Narrowed it down to two

Tony3d · 09-19-2011, 03:50 PM

Ok, I've got it down to two lenses for my walkabout lens. Either the Pentax 18-135 because of it's quick shift, and weather sealing primarily for dust, and the Sigma 18-250 because of it's reach. I'm kind of concerned about not having a sealed lens on the camera for two weeks because of dust. I'm pretty sure the image quality is pretty close. So, what do you guys think? Is the dust thing a non issue?

Ubuntu_user · 09-19-2011, 04:09 PM

Get the Pentax. You'll love it.

I'm not so sure that dust is an issue, unless you were going to be shooting in windy areas a lot. However, for rain the WR is really nice. Believe me, if you get caught in a rainstorm it's just one less thing you have to worry about.

RioRico · 09-19-2011, 04:11 PM

WR is for moisture. Dust is a non-issue. I take my K20D with non-WR lenses into many environments, wet to dry. Dust enters when I change lenses, not when I leave them on.

TOUGEFC · 09-19-2011, 04:29 PM

Only the DA* lenses are sealed from dust. Zoom lenses are quite sensitive to dusty enviroments, dust can easly get sucked in when zooming.

**Ex Finn.** · 09-19-2011, 04:56 PM

Dust in Orlando, from what?. I would be more concerned about torrential downpours and alligators, hence the DA* 16-50. Just me

.

Adam · 09-19-2011, 05:21 PM

+1 for the Pentax- I love the AF on it.

**Ash** · 09-19-2011, 05:27 PM

Another vote for the 18-135.
Compact, versatile, better IQ.
WR is an added reassuring bonus, not just a gimmick.

Rupert · 09-19-2011, 05:52 PM

Random shot at 250 mm during a visit to a nursing home......no doubt the K5 could beat this, in particular for speed...I was far enough away she never knew I shot it.....250mm..... with the Tamron 18-250. It is the range that makes it versatile, and 135mm would never do it for me. I have the DA*50-135, and in no way would ever consider for a "walkabout" lens for my needs....just too short. You always hear get as close as you can, then two steps closer......250mm gets you the two steps. Just my thoughts, maybe you shoot in a different style, I know some are only prime shooters...I understand that!

Regards!

1/10 f6.3 250mm ISO 1600 K20D
[IMG]

[/IMG]

SpecialK · 09-19-2011, 05:58 PM

If the choice is one lens, between the 2 listed, I'd go with the 18-250 for the reach.

Smeggypants · 09-19-2011, 06:03 PM

I'd go with the 18-250 as well. if you're going to get a zoom with a wide range at least get one with a decent reach. Rupert is right about 250 getting you right in there. IQ looks pretty good too looking at his pic above.

Unlikely you'll be disappointed with the IQ too. Sigma IQ is just as good as Pentax IQ based upon the lenses I have from both brands. And looking variosu reports and pics the 18-250 would have better IQ than the Pentax 18-135. I'd look at some sample pics from both to make a real judgement on that though

vario · 09-19-2011, 07:16 PM

I am a prime guy and only got one zoom lens for a walk around when i did not want to change lens, and that was the 18-135. Great IQ, contrary to some reviews. Very happy with the purchase.

kenyee · 09-19-2011, 07:32 PM

The 17-70 also works for a walkaround. The wider the range, the worse the image quality generally...

Rupert · 09-19-2011, 09:13 PM

I want to be clear...I am not knocking the 18-135, and if you need the WR, it is the right choice. I am talking strictly about range. I have seen some very nice shots with the 18-135, and would not hesitate to buy it if I needed that WR without the range of the 18-250.
Regards!

howieb101 · 09-19-2011, 10:21 PM

Well quick-shift is kinda handy as well. Having to switch to manual focus is annoying.

**crewl1** · 09-19-2011, 10:33 PM

The iq of the two lenses is pretty similar.
The range of the Tamron 18-250 comes in handy for a single lens on a vacation.
The Pentax 18-135 AF just feels right on the k-5 however so it ends up being my walk around lens in town.

09-19-2011, 03:50 PM	#1
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487	Narrowed it down to two Ok, I've got it down to two lenses for my walkabout lens. Either the Pentax 18-135 because of it's quick shift, and weather sealing primarily for dust, and the Sigma 18-250 because of it's reach. I'm kind of concerned about not having a sealed lens on the camera for two weeks because of dust. I'm pretty sure the image quality is pretty close. So, what do you guys think? Is the dust thing a non issue?

09-19-2011, 04:56 PM	#5
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Dust in Orlando, from what?. I would be more concerned about torrential downpours and alligators, hence the DA* 16-50. Just me.

09-19-2011, 05:21 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	+1 for the Pentax- I love the AF on it. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-19-2011, 04:09 PM	#2
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Get the Pentax. You'll love it. I'm not so sure that dust is an issue, unless you were going to be shooting in windy areas a lot. However, for rain the WR is really nice. Believe me, if you get caught in a rainstorm it's just one less thing you have to worry about.

09-19-2011, 04:11 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	WR is for moisture. Dust is a non-issue. I take my K20D with non-WR lenses into many environments, wet to dry. Dust enters when I change lenses, not when I leave them on.

09-19-2011, 04:29 PM	#4
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Only the DA* lenses are sealed from dust. Zoom lenses are quite sensitive to dusty enviroments, dust can easly get sucked in when zooming.

09-19-2011, 05:27 PM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Another vote for the 18-135. Compact, versatile, better IQ. WR is an added reassuring bonus, not just a gimmick.

09-19-2011, 05:52 PM	#8
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Random shot at 250 mm during a visit to a nursing home......no doubt the K5 could beat this, in particular for speed...I was far enough away she never knew I shot it.....250mm..... with the Tamron 18-250. It is the range that makes it versatile, and 135mm would never do it for me. I have the DA*50-135, and in no way would ever consider for a "walkabout" lens for my needs....just too short. You always hear get as close as you can, then two steps closer......250mm gets you the two steps. Just my thoughts, maybe you shoot in a different style, I know some are only prime shooters...I understand that! Regards! 1/10 f6.3 250mm ISO 1600 K20D [IMG] [/IMG]

09-19-2011, 05:58 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	If the choice is one lens, between the 2 listed, I'd go with the 18-250 for the reach.

09-19-2011, 06:03 PM	#10
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	I'd go with the 18-250 as well. if you're going to get a zoom with a wide range at least get one with a decent reach. Rupert is right about 250 getting you right in there. IQ looks pretty good too looking at his pic above. Unlikely you'll be disappointed with the IQ too. Sigma IQ is just as good as Pentax IQ based upon the lenses I have from both brands. And looking variosu reports and pics the 18-250 would have better IQ than the Pentax 18-135. I'd look at some sample pics from both to make a real judgement on that though

09-19-2011, 07:16 PM	#11
vario Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 114	I am a prime guy and only got one zoom lens for a walk around when i did not want to change lens, and that was the 18-135. Great IQ, contrary to some reviews. Very happy with the purchase.

09-19-2011, 07:32 PM	#12
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	The 17-70 also works for a walkaround. The wider the range, the worse the image quality generally...

09-19-2011, 09:13 PM	#13
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I want to be clear...I am not knocking the 18-135, and if you need the WR, it is the right choice. I am talking strictly about range. I have seen some very nice shots with the 18-135, and would not hesitate to buy it if I needed that WR without the range of the 18-250. Regards!

09-19-2011, 10:21 PM	#14
howieb101 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 594	Well quick-shift is kinda handy as well. Having to switch to manual focus is annoying.

09-19-2011, 10:33 PM	#15
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	The iq of the two lenses is pretty similar. The range of the Tamron 18-250 comes in handy for a single lens on a vacation. The Pentax 18-135 AF just feels right on the k-5 however so it ends up being my walk around lens in town.