DA 18-250 repair or something else?

Torsten · 10-19-2015, 01:21 PM

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I will introduce myself in the "Welcomes and Introductions"-forum.

Until yesterday I had on my K5 a Pentax DA 18-250 as everyday lens. But now it doesn't focus anymore on longer ranges. Until 70mm everything works.
I asked a repair center for an estimate and it was 300 USD. I really like the lens, it's wide range and the results, but in my opinion a repair doesn't make sense.

So I think about going to buy a more quality combination and changing lenses again.
In the addition to the 18-250 I own a DA 35 f2.4, which I only rarely use. I like the sharpness, but a lens with a fixed focal lenght is nothing for me.

Now my questions:
Would a combination of a Sigma 17-70 together with a Sigma 70-300 APO be an improvement?
Do you recommend other combinations in a similar or lower price range?

What to do with the old 18-250 lens? In the trash or can I still get some money for it?

In addition: I usually shoot pictures of landscapes, my family, animals in the zoo and tourist photos in cities. I'm an amateur concerning photography.

Thanks for your advices.

**UncleVanya** · 10-19-2015, 02:23 PM

Check Keh for a possible repair estimate that may be lower.

As far as the 17-70 it is a lovely lens by all accounts, the 70-300 is less so. The better lens in that focal length from what I hear is the 55-300 which I have used. The Sigma's are only known to me by reputation however - I have never used either one. I also would suggest looking at the Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination. Other options include the DA 18-270, the 18-200, and perhaps the 16-85 in combination with the 55-300.

The DA 18-135 is weather resistant and has silent focus internal motors as does the 18-270 (but no weather resistance on the 18-270). The 55-300 is available in several forms the DA-L has a plastic mount, no quickshift and is not weather resistant. The DA has a metal mount and quickshift, the HD WR version is equipped with the newer coatings and the weather resistance feature. The cost is lowest for the DA-L and highest for the HD WR version.

Sorry to hear about the 18-250 getting mixed up at > 70mm...

**jatrax** · 10-19-2015, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

suggest looking at the Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination.

^^^ This. Some people do not like a lot of overlap, but IMHO it is better as you only change lenses when you know you will need the other one. The 18-135 is quite good, my wife shoots 90% with it and carries the 55-300 for when she needs a little more. Nice light combo with reasonable IQ.

**K-Three** · 10-19-2015, 05:30 PM

Another +1 for this combo (18-135 + 55-300)
Better IQ than the 18-250
Faster focus, I think too
With your 35 you have a "fast normal" when the zooms are too slow
You can adequately cover 90% of shooting scenarios with that trio.
Check used here on the forum, b&h or keh, if your budget won't allow new.

**PKMike** · 10-20-2015, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination.

I use this combination when I want the versatility of zoom and or WR. Good image quality and reasonably light and compact. Potent combination yes.

timb64 · 10-20-2015, 09:17 AM

The 16-85 with the 55-300 is the better option,less overlap and the extra 2mm at the wide end is a noticeable improvement.

**UncleVanya** · 10-20-2015, 10:24 AM

Optically better perhaps but not cheaper and it forces a lens change earlier so not easy to know if it would be better for someone coming from the larger range zoom.

**PKMike** · 10-20-2015, 10:51 AM - **1 Like**

I enjoy the overlap because I don't have to change as soon. However, I do end up carrying a 15mm and sometimes changing at the wider end. When I bought the 18-135 the 16-85 was not yet announced. If I had it to do over now I might choose the 16-85, but it is more expensive, somewhat larger, and I love the 15mm. Always some sort of a trade off when selecting lenses.

**jatrax** · 10-21-2015, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by timb64

The 16-85 with the 55-300 is the better option,less overlap and the extra 2mm at the wide end is a noticeable improvement.

Only if "less overlap" is a good thing. My wife prefers the overlap so she does not have to change as often. Clearly the 16-85 is a 'better' lens but the 18-135 is also quite good. I have the 16-85 and my wife shoots with the 18-135. Sometimes my shots are better sometimes her's are.

10-19-2015, 01:21 PM	#1
Torsten New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 16	DA 18-250 repair or something else? Hello, I'm new to this forum and I will introduce myself in the "Welcomes and Introductions"-forum. Until yesterday I had on my K5 a Pentax DA 18-250 as everyday lens. But now it doesn't focus anymore on longer ranges. Until 70mm everything works. I asked a repair center for an estimate and it was 300 USD. I really like the lens, it's wide range and the results, but in my opinion a repair doesn't make sense. So I think about going to buy a more quality combination and changing lenses again. In the addition to the 18-250 I own a DA 35 f2.4, which I only rarely use. I like the sharpness, but a lens with a fixed focal lenght is nothing for me. Now my questions: Would a combination of a Sigma 17-70 together with a Sigma 70-300 APO be an improvement? Do you recommend other combinations in a similar or lower price range? What to do with the old 18-250 lens? In the trash or can I still get some money for it? In addition: I usually shoot pictures of landscapes, my family, animals in the zoo and tourist photos in cities. I'm an amateur concerning photography. Thanks for your advices.

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10-19-2015, 02:23 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,406	Check Keh for a possible repair estimate that may be lower. As far as the 17-70 it is a lovely lens by all accounts, the 70-300 is less so. The better lens in that focal length from what I hear is the 55-300 which I have used. The Sigma's are only known to me by reputation however - I have never used either one. I also would suggest looking at the Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination. Other options include the DA 18-270, the 18-200, and perhaps the 16-85 in combination with the 55-300. The DA 18-135 is weather resistant and has silent focus internal motors as does the 18-270 (but no weather resistance on the 18-270). The 55-300 is available in several forms the DA-L has a plastic mount, no quickshift and is not weather resistant. The DA has a metal mount and quickshift, the HD WR version is equipped with the newer coatings and the weather resistance feature. The cost is lowest for the DA-L and highest for the HD WR version. Sorry to hear about the 18-250 getting mixed up at > 70mm...

10-19-2015, 04:21 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by UncleVanya suggest looking at the Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination. ^^^ This. Some people do not like a lot of overlap, but IMHO it is better as you only change lenses when you know you will need the other one. The 18-135 is quite good, my wife shoots 90% with it and carries the 55-300 for when she needs a little more. Nice light combo with reasonable IQ.

10-19-2015, 05:30 PM	#4
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Another +1 for this combo (18-135 + 55-300) Better IQ than the 18-250 Faster focus, I think too With your 35 you have a "fast normal" when the zooms are too slow You can adequately cover 90% of shooting scenarios with that trio. Check used here on the forum, b&h or keh, if your budget won't allow new.

10-20-2015, 08:54 AM	#5
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	Originally posted by UncleVanya Pentax DA 18-135 if you like having a zoom - it has pretty good image quality and a nice range - paired up with the 55-300 you have a potent combination. I use this combination when I want the versatility of zoom and or WR. Good image quality and reasonably light and compact. Potent combination yes.

10-20-2015, 09:17 AM	#6
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	The 16-85 with the 55-300 is the better option,less overlap and the extra 2mm at the wide end is a noticeable improvement.

10-20-2015, 10:24 AM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,406	Optically better perhaps but not cheaper and it forces a lens change earlier so not easy to know if it would be better for someone coming from the larger range zoom.

10-20-2015, 10:51 AM - 1 Like	#8
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	I enjoy the overlap because I don't have to change as soon. However, I do end up carrying a 15mm and sometimes changing at the wider end. When I bought the 18-135 the 16-85 was not yet announced. If I had it to do over now I might choose the 16-85, but it is more expensive, somewhat larger, and I love the 15mm. Always some sort of a trade off when selecting lenses.

10-21-2015, 09:58 AM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by timb64 The 16-85 with the 55-300 is the better option,less overlap and the extra 2mm at the wide end is a noticeable improvement. Only if "less overlap" is a good thing. My wife prefers the overlap so she does not have to change as often. Clearly the 16-85 is a 'better' lens but the 18-135 is also quite good. I have the 16-85 and my wife shoots with the 18-135. Sometimes my shots are better sometimes her's are.