Please recommend a 18-200-250mm lens...

tomtor · 10-14-2008, 08:01 AM

I'm very pleased with my Pentax 18-250. It obviously cannot compeed with my FA77 speedwise, but the 18-250 creates very sharp and contrasty images. Inside combined with flash it is also a very versatile lens, excellent value for money!

Venturi · 10-14-2008, 08:24 AM

I have the DA18-250mm. It is a fantastic utility zoom. Having said that buyers need to keep of a couple things about it in mind.
+ It stops down fairly quickly from F/3.5 to F/5.6 at ~70mm.
+ You will get some subtle vignetting at the wide end.
+ You will get some barrel distortion. I have only noticed it on close-up shots but it is worthy to note that it is there.
+ Yes, both the Tamron and Pentax versions suffer zoom creep (like a well used trombone).

But even with those shortcomings, it is a great lens and capable of taking great shots.

A couple of my favorites from this lens...

1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 155mm

1/180s, f/6.3, ISO140 @ 250mm

Class A · 10-14-2008, 02:54 PM

The Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 can even simulate a Nokton

Attachment 20392

But it can also do sharp:

Attachment 20393

This one is a crop, sharpened for web display.

Attachment 20387

N.B., the barrel distortion mentioned before only exists at the wide end and can be corrected with software.

konraDarnok · 10-14-2008, 03:30 PM

I've owned the tamron 28-200mm XR , the 28-300mm pre XR, and now the 18-250mm.

those are in order of least expensive to most expensive. . .there is very little difference between them. The 18-250mm is the most sharp, but not 300 dollars more sharp.

best value is the 28-200mm XR. By far. It's a great performer, can be found for 120 dollars used. . . and further more, if you're like me, you're going to start itching for more speed. Keep the extra 300 bucks and start eyeing a 70-200mm 2.8 down the road.

But they are all nice lenses. I'd stick with post xr models, they're sharper and much smaller than the old ones.

kristoffon · 10-14-2008, 05:02 PM

I also have the 18-250, Pentax version, and I have to recommend it. The only flaw is the vignetting, but if you shoot RAW its trivial to remove in Lightroom without any noticeable loss of image quality.

Originally posted by konraDarnok

those are in order of least expensive to most expensive. . .there is very little difference between them. The 18-250mm is the most sharp, but not 300 dollars more sharp.

The biggest value of the 18-250 is in the wide angle... If you don't miss it, OK...

Eigengrau · 10-14-2008, 08:00 PM

+1 for the Pentax.

I own it, I've used it for a few weddings now, and I feel like I've got a fairly good feel for the capabilities of the lens.

Pros - Cheap for the functionality, good macro, sharp enough for most needs, pretty small actually(when collapsed).

Cons - zoom creep, mild flare issues, pretty noticeable purple fringing, some softness at the edges.

I prefer sticking with Pentax for the consistent look and feel between lenses, but in all honesty I think you'd be fine with either 18-250. The 250 might get you a little more close-up reach than the 200, but I'm not sure.

If you are willing to accept the compromises of an 18-250, then either of these lenses will be a fine choice. However, I plan on using it as a backup lens for weddings in the future and shooting primarily with primes for the speed and quality advantages.

10-14-2008, 02:54 PM	#18
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	The Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 can even simulate a Nokton Attachment 20392 But it can also do sharp: Attachment 20393 This one is a crop, sharpened for web display. Attachment 20387 N.B., the barrel distortion mentioned before only exists at the wide end and can be corrected with software. Last edited by Class A; 08-07-2010 at 09:21 AM.

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10-14-2008, 08:01 AM	#16
tomtor Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 382	I'm very pleased with my Pentax 18-250. It obviously cannot compeed with my FA77 speedwise, but the 18-250 creates very sharp and contrasty images. Inside combined with flash it is also a very versatile lens, excellent value for money!

10-14-2008, 08:24 AM	#17
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	I have the DA18-250mm. It is a fantastic utility zoom. Having said that buyers need to keep of a couple things about it in mind. + It stops down fairly quickly from F/3.5 to F/5.6 at ~70mm. + You will get some subtle vignetting at the wide end. + You will get some barrel distortion. I have only noticed it on close-up shots but it is worthy to note that it is there. + Yes, both the Tamron and Pentax versions suffer zoom creep (like a well used trombone). But even with those shortcomings, it is a great lens and capable of taking great shots. A couple of my favorites from this lens... 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 155mm 1/180s, f/6.3, ISO140 @ 250mm

10-14-2008, 03:30 PM	#19
konraDarnok Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 969	I've owned the tamron 28-200mm XR , the 28-300mm pre XR, and now the 18-250mm. those are in order of least expensive to most expensive. . .there is very little difference between them. The 18-250mm is the most sharp, but not 300 dollars more sharp. best value is the 28-200mm XR. By far. It's a great performer, can be found for 120 dollars used. . . and further more, if you're like me, you're going to start itching for more speed. Keep the extra 300 bucks and start eyeing a 70-200mm 2.8 down the road. But they are all nice lenses. I'd stick with post xr models, they're sharper and much smaller than the old ones.

10-14-2008, 05:02 PM	#20
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	I also have the 18-250, Pentax version, and I have to recommend it. The only flaw is the vignetting, but if you shoot RAW its trivial to remove in Lightroom without any noticeable loss of image quality. Originally posted by konraDarnok those are in order of least expensive to most expensive. . .there is very little difference between them. The 18-250mm is the most sharp, but not 300 dollars more sharp. The biggest value of the 18-250 is in the wide angle... If you don't miss it, OK...

10-14-2008, 08:00 PM	#21
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250	+1 for the Pentax. I own it, I've used it for a few weddings now, and I feel like I've got a fairly good feel for the capabilities of the lens. Pros - Cheap for the functionality, good macro, sharp enough for most needs, pretty small actually(when collapsed). Cons - zoom creep, mild flare issues, pretty noticeable purple fringing, some softness at the edges. I prefer sticking with Pentax for the consistent look and feel between lenses, but in all honesty I think you'd be fine with either 18-250. The 250 might get you a little more close-up reach than the 200, but I'm not sure. If you are willing to accept the compromises of an 18-250, then either of these lenses will be a fine choice. However, I plan on using it as a backup lens for weddings in the future and shooting primarily with primes for the speed and quality advantages.