[Lex Madera]

I'm fending off LBA, but having run across these two, I have to wonder if I shouldn't drop a bit of my per diem after this trip and add one of them to my kit.

Any suggestions? Both seem highly rated, no unfavorable characteristics. I'm leaning more to the Tamron 28-300mm, but I don't have a Tamron yet, but have three Sigma lenses and am very pleased with them.

Appreciate any comments and experiences with either of these two lenses.

[hiep2503]

I owned Tamron 28-300mm before and sold it after 3 months. Sharpness is low and 28mm at the wide end is not wide enough for shooting indoor.
I would consider 18-250mm for good zoom range. However, I heard that Tamron 18-250mm would be a better choice than Sigma. Tamron 18-250mm would be as good as a Pentax DA 18-250mm which I owned and was very happy with.

[Ash]

Lex, the Sigma 18-250 is simply more versatile on APS-C. And it has the edge (albeit slight) on IQ. Indeed the Tamron (or Pentax DA) 18-250 is the favoured choice in the super zooms.

[Lex Madera]

I'm not sure I'm tracking with you - are you talking about the Tamron 18-200mm, zoom super wide angle f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens for Pentax?

[crewl1]

This one. It is discontinued but can be found in Tamron or Pentax guise on the used market. Great lens.
Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[Lex Madera]

Much appreciate everyone's input. I'll look for the 18-250mm then. But Ash I value and respect your input, and certainly will keep it in mind. I don't get my per diem for about a month yet, so I have some time to let this stew. Thanks much to all for your time and input.

[VT610]

I've always been a big fan of Sigma. Until i bought a 18-250(OS HSM, all bells and whistles) ... In fact, you buy a 18-150, then everything else is very weak, softish, and so on. Still think it's a great lens for a tourist but I had to trash a lot of shots... not funny ... If you're not afraid to lose the contrast between 150-250 then this lens is for you. See for yourself most shots in my album made with this glass... I trade my for DA 18-135 WR and very happy about it...for now...lol

Almost forgot- DA is WAY more distorted compare to Sigma! Nothing you can't fixed later but still...

[Docrwm]

Much appreciate everyone's input. I'll look for the 18-250mm then. But Ash I value and respect your input, and certainly will keep it in mind. I don't get my per diem for about a month yet, so I have some time to let this stew. Thanks much to all for your time and input.

They come up about once a week on eBay and a couple a month on the Marketplace here. They're not easy to find but they do come available if you are patient. They commonly go for $300ish to $375ish. I am awaiting one that is incoming myself as I type this.....

[psoo]

I'm fending off LBA, but having run across these two, I have to wonder if I shouldn't drop a bit of my per diem after this trip and add one of them to my kit.

Any suggestions? Both seem highly rated, no unfavorable characteristics. I'm leaning more to the Tamron 28-300mm, but I don't have a Tamron yet, but have three Sigma lenses and am very pleased with them.

Appreciate any comments and experiences with either of these two lenses.

I own a Tamron 28-300 mm lens. It's the f/3.5-6.3 XR Di AF which I believe is still in production. However, there is another Tamron 28-300 mm, the AF f/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical IF Macro. Both are reviewed in the Pentax lens reviews, one under "Current lenses" and the other under "Legacy lenses". I once started a thread in the Forum asking for advice on choosing a better lens than the XR Di AF lens since I thought it a little soft under some conditions. After careful consideration of all the comments I received, I bought a used Pentax 18-250 mm lens for $350. It is noticeable superior to the Tamron in terms of sharpness and color rendition as the Pentax lens reviews show. From reading lots of comments and reviews I think there is little to choose between the Pentax, Tamron, and Sigma 18-250's. In fact, most experts believe that the Pentax and Tamron lenses are made by Tamron and are almost identical in performance. I still think the Tamron 28-300 mm lens, which I still have, is a good lens, and cheaper than the three 18-250's. Unless you're a sharpness freak like me you might want to get a used one and saved some money.