Product reviewsPENTAX Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens For Pentax

Good VFM second hand

Can be bought for down to £125 new, so a good s/h purchase at ca £65. At the new ca £185 RRP this is a bit pricey for the optical quality as it shares the same optics as the AL II kit lens which is much cheaper - fine for general photography but hardly Leica quality. It shares the ALII metal bayonet mount but is generally more robust, though it took 3 goes to get an undamaged example as any impact on the main barrel will distort it and cause jamming, wheras the kit lens AL II non WR version has a better mechanical arrangement. CHECK FOR OVALITY if buying s/h.
I wanted the WR to take seascapes and big waves, so this works fine within the limited optical capability of the shared ALII optics. Quite big barrel distortion at 18mm but OK at longer focal lengths. Chromatic aberration OK if stopped down a little. A good general purpose lens at £65 s/h or £125 new and great to get WR at that price.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jpro747

Great lens for little outlay

What a great lens this is for everyday use, with excellent contrast and sharpness at middling apertures; it's still perfectly usable wide open. The focussing is accurate if not the quietest and is pretty quick. Just the job for landscapes and people shots, or a spot of "candid" street photography. Not the weather resistant version but I got it quite wet photographing a rainbow and it still works fine. Pentax produced a quality product that anyone can afford and which is still going quite a few years after it was produced - compare with the many broken versions of other manufacturers' kit lenses to be found all over the place. A gem if used within its limitations ie don't expect pro quality at the edges and don't be surprised at a spot of vignetting when the lens is used at its maximum aperture. Does anyone really need an "upgrade" from this lens? Probably not.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: classy_glass_ca...

Lovely little lens

Light, fast focus, good focal range for most purposes and good price. Sorted.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: ruth3759ruth

Works with film cameras too

This lens is compact light & amazingly cheap. Works well on MZ3/MZ5 type cameras, although if you go right to 18mm you get a circle(vignetting). Aperture is set automatically.

Verified purchase: No

Fast and sharp

Handles well, not too heavy, autofocus is quick and it gives great results.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: sparrowhawk100

Very good lense for everyday shooting.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: apphotographic

Perfect for money!

I buy as a gift for one beginner....

For a starter lens when you have no other lenses at your disposal this lens is very very good. The IQ is good, it is light weight (possibly to to relatively cheap build) but still solid enough, no noticeable CA, and if you want to buy one after you buy a camera body you can get it very cheap.

All in all this is a very good kit lens for starters (until you can upgrade to the DA 17-70)

Cons: Plastic, plastic and plastic....Read full review...