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The Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL is a standard lens for APS-C, manufactured from 2004 to 2008 (discontinued). The focus is done by In-camera AF motor, it does not have image stabilization. The average price, when it has been added to the JuzaPhoto database, is 110 €;
12 users have given it an average vote of 7.5 out of 10.
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
Pros:Weight, few chromatic aberrations, they pull it after you
Cons:Everything starting with construction
Opinion:I have this lens, taken in kit with the Pentax K-r, I think that of all the Kit lenses, it is absolutely the worst I have ever had. Resolution and details really too poor, construction entirely in plastic which on the one hand is a plus point for the weight, vignette a bit but it is solvable, a TA in the edges detail totally absent. From 40 mm upwards it is pathetic and distorts a lot, not even the Canon 18-55 1 series (the kit one of the 1000D to be clear) distorts so much. If you close the aperture to f8 from 22 to 35 mm more or less it can be used for street and some trips, but let's forget portraits and landscapes. At least in terms of colors it is not too evil, indeed rather neutral, at least in something it is saved. To take a few shots without any pretense and to have fun on the road you can still go.
user172585
sent on March 02, 2024
Pros:By now they're dragging it behind you; it has a metal bayonet and in general it is well built to be an optic supplied in kit; if you really don't have anything else to photograph, at intermediate focal lengths it can still have its say even on more recent cameras (let's say up to 16 megapixels); in my opinion it returns more beautiful colors than the 18-55 second series;
Cons:It's the 18-55 "first series" Pentax, it was fine on a few megapixel sensors, to use it today on newer cameras you have to diaphragm a bit and anyway it's better to avoid focal lengths from 40mm upwards;
Opinion:First of all, it is necessary to make a clarification: the photo on the site depicts a DA L (one of the 4 declinations of the DA 18-55 AL "second series" Pentax, including the very popular WR version), not the DA 18-55 AL "first series" produced from 2004 to 2008. I think this has misled many users who have posted photos taken with the DA L (I have personally ascertained), but which have nothing to do with the DA 18-55 "first series", because the optical scheme is completely different. So let us come to the objective in question. It is a "cap" supplied in a kit, so everything is forgiven. Even if globally surpassed by the new optical scheme of the DA 18-55 AL II (especially at telephoto focal lengths that in my opinion in the "first series" are unusable), it is still able to return some good results, always without losing sight of its nature as a cheap kit optic. I use it between 21mm and 35mm and at least one stop diaphragm recovers resolution, in my opinion it even manages to exceed the DA 18-55 AL II at the same aperture, but given the variability of the specimens these words leave the time they find. Very beautiful colors, in my opinion natural and "clear", I don't know how better to define them. On one occasion I found that from 28mm upwards the colors become warmer. From 40mm upwards you need to close the aperture a lot, generally at that point I prefer to use a 50mm. At 18mm I don't use it much, just out of necessity indoors and most of the time using an external flash. The chromatic aberrations are there as well as the vignetting, you have to go through the software supplied with the camera to correct these defects if you consider it necessary (at the focal lengths I use the chromatic aberrations are not particularly evident).
Pros:To be a lens kit: chromatic aberrations often absent or reduced without the software of the machine, very good detail, excellent sharpness, af fast while using the car engine, because good focal range from wide angle to normal.
Cons:Slight vignetting at 18 mm, underexpose by 0.3 stop by 50mm, to be set, it remains a lens almost top!
Opinion:A lens that I do not think so good to be kit, I found the good as the 18-55 kit lens of sony that is best only for macro compared. A detail of the images really good, we're on the excellent sharpness, af just right for a Pentax, is not as slow as many say, aberrations really ridiculous and often absent in comparison of a lens as Sigma or Tamron to buy separately leggermenti more cari.rnHo found that all Pentax lenses, even the kit, are processed in a special glass that other "super famous" brands do not, allows this work, really quality above average despite the kit, which is why a little costicchiano more, and all those coins are worth more if I had to buy it separately but fortunately it bought in kit!
user38888
sent on December 06, 2014
Pros:AF precise and fast, good sharpness and very good detail to be an "optical kit", color rendering and superior to other brands of the same "category kit" statement in line with the prices of basic optics, but of much higher quality compared to competitors
Cons:Slight vignetting between 18 and 22 mm
Opinion:Simply raise 2 stop and ... the scenery is very good. Although I have evolved in optical Pentax I own, I have to say that this will be in my team because it betrays me in detail and sharpness even if the quality is not at the top, but since it is an optical kit I must say that is far superior to competitors.rnLeggera vignetting between 18 and 22 mm, nothing that can not be correct in PP, even today the fashion like vignetting so it might be an advantage (for some) .rnNon it doesnt but by much more than it should give perspective of the base. Recommended for photos not binding and rapide.rnVoto 9 of 10 in the category of basic optical kit (to me), no comparison to its superior optics, because it is very different systems and quality
user13260
sent on June 18, 2012
Pros:Cost, color rendering, fast and accurate auto focus
Cons:Slow, presents obvious vignetting @ 18mm, it is not very clear.
Opinion:Overall good optical kit supplied but also with machines of cattegoria superior to it (K10D). The value for money is good, but it is not a perspective from which one can not expect much. The vignetting at 18mm is very evident in some conditions and also limiting. The sharpness is not bad but not so good.
Photos taken with Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
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