New to forum - Need advise for lens on K-r body only

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 08:48 PM

I am buying the Pentax K-r (Red) and do not want the lens that comes with it. What is the best all round lens for this camera. Something like 18 - 250mm. Would the Sigma 18-250mm Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras be good? Looks like the DA II Pentax is preferred by most here.
How does the Sigma compare to that?

SpecialK · 11-07-2011, 09:36 PM

The 18-250's are about the same. Those "superzooms" make some compromises in image quality (IQ) for the sake of the large zoom range.

kenafein · 11-07-2011, 09:45 PM

If you only want to use one zoom lens, then you should just buy a quality point and shoot.

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 09:56 PM

I am jusst now changing to digital. I just sold my K1000's, ZX-5n and ZX-60. Also sold all lenses want to get down to 1 or 2 lenses for first year or so until I know what I want. Just want to buy the best I can to begin with.

Drom · 11-07-2011, 09:58 PM

What type of images are you most interested in capturing? Maybe that will help you to decide. I am interested in wildlife so I knew I needed a longer range zoom.

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 10:03 PM

So, the Sigma 50-200 would be better than the 18-250? and the sigmas 50-200 would be comparable to the Pentax DA 55-200 II for quality and use on the K-r?

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 10:07 PM

I take candids, group shots, team pictures, action - football, softball, baseball, t-ball, family events and I am expecting my first grandchild so who knows what else.

yurko_yr · 11-07-2011, 10:10 PM

Why not a K-r double kit - DA L18-55 and DA L 55-300? You could find a good deal on this kit.
Best regards,
Yuriy

hcc · 11-07-2011, 10:12 PM - **1 Like**

I would advise the DA18-250mm. Although discontinued, you can buy it 2nd hand for about $350 to $450 at the PF Marketplace, keh.com and adorama.com (Used equipment). Its sibbling Tamron 18-250mm (for pentax mount) is equally good. (The DA18-250mm was in fact manufactured by Tamron.)

If you want/insist on a new lens, the Sigma 18-250mm is the othe roption albeit more expansive.

Hope that the comment may help....

PS: You may be interested to read: https://www.pentaxforums.com/pages/favorite-lens-pentax-18-250mm.html

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 10:13 PM

The double lens package does not come in the red, only black, and from what I have read the DA L lens is not quite as good as the DA II . Am I wrong on this? Where can I get the multi lens package in the red body?

angelaasmith · 11-07-2011, 10:19 PM

I have the Promaster Spectrum 7XR 28 -- 300. I was told it would work but would be loud. I had kept it because I couldn't get much for it. Is it much different than the Tamron 18-250

yurko_yr · 11-07-2011, 10:20 PM - **1 Like**

Sorry, did not notice that you are talking about red K-r. Have not seen the red combo. Sorry.
Regarding the DA L and DA lenses – optically they should be the same I think. DA comes with hoods and metal ring on a mount.
Hope you will find a solution that will suite you.
Sincerely,
Yuriy

Jasvox · 11-07-2011, 11:39 PM - **1 Like**

If you are a zoom fan and want a large amount of focal length coverage, I would seriously consider the Tamron 17-50/2.8 AND the Pentax DA 55-300 as a combo. Both of these lenses are excellent (far superior to the kit lenses) and the IQ would far surpass any of the 18-250's, including the best (Pentax/Tamron 18-250).

Good luck and have fun shooting with your new Kr!

Jason

hcc · 11-07-2011, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by angelaasmith

I have the Promaster Spectrum 7XR 28 -- 300. I was told it would work but would be loud. I had kept it because I couldn't get much for it. Is it much different than the Tamron 18-250

I cannot comment on the promaster beyond the users' reviews (PROMASTER 28-300 f3.8-300mm Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database), but the DA18-250mm/Tamron18-250mm is regarded as one of the best all-around zoom across all brands incl. Canikon, Oly and others.

You may be interested to read my experience:
Favorite Lens: 18-250mm

Since you have already the Promaster, I would suggest that you use it first. If you feel that the lens does not suit you, or is not wide enough at 28mm, you could consider the DA18-250mm.

Hope that the comment may help.

hnikesch · 11-08-2011, 07:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by angelaasmith

I take candids, group shots, team pictures, action - football, softball, baseball, t-ball, family events and I am expecting my first grandchild so who knows what else.

Based on the type of images you want to shoot you only have 2 options a super zoom 18-250 or the 2 lens kit including the DAL 18-55 & DAL 55-300, I have the 2 lens kit and the 55-300 is great for sports, I think the extra reach of the 300 is worth changing lenses to get. I have shot my grand kids soccer games and am more than happy with the results of the 55-300. I have found that when shooting games I don't miss the wide lens and the same goes for family events I don't miss the long lens so I don't find myself changing to often. The super zooms don't come in red, Maybe you can talk a camera shop or online retailer into swapping bodies on a kit deal.

Hans

11-07-2011, 08:48 PM	#1
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7	New to forum - Need advise for lens on K-r body only I am buying the Pentax K-r (Red) and do not want the lens that comes with it. What is the best all round lens for this camera. Something like 18 - 250mm. Would the Sigma 18-250mm Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras be good? Looks like the DA II Pentax is preferred by most here. How does the Sigma compare to that?

11-07-2011, 10:12 PM - 1 Like	#9
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I would advise the DA18-250mm. Although discontinued, you can buy it 2nd hand for about $350 to $450 at the PF Marketplace, keh.com and adorama.com (Used equipment). Its sibbling Tamron 18-250mm (for pentax mount) is equally good. (The DA18-250mm was in fact manufactured by Tamron.) If you want/insist on a new lens, the Sigma 18-250mm is the othe roption albeit more expansive. Hope that the comment may help.... PS: You may be interested to read: https://www.pentaxforums.com/pages/favorite-lens-pentax-18-250mm.html Last edited by hcc; 11-07-2011 at 11:53 PM.

11-07-2011, 10:13 PM	#10
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Original Poster	The double lens package does not come in the red, only black, and from what I have read the DA L lens is not quite as good as the DA II . Am I wrong on this? Where can I get the multi lens package in the red body? Last edited by angelaasmith; 11-07-2011 at 10:23 PM.

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11-07-2011, 09:36 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	The 18-250's are about the same. Those "superzooms" make some compromises in image quality (IQ) for the sake of the large zoom range.

11-07-2011, 09:45 PM	#3
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	If you only want to use one zoom lens, then you should just buy a quality point and shoot.

11-07-2011, 09:56 PM	#4
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Original Poster	I am jusst now changing to digital. I just sold my K1000's, ZX-5n and ZX-60. Also sold all lenses want to get down to 1 or 2 lenses for first year or so until I know what I want. Just want to buy the best I can to begin with.

11-07-2011, 09:58 PM	#5
Drom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	What type of images are you most interested in capturing? Maybe that will help you to decide. I am interested in wildlife so I knew I needed a longer range zoom.

11-07-2011, 10:03 PM	#6
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Original Poster	So, the Sigma 50-200 would be better than the 18-250? and the sigmas 50-200 would be comparable to the Pentax DA 55-200 II for quality and use on the K-r?

11-07-2011, 10:07 PM	#7
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Original Poster	I take candids, group shots, team pictures, action - football, softball, baseball, t-ball, family events and I am expecting my first grandchild so who knows what else.

11-07-2011, 10:10 PM	#8
yurko_yr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Saarbrucken Photos: Gallery Posts: 332	Why not a K-r double kit - DA L18-55 and DA L 55-300? You could find a good deal on this kit. Best regards, Yuriy

11-07-2011, 10:19 PM	#11
angelaasmith New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Original Poster	I have the Promaster Spectrum 7XR 28 -- 300. I was told it would work but would be loud. I had kept it because I couldn't get much for it. Is it much different than the Tamron 18-250

11-07-2011, 10:20 PM - 1 Like	#12
yurko_yr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Saarbrucken Photos: Gallery Posts: 332	Sorry, did not notice that you are talking about red K-r. Have not seen the red combo. Sorry. Regarding the DA L and DA lenses – optically they should be the same I think. DA comes with hoods and metal ring on a mount. Hope you will find a solution that will suite you. Sincerely, Yuriy

11-07-2011, 11:39 PM - 1 Like	#13
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	If you are a zoom fan and want a large amount of focal length coverage, I would seriously consider the Tamron 17-50/2.8 AND the Pentax DA 55-300 as a combo. Both of these lenses are excellent (far superior to the kit lenses) and the IQ would far surpass any of the 18-250's, including the best (Pentax/Tamron 18-250). Good luck and have fun shooting with your new Kr! Jason

11-07-2011, 11:58 PM	#14
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Originally posted by angelaasmith I have the Promaster Spectrum 7XR 28 -- 300. I was told it would work but would be loud. I had kept it because I couldn't get much for it. Is it much different than the Tamron 18-250 I cannot comment on the promaster beyond the users' reviews (PROMASTER 28-300 f3.8-300mm Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database), but the DA18-250mm/Tamron18-250mm is regarded as one of the best all-around zoom across all brands incl. Canikon, Oly and others. You may be interested to read my experience: Favorite Lens: 18-250mm Since you have already the Promaster, I would suggest that you use it first. If you feel that the lens does not suit you, or is not wide enough at 28mm, you could consider the DA18-250mm. Hope that the comment may help.

11-08-2011, 07:59 AM - 1 Like	#15
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	Originally posted by angelaasmith I take candids, group shots, team pictures, action - football, softball, baseball, t-ball, family events and I am expecting my first grandchild so who knows what else. Based on the type of images you want to shoot you only have 2 options a super zoom 18-250 or the 2 lens kit including the DAL 18-55 & DAL 55-300, I have the 2 lens kit and the 55-300 is great for sports, I think the extra reach of the 300 is worth changing lenses to get. I have shot my grand kids soccer games and am more than happy with the results of the 55-300. I have found that when shooting games I don't miss the wide lens and the same goes for family events I don't miss the long lens so I don't find myself changing to often. The super zooms don't come in red, Maybe you can talk a camera shop or online retailer into swapping bodies on a kit deal. Hans