Pentax DA 18-250

MRRiley · 11-17-2007, 09:41 AM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

I just tried out the new Pentax DA 18-250mm at the Ace Photo Demo Day. I was very impressed with the reach and it handles nicely. There is one important thing you should know before buying this lens however...

It does NOT have the “Quick-Shift Focus System”.

This means you cannot move the focus ring by hand when it is in autofocus. This is not really surprising since it is really just a rebadged Tamron. It is disappointing though. Frankly MFinAF is one of my favorite features in the DA lenses so I guess I will be skipping this one until or unless they update it to allow manual focusing while in AF mode.

If this feature doesn't matter to you it is a very nice little lens with incredible reach.

Last edited by MRRiley; 11-17-2007 at 12:29 PM.

JamesD · 11-17-2007, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the information. It's a feature that doesn't matter to me. As soon as it is available here... I'm ordering it.

little laker · 11-17-2007, 10:43 AM

Since I shoot mostly in manual focus it wouldn't usually bother me.
However it's sure a nice feature to have, and I made the mistake of focusing with one lens like that in auto focus once already. Good thing that I didn't damage it.

nosnoop · 11-17-2007, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by MRRiley

It does NOT have the “Quick-Shift Focus System”.

Yes, that's true. But even IF it has quick shift, I am not sure how useful it would be. The lens has such a short throw that it is very difficult to manual focus or manually refine focus.

Bramela · 11-17-2007, 12:20 PM

I agree that such a facility should be added. I have a Tamron 70-300. Lens hood was a little stiff to click into place and in so doing the AF was considerable moved, grinding against the gears a little. No damage done, fortunately, but something I am very much on the look out for now.

Snowcat · 11-17-2007, 03:13 PM

Quick Shift is what i like VERY much about kit lens - great feature... And I am planning to get 18-250, so i am a little (just a little) disappointed about that. Still want to get it. Anyway, are there other super-zooms (from wide to tele, not 70-200 or so) that support quick shift?

And does anyone have some pictures from 18-250 Tamron of Pentax to see?

Fl_Gulfer · 11-17-2007, 03:43 PM

This guy has 2 for 514.00 bucks. I was wondering if the Tamron was better before I take the plunge?

RARE PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL MINT BRAND NEW - (eBay item 110192780531 end time Nov-19-07 17:18:35 PST)

**Sailor** · 11-17-2007, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the info, Mike. Even without the Quick Shift feature, this lens would be ideal for the kind of thing I did today - grabbed snapshots of the Festival of Lights - a preholiday ritual here in Lake Jackson (my grandaughter's dance class performed, the magnet that drew me there). This gig is essentially a downtown carnival that spurs the need for every focal length under the sun. I swore that I'd buy no more lenses, but I checked my gear shelf. . . . and there's room for just one more.

Jer

11-17-2007, 09:41 AM	#1
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	Pentax DA 18-250 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I just tried out the new Pentax DA 18-250mm at the Ace Photo Demo Day. I was very impressed with the reach and it handles nicely. There is one important thing you should know before buying this lens however... It does NOT have the “Quick-Shift Focus System”. This means you cannot move the focus ring by hand when it is in autofocus. This is not really surprising since it is really just a rebadged Tamron. It is disappointing though. Frankly MFinAF is one of my favorite features in the DA lenses so I guess I will be skipping this one until or unless they update it to allow manual focusing while in AF mode. If this feature doesn't matter to you it is a very nice little lens with incredible reach. Last edited by MRRiley; 11-17-2007 at 12:29 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sigma 18-250 or Pentax/Tamron 18-250?	mjbens01	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	07-08-2010 09:10 PM
Pentax 18-250 always same as Tamron 18-250?	kitkat	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	07-08-2010 08:30 AM
Why DA18-250 is double the price of Tamron 18-250?	raider	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	12-13-2008 05:40 AM
Pentax 18-250 is here	thibs	Pentax News and Rumors	120	01-03-2008 04:00 PM
New Pentax 18-250 Or 18-55?	Captain	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	11-21-2007 06:30 PM

11-17-2007, 09:53 AM	#2
JamesD Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Thanks for the information. It's a feature that doesn't matter to me. As soon as it is available here... I'm ordering it.

11-17-2007, 10:43 AM	#3
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Since I shoot mostly in manual focus it wouldn't usually bother me. However it's sure a nice feature to have, and I made the mistake of focusing with one lens like that in auto focus once already. Good thing that I didn't damage it.

11-17-2007, 11:53 AM	#4
nosnoop Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,299	Originally posted by MRRiley It does NOT have the “Quick-Shift Focus System”. Yes, that's true. But even IF it has quick shift, I am not sure how useful it would be. The lens has such a short throw that it is very difficult to manual focus or manually refine focus.

11-17-2007, 12:20 PM	#5
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I agree that such a facility should be added. I have a Tamron 70-300. Lens hood was a little stiff to click into place and in so doing the AF was considerable moved, grinding against the gears a little. No damage done, fortunately, but something I am very much on the look out for now.

11-17-2007, 03:13 PM	#6
Snowcat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 239	Quick Shift is what i like VERY much about kit lens - great feature... And I am planning to get 18-250, so i am a little (just a little) disappointed about that. Still want to get it. Anyway, are there other super-zooms (from wide to tele, not 70-200 or so) that support quick shift? And does anyone have some pictures from 18-250 Tamron of Pentax to see?

11-17-2007, 03:43 PM	#7
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	This guy has 2 for 514.00 bucks. I was wondering if the Tamron was better before I take the plunge? RARE PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL MINT BRAND NEW - (eBay item 110192780531 end time Nov-19-07 17:18:35 PST)

11-17-2007, 09:21 PM	#8
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Thanks for the info, Mike. Even without the Quick Shift feature, this lens would be ideal for the kind of thing I did today - grabbed snapshots of the Festival of Lights - a preholiday ritual here in Lake Jackson (my grandaughter's dance class performed, the magnet that drew me there). This gig is essentially a downtown carnival that spurs the need for every focal length under the sun. I swore that I'd buy no more lenses, but I checked my gear shelf. . . . and there's room for just one more. Jer

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search