[netrex]

I don't trust those images. Is there a place I can read about their setup and methodology for taking these test shots? And which lens was used at which setting etc..

[Klaus]

[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1291302520' post='4707']

I suppose you'll be testing the DA 18-135 after you get the camera back?

Or did you happen to perform the test already?



What are your preliminary thoughts regarding the IQ of this lens? Does it seem better or worse than the Nikkor 18-135?



Thanks!

[/quote]



I did only a quick sanity test to check whether the lens is reasonably well centered. Seems as if I got a good copy.

(Very) subjectively it seems to be quite sharp actually.



However, I will not dare to compare it to other lenses just based on these very preliminary impressions.

The AF is slow. That's a point maybe. And the build quality is above average (in the true sense).

[Class A]

[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1291289870' post='4695']

Assuming that 100%, 0.5px sharpening is acceptable then it's valid to state that my initial assessment on the K10D vs K5 was wrong.

[/quote]

You don't have to do this, of course, but I was wondering what a corrected comparison would look like? If I simply scale up your result for the K10D to the K-5, based on the difference in vertical resolution, the K-5 should achieve 2959 LW/PH. Does that sound about right and do you think that figure is adequate to compare to the 2350 LW/PH of the K10D?





[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1291289870' post='4695']

However, this does still not negate the statement that the K5 has a comparatively strong AA filter vs the rest of the gang (inc. the K10D).

[/quote]

Well, it is not difficult to be "comparatively strong" if the rest of the gang is pretty weak. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Klaus, thanks for bearing with me! I know I can be a pain. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Class A]

[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1291305836' post='4709']

The AF is slow.

[/quote]

Interesting. At Pentaxforums, Adam wrote that it shines in AF speed and that it is quicker than the Sigma 18-250 HSM. Another forum member wrote it is comparable to screw-drive.



I had a feeling that ravings about the AF speed are probably exaggeration. After all, the DC motor is the budget version for in-lens-motor focusing.



Would you say Sigma HSM is also slow or does it depend on the lens?



Looking forward to reading your findings about the 18-135 AF speed and whether it might have been better to make it screw-drive.



I'm not a fan of motors in lenses unless they are so simple (ring motors) that there is hardly any chance that they can break. Otherwise there is just more stuff that can break (motor, gears, attachment points).

[Sylvain]

[quote name='Class A' timestamp='1291324588' post='4712']

Klaus, thanks for bearing with me! I know I can be a pain. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]



Carefully chosen avatar, I would say <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Class A]

[quote name='Sylvain' timestamp='1291329765' post='4714']

Carefully chosen avatar, I would say <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]

<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Ryuk]

Klaus,

are you going to do new Pentax lens reviews with K-5?



- DA*300/4 SDM

- DA 18-55 WR (AL II)

- DA 18-135 WR DC

- DA 35/2.4

- A 50/1.2 (in production http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/catalog/pdf/lenses_accessories.pdf )

- DFA 100/2.8 Macro WR



Thanks

[Klaus]

[quote name='Ryuk' timestamp='1293296802' post='5186']

Klaus,

are you going to do new Pentax lens reviews with K-5?



- DA*300/4 SDM

- DA 18-55 WR (AL II)

- DA 18-135 WR DC

- DA 35/2.4

- A 50/1.2 (in production [url="http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/catalog/pdf/lenses_accessories.pdf"]http://www.pentax.jp...accessories.pdf[/url] )

- DFA 100/2.8 Macro WR



Thanks

[/quote]



Yes, yes, yes, yes, no, maybe

[Ryuk]

Thank you so much. Pentaxians will be waiting <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[finaldesignrb]

Klaus, just bought the Pentax 18-55mm AL II. It's kind of a bubble gum lens, underwhelming in terms of resolution at the long end. Actually quite sharp at 18mm, at least in the center. Goodly amount of lateral color at 18mm too, though after simplistic correction not very noticeable. Mechanical focusing real easy and accurate despite smallish, slightly hot focusing ring.



Am just going to use it as a somewhat-more-flexible-than-a-prime $115 F3.5 wide angle lens on my Nex, it is so inexpensive someone might think it a good value just for that. But is it any better than the Nex e-mount at the wide end? Hmm, I think a bit less lateral color. Wish I had gotten the WR sealed version from B&H for $35 more. My interest in it is that I don't have to change Nex adapters to use it along with another K-mount lens that am quite fond of.



Was surprised that a Rainbow Imaging $25 Nex-Pentax adapter works pretty well to control the DA lens aperture mechanically, despite the real short travel of the adapter control ring. The tiny clicks actually sort of mean something like an F-stop or so.



I know it's against your policy to accept lenses from overseas, but am offering to send you this 220 or whatever grams lens if you want to look at it, anyway, if it will help the 'Zone. Can live without it for a few weeks, I'll pay for the postage back to me too.