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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
50 256,461 Mon November 1, 2021
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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]
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Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Wilmore, KY
Posts: 376
Review Date: November 11, 2008 Recommended | Price: $470.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Range, reliability, general quality
Cons: zoom creep, a bit slow,

Solid and serviceable. For quite some time, this lens was all I had for my Pentax K20D. Supplementing with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom made for a "killer" pair. The "super zoom" was the main lens, and the Tammy was the low-light hero.

This lens really does it all for the intermediate/hobby photographer. I notice out near 250mm that it's not as sharp as I'd hope, and I see some CA/PF. Also, at 18mm vignetting is pronounced, but I have still gotten some excellent crops from some of my more badly vignetted 18mm shots. I have been delighted at the color and contrast of this lens.

I used this lens on an archaeological dig in israel in July of 2008 and found it equal to almost every task I could throw at it. Even stood up to dirt and dust well. It has the look of a veteran lens now, and still performs well. While I have a couple of Limiteds and some arguably better zooms (like the DA*50-135) somehow this lens often ends up on my camera. It's my "point and shoot" or "too-busy-to-change-lens" lens.

If I could only have one lens, this would likely be it. If you want "limited prime" quality sharpness and bokeh (my standard for a 10), this isn't likely to please you. But if you want one lens to handle about any "outside" shooting you will need other than Bigma-class long shots and "bug on dewey flower" macro stuff, this will do the job.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: August, 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 11,250

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 17, 2008 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Versatility (zoom range + macro) & optical performance
Cons: some vignetting

This lens has been called the "undisputed king of superzooms" (https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29771-utili-zoom.html).

I like it a lot for its versatility. Having 18mm at the low end of the focal range is great. The 10mm difference compared to a zoom that starts with 28mm is dramatic. In comparison, 50mm more or less at the end of the focal range do not matter that much. In many tests the 18-250mm has been found to be a great improvement over the Tamron 18-200. (Note that the Tamron and Pentax versions of the 18-250mm lens are identical modulo cosmetics.)

With body shake reduction activated, I found that I could take tack sharp shots even at 250mm without a tripod, with proper holding techniques.

I love its close focus ability of 45cm throughout the entire zoom range. Strictly speaking its not a true macro (1:1 magnification factor) as its magnification factor is "just" 1:3.5. This is due to the fact that changing the focus also changes the effective focal length. Bob Atkins reckons that the effective focal length of the 18-250mm is ~125mm at its close focus distance of 45cm. (See his Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Review for his findings on this matter.) Still you can make some great macro shots with it with an incredibly low barrel distortion of just 0.01%. I've heard one person moan about focus influencing focal length -- a common side effect with internal focus lenses -- but frankly I couldn't care less. I get maximum zoom for objects that are far away, plus great macro capability. A 300mm telephoto with a close focusing distance of just 150cm gives less magnification.

An advantage of the internal focusing system (IF) is that you can use a polarising filter, which won't turn when you are changing the focus.

Like many modern designs from Tamron/Sigma, the 18-250mm optimises the centre sharpness in favour of better average across the field performance. That means that you'll get excellent centre sharpness but corners won't be near up to that level, in particular not with higher apertures. I believe this is a good decision as you'll get the chance to get great IQ for where it matters. Often things that happen in the corners are not important and will not be in the plane of focus anyhow. If you want to take landscape pictures that are sharp from corner to corner, near to far, then you'll need much more expensive lenses or, best, a view camera. For a print size up to 8x10, the 18-250mm will deliver A/A+ performance in almost all focal length and aperture settings and even with 11x14 prints you'll only get down to a B with some settings. (Source: PopPhoto Review of the Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II Macro)

At this price point and the very high zoom range, there are obviously some downsides:

You'll observe vignetting across the whole zoom range unless you stop down the lens sufficiently.

The lens isn't fast to begin with (f/3.5-6.3) and the need to stop it down in order to avoid vignetting / increase corner performance doesn't make it faster. However, with body shake reduction and very good low light performance from my K100D I've always been a very happy user so far. Even low light indoor shots worked well for me. I have never tried a prime yet so I don't have the comparison but on an absolute level, I'm more than happy.

The barrel distortion at 18mm is quite high but in normal scenes you'll only really notice it by comparison with a corrected version. This, and some CA (chromatic aberration) can be easily corrected with post processing (e.g. Photo Laboratory or Raw Therapee).

My copy doesn't suffer from zoom creep. The barrel will extend on its own when you point it downwards and shake it hard but in normal shooting conditions, it will stay at the same focal length.

Conclusion: For specific applications (corner to corner sharpness, 1:1 macro, available light shooting, etc.) you'll obviously find specialist lenses that will outperform the 18-250mm. However, they will also be much more expensive and you'll have to be prepared to change lenses all the time. This is not only cumbersome and may make you not take a shot sometimes, but also increases the risk of getting dust/pollen on your sensor when changing lenses outdoors. In terms of versatility I think the 18-250 is hard to beat and it provides remarkable optical performance, not only with respect to its zoom range, but also in absolute terms. If your print sizes are 11x14 and lower, I believe you'll be very happy with this lens all the time. Used within certain parameters, it will provide outstanding performance for even bigger print sizes.

Specifications:
18-250mm, f/3.5- 6.3.
16 elements in 13 groups.
Two LD (low dispersion) elements, one AD (anomolous dispersion) element, two hybrid aspherical elements.
Internal focusing.
Focusing turns 55 degrees counterclockwise.
Close focusing distance: 45cm.
Weight: 450g
Filter size: 62mm.
Zoom lock at 18mm to prevent zoom creep while carrying.
Petal-shaped lens hood included

Also see http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2006/news0914.html

Many user testimonies can be found here: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=309&sort=7&cat=43&page=1
   
Veteran Member

Registered: August, 2008
Location: Brazil
Posts: 532
Review Date: August 10, 2008 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: great range, build quality, VERY sharp stopped down to f/8, f/10
Cons: vignetting that often requires correction
New or Used: New   

I got this lens together with my K200 and I really like it. For someone who values the convenience of the zoom range, it's pretty much unbeatable. It gives up some image quality compared to short range zooms, with a bit of vignetting and distortion, but one must also consider all the shots NOT taken when you're losing time swapping lenses, or the dust that would eventually creep into the camera when swapping lenses on the field. And vignetting is easily corrected if shooting raw.

Also, this lens is surprisingly good at resisting flare. I don't use the hood anymore since flare is not a factor with this lens.

So I give it a 9 rating, considering the limitations imposed by the zoom range and that it should perhaps not be somebody's only lens.

Take a look at the sunset below (click to see larger) - the sun is IN the frame and you have to look intently to find any flare. The 18-250 salvaged this shot for me as the ones I took with the FA 50 were blinded with flare. There are more of my shots with it (Non working link deleted).

(link to photo deleted - photo no longer available)
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2006
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 696
Review Date: July 14, 2008 Recommended | Price: $480.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: zoom range
Cons: zoom creep (if lock not engaged), fairly slow at longer focal lengths, no clutch focusing, small lock button
New or Used: New   

Picked this up and finally had a chance to give it a whirl. Must say that I'm impressed with the image quality from a lens with such a large focal range. However, it is on the slow side, so consider this an outdoors, daylight lens. As such, it is the perfect tourist lens. An all-in-one travel solution. Just keep a fast 50 for when the sun does down, and you will have all you need for that trip overseas.

The lens is physically about as large as the 16-45 and extends with focal length. The zoom is pretty smooth for a three-sectioned lens. The manual focus throw is quite short, so autofocus is pretty quick, especially in decent light.

The lens feels a little heavier than the 16-45, but unless I checked the specs, couldn't say for sure. On a K20D, it balances well and had no issues. The zoom is tight, but you will experience zoom creep if you hold the camera with the lens down (and without the lock button engaged).

This will often happen if after you take a picture, you want to review it. I normally have my review screen turned off, and to check a picture, I point the camera down to press the buttons. It is at this time that the lens will zoom out on its own.

About my biggest complaint with this lens is the design of the locking button. Simple enough to engage, but much more difficult to dis-engage. Luckily I no longer bite my fingernails and can use them to dis-engage the button. There is not enough of the button sticking up above the zoom ring to where you can just use your finger tip to move. It was obviously designed by someone who doesn't use the thing.

I can live without the clutch focusing and the zoom creep. Even the maximum apertures are not that big a deal with the K20D's sensor. I took a few shots at the highest ISO settings, and with cleanup, they came out acceptable. But the lock button is a very poor design. That will wear on me eventually.

With this lens, I no longer need the 18-55 nor the 50-200. Maybe not the 55-300, unless I wanted the longer reach. As much as the 16-45 fell short and failed to meet my expectations, the 18-250 far exceeded them. Highly recommended if you are in the market for an all-in-one snapshot lens.
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2008
Location: Belgium
Posts: 7
Review Date: July 4, 2008 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Very good quality for such a spectacular zoom factor.
Cons: If not locked, lens extends by its own weight.
New or Used: New   

This lens is fantastic, compared to the immense zoom range it offers.
Very low distorsion and CA.
It's a marvelous travel lens.
Very sharp in higher Aperture settings:

(Non working link deleted)
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