Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

pcarfan · 06-20-2011, 01:40 PM

I purchsed my first DSLR with the Tamron 18-250 and used that lens to learn when I didn't know much about photography.

A few from those times...it defintely didn't behave like a superzoom should.

One shot from this lens got into PPG
PENTAX Photo Gallery

Docrwm · 06-20-2011, 03:52 PM

Ratings for the Pentax 55-300 are very good. Once you get past the "It's not as good as a prime at Xmm" and look at its utility and overall sharpness across its range it has some impressive numbers. Photozone has a nice analysis of it:
Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED - Review / Test Report

JHD · 06-20-2011, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

I purchsed my first DSLR with the Tamron 18-250 and used that lens to learn when I didn't know much about photography.

My, that first one looks very decent. I'd say that answers the OPs question.

dgaies · 06-20-2011, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by JHD

My, that first one looks very decent. I'd say that answers the OPs question.

The 18-250 is an excellent all-around lens, especially when combined with one of the newer bodies that perform well at high ISO.

Here's one with the 18-250 and the K-5 @ iso6400

pinholecam · 06-20-2011, 06:33 PM

DA18-135 is not as long, but it can 'swim' and is not afraid of dust storms and the cold. So yeah, I think its 'super'

dgaies · 06-20-2011, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

DA18-135 is not as long, but it can 'swim' and is not afraid of dust storms and the cold. So yeah, I think its 'super'

The 18-135 is what I replaced the above 18-250 with. I can live without the length (I have the 55-300 if I need it) as I much prefer the build and AF (quick and silent focus) of the 18-135 over the 18-250.

kwetiaw · 06-20-2011, 06:46 PM

got me the discontinued 18-250mm pentax. agreed, it's a decent superzoom

and awesome for travel.

GeneV · 06-21-2011, 05:57 AM

It all depends upon the definition of "decent" and "superzoom."

Some, including myself, find the kit lens to be "decent." I think we would find that the Tamron 18-250 or the Pentax 18-135 are "decent."

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Decent Bellows for Pentax K Mount	MrPetkus	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	16	03-16-2014 11:22 AM
Superzoom comparison? Tamron 28-200 vs Pentax 18-250 vs Sigma 28-300 etc	JayR	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	03-10-2010 12:40 PM
Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official	Buddha Jones	Pentax News and Rumors	10	02-28-2010 09:49 AM
Looking for good superzoom	Javaslinger	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	08-31-2009 10:36 AM
To Pentax from a Panasonic superzoom	joefru	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	04-25-2008 06:10 PM

06-20-2011, 01:40 PM	#16
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	I purchsed my first DSLR with the Tamron 18-250 and used that lens to learn when I didn't know much about photography. A few from those times...it defintely didn't behave like a superzoom should. One shot from this lens got into PPG PENTAX Photo Gallery

06-20-2011, 03:52 PM	#17
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Ratings for the Pentax 55-300 are very good. Once you get past the "It's not as good as a prime at Xmm" and look at its utility and overall sharpness across its range it has some impressive numbers. Photozone has a nice analysis of it: Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED - Review / Test Report

06-20-2011, 05:02 PM	#18
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by pcarfan I purchsed my first DSLR with the Tamron 18-250 and used that lens to learn when I didn't know much about photography. My, that first one looks very decent. I'd say that answers the OPs question.

06-20-2011, 06:08 PM	#19
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by JHD My, that first one looks very decent. I'd say that answers the OPs question. The 18-250 is an excellent all-around lens, especially when combined with one of the newer bodies that perform well at high ISO. Here's one with the 18-250 and the K-5 @ iso6400

06-20-2011, 06:33 PM	#20
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,710	DA18-135 is not as long, but it can 'swim' and is not afraid of dust storms and the cold. So yeah, I think its 'super'

06-20-2011, 06:34 PM	#21
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by pinholecam DA18-135 is not as long, but it can 'swim' and is not afraid of dust storms and the cold. So yeah, I think its 'super' The 18-135 is what I replaced the above 18-250 with. I can live without the length (I have the 55-300 if I need it) as I much prefer the build and AF (quick and silent focus) of the 18-135 over the 18-250.

06-20-2011, 06:46 PM	#22
kwetiaw Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	got me the discontinued 18-250mm pentax. agreed, it's a decent superzoom and awesome for travel.

06-21-2011, 05:57 AM	#23
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	It all depends upon the definition of "decent" and "superzoom." Some, including myself, find the kit lens to be "decent." I think we would find that the Tamron 18-250 or the Pentax 18-135 are "decent."

Is there such a thing as a decent superzoom (for Pentax)?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!