18-250 Pentax or Tamaron?

Reconman-1033 · 02-10-2010, 08:17 AM

I have two questions about the Pentax 18-250 f 3.5-6.3 lens.
Tamron makes the "same" lens for about $100 less. 1) What is the primary difference between the Pentax version and the Tamron? 2) Is there a comparable lens with that focal length? (The primary complaint with this lens seems to be the locking button. Has that been changed or overcome with some other lens?) I shoot with a K10D.
Thanks

**blackcloudbrew** · 02-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Search this site for further info. There have been a number of threads that address your questions. However, in brief it's like this.

Tamron makes this lens and the Pentax verison is a rebranding of the Tamron lens. I've read that they are very similar but that the Tamron version is just a bit better. Pentax doesn't offer this lens any more although you can get it used.

I own the Tameron lens and enjoy it a lot. You wont go wrong with it. It does experience lens creep but the locking switch becomes quite familar to you with that. I actually had to send it to Tamron for repair (the rubber on the zoom was quite loose) and asked Tamron to tighten the lens zoom. When it returned, I don't have the lens creep problem anymore so it's clearly adjustable.

Again, the two are essentially the same lens.

causey · 02-10-2010, 09:32 AM

Only the Pentax 18-250mm has Pentax coatings.

elho_cid · 03-06-2010, 05:20 PM

Interesing finding about the DA18-250. I met a fellow photographer few weeks ago, who once had DA18-250, now shooting with the Tamron 18-250. His DA18-250 was irreversibly damaged by sea water and then, when this lens was not sold anymore, he settled with Tamron 18-250.

He was not happy with the Tamron IQ wise as he used to be with the DA lens. So he decided to try having the DA repaired in a local repair shop. They ordered spare parts from Tamron, "knowing" that Pentax was a rebadged Tamron. The parts physically didn't fit (it was aperture mechanism).

So much for the rebadge story... Maybe there were only some parts shared, but who knows what amount of parts. Aperture mechanism definately not.

hcc · 03-06-2010, 07:30 PM - **1 Like**

There were indeed several threads on the 18-250mm that you should read. Recent ones included:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86984-pentax-d...50mm-lens.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/89496-has-bett...l-18-55mm.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/92104-superzoo...8-300-etc.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90826-travel-l...8-250-hsm.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86450-what-happened-18-250mm.html

The first thread was written by a pro and its is very interesting.

The Pentax DA18-250mm and Tamron 18-250mm are very, very close. The Pentax 18-250mm is unfortunately no longer for sale, but some excellent 2nd hand lenses can be found (eg. keh.com, adorama.com, ebay). 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 the lens correction can enable and successfully applied.

There have been many relevant threads at PentaxForums.com and Dpreview.com on the Pentax vs Tamron 18-250mm. In my opinion, for the same price, I would go for the Pentax. But a nicely priced Tamron would be as good.

Hope that the comment will help...

elpolodiablo · 03-07-2010, 04:11 AM

Actually, my local Paxton's still got both the Tamron 18-250 and Pentax DA 18-250, but asking AUD$799 for the Tammy and AUD$999 for the Pentax, ouch.

hcc · 03-07-2010, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

Actually, my local Paxton's still got both the Tamron 18-250 and Pentax DA 18-250, but asking AUD$799 for the Tammy and AUD$999 for the Pentax, ouch.

I advise to buy your lens overseas. I bought my Pentax DA18-250mm from Keh.com for US$379 + shipping to Oz. You may try also adorama.com, pentaxforums.com (marketplace) and ebay.

elpolodiablo · 03-08-2010, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by hcc

I advise to buy your lens overseas. I bought my Pentax DA18-250mm from Keh.com for US$379 + shipping to Oz. You may try also adorama.com, pentaxforums.com (marketplace) and ebay.

I know mate, I am just trying to show how ridiculous the local shops are charging us for lenses here.... I have no hesitation of buying overseas.

rkt · 03-10-2010, 12:44 PM

+1 for a very positive experience with the Pentax version...

netuser · 03-10-2010, 02:12 PM

+1 for the DA 18-250

Mike.P® · 03-10-2010, 02:49 PM

I had the Pentax version and found a Tamron on Ebay for a very good price so bought it and then sold the Pentax back on Ebay for a good profit which meant the Tamron only cost me £100.

I have to say I notice no real difference .. apart from the fact the Pentax hood felt really cheap compared to the Tamron.

steve500 · 03-13-2010, 06:08 PM

+1 for the DA18-250

It's my all around use lens, always on my camera. Doesn't feel too fragile, I bump it around quite a bit, it's been great for over a year now, I have nothing to complain about it at all. It's sharper than the 18-55mm kit lens in all ranges. K20D's IS system works perfect alongside the telephoto ranges of this lens.

Love it. Worth it. Great lens.

hitechrr · 03-13-2010, 07:42 PM

I bought one after it first came out. That lens had lens creep. I sold it on ebay for what I paid for it. I missed it so I looked on ebay till I found a used one at a good price. This one had some dust in it and also creeped. I sent it to pentax and they cleened and adjusted it at no charge. I paid one way shipping. This is now my most use walk around. If you look at my list of lens you will see that I have some good ones.

RioRico · 03-13-2010, 08:28 PM

Probably the main reason I don't use the DA 18-250 so much now is that I just got bored with having that one lens on my K20D all the time. Outside of fisheye and low-light and ultra-tele, it just did everything so WELL. So I started buying other lenses, looking for niches to fill. What a FOOL I was! Oh DA 18-250, please forgive me for ever doubting you! [sob, sniffle, sigh]

Mike.P® · 03-14-2010, 02:03 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Oh DA 18-250, please forgive me for ever doubting you! [sob, sniffle, sigh]

It's good alright but I don't think it's THAT good

02-10-2010, 08:17 AM	#1
Reconman-1033 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 21	18-250 Pentax or Tamaron? I have two questions about the Pentax 18-250 f 3.5-6.3 lens. Tamron makes the "same" lens for about $100 less. 1) What is the primary difference between the Pentax version and the Tamron? 2) Is there a comparable lens with that focal length? (The primary complaint with this lens seems to be the locking button. Has that been changed or overcome with some other lens?) I shoot with a K10D. Thanks

03-13-2010, 07:42 PM	#13
hitechrr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: long island ny Posts: 31	da 18-250 I bought one after it first came out. That lens had lens creep. I sold it on ebay for what I paid for it. I missed it so I looked on ebay till I found a used one at a good price. This one had some dust in it and also creeped. I sent it to pentax and they cleened and adjusted it at no charge. I paid one way shipping. This is now my most use walk around. If you look at my list of lens you will see that I have some good ones.

03-13-2010, 08:28 PM	#14
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	yes, yes, DA 18-250 Probably the main reason I don't use the DA 18-250 so much now is that I just got bored with having that one lens on my K20D all the time. Outside of fisheye and low-light and ultra-tele, it just did everything so WELL. So I started buying other lenses, looking for niches to fill. What a FOOL I was! Oh DA 18-250, please forgive me for ever doubting you! [sob, sniffle, sigh]

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02-10-2010, 09:10 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	Search this site for further info. There have been a number of threads that address your questions. However, in brief it's like this. Tamron makes this lens and the Pentax verison is a rebranding of the Tamron lens. I've read that they are very similar but that the Tamron version is just a bit better. Pentax doesn't offer this lens any more although you can get it used. I own the Tameron lens and enjoy it a lot. You wont go wrong with it. It does experience lens creep but the locking switch becomes quite familar to you with that. I actually had to send it to Tamron for repair (the rubber on the zoom was quite loose) and asked Tamron to tighten the lens zoom. When it returned, I don't have the lens creep problem anymore so it's clearly adjustable. Again, the two are essentially the same lens.

02-10-2010, 09:32 AM	#3
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Only the Pentax 18-250mm has Pentax coatings.

03-06-2010, 05:20 PM	#4
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Interesing finding about the DA18-250. I met a fellow photographer few weeks ago, who once had DA18-250, now shooting with the Tamron 18-250. His DA18-250 was irreversibly damaged by sea water and then, when this lens was not sold anymore, he settled with Tamron 18-250. He was not happy with the Tamron IQ wise as he used to be with the DA lens. So he decided to try having the DA repaired in a local repair shop. They ordered spare parts from Tamron, "knowing" that Pentax was a rebadged Tamron. The parts physically didn't fit (it was aperture mechanism). So much for the rebadge story... Maybe there were only some parts shared, but who knows what amount of parts. Aperture mechanism definately not.

03-06-2010, 07:30 PM - 1 Like	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	There were indeed several threads on the 18-250mm that you should read. Recent ones included: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86984-pentax-d...50mm-lens.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/89496-has-bett...l-18-55mm.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/92104-superzoo...8-300-etc.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90826-travel-l...8-250-hsm.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86450-what-happened-18-250mm.html The first thread was written by a pro and its is very interesting. The Pentax DA18-250mm and Tamron 18-250mm are very, very close. The Pentax 18-250mm is unfortunately no longer for sale, but some excellent 2nd hand lenses can be found (eg. keh.com, adorama.com, ebay). 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 the lens correction can enable and successfully applied. There have been many relevant threads at PentaxForums.com and Dpreview.com on the Pentax vs Tamron 18-250mm. In my opinion, for the same price, I would go for the Pentax. But a nicely priced Tamron would be as good. Hope that the comment will help...

03-07-2010, 04:11 AM	#6
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	Actually, my local Paxton's still got both the Tamron 18-250 and Pentax DA 18-250, but asking AUD$799 for the Tammy and AUD$999 for the Pentax, ouch.

03-07-2010, 06:57 PM	#7
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Originally posted by elpolodiablo Actually, my local Paxton's still got both the Tamron 18-250 and Pentax DA 18-250, but asking AUD$799 for the Tammy and AUD$999 for the Pentax, ouch. I advise to buy your lens overseas. I bought my Pentax DA18-250mm from Keh.com for US$379 + shipping to Oz. You may try also adorama.com, pentaxforums.com (marketplace) and ebay.

03-08-2010, 01:54 AM	#8
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by hcc I advise to buy your lens overseas. I bought my Pentax DA18-250mm from Keh.com for US$379 + shipping to Oz. You may try also adorama.com, pentaxforums.com (marketplace) and ebay. I know mate, I am just trying to show how ridiculous the local shops are charging us for lenses here.... I have no hesitation of buying overseas.

03-10-2010, 12:44 PM	#9
rkt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 154	+1 for a very positive experience with the Pentax version...

03-10-2010, 02:12 PM	#10
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	+1 for the DA 18-250

03-10-2010, 02:49 PM	#11
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	I had the Pentax version and found a Tamron on Ebay for a very good price so bought it and then sold the Pentax back on Ebay for a good profit which meant the Tamron only cost me £100. I have to say I notice no real difference .. apart from the fact the Pentax hood felt really cheap compared to the Tamron.

03-13-2010, 06:08 PM	#12
steve500 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 86	+1 for the DA18-250 It's my all around use lens, always on my camera. Doesn't feel too fragile, I bump it around quite a bit, it's been great for over a year now, I have nothing to complain about it at all. It's sharper than the 18-55mm kit lens in all ranges. K20D's IS system works perfect alongside the telephoto ranges of this lens. Love it. Worth it. Great lens.

03-14-2010, 02:03 AM	#15
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by RioRico Oh DA 18-250, please forgive me for ever doubting you! [sob, sniffle, sigh] It's good alright but I don't think it's THAT good