Superzoom for K7, K5 opinions wanted

David&karen · 07-30-2011, 11:45 PM

Hi everyone. I have been looking for a 'Superzoom' for Karens K7, ans since the Pentax 18-250 or the Tamron version of it is not available, what do you recommend? I need it to be new, with a warranty, otherwise anything that is AF goes! And thanks in advance!

David

hcc · 07-31-2011, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by David&karen

Hi everyone. I have been looking for a 'Superzoom' for Karens K7, ans since the Pentax 18-250 or the Tamron version of it is not available, what do you recommend? I need it to be new, with a warranty, otherwise anything that is AF goes! And thanks in advance!

David

The DA18-250mm/Tamron 18-250mm can be found quite regularly on the 2nd hand market. See PF Marketplace, www.keh.com, and www.adorama.com (Used equipment). When you by from Keh.com and adorama, you have a return policy.

You can also post a Wanted Item message at PF (Wanted Items - PentaxForums.com).

The alternative is the newer Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM K-mount. It is currently listed at $475 at Adorama.com.

I have myself the K-7 and DA18-250mm. The combo works very well and the DA18-250mm is truly a sturdy lens. I purchased the DA18-250mm from Keh nearly 2 years ago and the lens has been faultless.

Hope that the info will help....

stormtech · 07-31-2011, 05:17 AM

You don't mention if you are looking for an f2.8 lens or a slower one.

I've been contemplating the same lens for my wife's K-x - how about this Sigma 18-250 F3.5-6.3?

18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM - Multipurpose Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/Sigma-18-250mm-F3.5-6.3-DC-OS-HSM-for-Pentax.html

David&karen · 08-01-2011, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the replies! I don't know of any superzoom that is 2.8(probably would be huge!), but I really don't know enough about the sigma. Is it as sharp as the 18-250 Pentax was? Karen has her monster tele: the tamron 70-200mm f2.8 and boy is that puppy fast and sharp!

David

hcc · 08-03-2011, 02:15 PM

DA18-250mm at B&H at very competitive price:
Used Pentax SMCP-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) 21697 B&H

gp1806 · 08-03-2011, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by hcc

DA18-250mm at B&H at very competitive price:
Used Pentax SMCP-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) 21697 B&H

+1, I have this lens and like it.

jimr-pdx · 08-03-2011, 04:38 PM

I cannot say how it would hold up at 16Mpixels, but I like my Sigma 18-200 on the k-x. I am better served for overall IQ with the 16-45 and 50-200wr, but on days when my shooting isn't demanding (bike commutes to work, for example) it's nice to have the 18-200. So much smaller than the Tam/DA 18-250 and more so when Sigma adds motors & stabilizers. The 18-200 also has not crept on me, neither this one or the one I had with my Sony A200 in a former life. It has the lock at 18mm just in case, but I've yet to need it. On my A200 I had this and the Tam 18-250 v1, and IQ was too close to call so I kept the smaller one. I was reluctant to try it on more than 10Mpixels, but I got a $210 'steal' and am quite satisfied. As I said it's no match for 16-45 and 50-200 (or 55-300) but it's not bad.

audiobomber · 08-04-2011, 10:12 AM

Have you considered the 18-135mm WR? I used the DA 18-250 for a couple of years but gave it to my wife because sometimes the IQ let me down and the zoom creep/lock was annoying.

The 18-135mm suits me much better. I prefer the look of photos from the newer superzoom and mechanically it's a dream lens.

David&karen · 08-06-2011, 12:52 AM

Karen has that lens and it is sharp at smaller openings edge to edge up to around 70mm, but center sharp up to 135mm. It is choice I need to make.

David

**Ash** · 08-06-2011, 01:18 AM

I'm not enthralled by superzooms for the speed and IQ factor that tends to let these lenses down. Having two lenses easily gets away with both issues, particularly with the Tamron and Sigma offerings (17-50 and 70-200).

RioRico · 08-06-2011, 01:35 AM

I strongly vote for a used DA18-250 or its Tamron twin. I strongly vote AGAINST a 2-lens set that requires swapping lenses around 55mm. An awful lot of the world is best seen with glass in the 30-70mm range, and a 2-lens set disrupts that. Amongst all my other glass, I have an 18-55 plus 60-300 set, and I don't use them together, just because of that discontinuity. Go for 18-250.

**Ash** · 08-06-2011, 02:15 AM

Then the Tamron 28-75 just might fit the bill for someone of that vain.

I personally cannot see myself travelling around limited to 18mm at the short end and 250mm at the long end. Did it once with the kit lenses and I won't be doing it again. I now go (for light travelling) with a 12-24, a 43 and the 55-300. There is little inconvenience (for me) in switching lenses.

Horses for courses...

mbukal · 08-06-2011, 03:13 AM

koristim K-r i pentax 17-70 i sigmu apo 70-300 i super zadovoljan za te novce,od 17-135mm imam blendu f4,nema rupe 55-70 a imam širinu 17mm i tele 200-300mm i makro na tim milimetrima,na K-5 bi to bila super kombinacija,daleko veče mogučnosti nego sigma dc18-125mm a i bolja je kvaliteta ;-)

Mace · 04-06-2012, 03:27 AM

I just came back from a mountain trek vacation. I had the 18-55 WR, 55-200 WR and a 50 and 24 prime with me. Most of the time I was using the 24mm f2.0 Vivitar(Kiron), second most was the 18-55. I was extremely annoyed by switching lenses all the time and thought that the main problem would be between the 18-55 and the 55-200.
Then I did some statistics with ApertureInspector. It turned out, that 96% of my pictures where taking at a focal length of 18-67mm and that even 36 % were taken at 18-23 mm. The only other peak was at 200mm with 5%. It turns out that only 5.5% of my pictures were taking between 67-190mm.
That tells me, that a superzoom would be somewhat convenient not to change between the 18-55 and the 55-200, but obviously I don't use the later range so seldom, that this is not where the problem is. So the trade off would be to loose the image quality for only few lens changes btw the zooms. I am not convinced by the quality of the 18-55 and i can't imaging that the 18-250 would improve things.

I think I just have to live with the lens changes, if I continue to use my prime lenses, which account for 37% of my pictures and most of my 4-5 star pictures.

What I am now looking into is a solution below 18mm. Though I am not motivated to invest in APC lenses and FF lenses (alas I still believe in that) are rare and expensive.

So for everyone who is tempted to change his or her lens set up, I can recommend to do some statistics of your library first before investing a couple of hundred bucks into something you don't really need.

RioRico · 04-06-2012, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by Mace

Then I did some statistics with ApertureInspector. It turned out, that 96% of my pictures where taking at a focal length of 18-67mm

Maybe you need the Sigma 17-70 then.

Quote:

I am not convinced by the quality of the 18-55 and i can't imaging that the 18-250 would improve things.

The 18-250's optics are better than the 18-55's optics.

Quote:

What I am now looking into is a solution below 18mm. Though I am not motivated to invest in APC lenses and FF lenses (alas I still believe in that) are rare and expensive.

You might consider the FF Zenitar-K2 16/2.8. (K2 means it's in PK-M mount.) It's not terribly fishy on APS-C cams, and is quite good for elongated shots, and for work in tight spaces.

07-30-2011, 11:45 PM	#1
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	Superzoom for K7, K5 opinions wanted Hi everyone. I have been looking for a 'Superzoom' for Karens K7, ans since the Pentax 18-250 or the Tamron version of it is not available, what do you recommend? I need it to be new, with a warranty, otherwise anything that is AF goes! And thanks in advance! David

07-31-2011, 12:53 AM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Originally posted by David&karen Hi everyone. I have been looking for a 'Superzoom' for Karens K7, ans since the Pentax 18-250 or the Tamron version of it is not available, what do you recommend? I need it to be new, with a warranty, otherwise anything that is AF goes! And thanks in advance! David The DA18-250mm/Tamron 18-250mm can be found quite regularly on the 2nd hand market. See PF Marketplace, www.keh.com, and www.adorama.com (Used equipment). When you by from Keh.com and adorama, you have a return policy. You can also post a Wanted Item message at PF (Wanted Items - PentaxForums.com). The alternative is the newer Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM K-mount. It is currently listed at $475 at Adorama.com. I have myself the K-7 and DA18-250mm. The combo works very well and the DA18-250mm is truly a sturdy lens. I purchased the DA18-250mm from Keh nearly 2 years ago and the lens has been faultless. Hope that the info will help.... Last edited by hcc; 07-31-2011 at 01:28 AM.

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07-31-2011, 05:17 AM	#3
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	You don't mention if you are looking for an f2.8 lens or a slower one. I've been contemplating the same lens for my wife's K-x - how about this Sigma 18-250 F3.5-6.3? 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM - Multipurpose Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/Sigma-18-250mm-F3.5-6.3-DC-OS-HSM-for-Pentax.html

08-01-2011, 11:15 PM	#4
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies! I don't know of any superzoom that is 2.8(probably would be huge!), but I really don't know enough about the sigma. Is it as sharp as the 18-250 Pentax was? Karen has her monster tele: the tamron 70-200mm f2.8 and boy is that puppy fast and sharp! David

08-03-2011, 02:15 PM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	DA18-250mm at B&H at very competitive price: Used Pentax SMCP-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) 21697 B&H

08-03-2011, 04:12 PM	#6
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Originally posted by hcc DA18-250mm at B&H at very competitive price: Used Pentax SMCP-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) 21697 B&H +1, I have this lens and like it.

08-03-2011, 04:38 PM	#7
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I cannot say how it would hold up at 16Mpixels, but I like my Sigma 18-200 on the k-x. I am better served for overall IQ with the 16-45 and 50-200wr, but on days when my shooting isn't demanding (bike commutes to work, for example) it's nice to have the 18-200. So much smaller than the Tam/DA 18-250 and more so when Sigma adds motors & stabilizers. The 18-200 also has not crept on me, neither this one or the one I had with my Sony A200 in a former life. It has the lock at 18mm just in case, but I've yet to need it. On my A200 I had this and the Tam 18-250 v1, and IQ was too close to call so I kept the smaller one. I was reluctant to try it on more than 10Mpixels, but I got a $210 'steal' and am quite satisfied. As I said it's no match for 16-45 and 50-200 (or 55-300) but it's not bad.

08-04-2011, 10:12 AM	#8
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Have you considered the 18-135mm WR? I used the DA 18-250 for a couple of years but gave it to my wife because sometimes the IQ let me down and the zoom creep/lock was annoying. The 18-135mm suits me much better. I prefer the look of photos from the newer superzoom and mechanically it's a dream lens.

08-06-2011, 12:52 AM	#9
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	Karen has that lens and it is sharp at smaller openings edge to edge up to around 70mm, but center sharp up to 135mm. It is choice I need to make. David

08-06-2011, 01:18 AM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'm not enthralled by superzooms for the speed and IQ factor that tends to let these lenses down. Having two lenses easily gets away with both issues, particularly with the Tamron and Sigma offerings (17-50 and 70-200).

08-06-2011, 01:35 AM	#11
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I strongly vote for a used DA18-250 or its Tamron twin. I strongly vote AGAINST a 2-lens set that requires swapping lenses around 55mm. An awful lot of the world is best seen with glass in the 30-70mm range, and a 2-lens set disrupts that. Amongst all my other glass, I have an 18-55 plus 60-300 set, and I don't use them together, just because of that discontinuity. Go for 18-250.

08-06-2011, 02:15 AM	#12
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Then the Tamron 28-75 just might fit the bill for someone of that vain. I personally cannot see myself travelling around limited to 18mm at the short end and 250mm at the long end. Did it once with the kit lenses and I won't be doing it again. I now go (for light travelling) with a 12-24, a 43 and the 55-300. There is little inconvenience (for me) in switching lenses. Horses for courses...

08-06-2011, 03:13 AM	#13
mbukal Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: zagreb Posts: 668	koristim K-r i pentax 17-70 i sigmu apo 70-300 i super zadovoljan za te novce,od 17-135mm imam blendu f4,nema rupe 55-70 a imam širinu 17mm i tele 200-300mm i makro na tim milimetrima,na K-5 bi to bila super kombinacija,daleko veče mogučnosti nego sigma dc18-125mm a i bolja je kvaliteta ;-)

04-06-2012, 03:27 AM	#14
Mace Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 56	I just came back from a mountain trek vacation. I had the 18-55 WR, 55-200 WR and a 50 and 24 prime with me. Most of the time I was using the 24mm f2.0 Vivitar(Kiron), second most was the 18-55. I was extremely annoyed by switching lenses all the time and thought that the main problem would be between the 18-55 and the 55-200. Then I did some statistics with ApertureInspector. It turned out, that 96% of my pictures where taking at a focal length of 18-67mm and that even 36 % were taken at 18-23 mm. The only other peak was at 200mm with 5%. It turns out that only 5.5% of my pictures were taking between 67-190mm. That tells me, that a superzoom would be somewhat convenient not to change between the 18-55 and the 55-200, but obviously I don't use the later range so seldom, that this is not where the problem is. So the trade off would be to loose the image quality for only few lens changes btw the zooms. I am not convinced by the quality of the 18-55 and i can't imaging that the 18-250 would improve things. I think I just have to live with the lens changes, if I continue to use my prime lenses, which account for 37% of my pictures and most of my 4-5 star pictures. What I am now looking into is a solution below 18mm. Though I am not motivated to invest in APC lenses and FF lenses (alas I still believe in that) are rare and expensive. So for everyone who is tempted to change his or her lens set up, I can recommend to do some statistics of your library first before investing a couple of hundred bucks into something you don't really need.

04-06-2012, 08:19 AM	#15
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Mace Then I did some statistics with ApertureInspector. It turned out, that 96% of my pictures where taking at a focal length of 18-67mm Maybe you need the Sigma 17-70 then. Quote: I am not convinced by the quality of the 18-55 and i can't imaging that the 18-250 would improve things. The 18-250's optics are better than the 18-55's optics. Quote: What I am now looking into is a solution below 18mm. Though I am not motivated to invest in APC lenses and FF lenses (alas I still believe in that) are rare and expensive. You might consider the FF Zenitar-K2 16/2.8. (K2 means it's in PK-M mount.) It's not terribly fishy on APS-C cams, and is quite good for elongated shots, and for work in tight spaces.