First of all, I must establish that I am a beginner, not a professional or even a dedicated photographer. However, I am a very enthusiastic and meticulous aficionado. I am also a collector, a characteristic that spills over into my photography hobby --I realize now that I am slowly drifting into lens collection. As a collector (mostly of knives, watches, and fountain pens) I have discovered that even good quality production collectibles exhibit variation (that is to say, each instance is unique), and rarely if ever is a particular kind always reproduced in exactly the same way. I have found out that this is as true of camera lenses as it is of fountain pens, knives or watches. For example, I have three copies of the SMC Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 lens, and each one is slightly or even not so slightly different. Therefore, I am wary of categorically saying anything definitive about any particular production lens, even if general characteristics can indeed be established. Also, as is the case with the performance of other collectibles, one’s appreciation relies more often than not on preferences of a subjective nature: in my case I judge a lens on qualities such as richness of color, depth (3d effects) and bokeh, even though of course I pay attention to rather more “objective” characteristics such as sharpness. To the previous caveats I must add that when judging a lens I find it very hard (perhaps impossible) to judge it in the abstract, without resorting to comparisons with other similar or not so similar lenses. So as a (very personal) benchmark I use my copy of the Pentax SMC-A 50mm f/1.7 lens when judging primes, and my copy of the Sigma 18-250 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM when judging zooms, both of which have yielded superb results for me. Finally, I use exclusively Pentax digital bodies, namely a k-x, a k-30 and a K3. Keep all of the above in mind when I say that I find the Pentax SMC DA 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 to be a fair to middling kit lens, good to start experimenting but rather mediocre for more demanding tasks. The autofocus is slow, and not always accurate. Low light performance is only so-so, bokeh is often noisy, sharpness barely average and color rendering mediocre. However, if you take into account that you can find a good used copy for $50 or thereabouts, its value increases accordingly. For someone who needs an inexpensive lens that will perform adequately under normal circumstances, and that won’t generate undue sadness if it is lost or damaged, it becomes a good proposition, also considering that it provides a very useful focus range. I believe that, as a modern kit lens, the Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 holds its ground against the current day available competition in its price range.Read full review
Very good and sought after lens. The picture quality is better than newer type "kit" lenses. Check DXO mark.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is one of the few kit lenses that is recommended by ColorFoto (colorfoto.de) for digital use on the camera intended (Pentax K-series). It delivers on image quality and size and value for money. Althoug a bit limited in range, the small Pentax 18-55 is fun and fast in use.
Very good quality lens. Perfect for my photography.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Fantastic light weight weather resistant lens. Love it. Arrived quickly.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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