[*isteve]

I am interested to know which superzoom is better? The sigma 18-250 with OS or the Tamrom/pentax 18-250? Quite interested to get one for wifey

Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical [IF] macro (Canon) - Lens Test Report / Review

Sigma AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (Canon) - Test Report / Review

Tamron is a bit less of a train wreck...

Frankly if you want to stick a superzoom on a K7, you bought the wrong camera. You wouldn't put cheap tyres on a Porsche....

Resolution etc may be tolerable, but colour rendition, contrast etc are pretty second rate. How often do you use focal lengths >70mm?

[raider]

Nah....not on a k-7. Thinking of pairing the 18-250 superzoom on a K-x for wifey.

[Lowell Goudge]

in looking over all the replies, and i know there will be ton's of complaints about this, but why not a bridge camera.

to be honest, although my present SLR/DSLR kit is 19 lenses and 6 bodies, when I travel for work, I have a Kodak DX 7590 Bridge camera, 5 MP with a film equivelent 38-380 mm F2.8-3.6 lens. I carry this, a 0.45X front attachment and a set of macro lenses 1/2/4dipoter.

This, or any other similar bridge camera makes an excellent travel camera. I am sure the new X70 is similar in terms of optical quality, and has all the features needed for a one lens solution.

I would be willing to bet that from a noise point of view, at all ISO ratings, the new sensor even at 2.5 times the resolution surpasses my 5 year old 5MP sensor.

Is my littke kodak as good as any of my DSLRs, no, but unless you are into big blow ups, or really serious photography, it is not bad at all.

[wasser]

They don't do a direct comparison, but it seems slrgear likes the Sigma better:

Sigma Lens: Zooms - Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM (Tested) - SLRgear.com!
Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical [IF] macro (Canon) - Lens Test Report / Review

Sigma AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (Canon) - Test Report / Review

Tamron is a bit less of a train wreck...

That's not the Sigma 18-250mm.

[audiobomber]

Resolution etc may be tolerable, but colour rendition, contrast etc are pretty second rate. How often do you use focal lengths >70mm?

The DA 18-250 has better sharpness and IQ than my 18-55mm. It is what it is, an immensely versatile all-rounder, as good as any kit lens, but with better range. Sometimes lens changes are incovenient or unnecessary. I use it for those times, and I use primes and more capable zooms when it matters. Taking pictures is fun, not every shot has to be a masterpiece, and I will ALWAYS have a superzoom.

A K20D and K-7 have the same resolution and similar IQ, but a Pentax 18-250 on a K-7D would be nicer, because the K7 can add CA and vignetting distortion corrections. It cannot do this with a Sigma 18-250.

[*isteve]

Nah....not on a k-7. Thinking of pairing the 18-250 superzoom on a K-x for wifey.

Much better value (IMO) to get a 55-300 to go with the kit lens. I think these are being offered as a bundle?

Kx is a very nice little camera by all accounts. My experiences of superzooms are somewhat less than complimentary. Others differ.

[*isteve]

They don't do a direct comparison, but it seems slrgear likes the Sigma better:

Sigma Lens: Zooms - Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM (Tested) - SLRgear.com!
Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!



That's not the Sigma 18-250mm.

My bad. Certainly would not buy this Sigma though. For $560 its not cheap and its effectively only really useful from about 25-80mm. I would spend the (not much extra) money on the Pentax 17-70 which has far better IQ and is still pretty versatile.

[raider]

Totally agreed on the fact that a superzoom may not have better IQ than a lens such as the DA17-70. But sometimes a superzoom is just plain convenient...which is the motivation for me to get a superzoom.

The way I look at it, a K-x with 18-250 superzoom "should" have better IQ than a bridge camera with the same zoom range. Wifey is now using the Fuji6500fd which has a zoom range of 28-300mm (35mm equiv)....sorta equiv as a 18-200mm lens on our pentax. The fuji has an "ok" IQ but lacks SR which she finds difficult to get sharp pictures. The K-x with 18-250 superzoom "should" work well for her...I hope.

Probably depends on what you shoot, no??

DA 35 ltd is versatile. These days I have FA 31 ltd on most of the time. Yes a bit big, but I am willing to carry that around for the obvious advantage.

[kristoffon]

The way I look at it, a K-x with 18-250 superzoom "should" have better IQ than a bridge camera with the same zoom range.

If by "shoud" you mean "definitely will" and by "better" you mean "a whole new level", then yes.

[tomwil]

It's nice that some are mentioning the well-deserved Pentax DA 18-250, but the big camera shops (B&H, Adorama) are showing it as unavailable and discontinued. Wish I knew why it was discontinued, especially since it appears that Tamron is still manufacturing it.

[Marc Sabatella]

If by "shoud" you mean "definitely will" and by "better" you mean "a whole new level", then yes.

I wouldn't go nearly that far. Sure, in some situations, the DSLR + superzoom lens will noticeably outperform a P&S - especially anything requiring high ISO. But really, in good light, most of today's P&S cameras do incredibly well - even with pixel peeping, you might have trouble getting a panel of experts to reliably tell them apart.

Of course, no denying that in those high ISO and a few other situations, the DSLR will win more noticeably, but on the flip side, the P&S is a much smaller camera that the more casual shooter is much more likely take with him/her. So it will get shot the DSLR won't, simply because it is there. Overall, I'm not sure it *would* turn out to be a win for the DSLR.

[audiobomber]

It's nice that some are mentioning the well-deserved Pentax DA 18-250, but the big camera shops (B&H, Adorama) are showing it as unavailable and discontinued. Wish I knew why it was discontinued, especially since it appears that Tamron is still manufacturing it.

AFAIK Tamron stopped manufacturing the 18-250 several months ago when they released the 18-270 OS. It was just matter of time until the DA 18-250 stocks disappeared.

I'm hoping for a new Pentax designed weather-resistant superzoom, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tokina 16.5-135mm dressed up in Pentax WR garb. I suppose it would be too much to ask for a new superzoom good enough to replace my 16-45 and 18-250.

[adamkean]

i'd go with a 16-50

[hinman]

You will hear a lot of different opinion on one lens solution. Please don't take it personal. I normally don't jump in on thread for one lens solution as I don't think that is the idea to have for a dSLR system where you buy it to have the flexibility of using different lens designed for a specific purpose. But I see the needs in traveling with less lens and no change of lens in the travel.

My version of 1 lens solution involves few combination to make the best use of my system with both zooms and primes

1. Weekend walk-around

to spend quality time with my family where I compromise on focal range in using a range for candid, portrait, landscape, and good close up

• Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 for Walk-around

My sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 is my go-to lens for traveling. Basically a do it all lens with a short focal zoom range that are most used in my traveling needs.


2. For vacation that compromise towards 1 lens solution

Take three lens to cover range with 2 zooms and make up the miss of speed and IQ with 1 fast prime. I brought three lens in luggage but I only carry mostly 1-2 lens in the trip.

• Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 (e.g South Lake Tahoe) or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
• A tele-photo zoom such as Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6. An ideal candidate will be Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 followed by Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6
• A fast prime for nighttime or indoor such as Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 or the 43mm f/1.9

3. For the absolute elite travel with one prime

Bring a trio or quad of limited or fast primes and bring two at a time. Plenty to choose form subject to your own liking and how you see fit.

trio samples
#1: 21mm/40mm/70mm -- the most compact one due to Pentax pancake design
#2: 15mm/43mm/77mm -- almost the widest range except with DA 14mm f/2.8
#3: 21mm/35mm/50mm/77mm -- Hin's current limited trio that key on functional in landscape, macro, and portrait in traveling, add 50mm for nighttime and need of fast speed.
#4: 12-24mm/43mm/70mm -- ok, one zoom which is more versatile in landscape shots
#5: 21mm/43mm/77mm -- a safe bet for a balance between FF and APS-C

Only carry two primes at a time to get close to 1-lens compromise while leaving the unlikely used prime in the car or hotel.

• Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 limited, DA 40mm f/2.8 or FA 35mm f/2.0 as a catch all lens
• Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited or 14mm or 15mm limited for wide angle
• Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 or DA 70mm f/2.4 for portraits
• A fast normal such as 43mm limited and FA 50mm for the need of speed such as Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4

4. Your 1-lens do all lens

• Pentax or Tamron 18-250mm
• Sigma 18-250mm
• older variants of Tamron or Pentax 28-300mm

update: I summarize my opinions in Pentax 1-Lens choice in my blog with an added section for manual focus primes

Thanks,
Hin