Originally posted by kwar I've only had it for three weeks and if I want to return it I have to do so by the end of the week. The zoom ring is considerably tighter than the focus ring and is not as smooth as I would think a lens that costs this much should feel. I have a Sigma 50-150 and a Tamron 70-200 and used to have a 55-300 and can operate all of these with one finger from the monopod but this one requires a thumb and forefinger to operate.
The zoom ring on the 60-250 is stiffer than the DA*50-135, Sigma 50-150, Tamron 70-200 and DA55-300. I've had two different copies of the 60-250, and both were stiffer than any of those lenses. Moving the zoom with a single finger would be very difficult with the 60-250. Keep in mind, the 50-135, 50-150 and 70-200 are all internal zooming lenses while the 60-250 is not. This, combined with the fact that the 60-250 is weather sealed, means that the zoom ring is going to be a bit stiffer.