Pentax 18-135

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My father is looking for a good all-about lens; he shoots K-x I believe with a kit 18-55 and 55-250. He wants something that he can leave on most of the time rather than having to try and change in dusty environments like Africa!

The Pentax 18-135 seems a good compromise between quality and focal length, the Tamron and Sigma 18-200 I fear will be too dubious IQ wise. My question really relates to which 18-135. Amazon has a £380 one that they supplier has confirmed is UK stock, it's a "kit lens" which is why it's cheaper.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-18-1...&qid=1370328831&sr=8-1&keywords=18-135+pentax

Wex on the other hand does one for £550. Given £380 is pushing the budget this is really a bit too far, but I wondered what the difference is like.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-pentax-18-135mm-f3-5-5-6-ed-al-if-dc-wr-lens/p1522524

I get it's got less letters but given the camera has built-in IS I'm not really sure what most of this relates to or, more importantly how it relates to quality wise when most of the reviews don't seem to differentiate between the two. I shoot Canon so this is outside my area of expertise.

Is anyone able to give me a hand here please? I'm not looking for amazing IQ, but obviously it needs to be comparable or better than the 18-55!
 
Don't go for either of the two suppliers above. SRS Microsystems in Watford have a great reputation for Pentax kit and are really good at after sales support. They have the 18-135mm lens new but unboxed here:
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/54...5-5-6-ED-AL--IF--DC-WR---UNBOXED---SALE-.html

This is how I got mine and it's about the best way of getting it.

By the way, this lens is an excellent all in one - since being released it has had a bit of a hard time overcoming a bad review by Photozone, but if you look at user reviews on the Pentax forums, it's a very well liked lens. Certainly, I'd be happy to take it out as the only lens with me and I've some other fantastic glass for Pentax. It's also certainly better than the 18-55.
 
Oh, and to be clear - they take the lens out of the boxes for the K5+lens or K30+lens kits, so you'll just get the lens wrapped in bubble wrap and possibly no manual. It's a bit strange if you're not expecting it. Keep the receipt and all will be ok though - SRS are a Pentax recommended supplier, so it will be a UK sourced lens and will have a 2 year guarantee, unlike the Amazon sourced lens.
 
Thanks, that's great really helpful.

It looks like it's even cheaper there (vs amazon) too, plus I have family near Watford so that's even better.
 
Cheers Mike, sounds like a winner to me. Love the sunset pic especially!
 
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