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jms698 · 01-10-2010, 05:37 PM

I was thinking of buying the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens.

But when I looked at amazon, bhphotovideo, and adorama it doesn't seem to exist anymore. Even Pentax's own site's "buy" link doesn't work:
Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

Does anyone know what happened to the lens? Why has it mysteriously vanished?

pxpaulx · 01-10-2010, 05:59 PM

It was a rebadged tamron lens. Tamron stopped making it in favor of their newer 18-270mm superzoom, resulting in the discontinuing of the Pentax version as well!

fractal · 01-10-2010, 06:13 PM

Yep, it has been superseded.

Try this site.. Pretty pricey though.

Pentax - Cameras and Lenses - Tin Cheung Camera Company

DA18-250mm > AU$769.59

hcc · 01-10-2010, 06:22 PM

Some excellent second hand Pentax 18-250mm and Tamron 18-50mm can be found on the Internet around USD$300 to US$350. I can recommend, from personal experience, KEH among others.
The Pentax 18-250mm tend to be favored over the Tamron 18-250mm , but not by much. The main advantage of the Pentax lens is that it s recognised by the camera body and lens correction can enable and successfully applied. There have been several relevant threads at PentaxForums.com on the Pentax vs Tamron 18-250mm.

Last edited by hcc; 01-10-2010 at 06:23 PM. Reason: Typos

Tom in Delaware · 01-10-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by jms698

I was thinking of buying the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens.

But when I looked at amazon, bhphotovideo, and adorama it doesn't seem to exist anymore. Even Pentax's own site's "buy" link doesn't work:
Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

Does anyone know what happened to the lens? Why has it mysteriously vanished?

PENTAX 21697 18 - 250MM F/3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) ZOOM LENS

I wouldn't wait very long to pick up a new copy, looks like they are rapidly disappearing.

jms698 · 01-10-2010, 07:07 PM

I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm...

Biro · 01-10-2010, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by jms698

I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm...

Many of us have been asking the same question for a while now. Absolutely no indication from Pentax or Tamron. I truly hope 2010 is the Year of the lens for Pentax.

audiobomber · 01-11-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by jms698

I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm...

I don't see how they can get along without some kind of superzoom in the lineup. All the other manufacturers offer one. When will it be offered? ...that's the big question. Pentax sometimes moves verrrry slowly.

If the DA 18-250 replacement is a rebadged 18-270, I'll just keep my 18-250. If the new superzoom is weatherproof, I'll buy one. I'm hoping for an 18-200mm WR of Pentax design. Some people have speculated on a 16.5-135 like the Tokina, which may actually be a Pentax design.

Marc Sabatella · 01-11-2010, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I don't see how they can get along without some kind of superzoom in the lineup.

Why bother if Sigma offers them?

panoguy · 01-11-2010, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Why bother if Sigma offers them?

I don't think Sigma sends the money to Hoya when they sell a K-mount lens.

Seriously, it's all about the "brand package" that can be sold (even if not in a kit), and the K-x users are just crying out for a single superzoom instead of the two-lens kits.

audiobomber · 01-11-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Why bother if Sigma offers them?

Superzooms are hugely important to some people, especially potential customers stepping up from a compact. If Pentax relies on third-party lenses, it hurts their credibility. How often do Canikon users criticize Pentax's lens lineup, and a superzoom is a notable hole for a certain market segment.

Also, in-camera distortion and CA correction are not available on third-party lenses. Correction is especially nice with a superzoom because distortion is extreme and CA is common.

audiobomber · 01-11-2010, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by panoguy

I don't think Sigma sends the money to Hoya when they sell a K-mount lens.

Good point.

Reportage · 01-11-2010, 11:52 AM

i`d appreciate some fast lens on the mid range side...i doubt a lot of photographers do weddings that need weather sealing. An 18-135 f2.8 is what the pentax mount needs imo.

right now the sigma is making a fortune from their 17-70.

asdf · 01-11-2010, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by Reportage

An 18-135 f2.8 is what the pentax mount needs imo.

Do you mean 18-135 with constant f/2.8 aperture? That would be a giant lens and nobody is making one.

01-10-2010, 05:37 PM	#1
jms698 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 133	What happened to the 18-250mm? I was thinking of buying the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. But when I looked at amazon, bhphotovideo, and adorama it doesn't seem to exist anymore. Even Pentax's own site's "buy" link doesn't work: Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site Does anyone know what happened to the lens? Why has it mysteriously vanished?

01-10-2010, 06:54 PM	#5
Tom in Delaware Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 177	You can still get it here... Originally posted by jms698 I was thinking of buying the Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. But when I looked at amazon, bhphotovideo, and adorama it doesn't seem to exist anymore. Even Pentax's own site's "buy" link doesn't work: Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site Does anyone know what happened to the lens? Why has it mysteriously vanished? PENTAX 21697 18 - 250MM F/3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) ZOOM LENS I wouldn't wait very long to pick up a new copy, looks like they are rapidly disappearing.

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01-10-2010, 05:59 PM	#2
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	It was a rebadged tamron lens. Tamron stopped making it in favor of their newer 18-270mm superzoom, resulting in the discontinuing of the Pentax version as well!

01-10-2010, 06:13 PM	#3
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Yep, it has been superseded. Try this site.. Pretty pricey though. Pentax - Cameras and Lenses - Tin Cheung Camera Company DA18-250mm > AU$769.59

01-10-2010, 06:22 PM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Some excellent second hand Pentax 18-250mm and Tamron 18-50mm can be found on the Internet around USD$300 to US$350. I can recommend, from personal experience, KEH among others. The Pentax 18-250mm tend to be favored over the Tamron 18-250mm , but not by much. The main advantage of the Pentax lens is that it s recognised by the camera body and lens correction can enable and successfully applied. There have been several relevant threads at PentaxForums.com on the Pentax vs Tamron 18-250mm. Last edited by hcc; 01-10-2010 at 06:23 PM. Reason: Typos

01-10-2010, 07:07 PM	#6
jms698 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 133 Original Poster	I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm...

01-10-2010, 09:00 PM	#7
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Originally posted by jms698 I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm... Many of us have been asking the same question for a while now. Absolutely no indication from Pentax or Tamron. I truly hope 2010 is the Year of the lens for Pentax.

01-11-2010, 09:24 AM	#8
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by jms698 I wonder if Pentax will create a rebranded version of the new Tamron 18-270mm... I don't see how they can get along without some kind of superzoom in the lineup. All the other manufacturers offer one. When will it be offered? ...that's the big question. Pentax sometimes moves verrrry slowly. If the DA 18-250 replacement is a rebadged 18-270, I'll just keep my 18-250. If the new superzoom is weatherproof, I'll buy one. I'm hoping for an 18-200mm WR of Pentax design. Some people have speculated on a 16.5-135 like the Tokina, which may actually be a Pentax design.

01-11-2010, 11:14 AM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by audiobomber I don't see how they can get along without some kind of superzoom in the lineup. Why bother if Sigma offers them?

01-11-2010, 11:33 AM	#10
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Why bother if Sigma offers them? I don't think Sigma sends the money to Hoya when they sell a K-mount lens. Seriously, it's all about the "brand package" that can be sold (even if not in a kit), and the K-x users are just crying out for a single superzoom instead of the two-lens kits.

01-11-2010, 11:34 AM	#11
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Why bother if Sigma offers them? Superzooms are hugely important to some people, especially potential customers stepping up from a compact. If Pentax relies on third-party lenses, it hurts their credibility. How often do Canikon users criticize Pentax's lens lineup, and a superzoom is a notable hole for a certain market segment. Also, in-camera distortion and CA correction are not available on third-party lenses. Correction is especially nice with a superzoom because distortion is extreme and CA is common.

01-11-2010, 11:35 AM	#12
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by panoguy I don't think Sigma sends the money to Hoya when they sell a K-mount lens. Good point.

01-11-2010, 11:52 AM	#13
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	i`d appreciate some fast lens on the mid range side...i doubt a lot of photographers do weddings that need weather sealing. An 18-135 f2.8 is what the pentax mount needs imo. right now the sigma is making a fortune from their 17-70.

01-11-2010, 11:55 AM	#14
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by Reportage An 18-135 f2.8 is what the pentax mount needs imo. Do you mean 18-135 with constant f/2.8 aperture? That would be a giant lens and nobody is making one.

What happened to the 18-250mm?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!