Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 
Log in or register to remove ads.

Pentax Lens Review Database » Digital Era Pentax K-Mount Lenses » DA Zoom Lenses
SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]

Sharpness 
 8.5
Aberrations 
 7.8
Bokeh 
 7.6
Autofocus 
 8.0
Handling 
 8.3
Value 
 9.2
Reviews Views Date of last review
50 256,436 Mon November 1, 2021
spacer
Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
96% of reviewers $415.66 8.58
SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]

SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]
supersize
SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]
supersize

Description:
Released in late 2007, the SMC Pentax-DA 18-250 mm lens is based on a Tamron 18-250 mm lens.

It was discontinued in 2011 and replaced by the SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm lens in 2012.

SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL[IF]
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 7 blades
Optics
16 elements, 13 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F3.5-6.3
Min. Aperture
F22-45
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
No
Min. Focus
45 cm
Max. Magnification
0.28x
Filter Size
62 mm
Internal Focus
Yes
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 76-6.5 ° / 67-5 °
Hood
PH-RBB 62 mm
Case
S80-120
Lens Cap
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Zoom Lock
Diam x Length
75 x 85.5 mm (3 x 3.4 in.)
Weight
455 g (16 oz.)
Production Years
2007 to 2011
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-DA 1:3.5-6.3 18-250 mm ED AL [IF]
Product Code
21697
Reviews
User reviews
Notes
Aspherical and ED elements.
Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusInternal FocusingAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital OnlyDiscontinued
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 31-45 of 50
Inactive Account

Registered: November, 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,547
Review Date: April 1, 2010 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Range/convenience, weight, IQ
Cons: Slow, noisy AF, zoom creep, flat colours at the long end, price, dust catcher

This lens is a bit of a compromise, but I have taken some decent images with it. In saying that, I think it is way overpriced.

Some other reviews have mentioned distortion and vignetting, but this does not bother me at all. What does bother me is at 250mm the colours become a little flat and lack contrast & not to mention very slow. I did have some back focus issues with this lens but have since fixed that from fiddling with the AF adjustments on the camera.

One of the other things that can be very frustrating is getting the lens hood on and off after time. It can take me a minute or two to get the damned thing back on the lens in the reverse position.

Don't expect it to do wonders, but it will probably meet most peoples standards.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: November, 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,999
Review Date: March 24, 2010 Recommended | Price: $379.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Excellent zoom lens and all-around lens. A leading lens in its category
Cons: No longer maufactured
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: Used   

The DA18-250m is an excellent zom covering a very wide range: 18-250mm. This is a leading lens in its class. As with any other zoom lenses, there is some lens distortion that can be easily fixed with several PP sofware incl. the excellent PTLens.
Highly recommended and it is a great pity that the lens is discontinued.
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2007
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 22
Review Date: March 18, 2010 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: zOOm range, image quality
Cons: Distortions (but what to expect from a lens of that range)

http://roman.blakout.net/?blog=20090221215714

DA 18-250mm has good contrast, very goos sharpness and I loved it from the first minute I got hands on. I probably wouldnt get one for myself since I lust after DA* series 17-70mm and 60-250mm lense that suits my needs better. DA 18-250mm looks like a budget choice for the travellers and general photography ranging from macro to portraits. Here's what I got today during my random shotout. I deliberately put it at test in difficult light conditions to see how it handles the light, shows its quite beautiful bokeh (however I like 50-200mm bokeh better), but it's subjective opinion perhaps.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: November, 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,999
Review Date: January 5, 2010 Recommended | Price: $379.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Zoom range (18-250mm); Lens correction compatibility with Pentax cameras; Solid build
Cons: Some distortion at 18mm

This lens covers 90% of my needs. I use it with a Pentax K-7. The zoom range is excellent. The lense is recognised by the K-7 and the lens correction is a nice feature. The software Pentax Digital Camera Utilisy offers also some lens correction options.
The lens is a robust lens that suits my range of applications (40% indoor, 60% outdoor). Although the zoom lock is nice to have, I do not experience any zoom creep.
Unfortunately the zoom is discontinued and there is no immediate replacement, but the Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM that is nearly twice dearer (and the sharp price increase is not really justified when the camera has IS.)
I strongly recommend the lens for the many applications when you need the zoom range, and you do not have always the time to change lenses, or when the weather conditions do not allow you to change lenses (outdoor).
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2009
Location: Somewhere in the world taking a picture
Posts: 15
Review Date: December 7, 2009 Recommended | Price: $439.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Great all around lens when on lens is available
Cons: Lens hood cast shadow with on board flash

I rely on this lens a lot. It is on my K10 more than any other lens. Even when the whole bag of lens is with me I start shooting with this lens and then move to primes for special or more percise shots.

Great lens for the price and one every bag should have sooner or later.
   
Senior Member

Registered: June, 2009
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 238
Review Date: October 18, 2009 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Range, color, relative sharpness
Cons: Not great for low light

What this les isn't great at:
Low light without flash - I only use this indoors when I can use a flash, have good lighting, and/or put it on a tripod. In low light, the focus is slow. In daylight- it's fine.

It has a larger profile on the camera than a small prime- it's hard to shoot "incognito".
What this lens is great at:
Helping me learn what range I will use most.

Super as a travel or grab and go lens. Sometimes taking photos is not the primary activity, but rather a compliment to other activities. When I travel, I prefer to focus on the people that I am with, the new ones I am meeting along the way, discovering the area and great food. I do enjoy taking nice photos along the way, but I don't like to bring anything more than just a very small bag. This lens is perfect for that.
Overall:
I have found the lens to produce nice contrast, color and sharpness when I don't screws things up on my end. I have also found some CA (purple fringing) at high contrast areas. For the most part, this only shows up when I am really looking for it, and doesn't rear it's head in my prints or web sized photos. I don't print larger than 8X10. Perhaps it would show on a larger print...dunno. My Point & shooot Panasonic FZ-28 with it's supossed lecia lens had much worse CA/PF

I suspect that compared to other such lenses with similar range, this one is about as good as it gets. I find it easier and cheaper than carrying a bag full of primes. ( I only have one prime right now anyhow)

A few things to remember:

When using this lens with the built in flash- you can't go wide without getting a shadow in your photo. Just the nature of the size of such a lens. Using a small white card to bounce the flash from the pop-up off the ceiling, zooming to about 30mm, or using a hotshoe flash solved the issue.

The lens has a lock on it for a reason. Gravity will slowly pull the barrel out if it is pointed downward. When walking around, I lock it at 18mm, and when taking a shot with the lens pointed down, I physically prevent the barrel from extending further than desired with my hand.

With such a broad range and such a price, I've found it to be a grea value, and very handy. Maybe someday I'll be enough of a photog snob to turn up my nose at a zoom lens such as this, but for now, I still like it.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2009
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 848
Review Date: October 4, 2009 Recommended | Price: $329.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Great range
Cons: Zoom creep

This is a great "do it all" lens for those times you don't want to carry all your other lenses. Image quality is very good - as good as the kit lens. That is saying much, because Pentax has the best kit lens out.
At the 18mm setting, the lens is very small for a super zoom, not much larger than the kit lens. At 250mm the lens does really extend though. The included petal hood will reverse mount for storage. My K200D and this lens fit in the small size Lowepro top load zoom case, designed for the kit lens.
My lens will creep down and extend when hung around my neck. A zoom lock is provided to stop this. There is some distortion at the wide end, but not really noticeable unless you look for it. There is some vignetting as well, again not bad. Both can be fixed in post processing. This lens needs a camera body with shake reduction. The f6.3 at 250mm really can't be hand held except in full sunlight. You can also find this same lens sold under the Tamron name.
A very good lens for its intended use. Recommended.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: February, 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 3,757
Review Date: July 18, 2009 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp from 18 to 135, unbeatable zoom range
Cons: Prone to catching dust, zoom creep, somewhat heavy
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 7    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: New   

As the other reviewers have said, this is a superb travel lens. Not having to worry about changing lenses in difficult environments, or when your companion travelers hurry to see the next thing on the map, coupled with an amazing IQ for its focal range makes this lens almost the ideal day travel piece of glass. (I must have gotten a good copy, since to my naked eye it's clearly superior to the kit lens.) I wouldn't use it in low light: then the AF needs to hunt a lot. The zoom has, indeed, some bad vignetting under certain circumstances (if my observations are correct, especially in very harsh light) and at lower apertures--I didn't include this flaw among the negatives, because DxO automatically corrects this aspect along with geometric distortion, etc. The creep doesn't really bother me: whenever I want to zoom above 150mm I just hold the retractable elements in my left hand.

UPDATE: Sold this lens a long time ago... Now looking through the pics taken with it: superb. I used the 16-45mm for travel as well, but I think this one (the 18-250) is still better for travel. More versatility, great IQ. I bitterly regret having sold it.
   
Senior Member

Registered: December, 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 210
Review Date: May 25, 2009 Recommended | Price: $360.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: range, IQ
Cons: slow, distortion, zoom creep, vignetting, quality control

The good:
  • The range is simply extraordinary.
  • The IQ is great: better than the kit lens and the Sigma 18-125, and almost as good as the Sigma 17-70.

The bad:
  • Slow. It's f/3.5-f/6.3, which is reasonable, but you need to stop down to avoid significant vignetting.
  • Distortion. Particularly at the wide end, there's a lot of distortion. If you have the software to correct it, though, no worries.
  • Zoom creep.
  • Vignetting. This lens suffers from quite severe vignetting. I find it most troublesome in the middle of the range, where it becomes "sharper" and quite distracting on even scenes like blue skies. Be prepared to crop slightly or otherwise fix in post.
  • Quality control. The image circle is only barely large enough to cover the APS-C sensor; as one stops down, the vignette corners become sharper, and if the lens is not adjusted properly you will have a dark corner. My lens has been "repaired" once and replaced once and still suffers from this; e.g., at 21mm, the upper left corner is clean at f/5.6 but the upper right corner is noticeably dark until f/9.5 or f/11.

Summary: If you don't want to miss shots due to the wrong lens and no time to change, this lens is a good choice modulo the drawbacks/compromises above (and likely the best choice in its class). But test your copy before the return period runs out! "Within spec" is not perfect and might not be good enough for you.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2008
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 13
Review Date: April 3, 2009 Recommended | Price: $390.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Excellent IQ for a UZ equal or better than Kit Lens
Cons: heavy, zoom creep when pointed down

This lens never ceases to amaze me. I expected a little bit of compromise with this lens compared to a fairly capable kit lens, but other than weight, there is none.

This lens gives me the versatility and allows me to take shots I could not take before. It is simply amazing to go from 28mm to near 400mm (equiv) continuously.

Even though its quite heavy, after getting used to it for a while, it is quite nicely balanced with my K100 body.

Overall a great lens and well worth the money.

________________________________
UPDATE:
After owning this lens for almost 2 years, I've noticed a couple of shortcomings that changed the way I use this lens.

It is obviously a slow lens and shows a tendency to focus hunt in indoor/low light situations, much more than my kit lens. Now that I upgraded to a K-x and have more room on ISO, this is less of an issue, but still a fairly noticeable difference.

It is still a great travel lens but certainly not the only lens I carry. Now I make sure I have a faster lens on my camera when I'm shooting indoors.

There is still no single lens that can do it all but this one performs great for what it is supposed to do. My rating of 9 stands.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: May, 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,725
Review Date: March 25, 2009 Recommended | Price: $499.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Versitle, Good Value
Cons: Lens Creep

This lens is wonderful. I have used it for quick family shots, I have used it for a wedding, and I have even used it for fast moving, low light Roller Derby. It did wonderfully in most every situation. The only place that it struggles is low light zoom out. It start to hunt a little there but you can compensate by adding light.
   
Senior Member

Registered: March, 2009
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 263
Review Date: March 4, 2009 Recommended | Price: $390.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Extremely handy. Covers all basic wide and telephoto needs. Well-made, high quality. Easily your main lens. Not too heavy considering it's a 18-250. Very compact! Will make you take more photos under all circumstances, except low-light.
Cons: Poor low-light. Zoom extends fully if not locked and it's pointed down. Still need other lenses for good bokeh or low-light. Has almost no bokeh. Good quality photos, but hard to take GREAT photos, because it's an all-around lens, not a special lens.

This is the perfect all-around lens. It does the job of several zoom lenses, and does it well. You need one.

It's very compact. Compare it to the massive Canons that do the same. This one compacts nicely, and the secret is, it only extends when you zoom, where it gets very long and can poke people in the eye next to you, if you are in a crowd and forget it extends so much! But that's okay, because it's better to stay small when it's packed up or shooting wide. While the Canon telephoto zooms look impressive because they are so big, that is only because they don't compact and extend - their shell stays one size.

With this one, it easily fits anywhere and I often carry it in a small pouch, or it stays on my camera and fits anywhere or in any bag a regular lens will fit.

This is a solid, well-constructed lens. Just get used to the fact if it is pointed down, and not locked, it will extend by itself. So what. Everyone says it, we know it, get used to it and lock it. Nothing we can do about it.

It is my main lens I keep on the camera ALL the time. It's heavy, but that's cause of the zoom and good construction.

I only find I can't take GREAT photos with it, just good ones. That's because it's an all-around lens. Some will disagree, but for really good photos you need some bokeh or shallow DOF, which this has almost no bokeh. But I shoot more photos with it than I would with another lens, because it can cover all my wide and zooming needs.

Also, it sucks in low-light. ISO can make up for it, and a steady hand if the subject doesn't move - but this is obviously not a low-light lens. At 18mm and f/3.5, you can do okay, but the f-stop/aperture quickly starts to suck as you zoom in, until it is almost black in low-light.

You still want nice primes that are wide and telephoto with good bokeh and good open apertures, though.

Get this, you won't be sorry. Just don't expect miracles. Expect a solid lens that will cover ALL your BASIC needs.

I give it a 9 or higher on construction, ease, and everything else.
I give it an 8 overall, mainly because the photos come out average, unless you really push your creativity. I feel because it had no bokeh and a large DOF, it almost works against my creativity, and I have to fight more for creative, beautiful photos. Quite a challenge! But as I said, this is for all your BASIC ZOOMING needs, and it does that well!

Also at $350-$380 or so currently, the price and value is GREAT! Anything below $400, and it's a real value. Does the job of several zoom lenses!
   
Forum Member

Registered: January, 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 86
Review Date: February 10, 2009 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Very versatile lens, one lens for all
Cons: Excellent for good lighting, not so in low light or indoor at low iso

My copy was purchased new from amazon and got sent to Sydney, Australia with a quite dear (20% of total cost) shipping. But overall, I still manage to save money as to ebay or local seconds.

This is my 3rd lens purchase. When I first got it, with little experience about what I want , I did find it excellent in all aspects, especially its 14X superzoom feature.

Back then, the sole reason I brought it was to use it for a upcoming travel in Europe, instead of the burden having to carry many lens and.....changing/ cleaning them. And did it....this lens made a splendid success!

It is now one of my less used lens, only because I don't travel as often, and I now have 2 bodies one with wide and one with tele.

Still, for any oversea trips, I would prefer this lens over 2 bodies sheerly for its versatility.

The one main advantage of this lens is it will make you take more pictures than any other lens!

my 18-250mm

closeup k10d 142.5mm 1/15sec f5.6 iso1600

portrait k10d 220mm 1/180sec f6.3 iso 200

landscape k10d 18mm 1/350sec f3.5 iso200
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2007
Location: Toronto (for now)
Posts: 1,748
Review Date: January 1, 2009 Recommended | Price: $350.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Sharp for an UZ, decent build quality, decent wide open.
Cons: Zoom creep, infuriating hood, muddy colour, poor mid tones

I understand this lens is a compromise and after comparing it to the 18-55 and 50-200 kit zooms it is sharper than the 18-55 and slightly softer than the 50-200. Colour and contrast is below the standard of the 50-200, however it's close enough to justify replacing the two kit zooms with this lens.

The sweet spot is between 20 and 100mm where the lens is sharper than it has any right to be. It's also quite tolerant of being used wide open compared to kit zooms.

Weaknesses include very strong distortion at 18mm, abberations near the wide end, muddy colour (not unusual for Tamron consumer/kit lenses), poor mid tones and a tendency to ghost if over exposed.

Also note that this lens exhibits a severe shortening of the actual focal length when close focussing, 250mm is equivilent to about 150mm on the DA50-200 at about 6ft.

Overall though, it seems far stronger than previous ultra zooms and at the very least covers the kit zoom range without changing lenses.
   
Forum Member

Registered: December, 2008
Location: PARIS - FRANCE
Posts: 94
Review Date: December 28, 2008 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: 18-250 ....Nothing to modify
Cons: Reds seems to be very strongs...

Perfect lense, but my pictures of some items in red colour are very red...

But the range from 18 to 250 is a perfect solution for travelers.

I would recommand easily.


Check this

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/everything-else/68339-pentax-lense-18-250...tml#post687533

that can help .....
Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:05 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top