18-250 zoom

dafiryde · 04-22-2009, 02:08 PM

i read on photozone that this lens has a very slow autofocus speed
i know it is considered a slow lens because of it widest aperature setting
can any users out there, either with the Pentax or Tamron tell me if in fact it does suffer from a slow autofocus speed, i really like this lens for outdoor use only

Dave

Alfisti · 04-22-2009, 02:10 PM

It's a little slower than the kit lenses for e.g. but not much slower.

Eigengrau · 04-22-2009, 02:17 PM

I've used this lens all over the place, and slow autofocus is not how I'd ever describe it.

It hunts a little bit in low light, but honestly you shouldn't be using it there. For outdoors, it makes a fantastic, versatile lens, and you shouldn't need anything else for most of your shooting. It might be a hair slower than the DA40 or FA35, but those are some of the fastest focusers in the Pentax lineup. If the kit lens is fast enough for you, you'll be happy with this one.

dafiryde · 04-22-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Alfisti

It's a little slower than the kit lenses for e.g. but not much slower.

thanks
i took a look at your examples in pbase, and if that is what this lens is capable of doing, i have been missing out.
thanks again

Dave

dafiryde · 04-22-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Eigengrau

I've used this lens all over the place, and slow autofocus is not how I'd ever describe it.

It hunts a little bit in low light, but honestly you shouldn't be using it there. For outdoors, it makes a fantastic, versatile lens, and you shouldn't need anything else for most of your shooting. It might be a hair slower than the DA40 or FA35, but those are some of the fastest focusers in the Pentax lineup. If the kit lens is fast enough for you, you'll be happy with this one.

thanks
i plan to keep the 16-50 for low light

Dave

Cosmo · 04-22-2009, 02:34 PM

You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

Venturi · 04-22-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Cosmo

You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

For occasions when you don't want to or can't carry both.

There are times I regret letting my 18-250 go as it is one hell of a good daylight lens for those quick family outings, etc.

MrApollinax · 04-22-2009, 03:39 PM

Also if you know how to work with it's limitations you should note that it can make a hell of a nighttime lens as well:

SOldBear · 04-22-2009, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by Cosmo

You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

I have a Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 and a Tamron 18-250mm.

My next zoom lens is likely a Pentax 50-135mm f/2.8, or a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8.

The Tamron 18-250mm is excellent if you don't want to or can't carry more than one lens.

Kei · 04-22-2009, 06:21 PM

I personally find the 18-250 focus about the same as the kit lens. So I have no problem using it at all under broad daylight.

**ManuH** · 04-22-2009, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by Cosmo

You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

The DA*16-50 alone is bigger and heavier than the 18-250. The 18-250 is a nice all-in-one when you want to transform your DSLR in a good superzoom P&S. But personally I took the other road: I sold my 18-250 and bought a DA* 16-50. Not looking back.

dafiryde · 04-22-2009, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Cosmo

You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

too many times and i mean too many times ,
i see an expression i want, but have on the wrong lens and by the time i switch, the shot i wanted is long gone...............
i have went over this lens so many times, read so many reviews, about what to expect, and up to now,
i have only heard good things about it in daylight
plan to keep the 16-50, for when lighting gets low, at low light levels, my pics are usually under the 50mm end anyway.
i know IQ is compramised, in such a zoom, but would I miss this difference in image Quality, i dont shoot pics for a living, dont think i will ever make it into national geographic,
i just love getting those candid moments, that only a photograph will remind you of later on in life, as you grow old and cant remember what in the hell you did yesterday.

i am willing to give up some image quality, but with Pentax one cannot afford to give up autofocus speed, which gave me great concern, as photozone mentioned it has a slow autofocus speed, and i am hoping that they ment it is a slow lens because of its aperature range

Dave

Alfisti · 04-23-2009, 07:00 AM

If you are travelling it is very, very hard to argue with. Frankly I wish we had a REALLY STRONG 16-85 like Nikon, I don't really need the extra reach out to 250 but 50mm is too short.

I travel with this, the 12-24 and the 77 and everything is covered.

netuser · 04-23-2009, 07:27 AM

Just got mine from the post office. Focus is not slow, it's not as fast as others but it's not slow. I think it's the same has kit lens.

foxycce · 04-23-2009, 08:19 AM

I have the pentax 18-250 and the sigma 28-200. i honestly regret buying the 18-250 as the 28-200 is a lot sharper so i think i am going to return the 18-250 and buy the sigma 10-20mm, I have started another thread about it

04-22-2009, 02:08 PM	#1
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419	18-250 zoom i read on photozone that this lens has a very slow autofocus speed i know it is considered a slow lens because of it widest aperature setting can any users out there, either with the Pentax or Tamron tell me if in fact it does suffer from a slow autofocus speed, i really like this lens for outdoor use only Dave

04-23-2009, 07:27 AM	#14
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Just got mine from the post office. Focus is not slow, it's not as fast as others but it's not slow. I think it's the same has kit lens. Last edited by netuser; 04-23-2009 at 09:12 AM.

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04-22-2009, 02:10 PM	#2
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	It's a little slower than the kit lenses for e.g. but not much slower.

04-22-2009, 02:17 PM	#3
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250	I've used this lens all over the place, and slow autofocus is not how I'd ever describe it. It hunts a little bit in low light, but honestly you shouldn't be using it there. For outdoors, it makes a fantastic, versatile lens, and you shouldn't need anything else for most of your shooting. It might be a hair slower than the DA40 or FA35, but those are some of the fastest focusers in the Pentax lineup. If the kit lens is fast enough for you, you'll be happy with this one.

04-22-2009, 02:23 PM	#4
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alfisti It's a little slower than the kit lenses for e.g. but not much slower. thanks i took a look at your examples in pbase, and if that is what this lens is capable of doing, i have been missing out. thanks again Dave

04-22-2009, 02:24 PM	#5
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eigengrau I've used this lens all over the place, and slow autofocus is not how I'd ever describe it. It hunts a little bit in low light, but honestly you shouldn't be using it there. For outdoors, it makes a fantastic, versatile lens, and you shouldn't need anything else for most of your shooting. It might be a hair slower than the DA40 or FA35, but those are some of the fastest focusers in the Pentax lineup. If the kit lens is fast enough for you, you'll be happy with this one. thanks i plan to keep the 16-50 for low light Dave

04-22-2009, 02:34 PM	#6
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250?

04-22-2009, 03:11 PM	#7
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Originally posted by Cosmo You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250? For occasions when you don't want to or can't carry both. There are times I regret letting my 18-250 go as it is one hell of a good daylight lens for those quick family outings, etc.

04-22-2009, 03:39 PM	#8
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Also if you know how to work with it's limitations you should note that it can make a hell of a nighttime lens as well:

04-22-2009, 04:20 PM	#9
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by Cosmo You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250? I have a Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 and a Tamron 18-250mm. My next zoom lens is likely a Pentax 50-135mm f/2.8, or a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8. The Tamron 18-250mm is excellent if you don't want to or can't carry more than one lens.

04-22-2009, 06:21 PM	#10
Kei Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	I personally find the 18-250 focus about the same as the kit lens. So I have no problem using it at all under broad daylight.

04-22-2009, 06:41 PM	#11
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by Cosmo You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250? The DA16-50 alone is bigger and heavier than the 18-250. The 18-250 is a nice all-in-one when you want to transform your DSLR in a good superzoom P&S. But personally I took the other road: I sold my 18-250 and bought a DA 16-50. Not looking back.

04-22-2009, 08:35 PM	#12
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419 Original Poster	Originally posted by Cosmo You have the DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm, why on earth would you want an 18-250? too many times and i mean too many times , i see an expression i want, but have on the wrong lens and by the time i switch, the shot i wanted is long gone............... i have went over this lens so many times, read so many reviews, about what to expect, and up to now, i have only heard good things about it in daylight plan to keep the 16-50, for when lighting gets low, at low light levels, my pics are usually under the 50mm end anyway. i know IQ is compramised, in such a zoom, but would I miss this difference in image Quality, i dont shoot pics for a living, dont think i will ever make it into national geographic, i just love getting those candid moments, that only a photograph will remind you of later on in life, as you grow old and cant remember what in the hell you did yesterday. i am willing to give up some image quality, but with Pentax one cannot afford to give up autofocus speed, which gave me great concern, as photozone mentioned it has a slow autofocus speed, and i am hoping that they ment it is a slow lens because of its aperature range Dave

04-23-2009, 07:00 AM	#13
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	If you are travelling it is very, very hard to argue with. Frankly I wish we had a REALLY STRONG 16-85 like Nikon, I don't really need the extra reach out to 250 but 50mm is too short. I travel with this, the 12-24 and the 77 and everything is covered.

04-23-2009, 08:19 AM	#15
foxycce Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 11	I have the pentax 18-250 and the sigma 28-200. i honestly regret buying the 18-250 as the 28-200 is a lot sharper so i think i am going to return the 18-250 and buy the sigma 10-20mm, I have started another thread about it