Customer Reviews

PENTAX DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Weather Resistant Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Camera

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fairly sharp lens. Lens construction seems to have good tight fit.

Picture quality is good. There is enough detail to show off the 14 mpix of the K20d sensor.


"Shift focus" is kind of a nice feature.

When K20d/K10d is set in auto focus, and the shutter button is not pressed down, the lens can be focus manually by simply turning the focus ring. No need for push/pull of focus ring for manual focus like the Tokinas.

One draw back is the focus ring turns when auto-focusing. Must keep finger away until it is done auto-focusing.

(FYI, the Nikons SilentWaveMotor lens has the same "shift focus" feature, but the focus ring does not turn when auto-focusing.)

According to the manual, 'WR' lens feature moisture resistant, but 'dust resistant' is not listed as a feature.

DA* is listed as moisture and dust resistant. (this is only a WR, and not priced like a DA*)

Not shown in the photo is the red rubber ring at the lens mount which seal the lens mount assembly when installed on the SLR.

Worth the $$$.

Bought this lens 3 weeks ago and I am really pleased with it.
I actually replaced the old 18-55 kit lens Version I with this lens
and I can really see the difference in contrast and sharpness .. So much better.
Definitely a great lens for the price.
The lens arrived on time and in perfect condition from Amazon.

Pros: Lightweight, super sharp and contrasty and Weather resistant.
Cons: A bit slow f5.6 @ 55mm

I bought this lens primarily to have a lens both smaller and lighter when traveling. This lens is highly rated, and I would concur. This lens can take advantage of the Pentax K7's distortion correction features. Because of this feature I regularly use this lens professionally for architectural photography. For a "kit" lens, this is one of the best.

Well so far I have to say that I like this lens. It's light, easy to use, and weather sealed. We had a rain storm this weekend and I never had to worry about getting wet...but I did think about it since it was my first outing. Get this lens if you are looking for an inexpensive sharp and weather sealed lens. It was a no-brainer for me.

-[...]-

Features are a plenty for this lens, and it has excellent optical characteristics as well.

Quick Shift Focus- Manual re-touch up of auto-focused area if you wish.

WR- Weather Resistant (wind/rain/dust)

Smooth focus and zoom ring

Fast focusing

Well built, not chincy, metal rear lens mount.

Lens hood has a built in sliding door so it doesn't have to be removed to use/adjust polarizers

Front element does NOT rotate during focus, best for filter usage and rare among kit lenses

Versatile- Excellent 1:3 magnification ratio will get you a really nice close up and you're likely not ever going to miss your macro lens at home.

Affordable- isn't the word for the price. One of my favorite lenses of all time, and I've used some seriously expensive ones.

When you need a sharp lightweight weather resistant lens, you can't beat this one. Great for trail stampers and weather aficionados- or heck, just about anyone with a Pentax DSLR.

I am really enjoying this lens for the price. The fact that it is weather resistant is a bonus. I have had it in the desert shooting during off road races with no issues either with it or the K7.

I purchased this lens along with the 50-200 to use on a K5 body I bought on ebay. My thinking at the time was buy two inexpensive lenses to cover this range 18-200. In hind sight I should have spent a bit more money and bought a lens with SDM focussing and more substantial build qualities. Although this 18-55 is good value and captures good images, I find the focussing a bit clunky. It is good value and ideal for one of the Pentax DSLR's lower down in the line. The flagship model, K5, deserves a better built more substantial lens.

Very useful focal range. Can take pictures of most anything in any harsh environment. This lens if perfect if you don't want to ruin a prime lens or any of your expensive lenses. At the extreme points of the focal range you will find some distortion or vignetting, but its nothing worth complaining about unless you are a perfectionist or professional.

I have used this lens in the rain and in the absolute cold (Mongolia). The lens is still giving me great shots. Rarely the autofocus loses its tracking so it will click instead of focusing... but i just need to unscrew the lens and manually twist the focus ring to reset it.

I owned the previous version of this kit lens and I never had any issues with it. Now this version feels more solid and has Weather Sealing. A great kit lens.

I bought a Pentax K-7 and a prime lens but the family wanted to go to Paris in June this year so I needed a weather proof lens in case of rain. I purchased this lens as an overall lens for wet weather. I have the prime lens and a 75-300 zoom for sunny day operations. This lens will fit the bill. I have taken several pictures and it performs well.