[Miguel1980]

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Im new to DSLR and the K-7 is my first one , got it with the 18-55 WR lens kit

I would like to get a zoom lens and wondering which one would be best on the K7
Sigma 18-200 or Tamron 18-200 ?
I found that PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL is WAY expensive compared to the 2 above , any specific reason ?

Also , If I get any of the above lens , can I replace it with my currently kit lens or I should better keep them ? It would be better to get the 50-200 WR instead ?
I just want an all around lens !

Appreciate any advice.

[ivoire]

Since you have the 18-55mm I would suggest the 55-300mm:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PENTAX-DA-L-55-300mm-F4-5-8-ed-zoom-lens-KX-K7_W0QQi...item1e59b71e78

PX55300AFDK Pentax SMC P-DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED AF Lens Kit, with Tiffen 58mm UV Filter, Lens Cap Leash, Professional Lens Cleaning Kit

[Biff]

I recently purchased a Pentax DA 55-300 and have used it once and love it. I highly recommend it and agree with all the good things people say about it. It's a great value.

[Alfisti]

The 18-250's are far better lenses, hence they are more expensive. Available for around $350 on the marketplace.

[Marc Sabatella]

BTW, just a point of terminology that might help as you research lenses: you already *have* a zoom lens - the 18-55. What you mean is that you want a *telephoto* lens, not a *zoom* lens. The 18-200 and 18-250 do both wide angle *and* telephoto and would basically replace your 18-55; the 55-300 is the much better lens but it is telephoto *only* and you'd need to use it in conjunction with your 18-55.

[EricT]

Well, he said he wanted an all-round lens. In that case, the Tamron 18-250 or Sigma 18-250 are excellent choices. They are known to be a lot better than the respective 18-200s, well worth the extra cost.

Although as others have mentioned, you should also consider the 55-300mm, which is a high quality telephoto lens.

[hcc]

Miguel,
There has been a recent pertinent discussion at DPReview [http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34069259] that I summarise herein. There were a a number of threads suggesting that the Tamron 18-250mm and the re-badged Pentax 18-250mm are better lenses than the older Sigma 18-200mm or Pentax 18-200mm. A few recent threads discussed some comparison between the Tamron 18-250mm and Pentax 18-250mm: eg, http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33945288. For the latter (Pentax 18-250mm), the Pentax K-7 (and I believe the K-x) does have the lens correction implemented and applies some distortion correction to this lens : http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34042860.

On the other hand, there is very little information on the newer and more expensive Sigma 18-250mm DC OS HSM. The reviews are positive but there have been some forum discussion on reliability & maintenance issues of the HSM technology

I use a Pentax 18-250mm with my Pentax K-7. Personnally, I am very happy with the Pentax 18-250mm in terms of practicality and ease to use in the field (no need to change lens, hence faster response time), as well its image quality. I am glad also of the lens correction implemented in the K-7. More I am able to get the K-7 with the 18-250mm in a small top-loading bag (Lowepro Top load zoom 1): very handy to carry in the outdoor.

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Last edited by hcc; 12-28-2009 at 01:24 PM. Reason: Typos