Which Utili-Zoom?

axl · 06-13-2008, 03:48 PM

I'd go for Pentax/Tamron 18-250 or if you have 12-24 or 10-20 then I'd pick up 28-300.
I'm using 10-20 and 28-200 as my walkaround combo. Couldn't be happier...

SpecialK · 06-13-2008, 06:17 PM

I would go with a Tam/Pax 18-250. You can never be too wide, especially if you have nothing else in the bag...

beaumont · 06-13-2008, 06:23 PM

My vote is for the Pentax 18-250 which I have and love the sharpness and the "utility" of the lens. (Only thing I don't like is the lens creep, hence the lock.)

Venturi · 06-13-2008, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by Confused

Hi Venturi

Click on the link below, which will take you to a number of subsequent links in that post, enabling you to view some photos that I've taken with my Tamron 18-250mm. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions......

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/118774-post45.html

Best regards
Richard

Tada, thank you. I was already leaning that way before posting the poll to begin with and was almost tipped over before this post but the photos made the sale.

Now it's just a matter of budget juggling and hunting down the best deal.

Many thanks to all who voted and/or shared their comments and contributed to the depletion of my positive cash flow.

Blue · 06-16-2008, 01:53 PM

I surprised that the Pentax DA 55-300mm isn't on the poll nor been mentioned.

SpecialK · 06-16-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

I surprised that the Pentax DA 55-300mm isn't on the poll nor been mentioned.

It's way too long for your only lens.

Blue · 06-16-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

It's way too long for your only lens.

The Tamron 28-300 is in the poll.

axl · 06-17-2008, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by Blue

The Tamron 28-300 is in the poll.

To have 28 and 55 on the wide end is a HUGE difference

azcavalier · 06-17-2008, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by davieFL

I am not a huge fan of my Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II

I am a beginner, but comparing it to my kit lenses, I've ben struggling with everything from color, to sharpness. It was a life saver on trip.

I am selling mine on eBay and thinking of buying the Pentax 18-250

Can any of you guys/gals compare the:

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II

with:

Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF

I wouldn't mind having one of these "travel lenses" but if the Pentax is only marginally better than the T 18-200, then I'll just do without.

thx

The Tamron 18-200 is the first lens that I ever bought, and it supplanted my kit lens. I sold the kit lens, and only used the Tamron for months. I now also have the Pentax 50-135mm, but find that it's bigger than I want to carry when i'm packing light.

I have had no problems with the Tamron, though i'm now acutely aware of how loud it is after having used the 50-135mm.

Is the Pentax/Tamron 18-250 really any better optically than the older 18-200?

Blue · 06-17-2008, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by axl

To have 28 and 55 on the wide end is a HUGE difference

That depends on the individual I guess but I'd go with the lens if it were better than the others. Then I like faster lens on the wide end of things anyway.

kiamon · 06-17-2008, 08:52 AM

I would think that the Pentax 18-250 automatically beats the Tamron because it's just a rebranded version with the addition of "DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing.

Question: Why wasn't Sigma included in the Poll? Do they suck or something?

RBellavance · 06-17-2008, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by kiamon

I would think that the Pentax 18-250 automatically beats the Tamron because it's just a rebranded version with the addition of "DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing.

Regular DA lenses are not weather-sealed. So far, only the DA* are.

ftpaddict · 06-17-2008, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by kiamon

[...]"DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing.

Errr.. what?

kiamon · 06-17-2008, 12:06 PM

Err. My bad. I thought it was DA*. I was reading what the designation meant last week.

Pentax posts - PMA 2008 - CNET Blogs

• AL = Aspherical Lens
• DA = designed for digital (not full frame) cameras
• DA* = DA with dust- and weather-sealing
• ED = Extra low Dispersion
• IF = Internal Focus
• SDM = Supersonic Drive Motor

axl · 06-18-2008, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by Blue

That depends on the individual I guess but I'd go with the lens if it were better than the others. Then I like faster lens on the wide end of things anyway.

agree there, but under "utili" zoom I understand lens you can take practicaly everywhere and you'll be able to frame a shot. In other words, all in one lens. No offence towards DA55-300 but try to go to some old forgotten town, or even London streets for that matter and you'll see the difficulties with framing of buildings I have in mind. But if you are not into that kind of photography. Fair enough...

View Poll Results: Which zoom for the holster bag?
Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF	26	40.00%
Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 AF Di II LD IF	19	29.23%
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II	3	4.62%
Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD	2	3.08%
None of the above.	13	20.00%
None of the above, buy mine from the marketplace!	2	3.08%
Voters: 65. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2008, 08:52 AM	#26
kiamon New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19	weather sealing I would think that the Pentax 18-250 automatically beats the Tamron because it's just a rebranded version with the addition of "DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing. Question: Why wasn't Sigma included in the Poll? Do they suck or something?

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06-13-2008, 03:48 PM	#16
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I'd go for Pentax/Tamron 18-250 or if you have 12-24 or 10-20 then I'd pick up 28-300. I'm using 10-20 and 28-200 as my walkaround combo. Couldn't be happier...

06-13-2008, 06:17 PM	#17
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	I would go with a Tam/Pax 18-250. You can never be too wide, especially if you have nothing else in the bag...

06-13-2008, 06:23 PM	#18
beaumont Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 505	My vote is for the Pentax 18-250 which I have and love the sharpness and the "utility" of the lens. (Only thing I don't like is the lens creep, hence the lock.)

06-13-2008, 11:23 PM	#19
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636 Original Poster	Originally posted by Confused Hi Venturi Click on the link below, which will take you to a number of subsequent links in that post, enabling you to view some photos that I've taken with my Tamron 18-250mm. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions...... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/118774-post45.html Best regards Richard Tada, thank you. I was already leaning that way before posting the poll to begin with and was almost tipped over before this post but the photos made the sale. Now it's just a matter of budget juggling and hunting down the best deal. Many thanks to all who voted and/or shared their comments and contributed to the depletion of my positive cash flow.

06-16-2008, 01:53 PM	#20
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I surprised that the Pentax DA 55-300mm isn't on the poll nor been mentioned.

06-16-2008, 07:31 PM	#21
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: I surprised that the Pentax DA 55-300mm isn't on the poll nor been mentioned. It's way too long for your only lens.

06-16-2008, 08:08 PM	#22
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by SpecialK It's way too long for your only lens. The Tamron 28-300 is in the poll.

06-17-2008, 12:06 AM	#23
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Blue The Tamron 28-300 is in the poll. To have 28 and 55 on the wide end is a HUGE difference

06-17-2008, 06:31 AM	#24
azcavalier Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Blacksburg, VA Photos: Gallery Posts: 135	Originally posted by davieFL I am not a huge fan of my Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II I am a beginner, but comparing it to my kit lenses, I've ben struggling with everything from color, to sharpness. It was a life saver on trip. I am selling mine on eBay and thinking of buying the Pentax 18-250 Can any of you guys/gals compare the: Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II with: Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF I wouldn't mind having one of these "travel lenses" but if the Pentax is only marginally better than the T 18-200, then I'll just do without. thx The Tamron 18-200 is the first lens that I ever bought, and it supplanted my kit lens. I sold the kit lens, and only used the Tamron for months. I now also have the Pentax 50-135mm, but find that it's bigger than I want to carry when i'm packing light. I have had no problems with the Tamron, though i'm now acutely aware of how loud it is after having used the 50-135mm. Is the Pentax/Tamron 18-250 really any better optically than the older 18-200?

06-17-2008, 07:44 AM	#25
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by axl To have 28 and 55 on the wide end is a HUGE difference That depends on the individual I guess but I'd go with the lens if it were better than the others. Then I like faster lens on the wide end of things anyway.

06-17-2008, 09:18 AM	#27
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by kiamon I would think that the Pentax 18-250 automatically beats the Tamron because it's just a rebranded version with the addition of "DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing. Regular DA lenses are not weather-sealed. So far, only the DA* are.

06-17-2008, 10:54 AM	#28
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by kiamon [...]"DA series" meaning the Pentax has full weather sealing. Errr.. what?

06-17-2008, 12:06 PM	#29
kiamon New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19	Err. My bad. I thought it was DA. I was reading what the designation meant last week. Pentax posts - PMA 2008 - CNET Blogs • AL = Aspherical Lens • DA = designed for digital (not full frame) cameras • DA = DA with dust- and weather-sealing • ED = Extra low Dispersion • IF = Internal Focus • SDM = Supersonic Drive Motor

06-18-2008, 03:06 AM	#30
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Blue That depends on the individual I guess but I'd go with the lens if it were better than the others. Then I like faster lens on the wide end of things anyway. agree there, but under "utili" zoom I understand lens you can take practicaly everywhere and you'll be able to frame a shot. In other words, all in one lens. No offence towards DA55-300 but try to go to some old forgotten town, or even London streets for that matter and you'll see the difficulties with framing of buildings I have in mind. But if you are not into that kind of photography. Fair enough...