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08-23-2011, 01:16 PM   #1
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18-200 or 18-250?

Hi guys, I'm searching for a new all-rounder for my k20D.
I have two options:

18-200 - Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)/ Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC - being the Tamrom available new @Pixmania at +- 200eur (shipping included and the sigma for 30eur more).
Sometimes used ones appear on ebay for slighty less (130-180eur).

18-250 - Pentax SMC DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] / Tamron AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro / SIGMA 18-250 mm F 3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Pentax - on ebay from 250-500eur (I can buy a new one @320eur shipping included).

I've read a lot and the 18-250 wins, but does it worth the price difference?
I'm just a casual shooter...
Thanks a lot and sorry for my english.

08-23-2011, 01:27 PM   #2
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For me the Sigma 18-200 is worth losing the top 50mm - I like the more compact lens, and no zoom creep at all with mine so I don't use the lock. In my Sony days the Sigma 18-200 and Tamron 18-250 were an IQ match in my fairly informal tests, so I let the latter go. When I found another copy of my old fave in PK mount I never thought to look further for the 18-250. The 18-250 is quite excellent, and if you need more range it performs quite well; the smaller lens suits me better.
08-23-2011, 01:33 PM   #3
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I've owned both lenses and I would say that the IQ of the Pentax/Tamron is better than the Sigma from 18-200.
08-23-2011, 01:35 PM   #4
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The Sigma 18-200mm and Tamron 18-200mm are older generation lenses.

The Tamron 18-250mm (K-mount) and DA18-250mm are sibbling, manufacturered by Tamron. They are newer generation and Camera lens tests, user reviews, camera accessory reviews - SLRgear.com! compared the Tamron 18-250mm to the Tamron 18-200m:
"With the new AF 18-250mm zoom lens that provides enhanced image quality, [.. we] were pleasantly surprised by the Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro AF. It maintained good center sharpness across its entire focal length range, softness in the corners was average to better than average, and things flattened out nicely when we stopped it down just a bit."
"Given its shorter zoom range, you'd expect the original 18-200mm lens to outperform the new 18-250, but that proved not to be the case. The 18-250mm beat its 18-200mm predecessor all hollow when it came to sharpness. Wide open, the 18-250 was much better behaved, and sharpness was markedly better across the board."
{http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1009/cat/23}

Welcome to Photozone! reviewed positively further the Da18-250mm: "The Pentax SMC DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] is a worthy representative of its species." {http://www.photozone.de/pentax/367-pentax-smc-da-18-250mm-f35-63}.

Overall the DA18-250mm adds a longer focal lenght range and tends to have better IQ than the older lenses. So it is better value IMO.

Hope that the comment will help.


Last edited by hcc; 08-23-2011 at 05:35 PM.
08-23-2011, 02:09 PM   #5
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Thanks for all the comments,I found a SIGMA 28-300mm IF ASPH @170eur @ebay is this any better?
08-23-2011, 03:23 PM   #6
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Have a read of the lens reviews on this forum, it has user reviews of all the lenses you are asking about. Click on the "LENSES" button in the menu bar of this page to get to them.
08-23-2011, 03:26 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
Have a read of the lens reviews on this forum, it has user reviews of all the lenses you are asking about. Click on the "LENSES" button in the menu bar of this page to get to them.
I have already read most of them, but the rating is +- the same, and most of the people only had one lens, so can't really tell about the others =).
I guess the general opinion is: 18-250 is the best but if 18-200 is much cheaper is the way to go...

08-23-2011, 05:40 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by skinnie Quote
I have already read most of them, but the rating is +- the same, and most of the people only had one lens, so can't really tell about the others =).
Yes, you can tell. The price of lenses is relatively well-correlated (linked) with their IQ, for identical conditions and features.

While there are lemons, in general the better IQ lenses will be more expensive.

Food for thoughts...
08-23-2011, 05:57 PM   #9
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I had the sigma 18-200mm. Not worth to me though my father loves it since he now only needs to carry one lens.
I hated the IQ. I would pay the extra money.

Those extra 50mm seems very useful to me.
08-23-2011, 06:55 PM   #10
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Skinnie - I have the Pentax DA 18-250. IMO, it is one of the most versatile zooms and an excellent vacation/tourist/general walk-around one-lens solution with more than decent IQ. The Pentax and Tamron 18-250 are virtually identical except the DA has the proprietary SMC coating which, IMO, a slight advantage over the Tamron; maybe a bit pricier too. Zoom creep is one thing that will take some getting used to. Both have been discontinued and only available in the used market; and not really easy to find, unfortunately.

I can’t speak for the other lenses mentioned as I don’t have experience with them but a 28-300 for general walk around? You may find 28mm not wide enough for certain shooting occasions.
08-24-2011, 05:29 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the posts =)
Guess I'll still be looking for a good priced 18-250 =)
08-24-2011, 07:26 AM   #12
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My copy of the Pentax DA 18-250 has the worst zoom creep of any lens I have ever had. I'm sure it is in the design. But the focal range and image quality make it a very useful lens to me. Find one at a good price and you should be satisfied.
08-24-2011, 09:18 AM   #13
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Any lens that starts out at 28 isn't a wide angle lens - it's normal and telepjoto only. So you'll still need to switch lenses pretty often - probably more often than if you had, say, an 18-135 for regular use. That is, most people would use 18-28 far more often than 135-250.
08-30-2011, 01:53 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Marc Sabatella Quote
Any lens that starts out at 28 isn't a wide angle lens - it's normal and telepjoto only. So you'll still need to switch lenses pretty often - probably more often than if you had, say, an 18-135 for regular use. That is, most people would use 18-28 far more often than 135-250.
Thanks for the explanation =)
Just bought a Tamron 18-250 for 229eur (shipping included) in ebay =)
Thanks everyone!
08-31-2011, 12:41 PM   #15
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If you have a lens creap problem pick up one of those rubber wristbands and slip it on the lens like this one and that will stop it from doing that. The wife has a red one on her 18-250 with her red K-R and it looks like it was made that way. I put a yellow one on mine. As you can see.
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