Hang on! Kit lens is called DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL... not AL II? Now I'm a bit worried... is this the OLD kit lens in this bundle?Because I have that with my K10d, and I'm NOT happy with it. The new kit lens, DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II is supposedly a huge improvement.Which one is this? Anyone? Hang on! Kit lens is called DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL... not AL II? Now I'm a bit worried... is this the OLD kit lens in this bundle?Because I have that with my K10d, and I'm NOT... » Read More Hang on! Kit lens is called DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL... not AL II? Now I'm a bit worried... is this the OLD kit lens in this bundle?Because I have that with my K10d, and I'm NOT happy with it. The new kit lens, DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II is supposedly a huge improvement.Which one is this? Anyone? « Show Less
325587
I had the same question - I thought it was a typo. It looks like the differentiator between the name of the old AL lens and this new AL lens is the term "Weather Resistant" in the name. On Pentax Forums (http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-18-55mm-F3.5-5.6-WR-Weather-Resistant-Version-Zoom-Lens.html), they've labeled the lens "AL WR".
325588
Solved! I asked this question in another Pentax forum, and this is what I found out: The kit lens in this bundle is actually the THIRD generation of the 18-55, which was released at the same time as the K7. So - an even better deal than I thought!(Or so I suppose. Haven't seen a review of the new kit lens, but it is unlikely to be a downgrade from the last one, I'm sure!)
767677
Actually no, this one is a prime lens with a maximum aperture of 1.8 while the 18-55 is a wide lens with a maximum aperture of 3.5 (at least the one I have, which is a DA L 18-55 Pentax lens).
1295114
This is odd, I bought my wife a K5 which came with this lens and a hood. It was ordered from Amazon. reading comments someone, somewhere was messed up badly.
606484
I'm so glad there's something posted here - this is one of the lenses I'm considering getting my husband for Christmas. He has the Sigma 50-200mm lens right now and in my experience with it, it hasn't been too bad. Should he be happy with the 18-200?
1463489
Only on full frame format it is true 11-16mm with vignettes on wider opening. On your camera it is like 17.6 to 25.6, but with no vignettes and very bright and nice (it is 2.8). Of course you know that your 18-55mm kit lens also is in fact like 28.8 to 88 mm. Hope it helps.
331506
DA is f1.8, FA opens up to f1.4 (so you can only compare from f1.8) From 1.8 the sharpness is very similar but FA has smoother bokeh (much better in my opinion) FA also is compatible with full frame (which Pentax is releasing soon). I own K-5iis and have FA copy and have tried DA copy as well. Hope that helps.
1848183
Hi, I have the exact same lens and camera (purchased recently as an upgrade from d90), I will let you know when I do some test shots! I hope they work well together, because it is one of my fav lens. =]
1298993
Quite happy. I had a K10D previously (still have it as backup) and have a pretty good complement of lenses because of that. I feel like I am getting more out of the other lenses because of the K-3. I was out shooting with the long lens (300-500mm zoom) last weekend, and saw the benefits. Still feel like I am on learning curve, but have no regrets.
893045
Hi Ben,I just ordered this camera, but currently have the k100d. I did use an older lens with my k100d a while back and I had to press the a/e button for about a second to get it to stop down, the camera won't know what the aperature is set at, but it is still usable. I find dpreview.com is really helpful for those sort of questions. Just type in your query in the 'search' area and any discussion about it will come up. Good luck.
604837
Hi Jack - to be honest I've not had hands on with this lens. It was bought for my Son for his birthday. And from what I do know about it it is smaller and with the Macro capability - a more useful lens, also the 18-200 has less focal range then the newer Macro Lens. Seems to have pretty good reviews and as my son uses it for digital video - he's pretty happy thus far. Sorry I can't be of more help.Chuck
1864063
I'm a hobbyist. I'd like to upgrade from the 28-135mm to the 24-105mm, but I'm afraid of spending this much and getting a lens that isn't a "good copy." I'm just not expert enough to know if a lens needs to be recalibrated or something. Is it best for someone like me to buy local and ask the camera store to evaluate the lens sharpness? Or buy from someone like B&H; and ask them to evaluate it before they ship it to me? I resell a lot of lenses, too, and I wouldn't want to resell it some day and have someone complain it wasn't sharp.
423140
In August 2007 Canon introduced the current kit lens, it is a substantial improvement over older kit lenses. So when you read material older than that, that states the kit lens is worthless, it is not talking about that lens.http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16/
1010249
I was so glad to see this question here! I have a D50 also and was a bit confused too after reading other descriptions of this lens.
1264580
Well there are two different "kit" lenses the 18-55 and the 18-135. Now the 18-55 is not a "bad" lens but most people skip that and buy either a different Sony lens,a Sigma or Tamron lens. Pretty much because the 18-55 is a "ok" start out lens but not even a year down the road you will most likely want to upgrade. Now the 18-135 alot of people seem to be happy with, it is more money, but it will probably save your money in the long run. But remember this item is BODY ONLY , so no lens came with this one!!! Make sure you find one with the lens included if that's the route you want to go! Well there are two different "kit" lenses the 18-55 and the 18-135. Now the 18-55 is not a "bad" lens but most people skip that and buy either a different Sony lens,a Sigma or Tamron lens. Pretty much because the 18-55 is a "ok" start out lens but not even a year down the road you will most likely want to upgrade. Now the 18-135 alot of people seem to be happy with, it is more money, but it will probably save your money in the long run. But remember this item is BODY ONLY , so no lens came with this one!!! Make sure you find one with the lens included if that's... » Read More Well there are two different "kit" lenses the 18-55 and the 18-135. Now the 18-55 is not a "bad" lens but most people skip that and buy either a different Sony lens,a Sigma or Tamron lens. Pretty much because the 18-55 is a "ok" start out lens but not even a year down the road you will most likely want to upgrade. Now the 18-135 alot of people seem to be happy with, it is more money, but it will probably save your money in the long run. But remember this item is BODY ONLY , so no lens came with this one!!! Make sure you find one with the lens included if that's the route you want to go! « Show Less
1927445
Jen, I don't recommend this lens. I owned it for a short while when I was new to photography, and was disappointed with its IQ. Zoom lenses that cover this long of a focal length generally sacrifice image integrity to do so. This lens was no exception with heavy barrel distortion on the wide end, and it was very soft when zoomed even when stopped down. I would recommend getting a lens that does less, but does it better. This lens would not be any better than your kit lens. I would recommend the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for its value and IQ.
1239592
Mindy, so far the pictures I've taken have been good, crisp and clear pictures. I'm sure it would depend a lot on various factors especially light and distance. I have this lens on my Nikon 5000 all the time. It has replaced my 18-55 kit lens. I brought it with me walking around in a recent vacation to Maine and when we went sailing. It is a little heavier than the kit 18-55 lens but not as heavy as the 55-200 lens. It is so much more versatile. It has a wide angle and zoom. I'm no pro. Just an amateur who takes pictures of family and sights when on vacation. I love this lens. I hope this helps. Good luck.
348560
I was a little concerned also because what I found was that this "Body Only" K-5 II was actually a K-5 II Kit with the Kit zoom lens removed. I examined the camera, cables, manuals, charger, etc. very carefully and I found no indication whatsoever that the camera had ever been used. I kept the camera and love it! This was an upgrade from a K10D so I kept my lenses, flash, filters, etc. I really believe the K-5 II is the equal of any DX sensor camera on the market. Pentax doesn't get enough respect!!