Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras |
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By
Pentax
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $199.95
Our Price: Too low to display
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- Improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors
- PENTAX SP coating protects the exposed lens elements
- Aspherical elements compensate for spherical aberration
- Developed specifically for PENTAX digital SLRs
- Focal length equivalent to 27mm to 82.5mm in the 35mm format
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Product Description
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Zoom Lens FeaturesThe DA 18-55mm II is the ideal zoom lens for a wide range of shooting applications, covering a wide to moderate wide-angle. This lens has improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors and Pentax SP coating which protects the exposed lens elements. Developed specifically for Pentax digital SLRs, the DA 18-55mm II has aspherical elements to compensate for spherical aberration, and a focal length equivalent to 27mm to 82.5mm in the 35mm format. - Ideal zoom focal range for a wide range of shooting applications
- Improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors
- Pentax SP coating protects the exposed lens elements
- Aspherical elements compensate for spherical aberration
- Developed specifically for Pentax digital SLRs
- Focal length equivalent to 27mm to 82.5mm in the 35mm format
What's in the Box: - Pentax DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II (21717)
- Lens Hood PH-RBA 52mm (38759)
- Lens Cap O-LC52 52mm (31522)
- Rear Lens Cap B (31006)
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Awesome Value! Idiot-proof for all types of shots, 2010-03-21
When I purchased the Pentax K7 camera, I had some older manual lenses that I used first. Those were not truly digital lenses, so there was a lot of manual futzing around with the settings.
No problem they took decent pictures, but didn't allow me to zoom in and out, for wider shots as I wanted.
This lens give you the ability to do both wide-angle shots and zoom fairly close up.
If you are standing on a sidewalk you can get an entire facade of a building in easily. As far as zoom, it's not a super-zoom, but gives you some good range.
The best part about the lens is that since it's fully digital and compatible, it allows the lens to auto-focus when you press down the shutter release button slightly. It's really been a great assistance in making my pictures much more crisp and clear. I highly recommend this for the value.
 OK, not great, 2009-10-13
I got this lens in a kit w/ a K20D body (excellent overall camera). After looking at the positive reviews here I had to do a double-take, to see if we were talking about the same lens (we were) and the next question was, if, as some reviewers noted, this is an improvement over a previous model, I don't think I'd want to use the original.
Don't get me wrong, the lens is not bad. Construction quality is good and it works well with the K20D. The biggest problem I have with it is at short focal distances 18-24mm I can clearly see (and I am not a pro by any stretch of the definition) the problems with image quality:
1) Distortion (images start looking fish-eyed)
2) Vignetting
3) Chromatic aberration
Now, there are two pieces of good news: (1) these effects almost completely disappear at 24mm and up (2) at shorter focal distances raw processing software can deal with these problems to some extent (I use Bibble, YMMV). At 24+mm this lense is EXCELLENT and overall a good value. So the drawback is that now any time I take a picture with it I have to weigh the advantage of a wider angle vs. the guaranteed distortion and other problems I will have to deal with in post-processing.
Pentax Lens from Amazon, 2010-05-03
The lens was received well packed and protected. I tried several pictures and they all came out excellent. This is a very good addition to my lens collection.
Nothing wrong with "Kit", 2009-12-05
I have read lots of reviews of this lens and most of the time it is referred to as a "kit" lens. Originally that just meant that it was the lens that came with the camera body but I think it has become unofficial code for "cheap" or "the one the amateurs use." If that is true, than this is no "kit" lens. It is a great lens that happens to come in the box when you buy some bodies (K200D in my case). This is a small, light lens with a good range for basic shooting - portrait, landscape and close-ups. Wide open you can get lots of horizon. It is my "go to" lens for sunsets. At 55mm it can get close-ups of flowers, eyes, etc. The addition of the Pentax "quick shift" focus override lets an experienced photographer do all kinds of cool things with out of focus areas or for getting the in focus area somewhere outside of the normal focus points.
There is a little drop off in IQ at 55mm. It is tack sharp at 40mm and f/8. If you understand the limitations you can get wonderful pictures.
This lens has earned a permanent place in my bag because of its extreme utility. If I am in a completely unknown shooting environment, I choose either this or my other "kit" lens - Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras
I dont understand why people knock this lens for being part of a kit. My only improvement would be a faster version. Give me the exact same lens in a f/2.8 or better for a reasonable price and I am there. Tamron A16 - Zoom lens - 17 mm - 50 mm - f/2.8 XR Di II - Pentax K
Exceptional value, 2010-02-08
This is the "kit lens" that came with my Pentax k200d. I have had the camera and lens for 18 months now and have taken thousands of pictures. I added two more lenses, a Pentax 50 mm, 1.4 and the 50-200 mm Pentax; yet the it lens it the one I rely on on. Easily, 90% of my photos are taken with it. Even inn low light it comes through. It is a real work horse. Distortion is minimal and not noticeable in the vast majority of photos, mostly portraits, snapshots, and landscapes. When I get serious, I turn to the very fast and fine 50 mm, but for convenience, the little zoom is the one I go with.
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Pentax
EAN: 0027075139220
Label: Pentax
Manufacturer: Pentax
Maximum Focal Length: 55
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Model: 21717
Optical Zoom: 3
Publisher: Pentax
Release Date: 2008-03-26
Studio: Pentax |
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