18-250mm - Pentax or Tamron

cbaytan · 12-23-2009, 07:47 AM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Originally posted by audiobomber

New thread with more convincing photos. DA 18-250 mm Distortion and CA Correction w/K-7 (pics): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

To my eyes, in this samples distortion correction is perfect but CA correction is very weak.

elpolodiablo · 12-31-2009, 07:20 PM

Very interesting read as I myself is considering getting one of these, but the price for these 2 in my local shop is just unbelievable, they are asking AU$730 for the Tamron and $1k for the Pentax...., might have to look at overseas ventors.

BTW, I came across a lens called Samsung GX-20 Pentax DSLR D-XENON F/3.5-6.3 18-250 mm for US$559 delivered, would this be a rebadge of the Pentax 18-250 which in turn is a rebadge Tamron? Any one have experience with this particular lens? Wouldn't imagine it would have the SMC coating and Distortion/CA correction as the Pentax version I assume.

cbaytan · 12-31-2009, 11:26 PM

Brand new Pentax is still available here in Turkey for 675 USD,
Foto Zeynep Online Al??veri? | Lensler - Pentax - Pentax - smc PENTAX DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) Geni? Aç? Zoom Lens

I grabbed a new one from ebay for 490 USD.

Right now there are two used ones on ebay, conditions looked good to me:

Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF - eBay (item 120510383628 end time Jan-01-10 13:45:08 PST)

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens - eBay (item 190361024802 end time Jan-03-10 17:54:51 PST)

hcc · 01-01-2010, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

Very interesting read as I myself is considering getting one of these, but the price for these 2 in my local shop is just unbelievable, they are asking AU$730 for the Tamron and $1k for the Pentax...., might have to look at overseas ventors.

The prices for lens are prohibitive in Australia, and I encourage you to buy them from the US. If the price is below AUD$1,000 there is no import tax and you only have to add the shipping costs.

I bought my Pentax 18-250mm from Keh (Buy & Sell New & Used Cameras ? Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad, Leica & More - KEH.com) for US$379. Although it was a 'second hand' lens, the lens was as new. It was delivered with UPS in 7 days. I have been using it with my Pentax K-7. (I bought the body only in Australia.) I truly loves the 18-250mm lens. My only need will be a low-light lens and I just purchased a Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 from Adorama (Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera). In each case, the price including shipping was 20 to 50% cheaper than the price in Oz.

Today, Keh has two Tamron 18-250mm for a similar price. With shipping (UPS), it makes it about AUD$500, mate. You may think about it. (I can certainly recommend Keh from my own experience. Excellent service.)

Hope that it will help.

cbaytan · 01-13-2010, 11:04 AM

Hello, My Pentax DA 18-250 arrived, I didn't like much, it seemed like a mediocre lens to me, below sample is FA 100-300mm, f/4.7-5.8 no flash (EXIF's are intact, lightning conditions, camera setups are the same 1600ISO, tungsten WB), No intervention to pics except little croppings and resizing.

This is FA 100-300mm without flash

This is the 18-250 without flash: Colors are dull, scene is foggy comparing to FA 100-300

This is 18-250 with flash. Little better than without flash but still not up to FA 100-300mm

It seemed there is a net curtain between the glassware and the lens, just like the extreme UV effect on the mountain. Still with flash and more light contrast seemed little better to me. I'll try at the daylight tomorrow.. Also there is design flaw, lens creeps when holding down.

Class A · 01-13-2010, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by cbaytan

This is the 18-250 without flash: Colors are dull, scene is foggy comparing to FA 100-300

I must have this lens! It can change the arrangement and colour of subject matter! The two images look completely different while they were obviously taken from the same spot under the same lighting to enable a comparison.

OK, enough with sarcasm.

I find it surprising that you want to compare the two lenses on this basis. I'd shoot from the same spot making sure the light doesn't change. The older lens seems to yield an image that is underexposed in comparison. This naturally yields richer colours. I would have tried to bring down the levels of the 18-250 to make a comparison but the images are so different there is hardly any point in doing it.

The 18-250 surely has to make some compromises to achieve the enormous range but it is contrasty and sharp over a large focal range. In my experience it is visibly more contrasty than old M glass like the M135/3.5.

I think before you pass a final judgement you should compare again.

Lens creep should not occur with a new lens. My Tamron 18-250 didn't show that for months but over time the creep became pretty drastic (which I believe is normal for this model but also for many other zooms).

cbaytan · 01-13-2010, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Class A

I think before you pass a final judgement you should compare again.

Lens creep should not occur with a new lens. My Tamron 18-250 didn't show that for months but over time the creep became pretty drastic (which I believe is normal for this model but also for many other zooms).

Sure will torture test again, sadomazo

Mine started creeping right away from the box, it's a brand new lens BTW.

Class A · 01-13-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by cbaytan

Sure will torture test again.

Good boy.

BTW, where did you find that smilie? I only see 15 smilies and the one you used is not among them.

Originally posted by cbaytan

Mine started creeping right away from the box, it's a brand new lens BTW.

Perhaps that's a real difference between the Pentax and the Tamron version?

cbaytan · 01-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by Class A

BTW, where did you find that smilie? I only see 15 smilies and the one you used is not among them.

You can upload or point a new simile from your account menu.
Here is a good one

Originally posted by Class A

Perhaps that's a real difference between the Pentax and the Tamron version?

Yeah right, isn't there a screw around somewhere so we can tighten it a bit and creeping stops. bored

Class A · 01-13-2010, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by cbaytan

You can upload or point a new simile from your account menu.

Is that the "user control panel"? I looked everywhere but didn't find such an option. Your smilies are all very good.

I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything. Since it has a lock at the 18mm position, the creep doesn't bother me unless I'm using the lens on a tripod and shoot up or down pretty drastically.

cbaytan · 01-13-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Is that the "user control panel"? I looked everywhere but didn't find such an option. Your smilies are all very good.

I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything. Since it has a lock at the 18mm position, the creep doesn't bother me unless I'm using the lens on a tripod and shoot up or down pretty drastically.

Manage account -> custom smilies, maybe you need to donate for a few bucks to upgrade your account.

Lock at 18mm? Where is it at? I'll check now.

audiobomber · 01-13-2010, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by Class A

I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86562-zoom-creep.html

Class A · 01-13-2010, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by cbaytan

Manage account -> custom smilies, maybe you need to donate for a few bucks to upgrade your account.

I see, thanks. It is probably a pro feature.

Originally posted by cbaytan

Lock at 18mm? Where is it at?

I guess you have found it by now. A little switch at roughly the 2 O'clock position (when locking from the camera). Easy to operate with fingernails. Without them, perhaps not quite as easy.

Originally posted by audiobomber

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86562-zoom-creep.html

Good find, thanks. I posted a question regarding the potential for abrasion. It would be better if one could just tighten a screw but the silicon band solution may be handy in some situations.

audiobomber · 01-13-2010, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by Class A

I posted a question regarding the potential for abrasion. It would be better if one could just tighten a screw but the silicon band solution may be handy in some situations.

I haven't seen any solution other than an elastic band. I've looked a lot, because I do find the problem annoying. The 18-250 is the only lens I own that creeps.

View Poll Results: Which 18-250mm would you get?
Pentax	57	61.96%
Tamron	21	22.83%
Both are lousy, I would get something else.	14	15.22%
Voters: 92. You may not vote on this poll

01-13-2010, 11:04 AM	#50
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Hello, My Pentax DA 18-250 arrived, I didn't like much, it seemed like a mediocre lens to me, below sample is FA 100-300mm, f/4.7-5.8 no flash (EXIF's are intact, lightning conditions, camera setups are the same 1600ISO, tungsten WB), No intervention to pics except little croppings and resizing. This is FA 100-300mm without flash This is the 18-250 without flash: Colors are dull, scene is foggy comparing to FA 100-300 This is 18-250 with flash. Little better than without flash but still not up to FA 100-300mm It seemed there is a net curtain between the glassware and the lens, just like the extreme UV effect on the mountain. Still with flash and more light contrast seemed little better to me. I'll try at the daylight tomorrow.. Also there is design flaw, lens creeps when holding down. Last edited by cbaytan; 01-13-2010 at 11:51 AM.

01-13-2010, 01:43 PM	#52
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A I think before you pass a final judgement you should compare again. Lens creep should not occur with a new lens. My Tamron 18-250 didn't show that for months but over time the creep became pretty drastic (which I believe is normal for this model but also for many other zooms). Sure will torture test again, Mine started creeping right away from the box, it's a brand new lens BTW.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is the Pentax 18-250mm better than the Tamron?	Muse	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	09-06-2010 06:49 AM
Which Zoom Lens? "Tamron AF 18-250mm", "Pentax-DA 18-250mm" or "Sigma 18-250mm"	hoomanshb	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	07-30-2010 09:50 AM
For Sale - Sold: Tamron 90mm, Tamron 18-250mm, Pentax AF-540 Flash	jumbuc	Sold Items	5	04-21-2010 12:49 PM
Tamron Di II 18-200mm vs. Tamron or Pentax 18-250mm vs. ???	PaddyB	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	08-23-2008 09:33 AM

12-23-2009, 07:47 AM	#46
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by audiobomber New thread with more convincing photos. DA 18-250 mm Distortion and CA Correction w/K-7 (pics): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review To my eyes, in this samples distortion correction is perfect but CA correction is very weak.

12-31-2009, 07:20 PM	#47
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	Very interesting read as I myself is considering getting one of these, but the price for these 2 in my local shop is just unbelievable, they are asking AU$730 for the Tamron and $1k for the Pentax...., might have to look at overseas ventors. BTW, I came across a lens called Samsung GX-20 Pentax DSLR D-XENON F/3.5-6.3 18-250 mm for US$559 delivered, would this be a rebadge of the Pentax 18-250 which in turn is a rebadge Tamron? Any one have experience with this particular lens? Wouldn't imagine it would have the SMC coating and Distortion/CA correction as the Pentax version I assume.

12-31-2009, 11:26 PM	#48
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Brand new Pentax is still available here in Turkey for 675 USD, Foto Zeynep Online Al??veri? \| Lensler - Pentax - Pentax - smc PENTAX DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) Geni? Aç? Zoom Lens I grabbed a new one from ebay for 490 USD. Right now there are two used ones on ebay, conditions looked good to me: Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF - eBay (item 120510383628 end time Jan-01-10 13:45:08 PST) Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens - eBay (item 190361024802 end time Jan-03-10 17:54:51 PST)

01-01-2010, 12:57 AM	#49
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Originally posted by elpolodiablo Very interesting read as I myself is considering getting one of these, but the price for these 2 in my local shop is just unbelievable, they are asking AU$730 for the Tamron and $1k for the Pentax...., might have to look at overseas ventors. The prices for lens are prohibitive in Australia, and I encourage you to buy them from the US. If the price is below AUD$1,000 there is no import tax and you only have to add the shipping costs. I bought my Pentax 18-250mm from Keh (Buy & Sell New & Used Cameras ? Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad, Leica & More - KEH.com) for US$379. Although it was a 'second hand' lens, the lens was as new. It was delivered with UPS in 7 days. I have been using it with my Pentax K-7. (I bought the body only in Australia.) I truly loves the 18-250mm lens. My only need will be a low-light lens and I just purchased a Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 from Adorama (Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera). In each case, the price including shipping was 20 to 50% cheaper than the price in Oz. Today, Keh has two Tamron 18-250mm for a similar price. With shipping (UPS), it makes it about AUD$500, mate. You may think about it. (I can certainly recommend Keh from my own experience. Excellent service.) Hope that it will help.

01-13-2010, 12:52 PM	#51
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by cbaytan This is the 18-250 without flash: Colors are dull, scene is foggy comparing to FA 100-300 I must have this lens! It can change the arrangement and colour of subject matter! The two images look completely different while they were obviously taken from the same spot under the same lighting to enable a comparison. OK, enough with sarcasm. I find it surprising that you want to compare the two lenses on this basis. I'd shoot from the same spot making sure the light doesn't change. The older lens seems to yield an image that is underexposed in comparison. This naturally yields richer colours. I would have tried to bring down the levels of the 18-250 to make a comparison but the images are so different there is hardly any point in doing it. The 18-250 surely has to make some compromises to achieve the enormous range but it is contrasty and sharp over a large focal range. In my experience it is visibly more contrasty than old M glass like the M135/3.5. I think before you pass a final judgement you should compare again. Lens creep should not occur with a new lens. My Tamron 18-250 didn't show that for months but over time the creep became pretty drastic (which I believe is normal for this model but also for many other zooms).

01-13-2010, 03:44 PM	#53
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by cbaytan Sure will torture test again. Good boy. BTW, where did you find that smilie? I only see 15 smilies and the one you used is not among them. Originally posted by cbaytan Mine started creeping right away from the box, it's a brand new lens BTW. Perhaps that's a real difference between the Pentax and the Tamron version?

01-13-2010, 03:56 PM	#54
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A BTW, where did you find that smilie? I only see 15 smilies and the one you used is not among them. You can upload or point a new simile from your account menu. Here is a good one Originally posted by Class A Perhaps that's a real difference between the Pentax and the Tamron version? Yeah right, isn't there a screw around somewhere so we can tighten it a bit and creeping stops.

01-13-2010, 04:49 PM	#55
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by cbaytan You can upload or point a new simile from your account menu. Is that the "user control panel"? I looked everywhere but didn't find such an option. Your smilies are all very good. I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything. Since it has a lock at the 18mm position, the creep doesn't bother me unless I'm using the lens on a tripod and shoot up or down pretty drastically.

01-13-2010, 05:01 PM	#56
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A Is that the "user control panel"? I looked everywhere but didn't find such an option. Your smilies are all very good. I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything. Since it has a lock at the 18mm position, the creep doesn't bother me unless I'm using the lens on a tripod and shoot up or down pretty drastically. Manage account -> custom smilies, maybe you need to donate for a few bucks to upgrade your account. Lock at 18mm? Where is it at? I'll check now.

01-13-2010, 06:44 PM	#57
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Class A I did a quick search on how to address the zoom creep on a 18-250 yourself, but it didn't unearth anything. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86562-zoom-creep.html

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-13-2010, 07:11 PM	#58
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by cbaytan Manage account -> custom smilies, maybe you need to donate for a few bucks to upgrade your account. I see, thanks. It is probably a pro feature. Originally posted by cbaytan Lock at 18mm? Where is it at? I guess you have found it by now. A little switch at roughly the 2 O'clock position (when locking from the camera). Easy to operate with fingernails. Without them, perhaps not quite as easy. Originally posted by audiobomber https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86562-zoom-creep.html Good find, thanks. I posted a question regarding the potential for abrasion. It would be better if one could just tighten a screw but the silicon band solution may be handy in some situations.

01-13-2010, 07:16 PM	#59
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Class A I posted a question regarding the potential for abrasion. It would be better if one could just tighten a screw but the silicon band solution may be handy in some situations. I haven't seen any solution other than an elastic band. I've looked a lot, because I do find the problem annoying. The 18-250 is the only lens I own that creeps.