SMC Pentax DA18-55

Hi All

Does anybody know the UK list price of this lens, have searched google to no avail, seems to be only available as part of a kit. Also is this a true 18-55mm when attached to an *istD or does the 1.5x factor come into play making it a relative 27-83mm.
What are your experiences with this lens, do you recommend it or not.

Thanks in advance.

I'm just coming to terms with the lens, which seems to be very well made indeed. optical quality - not thoroughly tested yet, but initial results seem very good.

McBrian,

A focal length is a focal length, and it doesn't change. What does change, depending on the size of the sensor or film frame, is the angle of view.

In this case, 18-55mm translates to an angle of view on a D or DS that is similar to 28-80mm on a 35mm camera.

John/George, Thanks for the replies.

Brain not working too great at the moment, just getting confused when the lens is described for digital, of course when you get the brain in gear you suddenly realise that not all digitals may have the same size of sensor.

Exactly, which is why the "35mm equivalent" is quoted a lot, so we have some frame of reference.

The pentax DA digital lenses are also different in that they only have an image circle that covers the size of the sensor - used on a 35mm body the corners would vignette. This might, of course, be a useful effect on occasion!

The reduced image circle means the lenses can be more compact, and it might also mean that the lens specifications can be more ambitious whilst retaining high image quality.

Not only vignette but the extreme corners are black. If you want 35mm-film-slr without this effect you'll have to move up to the 20-24 mm range.
The 18mm-effect is in the pic of course - even with blackened corners....

As for the optical quality: Yes, truely acceptable.
As for the AF - I don't like it because of the small f-stop it gets problems at low light.

Paul

The 18-35 is a full-frame lens, very inexpensive, superb flare control, and really not that bad.

Yes, I think these are remarkably good lenses, especially at the price.

I've had time to get to grips with the 18-55mm now, and I must say it has commendable control of chromatic abberations. No colour fringing, even in quite extreme situations. Sharpness, colour and flare control are also excellent.

All in all, I have been delighted with my *istDS and its lens.