Selling the T 18-250 and pulling the trigger on the 18-135, worth it?

Neo_ · 12-08-2014, 08:40 AM

It's a few weeks I'm puzzled about the 18-135.
I've had a Tamron 18-250 for years and has been with me everywhere, from the mountains, to the sea, under the rain, to ice and snow... I guess we only miss the jungle.
What I'm concerned about is the weather where I live, I'ts sort of "English Style", very damp 90% of the time, rainy, foggy, and cold with occasional snow, and I'm wondering if trading the extendend range of my 18-250 for the wr build of the DA would be a wise choice, considering it would also cost me about 140 bucks by the time I'm finished...
It will surely get a lot of use since my EDC setup is my cullman madrid maxima with k5+18-250, DA35mm, and additional lens or flash if required.

Docrwm · 12-08-2014, 09:06 AM

If you're most shooting close the 18-135 is a great choice. I own both lenses and find I use the 18-135 more because of the silent focusing and the WR. If you are shooting longer shots mostly than the new 55-300WR is an option for you as well. I'm waiting on mine from the Pentax webstore.

Neo_ · 12-08-2014, 09:09 AM

Another option would have been trading my DA 55-300 for the wr version

IchabodCrane · 12-08-2014, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Neo_

It's a few weeks I'm puzzled about the 18-135.
I've had a Tamron 18-250 for years and has been with me everywhere, from the mountains, to the sea, under the rain, to ice and snow... I guess we only miss the jungle.
What I'm concerned about is the weather where I live, I'ts sort of "English Style", very damp 90% of the time, rainy, foggy, and cold with occasional snow, and I'm wondering if trading the extendend range of my 18-250 for the wr build of the DA would be a wise choice, considering it would also cost me about 140 bucks by the time I'm finished...
It will surely get a lot of use since my EDC setup is my cullman madrid maxima with k5+18-250, DA35mm, and additional lens or flash if required.

Since you've had the Tamron for years and didn't mention any weather related problems, can I ask if you're sure you need a WR lens?

Neo_ · 12-08-2014, 10:38 AM

I thought about this while I was writing the post, probably that's the real question.
I guess it's more of a psycological type of thing I'm getting into (LBA?), I mean, I actually dipped the thing in the snow and never really noticed an issue so far

http://static8.depositphotos.com/1011793/884/i/950/depositphotos_8842800-Cam...ns-In-Snow.jpg

yes that's my camera with the 18-250 in the snow about two or three years ago.

Docrwm · 12-08-2014, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by Neo_

Another option would have been trading my DA 55-300 for the wr version

That is what I am in the process of doing myself. It seemed the better option to me given the sale price at $260.

mars76 · 12-08-2014, 06:35 PM

Where do see the sale price of $260 ?? (Sorry i searched every where and the 18-135 is around $350.

Docrwm · 12-08-2014, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by mars76

Where do see the sale price of $260 ?? (Sorry i searched every where and the 18-135 is around $350.

55-300. And it was at the Pentax Webstore. Still waiting for delivery.

**K-Three** · 12-08-2014, 09:15 PM

I've had the Pentax 18-250mm on my K200D and K5, was my "carry everywhere" kit for a long time,
When I bought a K3 it came with the 18-135mm, it's a noticeably sharper lens, coupled with the greater sensor resolution. The reduced noise and speed of focusing of this lens is nice too
I did miss the extra reach, which you can almost get with cropping from the K3, similar quality for 250mm on the K5

So I did as Docrwm is, and picked up the 55-300HD WR,
Now I have a weather sealed kit to haul everywhere, with reach from 18-300mm.
Still have the 18-250mm, my wife uses it mostly now,
I do miss the convenience of one lens, but so far the results seem worth the extra weight and hassle of a lens change.
Don't miss the zoom creep of the 18-250mm, it has now gotten so loose that it's not creep anymore, it falls down as soon as you undo the lock. Should invest in one of the elastic band solutions.

I too live in a wet climate, and have not had any trouble with my non-WR gear, but now have a greater peace of mind taking my gear with me regardless of the forecast.

I usually pack the DA35-Macro for a fast normal too, It all packs into a small LowePro shoulder bag, that is not too conspicuous.
I've got other kit I haul when I'm specifically going out to shoot, but this is what I carry around daily for the opportunities that crop up when you are just running through your life.

Neo_ · 12-09-2014, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by K-Three

I've had the Pentax 18-250mm on my K200D and K5, was my "carry everywhere" kit for a long time,
When I bought a K3 it came with the 18-135mm, it's a noticeably sharper lens, coupled with the greater sensor resolution. The reduced noise and speed of focusing of this lens is nice too
I did miss the extra reach, which you can almost get with cropping from the K3, similar quality for 250mm on the K5

So I did as Docrwm is, and picked up the 55-300HD WR,
Now I have a weather sealed kit to haul everywhere, with reach from 18-300mm.
Still have the 18-250mm, my wife uses it mostly now,
I do miss the convenience of one lens, but so far the results seem worth the extra weight and hassle of a lens change.
Don't miss the zoom creep of the 18-250mm, it has now gotten so loose that it's not creep anymore, it falls down as soon as you undo the lock. Should invest in one of the elastic band solutions.

I too live in a wet climate, and have not had any trouble with my non-WR gear, but now have a greater peace of mind taking my gear with me regardless of the forecast.

I usually pack the DA35-Macro for a fast normal too, It all packs into a small LowePro shoulder bag, that is not too conspicuous.
I've got other kit I haul when I'm specifically going out to shoot, but this is what I carry around daily for the opportunities that crop up when you are just running through your life.

It looks like we handle EDC with the same philosophy

I solved the falling with a sylicone band, I guess they all end that way, with no friction at all.

12-08-2014, 08:40 AM	#1
Neo_ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 153	Selling the T 18-250 and pulling the trigger on the 18-135, worth it? It's a few weeks I'm puzzled about the 18-135. I've had a Tamron 18-250 for years and has been with me everywhere, from the mountains, to the sea, under the rain, to ice and snow... I guess we only miss the jungle. What I'm concerned about is the weather where I live, I'ts sort of "English Style", very damp 90% of the time, rainy, foggy, and cold with occasional snow, and I'm wondering if trading the extendend range of my 18-250 for the wr build of the DA would be a wise choice, considering it would also cost me about 140 bucks by the time I'm finished... It will surely get a lot of use since my EDC setup is my cullman madrid maxima with k5+18-250, DA35mm, and additional lens or flash if required.

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12-08-2014, 09:06 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	If you're most shooting close the 18-135 is a great choice. I own both lenses and find I use the 18-135 more because of the silent focusing and the WR. If you are shooting longer shots mostly than the new 55-300WR is an option for you as well. I'm waiting on mine from the Pentax webstore.

12-08-2014, 09:09 AM	#3
Neo_ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Another option would have been trading my DA 55-300 for the wr version

12-08-2014, 09:49 AM	#4
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by Neo_ It's a few weeks I'm puzzled about the 18-135. I've had a Tamron 18-250 for years and has been with me everywhere, from the mountains, to the sea, under the rain, to ice and snow... I guess we only miss the jungle. What I'm concerned about is the weather where I live, I'ts sort of "English Style", very damp 90% of the time, rainy, foggy, and cold with occasional snow, and I'm wondering if trading the extendend range of my 18-250 for the wr build of the DA would be a wise choice, considering it would also cost me about 140 bucks by the time I'm finished... It will surely get a lot of use since my EDC setup is my cullman madrid maxima with k5+18-250, DA35mm, and additional lens or flash if required. Since you've had the Tamron for years and didn't mention any weather related problems, can I ask if you're sure you need a WR lens?

12-08-2014, 10:38 AM	#5
Neo_ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 153 Original Poster	I thought about this while I was writing the post, probably that's the real question. I guess it's more of a psycological type of thing I'm getting into (LBA?), I mean, I actually dipped the thing in the snow and never really noticed an issue so far http://static8.depositphotos.com/1011793/884/i/950/depositphotos_8842800-Cam...ns-In-Snow.jpg yes that's my camera with the 18-250 in the snow about two or three years ago.

12-08-2014, 12:35 PM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Neo_ Another option would have been trading my DA 55-300 for the wr version That is what I am in the process of doing myself. It seemed the better option to me given the sale price at $260.

12-08-2014, 06:35 PM	#7
mars76 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: VA Posts: 48	Where do see the sale price of $260 ?? (Sorry i searched every where and the 18-135 is around $350.

12-08-2014, 06:59 PM	#8
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by mars76 Where do see the sale price of $260 ?? (Sorry i searched every where and the 18-135 is around $350. 55-300. And it was at the Pentax Webstore. Still waiting for delivery.

12-08-2014, 09:15 PM	#9
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	I've had the Pentax 18-250mm on my K200D and K5, was my "carry everywhere" kit for a long time, When I bought a K3 it came with the 18-135mm, it's a noticeably sharper lens, coupled with the greater sensor resolution. The reduced noise and speed of focusing of this lens is nice too I did miss the extra reach, which you can almost get with cropping from the K3, similar quality for 250mm on the K5 So I did as Docrwm is, and picked up the 55-300HD WR, Now I have a weather sealed kit to haul everywhere, with reach from 18-300mm. Still have the 18-250mm, my wife uses it mostly now, I do miss the convenience of one lens, but so far the results seem worth the extra weight and hassle of a lens change. Don't miss the zoom creep of the 18-250mm, it has now gotten so loose that it's not creep anymore, it falls down as soon as you undo the lock. Should invest in one of the elastic band solutions. I too live in a wet climate, and have not had any trouble with my non-WR gear, but now have a greater peace of mind taking my gear with me regardless of the forecast. I usually pack the DA35-Macro for a fast normal too, It all packs into a small LowePro shoulder bag, that is not too conspicuous. I've got other kit I haul when I'm specifically going out to shoot, but this is what I carry around daily for the opportunities that crop up when you are just running through your life.

12-09-2014, 12:47 AM	#10
Neo_ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 153 Original Poster	Originally posted by K-Three I've had the Pentax 18-250mm on my K200D and K5, was my "carry everywhere" kit for a long time, When I bought a K3 it came with the 18-135mm, it's a noticeably sharper lens, coupled with the greater sensor resolution. The reduced noise and speed of focusing of this lens is nice too I did miss the extra reach, which you can almost get with cropping from the K3, similar quality for 250mm on the K5 So I did as Docrwm is, and picked up the 55-300HD WR, Now I have a weather sealed kit to haul everywhere, with reach from 18-300mm. Still have the 18-250mm, my wife uses it mostly now, I do miss the convenience of one lens, but so far the results seem worth the extra weight and hassle of a lens change. Don't miss the zoom creep of the 18-250mm, it has now gotten so loose that it's not creep anymore, it falls down as soon as you undo the lock. Should invest in one of the elastic band solutions. I too live in a wet climate, and have not had any trouble with my non-WR gear, but now have a greater peace of mind taking my gear with me regardless of the forecast. I usually pack the DA35-Macro for a fast normal too, It all packs into a small LowePro shoulder bag, that is not too conspicuous. I've got other kit I haul when I'm specifically going out to shoot, but this is what I carry around daily for the opportunities that crop up when you are just running through your life. It looks like we handle EDC with the same philosophy I solved the falling with a sylicone band, I guess they all end that way, with no friction at all.