Pentax DA 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 AL review
The SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 AL, to give it its full name, is Pentax’s take on the ubiquitous ‘kit lens’ concept, designed to offer a functional lens to sell with their SLR bodies at the lowest possible price. And while most of the other manufacturers have taken the opportunity to explore how to build a lens as simply as possible, and using as much plastic as they can get away with, Pentax have taken a different approach.
They have attempted to produce an optic which feels well-made and offers some genuinely desirable features for serious photographers, including a non-rotating front element for filter users, and a fully usable manual focus option. This approach will no doubt appeal to the more knowledgeable buyer, but the big question must be whether the optics live up the apparent aspirations of the lens, or instead corners have been cut at the expense of showroom appeal.
UPDATE: During the final preparation of this review, Pentax announced an new 'mark II' version of this lens to coincide with the launch of the K20D, and presumably tweaked to take better advantage of the 14Mp sensor. We hope to get our hands on the new lens, to see exactly what improvements Pentax have managed to make.
Headline features
- 27-83mm equivalent focal length range
- 'Quick shift' manual focus system
- KA mount for Pentax APS-C dSLRS only
Angle of view
The pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto:
18mm (27mm equivalent) | 55mm (83mm equivalent) |
---|
Pentax DA 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 AL specifications
Street price | US: $110 UK: £180 |
---|---|
Date introduced | September 2004 |
Maximum format size | APS-C |
Focal length | 18-55mm |
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) | 27-83mm |
Diagonal angle of view (APS-C) | 76°- 32° |
Maximum aperture | F3.5-5.6 |
Minimum aperture | F22-38 |
Lens Construction | • 12 elements/ 9 groups • 1 Aspherical element |
Number of diaphragm blades | 6 |
Minimum focus | 0.25m |
Maximum magnification | 0.34x at 55mm |
AF motor type | • ‘Screw drive’ from camera body • ‘Quick Shift’ manual focus |
Focus method | Extending front element |
Image stabilisation | No |
Filter thread | • 52mm • Does not rotate on focus |
Supplied accessories | • Front and rear caps • Petal-type lens hood PH-RBA 52mm |
Weight | 225 g (7.9 oz) |
Dimensions | 68mm diameter x 67.5mm length (2.7 x 2.7 in) |
Lens Mount | Pentax KA |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
170 0 77 Discuss in the forums |
Comments