lens was an optical advance as you say, and this version remains today in both the current models. So I guess the best approach is to avoid the original mk1 if poss, and if its in your budget then ideally get the WR, especially if you have a WR camera.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
percy
Posted 12/07/2014 - 20:48 - Helpful Comment Link
As you're not a novice photographer you may find this useful for lens comparisons:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/
The 18-135 is probably worth considering as well if it's within the budget - a more useful range than the 18-55 and generally reckoned to be better image quality.
Snoops27
Posted 12/07/2014 - 22:03 - Helpful Comment Link
Thanks everybody. That's cleared things up for me. I'd like to get the 18-135 but I'm not sure if the bank manager (a.k.a. my other half,the boss,'er-in-doors,my darling wife[in case she reads this]), will see things my way.. I'll post updates on my progress with her as and when. Thanks again to all...
Follow me, I'm right behind you...
percy
Posted 13/07/2014 - 07:41 - Helpful Comment Link
You could mitigate costs and maybe justify an 18-135 lens by looking at a Pentax K-30 instead of the K-50. Apart from the styling they are the same camera underneath, as you'll see in the conclusion to this review:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-50-review/introduction.html

and in this comparison
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-cameras-compared/?c1=k50&c2=k30#pentax...

SRS Microsystems have them for sale.
McGregNi
Posted 13/07/2014 - 09:20 - Helpful Comment Link
K30 and 18-135! Sounds like a potent combination. I've always been wary of the so-called 'superzoom' types (like the sort offered by Tamron such as 18-200 or something quite extraordinary like that), because of the clear optical compromises involved, all the extra elements and extended zoom mechanics.

But the 18-135 seems more ideal - a most practical range for ease when shooting a range of subjects on a single outing. And then if required a longer telezoom or prime can take over from the 100 or 150+ range.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 13/07/2014 - 09:32
tyronet2000
Posted 13/07/2014 - 11:19 - Helpful Comment Link
I think the majority of my images, bad and good, were taken using the 18-135mm. I have considered a super zoom but while I'm able, I carry the 18-135mm on camera and 10-24mm and 55-300mm in my bag which for me covers all my needs. If I had to let any of the lenses go it would be 55-300mm then 10-24mm.
Regards
Stan

PPG
Edited by tyronet2000: 13/07/2014 - 11:21
Snoops27
Posted 13/07/2014 - 14:56 Link
Thanks for the links Percy. Not much difference at all really. I'm just off out to buy a bunch of flowers for the bank manager. lol. Great photos and advice Stan. Thanks....
Follow me, I'm right behind you...
Edited by Snoops27: 13/07/2014 - 14:58
richandfleur
Posted 13/07/2014 - 23:12 Link
As Nigel has mentioned above, the new WR version almost shouldn't be called a 'kit' lens as it's performance is leagues ahead of what other manufacturers offer in their cheap bundles. I personally wouldn't see it as too much of a compromise if that was all you were able to acquire initially.
jemx99
Posted 13/07/2014 - 23:39 Link
Snoops27 wrote:
I'm not sure if the bank manager (a.k.a. my other half,the boss,'er-in-doors,my darling wife[in case she reads this]), will see things my way

I'm lucky - my other half can't tell the difference between an old lens or a new one sneakily brought when she isn't there - if I swapped my K30 for a K3 she would never know - unless she reads this
I would say the 18-135 gives about the same image quality as the 18-55 but of course has the better range and dc motor - but as you would probably guess it's quite a bit bigger and heavier.

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.