[Nakedgun]

Sigma halted K-mount production some time ago, so their 18-300mm (and 18-250) is now sold out and no longer available.

My wife certainly likes hers, and it is rated higher than the Pentax 18-270mm, which has been quietly dropped from production, it seems, although it remains on the current (Feb 2021) roadmap.

With nothing projected to replace it, we come to an end of this option for Pentax users, apparently.

Am I wrong?

[pepperberry farm]

there's always a used lens...

[Paul the Sunman]

The general trend is for ILC to move upmarket, as phones take over the more casual photography market. I guess superzoom were more associated with that market, and may no longer have a place.

[bob5050]

If Pentax decides to make another production run of the 18-270mm, I'd expect them to update the coatings and produce an HD version. But since there is, as you say, no indication of a new 18-270 on the lens roadmap, this isn't one I'd hold my breath for.
So your current options appear to be either the used market, or possibly the generally well-regarded HD 55-300mm PLM, and pairing that with a mid-range.
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM WR RE Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[Fogel70]

I'd say DA 18-135 qualify as a superzoom as it is the equivalent of the classic 28-200 superzoom.

[UncleVanya]

I use a da 18-135 plus da 55-300 to cover the 18-300 range myself. But I see the point of the question. Personally I’d suspect the used market provides enough supply for a long time and I would not worry about getting one if that’s what you want.

[bob5050]

I'd say DA 18-135 qualify as a superzoom as it is the equivalent of the classic 28-200 superzoom.

Sure--that's a fine lens. It was my first (kitted), and had Pentax not worked out so well for me, might have remained permanently mounted as my only Pentax lens. Nevertheless, I tend to think of a 'superzoom' as having more reach--out to 250mm or more.
But despite the notion that superzooms are somehow 'down market,' I see them more as special purpose. Too many compromises perhaps in size and optical qualities to be every day use lenses, but irreplaceable when you really need one.
I bought my Sigma 18-300 for a specific event: the Oberammergau pageant. The requirement: take a lot of pictures at this once-in-a-decade event of everything from wide-angle crowd shots to close-ups of the happenings on stage, while being in an uninterrupted environment of a large, possibly jostling crowd that really doesn't leave much room for safe lens changing or a bag of alternative lenses. Sometimes, only a superzoom will do.

[stevebrot]

Am I wrong?

If only you didn't need to go to 300mm. The Sigma 18-200 is still available.


Steve

[Fogel70]

Sure--that's a fine lens. It was my first (kitted), and had Pentax not worked out so well for me, might have remained permanently mounted as my only Pentax lens. Nevertheless, I tend to think of a 'superzoom' as having more reach--out to 250mm or more.
But despite the notion that superzooms are somehow 'down market,' I see them more as special purpose. Too many compromises perhaps in size and optical qualities to be every day use lenses, but irreplaceable when you really need one.
I bought my Sigma 18-300 for a specific event: the Oberammergau pageant. The requirement: take a lot of pictures at this once-in-a-decade event of everything from wide-angle crowd shots to close-ups of the happenings on stage, while being in an uninterrupted environment of a large, possibly jostling crowd that really doesn't leave much room for safe lens changing or a bag of alternative lenses. Sometimes, only a superzoom will do.

The difference in FOV between 135 and 200-300 is not that big it may sounds like. Especially if focusing on closer than infinity

Superzoom lenses tend to have a much shorter focal length when focused closer than infinity, It is called focus breating, which most lenses suffer from this, but it tend to be much worse on superzoom lenses.

Looking at Pentax three superzoom lenses the difference in focal length at minimum focus distance does not seem to be very large. Pentax tele zoom lenses have much longer minimum focus distance but similar max magnification ratio. Which indicates they suffer less from focus breathing.


DA 18-135 mm / (min focus dist) 40 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.24x
DA 18-250 mm / (min focus dist) 45 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.28x
DA 18-270 mm / (min focus dist) 49 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.26x

DA 50-200 mm / (min focus dist) 110 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.24x
DA 55-300 mm / (min focus dist) 140 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.28x

Sigma 18-200 mm / (min focus dist) 39 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.33x
Sigma 18-250 mm / (min focus dist) 35 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.33x
Sigma 18-300 mm / (min focus dist) 39 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.33x

Sigma 70-300 mm / (min focus dist) 95 cm / (max mag ratio) 0.5x

So the difference in reach of different superzoom lenses may not be as large as the focal length specification indicates.

[pres589]

The latest US Deals post Adam shared yesterday has links to a couple of the lenses you are mentioning as unavailable;

US Pentax Deal Roundup - Week of March 22nd, 2021 - PentaxForums.com

B&H lists the Sigma 18-200 Contemporary as well. I think that lens is supposed to provide pretty good optical performance and would probably be my pick *after* the DA 18-135 which I own and like quite a bit. But I've never seen a direct comparison between these two lenses done in a really methodical way so perhaps the Sigma is actually the lens to get. Either way, you've got a few good options still available to you.

[Sidney Porter]

Right now Adorama has the sigma 18-300 for $130 in "very good condition". It seems like keh always has the tamron or sigma 18-200 for less than $100.

I have an older (1st gen?) sigma 18-200. It's ok. Kind of soft. It seems better on the kp than k3.

[pres589]

I believe the 18-200 Contemporary reviewed pretty well and shares nothing in design with the older lenses.

I don't think the 18-300's were very good at all... never used one, wouldn't have much interest in one. The DA 18-135 is really hard to beat here.

[seventysixersfan]

Right now Adorama has the sigma 18-300 for $130 in "very good condition".

I think that one is the Sigma 18-250. For $130, that is a bargain deal!
https://www.adorama.com/us1367645.html?

[Sidney Porter]

I think that one is the Sigma 18-250. For $130, that is a bargain deal!
https://www.adorama.com/us1367645.html?

That's it. I saw it the other day. I remembered incorrectly with the 300 vs 250. I have no need for the lens but I think I would rather have the 250 if in the market