SMC-Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5~5.6 AL (2004), Lens Review

A highly regarded kit lens offering a versatile 27-82.5mm equivalent on APS-C DSLRs, a lightweight everyday or landscape lens with solid build quality, metal mount, and excellent optical performance.

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The SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5~5.6 AL, with an identifying green band on the barrel and distance scales in both imperial and metric distances on the focusing ring, is sold only as a standard kit lens for APS-C Pentax digital SLR cameras.

The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27–82.5mm, takes 52mm filters, and is constructed with an optical formula of 12 elements in 9 groups.

The lens was introduced in 2008 and comes with a hood and a body weight of 220 grams

Though designated as a kit-only lens, built light, and possibly at the lowest cost, the lens is not of the same creed as most others from different manufacturers; the lens was designed with more in mind.

This includes a greater emphasis on build and construction, a non-rotating front element for filter users, and the Quick-Shift Focus System that allows for full-time manual focus while the lens is in autofocus mode, features worthy of consideration for serious photographers.

The lens is a screw drive, so do expect it to be slightly noisy, nothing obstructive. For the review, the lens was mounted on an equally vintage 10MP CCD Pentax K-m, another camera of excellent repute. The setup is part of my 'CCD Resurgence' series. Pentax later updated the lens to the SMC-Pentax-DA 13.5~56 18-55mm AL II.

With both accolades as well as brick-bats all around, including a nomination for its manual focus ring being the best in its class, the lens enjoyed a Sharpness rating of 7.1, Aberrations at 7.1, Bokeh at 6.7, Autofocus at 7.7, Handling at 8.3, and Value at 8.7 on Pentax Forums.

Early Images

Excellent captures in AF Macro Mode

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Sharp, mid-tone colors in AF Zoom mode

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Pentax K-m, SMC-Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5~5.6 AL

The lens is normally a low-cost buy on auction listings, available as a single item or bundled with a camera as a kit. A worthy buy if you are not too concerned with it being the latest from the manufacturer or one that everybody is clamoring for.