New K30 Owner - Wait for new Sigma 18-250 zoom?

Class A · 11-02-2012, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by DNRDNI

The weather resistance is not really a factor in my decision making process, and the 18-135 has such mixed reviews.

If the weather-resistance is not a factor for you then definitely stay away from the Pentax 18-135, because that's the only thing the lens has going for it.

The Tamron and Sigma zooms definitely have to make compromises, but many of their issues can be fixed in post-processing. I have the older Tamron 18-250 (that Pentax rebadged just as they will the Tamron 18-270) and I'm repeatedly surprised how good that lens is despite its incredible range. Its main shortcoming is its limited DOF control.

lister6520 · 11-02-2012, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by Class A

If the weather-resistance is not a factor for you then definitely stay away from the Pentax 18-135, because that's the only thing the lens has going for it.

The Tamron and Sigma zooms definitely have to make compromises, but many of their issues can be fixed in post-processing. I have the older Tamron 18-250 (that Pentax rebadged just as they will the Tamron 18-270) and I'm repeatedly surprised how good that lens is despite its incredible range. Its main shortcoming is its limited DOF control.

I have both the Pentax 18-135 WR and the Tamron 18-250.

Initially I had got the 18-135 just for the WR. I thought I would be using it only occasionally when then was a good chance I would need its WR. However I ended up with it being the lens that spends most time on the camera and it is the Tamron that I put on when I am likely to need the longer focal length.

It somehow feels just right with the K30, but apart from that very subjective reason it has also excellent autofocus which is silent, fast and accurate.

As far as image quality is concerned I don't think there is a clear winner between the two, unless of course you need the longer focal length of the Tamron. The Tamron seems overall sharper at most focal lengths but the Pentax seems to have better colour rendition. The Pentax also seems sharper than the Tamron at the centre but poorer at the edges, so if you shoot with a subject in foreground and an out of focus background the Pentax would probably fare better whereas for landscapes, buildings and such you might not be too happy with it.

They both have some very noticeable distortion and chromatic aberration but it is easily fixed in Adobe Lightroom, and I would imagine also other PP software.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
new K30 owner... still undecided	Wired	Pentax K-30 & K-50	16	09-02-2012 06:59 PM
KX to K30 or wait it out...hmmmm	WA-surfer	Pentax K-30 & K-50	28	08-09-2012 06:42 AM
KX Owner Looking To Upgrade To The K30	Will_Claproth	Pentax K-30 & K-50	10	07-30-2012 09:14 AM
K7 - Upgrade to K30, buy a "cheap" K5 or Wait for the K3?	EstimatedEyes	Pentax K-30 & K-50	13	07-18-2012 04:14 PM
F/FA 250-600/5.6 ED [IF] for Sigma 500/4.5 owner?	Asahiflex	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	11-30-2010 06:47 AM

11-02-2012, 04:24 AM	#16
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by DNRDNI The weather resistance is not really a factor in my decision making process, and the 18-135 has such mixed reviews. If the weather-resistance is not a factor for you then definitely stay away from the Pentax 18-135, because that's the only thing the lens has going for it. The Tamron and Sigma zooms definitely have to make compromises, but many of their issues can be fixed in post-processing. I have the older Tamron 18-250 (that Pentax rebadged just as they will the Tamron 18-270) and I'm repeatedly surprised how good that lens is despite its incredible range. Its main shortcoming is its limited DOF control.

11-02-2012, 09:32 AM	#17
lister6520 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 733	Originally posted by Class A If the weather-resistance is not a factor for you then definitely stay away from the Pentax 18-135, because that's the only thing the lens has going for it. The Tamron and Sigma zooms definitely have to make compromises, but many of their issues can be fixed in post-processing. I have the older Tamron 18-250 (that Pentax rebadged just as they will the Tamron 18-270) and I'm repeatedly surprised how good that lens is despite its incredible range. Its main shortcoming is its limited DOF control. I have both the Pentax 18-135 WR and the Tamron 18-250. Initially I had got the 18-135 just for the WR. I thought I would be using it only occasionally when then was a good chance I would need its WR. However I ended up with it being the lens that spends most time on the camera and it is the Tamron that I put on when I am likely to need the longer focal length. It somehow feels just right with the K30, but apart from that very subjective reason it has also excellent autofocus which is silent, fast and accurate. As far as image quality is concerned I don't think there is a clear winner between the two, unless of course you need the longer focal length of the Tamron. The Tamron seems overall sharper at most focal lengths but the Pentax seems to have better colour rendition. The Pentax also seems sharper than the Tamron at the centre but poorer at the edges, so if you shoot with a subject in foreground and an out of focus background the Pentax would probably fare better whereas for landscapes, buildings and such you might not be too happy with it. They both have some very noticeable distortion and chromatic aberration but it is easily fixed in Adobe Lightroom, and I would imagine also other PP software.