[ctt]

Hello Experts:

What's your opinion on buying the Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5 for $399 vs waiting for the Pentax 18-250 for $500?

Tks!

Connie

[jamesk8752]

Well, I would wait for the DA18-250 (or buy the Tamron version if I was in a hurry), as the 28-300 does not offer the wide angle coverage that I would want in a walkabout all-purpose zoom. 28mm offers the same FOV as 42 mm in 35mm film terms, which is only a slightly wide normal. 18mm, OTOH, offers the same FOV as 27mm in film terms, and is much more useful.

Remember that a lens is a long term investment; the $$ difference between these two alternatives is not that much if spread over the 10 years or so you will use the lens. Also, if money is the issue, the Tamron version can be had for less than $450 is you shop around the Internet.

[ctt]

Thanks. Ok, lets compare apples to apples. What is the advantage of waiting for the Pentax 18-250 vs the Tamron 18-250? What am I gaining from Pentax? Is the quality that much better? And why can't they make a 2.1 instead of 3.5????

Tks!!! (I'm a newbie)

[bymy141]

Hello Experts:

What's your opinion on buying the Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5 for $399 vs waiting for the Pentax 18-250 for $500?

Tks!

Connie

Hi,

Many people believe that the Pentax 18-250 == Tamron 18-250.
It is all over this forum and other forums.

If you want to compare this lens to the Tamron 28-300, then why don't you have a look at the following reviews:

Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

Construction Quality --- Image Quality --- Overall Rating

6.20 --------------------------- 6.20 ----------------- 6.60

Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

Construction Quality --- Image Quality --- Overall Rating

7.40 --------------------------- 8.20 ----------------- 8.20

I would buy the 18-250, Tamron or Pentax, whatever has the better price.

- Bert

[ctt]

Do you know if there will be any weather-coating on the Pentax as in some of their other lenses?

[Confused]

Hi Connie (ctt)

Re your question:

"Do you know if there will be any weather-coating on the Pentax (18-250) as in some of their other lenses"?

To the best of my knowledge, 'weather-proofing' is only available on Pentax lenses sporting the 'DA' moniker. That situation may change somewhere down the line with 3rd party manufacturers but I somehow doubt it, as this sort of thing requires additional engineering, which would obviously add considerably to the eventual retail price. I wouldn't hold your breath on this matter........
The answer to your second question....."why can't they (Pentax/Tamron) make a 2.1 instead of 3.5" ????
That mainly comes down to a combination of complex matters including the basics physics of light-transmission, computerised lens design, optical quality and engineering genius. If only you realised how complicated it is to actually manufacture a lens like Tamron's astonishing 18-250mm to the tolerances required at an affordable price-point, you'd probably not be asking that question in the first place !! Companies could possibly achieve what you're asking for, but the resulting lens would definitely be
a) bigger b) heavier & c) WAY more costly for people such as you & I to buy !!!!

Best regards
Richard

P.S. I am categorically NOT (and never have been) an EXPERT !

[ctt]

Thanks Richard! You're right, I don't have a clue!

Connie