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Pentax smc DA 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR

Pictures:
Specifications:
Manufacturer Pentax
Model smc DA 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR
Lens style Universal zoom
Focal length 18 - 55 mm
Maximum aperture f/3.5 - 5.6
Angle of view 76 - 29 o
Closest focusing distance 0.25 m
Maximum magnification 1:2.94
Minimum aperture 38
Number of diaphragm blades 6
Auto focus type AF
Lens Construction 11 elements / 8 groups
Filter diameter 52 mm
Macro No
Available mounts Pentax K
Dimensions 68.5 x 67.5 mm
Weight 230 g
Additional information
Average rating (11 owners reviews)
Build quality
Optical quality
Value for money

Overall

3.76 Average
Owners reviews (11)
  1. Christian
    Christian 7 August 2019, 15:35
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 79.228.x.x
    Owner since: 6 months
    Price: 50
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: none

    Pros: sharp standard zoom lens, much more better than other brands at f 8 best sharpness CA\'s are fully eliminated by mordern pentax cameras by internal changing program feature. water resistant

    Summary: highly recommended, if you\'ve got no moday producton !

  2. AlmostePentaxian
    AlmostePentaxian 22 June 2015, 14:29
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 217.6.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: Kit
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: extremely soft, regardless of aperture and focal length

    Pros: built quality, WR sealing, low weight

    Summary: I bought a K30 kit w/ this lens. I sent the lens two times to Pentax Service due to poor IQ. First time it was adjusted, but there was no visible improvement of the IQ. Second time Pentax stated, the lens is within the specification. Now I use my old Sigma 18-200 DC again. This is not an amazing lens to. But belief me, it's MUCH! bether than the 18-55WR.

  3. none
    none 9 May 2014, 04:34
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 75.173.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price:
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: So incredibly soft at 55mm regardless of aperture it is useless. You'd do better with an iPhone. Towards the middle of the range, stopped down to f.8 or so, it's almost OK, but then it softens again as you zoom to 18mm. It seems to prefer shorter focal distance as well, to the point where macro close-ups in the 35mm range are can approach "sharp", but nothing else at any range will be, and as you approach infinity it is so bad that I seriously thought something was wrong with my camera body.

    Pros: the weather-resistant constructions would be a huge plus if it were protecting a worthwhile lens. I was really excited about this before I discovered the poor image quality.

    Summary: There is no reason to buy this lens. If all you get is a sub-par 35mm lens, why not get a prime that will reward you with sharp images every time? In my book anyway, there is no purpose to owning a lens that can't produce sharp images, no matter how many focal lengths it doesn't do it at, or that it can not do it in the rain too.

  4. jamesm007
    jamesm007 25 October 2013, 00:03
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 71.227.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price: $230
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Some softness (field curvature mainly) in the 18-25mm range Wide open some soft spots here and there

    Pros: Nice rich contrast and color no matter the f/stop, focal length Sharp from 35mm to 55mm even wide open Build quality is high compared to other kit lens. Weather Resistant!

    Summary: How much do other manufactures make you pay for weather resistance in a dSLR zoom lens? Most have plastic mounts! This has a metal mount. I have taken this lens apart. Its well made. The optical quality is average for a kit lens which is not a bad thing considering all the other features this lens offers. Even the lens hood is special and has a door to turn CPL filters. A true high value lens for the money.

  5. Luigi
    Luigi 7 October 2013, 21:57
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 190.166.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: 184
    User profile: Professional

    Cons: Average IQ, a little soft

    Pros: Metal mount, good build quality, good contrast

    Summary: OK, for a consumer grade lens.Iīve used better pentax kits lenses in the past.

  6. marc
    marc 20 May 2013, 18:31
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 2.174.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: included
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: few distorsion on 18mm, otherwise nothing

    Pros: high contrast,high sharpness, if stopped a few down, very nice colours, no chromatic aberrations on my K5, water protection

    Summary: my lens is very high developped technical product, an excellent kit lens, buy it alone or with body

  7. joe
    joe 11 May 2013, 23:03
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 2.171.x.x
    Owner since: 6 months
    Price: 80
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: wide agle somewhat week, when using 18mm, not so sharp in the corners, some CA's

    Pros: 35mm extreme sharpness, nice protection against humidity, using with kx, if you activate ca's elimination, very precious lens,stopped down to 5,6-8, you'll get very sharp photos. I prefer to use it from 24mm up to 55mm:raelly nice results

    Summary: buy it, but use elimination of CA's of your kx,kr,k5 or k30, so you'll have a great lens for few money

  8. Mike
    Mike 2 March 2013, 16:30
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 78.151.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: £50
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Soft. Slow. Colour rendering is poor. CA. It's a kit lens I guess.

    Pros: Weather resistant, but that's all.

    Summary: Buy body only and save space in your camera bag.

  9. Doru
    Doru 5 November 2012, 15:54
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 193.239.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price: kit lens f
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Soft, soft, soft

    Pros: Weather resistant

    Summary: CA on corners, barrel distortion at wide end, NOT SAHRP al all.

  10. exevalley
    exevalley 28 June 2011, 14:58
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 81.157.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: £50 S
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Can be slightly dark in the corner but that's not a problem in this day and age.

    Pros: Very small and light but also great build quality, Love the lens hood with the polariser window, Its weather proof and the SMC coating is easy to wipe dry in the rain.

    Summary: Great if you own a Pentax.

  11. Quinta Mendes Pereira
    Quinta Mendes Pereira 11 March 2010, 17:21
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 213.58.x.x
    Owner since: 3 months
    Price: kit lens w
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Canīt think of any :-)

    Pros: Astonishing build and optical quality bearing in mind the low price.

    Summary: I first bought this lens in kit for back-up purposes only and currently stays attached to the body most of the time. Resolution is well above average (I should say near excellent at all focal lenghts from f5.6 onwards. The (very) little bit of chromatic aberration that may be noticeable on corners of very large prints is almost 100% corrected by the K-7 software. Same comments for the low distortion in the short focal lenght end. I am really please with this lens.