Pentax DA 18-250mm Lens

benjikan · 01-15-2010, 05:11 AM

Just received my Pentax DA 18-250 lens that I exchanged with our forum member Albert for my 21 Ltd and couldn't be happier. What a great all round "Shlep" around lens, when you want to be a tourist in your own town...

To be honest, I did not expect it to be this good!

Here is a test, unfortunately compressed to get it under 1.5 megabytes at 8/12 in Photoshop. At 12/12 or no compression, it is much better.
Shot at 250mm f6.3 with flash at 1/180th of a second.

LINK Below:

User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous Photos

Attached Images

Last edited by benjikan; 01-15-2010 at 10:00 AM.

Fl_Gulfer · 01-15-2010, 07:13 AM

I wish they still made them, I'd love to get one for the wife.

cbaytan · 01-15-2010, 07:23 AM

Mine just arrived too, it didn't impress me much, maybe the copy qualities are different. I don't know.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/880705-post50.html

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-15-2010, 08:24 AM

You can always get the Tamron version it's supposed to be a bit better and if not is essentially identical to the Pentax. I like my Tamron version quite well, it's not as fast as my primes or smaller faster zooms but it does what its supposed do - be a travel lens - quite well.

cbaytan · 01-15-2010, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

You can always get the Tamron version it's supposed to be a bit better and if not is essentially identical to the Pentax. I like my Tamron version quite well, it's not as fast as my primes or smaller faster zooms but it does what its supposed do - be a travel lens - quite well.

This is the first time I am hearing Tamron is better than Pentax, it's sorta proven that K-7 and K-x doesn't correct optical and chromatic aberration of Tamron contrary to Pentax version, thats why I've chosen Pentax and had a hard time to find a new one..

You can read the whole story here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/77388-18-250mm-pentax-tamron.html

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-15-2010, 09:22 AM

I based that on somethings I read in 2008 when I got mine that the Pentax version was a slightly earlier version of the Tamron one. I'd also read a number of reviews that supported the Tamron over the Pentax one.

benjikan · 01-15-2010, 10:05 AM

I guess I got a GOOD copy. I would not have a problem using this professionally between 18-180mm stopped down 1-2 stops.

Ben

rfortson · 01-15-2010, 11:00 AM

I love this lens so much I have TWO copies.

I bought the Tamron the week it was released in 2007, and immediately took it to Peru as my only lens for vacation. Did the same with a trip to Europe last summer. Last fall, I found the Pentax version for a good price, and so bought that one as well. For the money, they are very nice and convenient, and can take some nice shots.

cbaytan · 01-15-2010, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I guess I got a GOOD copy. I would not have a problem using this professionally between 18-180mm stopped down 1-2 stops.

Ben

Ok let me play devils advocate role here if you don't mind.

You call this a good sample benjikan? I don't even like below samples. Guess my standards are higher than yours.

cbaytan · 01-15-2010, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by rfortson

I love this lens so much I have TWO copies.

You didn't tell us which one is your favorite.

PentaxPoke · 01-15-2010, 11:57 AM

I agree Ben. I had been singing the praises of that lens for a while. I had it on my camera most of the time since it was so reliable, and sharp. It is the only lens I had that seemed to outperform the optical review at photozone. To see the difference between it and the (optically) great 50-135, you have to go to 100% crop.

I am really surprised to read here that they stopped production. Maybe it has to do with Tamron shifting to the 270?

I like to show this picture any time we talk about the 18-250.

MrApollinax · 01-15-2010, 12:04 PM

I have the Tamron version of this lens and like anything else once you know the limitations of the lens you can take stunning photos with it.

I've posted these here several times before but these were taken with my 18-250:

cbaytan · 01-15-2010, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by MrApollinax

I have the Tamron..................
I've posted these here several times before but these were taken with my 18-250:

Wow, should I get Tamron or what?

rfortson · 01-15-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by cbaytan

Wow, should I get Tamron or what?

No, they're pretty much identical. If you don't like your copy, then I'd say it's not for you. The sample you posted looked fine for me.

For this lens, I've always said if you pixel peep or use it at the extremes (wide open, full zoom, wide angle), you'll find some faults. However, all things considered, it's a very good performer in all general areas, plus the "macro" (really a close focusing) ability is handy as well.

When I view the shots taken with this lens at full screen (not 100%, but full screen on my 24" monitor), or printed at 11x14 or smaller, the faults disappear. When you look closer, you can find them. To me, that's great performance for a superzoom.

Case in point, which shot below was taken with the DA*200, and which was taken with the 18-250?

To me, they're interchangable at this viewing.

MrApollinax · 01-15-2010, 02:09 PM

I'm not sure what you would gain with the Tamron version over the Pentax version. I bought the Tamron version because it was cheaper. I'm pretty sure that I'd be able to recreate the same results with the Pentax lens as well all things being equal. By the time I had taken those shots I have had the lens for a little over a year and had taken thousands of shots with it. So I was pretty familiar with the quirks of my particular lens.

01-15-2010, 05:11 AM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Pentax DA 18-250mm Lens Just received my Pentax DA 18-250 lens that I exchanged with our forum member Albert for my 21 Ltd and couldn't be happier. What a great all round "Shlep" around lens, when you want to be a tourist in your own town... To be honest, I did not expect it to be this good! Here is a test, unfortunately compressed to get it under 1.5 megabytes at 8/12 in Photoshop. At 12/12 or no compression, it is much better. Shot at 250mm f6.3 with flash at 1/180th of a second. LINK Below: User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous Photos Attached Images Last edited by benjikan; 01-15-2010 at 10:00 AM.

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01-15-2010, 07:13 AM	#2
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	I wish they still made them, I'd love to get one for the wife.

01-15-2010, 07:23 AM	#3
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	Mine just arrived too, it didn't impress me much, maybe the copy qualities are different. I don't know. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/880705-post50.html

01-15-2010, 08:24 AM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	You can always get the Tamron version it's supposed to be a bit better and if not is essentially identical to the Pentax. I like my Tamron version quite well, it's not as fast as my primes or smaller faster zooms but it does what its supposed do - be a travel lens - quite well.

01-15-2010, 08:30 AM	#5
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew You can always get the Tamron version it's supposed to be a bit better and if not is essentially identical to the Pentax. I like my Tamron version quite well, it's not as fast as my primes or smaller faster zooms but it does what its supposed do - be a travel lens - quite well. This is the first time I am hearing Tamron is better than Pentax, it's sorta proven that K-7 and K-x doesn't correct optical and chromatic aberration of Tamron contrary to Pentax version, thats why I've chosen Pentax and had a hard time to find a new one.. You can read the whole story here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/77388-18-250mm-pentax-tamron.html

01-15-2010, 09:22 AM	#6
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	I based that on somethings I read in 2008 when I got mine that the Pentax version was a slightly earlier version of the Tamron one. I'd also read a number of reviews that supported the Tamron over the Pentax one.

01-15-2010, 10:05 AM	#7
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	I guess I got a GOOD copy. I would not have a problem using this professionally between 18-180mm stopped down 1-2 stops. Ben

01-15-2010, 11:00 AM	#8
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	I love this lens so much I have TWO copies. I bought the Tamron the week it was released in 2007, and immediately took it to Peru as my only lens for vacation. Did the same with a trip to Europe last summer. Last fall, I found the Pentax version for a good price, and so bought that one as well. For the money, they are very nice and convenient, and can take some nice shots.

01-15-2010, 11:53 AM	#10
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	Originally posted by rfortson I love this lens so much I have TWO copies. You didn't tell us which one is your favorite.

01-15-2010, 11:57 AM	#11
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	I agree Ben. I had been singing the praises of that lens for a while. I had it on my camera most of the time since it was so reliable, and sharp. It is the only lens I had that seemed to outperform the optical review at photozone. To see the difference between it and the (optically) great 50-135, you have to go to 100% crop. I am really surprised to read here that they stopped production. Maybe it has to do with Tamron shifting to the 270? I like to show this picture any time we talk about the 18-250.

01-15-2010, 12:04 PM	#12
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	I have the Tamron version of this lens and like anything else once you know the limitations of the lens you can take stunning photos with it. I've posted these here several times before but these were taken with my 18-250:

01-15-2010, 12:07 PM	#13
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	Originally posted by MrApollinax I have the Tamron.................. I've posted these here several times before but these were taken with my 18-250: Wow, should I get Tamron or what?

01-15-2010, 02:08 PM	#14
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Originally posted by cbaytan Wow, should I get Tamron or what? No, they're pretty much identical. If you don't like your copy, then I'd say it's not for you. The sample you posted looked fine for me. For this lens, I've always said if you pixel peep or use it at the extremes (wide open, full zoom, wide angle), you'll find some faults. However, all things considered, it's a very good performer in all general areas, plus the "macro" (really a close focusing) ability is handy as well. When I view the shots taken with this lens at full screen (not 100%, but full screen on my 24" monitor), or printed at 11x14 or smaller, the faults disappear. When you look closer, you can find them. To me, that's great performance for a superzoom. Case in point, which shot below was taken with the DA*200, and which was taken with the 18-250? To me, they're interchangable at this viewing.

01-15-2010, 02:09 PM	#15
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	I'm not sure what you would gain with the Tamron version over the Pentax version. I bought the Tamron version because it was cheaper. I'm pretty sure that I'd be able to recreate the same results with the Pentax lens as well all things being equal. By the time I had taken those shots I have had the lens for a little over a year and had taken thousands of shots with it. So I was pretty familiar with the quirks of my particular lens.