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JayX2A · 12-25-2012, 03:05 PM

Looking for a nice walk around lens to sit on my K5 II.

Thinking of either the 18-135 WR or new 2012 Sigma 18-250.

Sigma seems to actually have decent reviews, which is unlike a super zoom!

Think the pentax model has HSM too, which is a bonus.

I know IQ on superzooms can be questionable, but will have some primes for high IQ shots!

Adam · 12-25-2012, 03:24 PM

Need WR? Go with the Pentax. Otherwise get the Sigma

BirdDude007 · 12-25-2012, 03:42 PM

If I were you I would go with the WR 18~135 lens, a couple of reasons- WR! you want a good walk around lens and you never know when you will be walking around in the rain or wet area, so that is a "no brainer", you have a WR camera! what use is it if you cannot utilize that feature?. Two- it is most likely a lighter lens than the Sigma, when you are walking around, you want to go light as possible, but then again I walk around with my set up along with the battery grip on it as well, and that really isn't that heavy to me. Three- this lens also has something the Sigma doesn't, and that is quick shift, I though I would never use that feature but I was wrong, I find I use it a lot, and when I use other lenses without it, it sux.
Hands down, I would definitely go with the Pentax 18-135mm YMMV

hcc · 12-25-2012, 04:50 PM

+1 with BirdDude
I have boththe DA18-135WR and the older DA18-250mm. If I was on the maket for a new all-around zoom, I woul go for the DA18-135mm for WR and Qucikshift.

On the other ahnd, if you are considering some 2nd hand lens,the Tamron/DA18-250mm is worth condiring. Manusfactured by Tamron, and rebadged by Pentax, the Tamron 18-250mm version tends to be cheaper. Adorama has one for $349: Used Tamron 18-250 Xrdi-ii Ld F/pxaf.

Hope that the comment may help.

causey · 12-25-2012, 05:09 PM

The new Sigma 18-250mm Macro has excellent reviews--the Pentax 18-135, so-so. For IQ, get the Sigma. (I actually ordered one from BH, but they didn't have it in stock, and I wanted it for a trip to Spain. I ended up canceling the order--I think I'll get the new version of the Sigma 17-70 instead, when it comes out.) For WR, get the Pentax.

JayX2A · 12-30-2012, 01:30 PM

So will the Sigma have as good IQ as the Pentax?

Its tricky, as WR would be great, but the longer reach would be great when I fo on holiday.

SpecialK · 12-30-2012, 01:51 PM

The reason to have a super-zoom is the focal length, not IQ. So, I'd get the one with the bigger range.

MPrince · 12-30-2012, 02:03 PM

The 18-135 has a DC motor, not HSM (or SDM).

I find the 18-135 ideal as my walk-around lens, but I'm not much of a telephoto shooter.

As for those who question the IQ of the 18-135, if you could see the calendars, photo books, and 8x10 & larger prints that I have made, you might change your mind about this lens.

JayX2A · 12-30-2012, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by MPrince

The 18-135 has a DC motor, not HSM (or SDM).

I find the 18-135 ideal as my walk-around lens, but I'm not much of a telephoto shooter.

As for those who question the IQ of the 18-135, if you could see the calendars, photo books, and 8x10 & larger prints that I have made, you might change your mind about this lens.

How quick and noisy is the 18-135? Only had experience with 18-55/50-200 WR lenses and they were a bit slow and noisy.

MPrince · 12-30-2012, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by JayX2A

How quick and noisy is the 18-135? Only had experience with 18-55/50-200 WR lenses and they were a bit slow and noisy.

Lightning fast and quiet as a mouse.

koper · 12-31-2012, 01:08 PM

If I were you I would go with the -

SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM

JayX2A · 01-25-2013, 02:16 PM

Just about decision time. Not found anywhere local to try the 18-250, so sadly got to base my purchase on reviews. used the 18-135 and was impressed at the speed and weight on the K5 II.

telegazz · 01-25-2013, 05:37 PM

I have been looking in Australia for a travel lens for some time and have priced the Pentax 18-270 the 18-135 and the Sigma 18-250 Macro all these lens are distributed by C R Kennedy I checked as many reviews as I could and in the end decided on the Sigma.

Main reasons 1) Price in Australia the Sigma is cheaper by a considerable margin (Got it for 549.00)
2) Warranty 2 years for the Sigma 1 for the Pentax
3) Of all the reviews Sigma is mentioned often as the best superzoon available

I did think seriously about the 18-135 because of the WR but I have a 18-55 WR and I do use the extra lengths quite a lot so in the end the decision wasn't that hard to make. There is about a 3 Week wait for the Sigma at present apparently the initial stock sold out in only a few days so I have to wait for the next shipment.
It will be interesting to see if it lives up to the reviews

JayX2A · 02-01-2013, 04:22 PM

Has anyone managed to try out the new sigma 18-250?

12-25-2012, 03:05 PM	#1
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120	Walk around lens - 18-135/18-250? Looking for a nice walk around lens to sit on my K5 II. Thinking of either the 18-135 WR or new 2012 Sigma 18-250. Sigma seems to actually have decent reviews, which is unlike a super zoom! Think the pentax model has HSM too, which is a bonus. I know IQ on superzooms can be questionable, but will have some primes for high IQ shots!

12-25-2012, 03:24 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Need WR? Go with the Pentax. Otherwise get the Sigma Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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12-25-2012, 03:42 PM	#3
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	If I were you I would go with the WR 18~135 lens, a couple of reasons- WR! you want a good walk around lens and you never know when you will be walking around in the rain or wet area, so that is a "no brainer", you have a WR camera! what use is it if you cannot utilize that feature?. Two- it is most likely a lighter lens than the Sigma, when you are walking around, you want to go light as possible, but then again I walk around with my set up along with the battery grip on it as well, and that really isn't that heavy to me. Three- this lens also has something the Sigma doesn't, and that is quick shift, I though I would never use that feature but I was wrong, I find I use it a lot, and when I use other lenses without it, it sux. Hands down, I would definitely go with the Pentax 18-135mm YMMV

12-25-2012, 04:50 PM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	+1 with BirdDude I have boththe DA18-135WR and the older DA18-250mm. If I was on the maket for a new all-around zoom, I woul go for the DA18-135mm for WR and Qucikshift. On the other ahnd, if you are considering some 2nd hand lens,the Tamron/DA18-250mm is worth condiring. Manusfactured by Tamron, and rebadged by Pentax, the Tamron 18-250mm version tends to be cheaper. Adorama has one for $349: Used Tamron 18-250 Xrdi-ii Ld F/pxaf. Hope that the comment may help.

12-25-2012, 05:09 PM	#5
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	The new Sigma 18-250mm Macro has excellent reviews--the Pentax 18-135, so-so. For IQ, get the Sigma. (I actually ordered one from BH, but they didn't have it in stock, and I wanted it for a trip to Spain. I ended up canceling the order--I think I'll get the new version of the Sigma 17-70 instead, when it comes out.) For WR, get the Pentax.

12-30-2012, 01:30 PM	#6
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120 Original Poster	So will the Sigma have as good IQ as the Pentax? Its tricky, as WR would be great, but the longer reach would be great when I fo on holiday.

12-30-2012, 01:51 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	The reason to have a super-zoom is the focal length, not IQ. So, I'd get the one with the bigger range.

12-30-2012, 02:03 PM	#8
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	The 18-135 has a DC motor, not HSM (or SDM). I find the 18-135 ideal as my walk-around lens, but I'm not much of a telephoto shooter. As for those who question the IQ of the 18-135, if you could see the calendars, photo books, and 8x10 & larger prints that I have made, you might change your mind about this lens.

12-30-2012, 02:09 PM	#9
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120 Original Poster	Originally posted by MPrince The 18-135 has a DC motor, not HSM (or SDM). I find the 18-135 ideal as my walk-around lens, but I'm not much of a telephoto shooter. As for those who question the IQ of the 18-135, if you could see the calendars, photo books, and 8x10 & larger prints that I have made, you might change your mind about this lens. How quick and noisy is the 18-135? Only had experience with 18-55/50-200 WR lenses and they were a bit slow and noisy.

12-30-2012, 02:46 PM	#10
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by JayX2A How quick and noisy is the 18-135? Only had experience with 18-55/50-200 WR lenses and they were a bit slow and noisy. Lightning fast and quiet as a mouse.

12-31-2012, 01:08 PM	#11
koper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 180	If I were you I would go with the - SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM

01-25-2013, 02:16 PM	#12
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120 Original Poster	Just about decision time. Not found anywhere local to try the 18-250, so sadly got to base my purchase on reviews. used the 18-135 and was impressed at the speed and weight on the K5 II.

01-25-2013, 05:37 PM	#13
telegazz Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: brisbane queensland australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 45	I have been looking in Australia for a travel lens for some time and have priced the Pentax 18-270 the 18-135 and the Sigma 18-250 Macro all these lens are distributed by C R Kennedy I checked as many reviews as I could and in the end decided on the Sigma. Main reasons 1) Price in Australia the Sigma is cheaper by a considerable margin (Got it for 549.00) 2) Warranty 2 years for the Sigma 1 for the Pentax 3) Of all the reviews Sigma is mentioned often as the best superzoon available I did think seriously about the 18-135 because of the WR but I have a 18-55 WR and I do use the extra lengths quite a lot so in the end the decision wasn't that hard to make. There is about a 3 Week wait for the Sigma at present apparently the initial stock sold out in only a few days so I have to wait for the next shipment. It will be interesting to see if it lives up to the reviews

02-01-2013, 04:22 PM	#14
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120 Original Poster	Has anyone managed to try out the new sigma 18-250?

Walk around lens - 18-135/18-250?

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