Pentax HD PENTAX DA 18-50mm f/4.0-5.6 DC WR RE Lens

I took this lens on a trip to Hawaii and came back with a bunch of great pictures. It is very light and seems flimsy, but the results were good. There is more or less softness around the edges depending on the focal length and f stop.

I use this lens for table-top photography and it is pretty close to ideal for that purpose. Since I have plenty of light, I can stop the lens down to 8.0 or 11.0 with no problem and at those apertures it's sharp and has nice color rendition. It focuses close enough but is not a macro lens.

I ordered it as a companion to my HD 55-300 WR in preparation for a trip to Alaska. I wanted to like it . . . lightweight, compact, quick and quiet focus, initial impression of IQ after a few test shots was very good. But - the build just seemed flimsy, with lots of wobble in the barrel.

This is a perfect starter lens for my Pentax K-3. It isn't the sharpest lens ever made but it is easily the best kit lens I have owned. It's sharp enough in the middle and it's collapsable body allows for easy storage and transportation.

This is a great lens when bought for what it is and within that context. It's a very neat, up-to-date, standard zoom with Pentax's top-grade HD coating, complete with lens hood.* On the latest Pentax bodies, such as the K-S2.

PROs + very light and thin (perfect for travelling light) + high build quality for a kit lens + weather resistant (prevents rain and dust ingress and thus increases longevity as well as maintains resell value) + no wobbling or rattling (tightly assembled) + DC motor allows quiet auto focus +...