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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
50 256,262 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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amateur dirt farmer

Registered: December, 2014
Location: probably out in a field somewhere...
Posts: 41,131

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 1, 2021 Recommended | Price: $199.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: convenience of a superzoom, color, clarity, bokeh
Cons: plastic build quality, slow aperture
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-3   

early on, I had a used copy of the DA 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) and loved it; when the focus gears wore out, I sent it off for repairs and it was determined that the parts were not available for a repair with out a donor lens, so I had to let it go...

I've missed it... and tried to fill that hole with several other superzooms and none of them ever had the colors or focus of the 18-250 - I've had a good copy of the DA 18-135mm for a while, but that lens just wasn't "it"...

so when I came across a NIB copy of the 18-250, I bought it.... and here we go:

it is a superzoom with a 'slow' aperture that gets worse the further out you go in focal lengths.... so you need a truckload of light to avoid having to run higher ISO....

MFD is reasonable, but allows for close up shots at the further focal lengths...

significant barrel distortion at 18-20mm, but almost any post-processing software will cure that, plus the lens will also give you purple fringing if you aren't careful about bright highlights/backlighting...

typical plastic build quality for a consumer zoom lens - zoom ring is nicely-damped, but the tiny focus ring has that expected plastic grittiness to it...

but - it is a superzoom, not a highly-corrected prime, so this is a lens of convenience not art...


or is it?

gimme some bokeh:

spider in web by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

bokeh under the willow by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

jelly beans by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

or how about some color:

turning maples by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

pop stand by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

pumpkins & chrysanthemums by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

and the convenience of the superzoom is hard to ignore...

at 18mm:

lawn chairs, west field by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

at 250mm:

white-capped sparrow by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

so - hugely capable, convenient, and actually quite competent....

the rest of my flickr album with this lens:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157719858443634/page1
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2010
Location: texas
Posts: 9

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 28, 2018 Recommended | Price: $228.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Great everyday go-to lens - pretty good auto focus
Cons: A little soft at times - Lens will extend itself to full zoom
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5   

I may have rated this lens higher than some other folks did but that's because I know its limits and as a go-to lens it's performing fine, not perfect. Each rating I gave it was dependent on knowing where to get the good performance. Full zoom, a little soft. Good bokeh? Only on some settings which I won't go into here.

We now have two if these. The original one (bought new) had become a little dusty inside. Cleaning cost was close to the cost of this used one advertised in 90% new condition. It's in great shape. On the original lens I removed the front glass, cleaned the back or it and the front of the second element. I'm not about to go any further into the cleaning of deeper elements but it's now in great shape too. Dust was mostly in the front. So beware, if you drag your camera where we do, mountain trails, deserts, and filthy dusty abandoned buildings the seals may eventually allow dust inside.

If you use it awhile you'll understand its limits but overall it does fine for everyday shooting. If you want something perfect, use a fast prime. (I love old manual glass). If I could afford a faster zoom I'd have one. Fastest you'll get on this is f3.5. My wife uses it on road trips and often just grabs a quick shot from the car while moving. She's mastered its limits as I cannot get those shots like she does.

Negative (which you get used to) is that the lens must be locked with a tab to keep in fully retracted. Otherwise, while hanging from the camera strap the weight of the zoom section will allow the lens to extend. A bit aggravating till you get used to it.

Overall - we like it.
   
Senior Member

Registered: October, 2010
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 206

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 23, 2018 Recommended | Price: $73.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Convenience, range of focal lengths
Cons: Plastic feel
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5IIs   

I took a gamble on this lens, advertised as "aperture lever not returning". I found that it had suffered an impact to its back end which had bent the rotating aperture lever plate. Twelve screws, some careful straightening of the plate and half an hour later I was such a happy bunny! It's now pretty much a permanent fixture on one body or another because the focal lengths it offers seem to be an exact fit to our new kitten!
   
Forum Member

Registered: February, 2014
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 76

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 18, 2017 Recommended | Price: $270.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: versatile, sharp, build quality, I.Q.
Cons: zoom creep, purple fringing
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-70   

Really good lens, for what it is i.e. super-zoom. Mine copy is sharp, at 18mm even wide open (but wit some aberrations), after ~30mm needs to be stooped down two steps to get best results. At 250mm soft to f8, best for f11-13
In range 18-55 much better then kit DA18-55, less aberrations, better sharpness and in general faster. Where kit at 55mm is f5.6 this lens is f4.5 up to 70mm.
Sadly you might need some post processing software to get rid of vignetting and distortion at 18mm.

f3.5 to around 22mm
f4 to around 35mm
f4.5 to 70mm
f5.6 to 170mm

Lens has obvious limitations it is soft at 250mm, at f11 is better but mainly in centre of an image (which is usually main scope off the telephoto) happily for 200mm and f8 it is really decent.
Bokeh is not so bad, lens can imitate macro capability pretty well which can be seen on attached image.

While it is really good for range 18-70mm everything above is simply added value so if you can buy it for around 250$ it is really worth considering. It is perfect lens for sunny day or holidays very versatile, definitely worth buying if versatility is most important factor.


18 centre


18 extreme

70mm

100mm

200mm














   
Pentaxian

Registered: February, 2015
Posts: 12,145

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 6, 2015 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Very good for holiday time
Cons: Softer from 130mm onward, not so contrasty, AF noisy
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 8    New or Used: New   

This lens is very convenient, and if you know well its performance points, you can get a lot of good shots out of it. This zoom really reach limits above 100mm/130mm where it gets a bit softer and images are not so contrasty, and more increase of iso is need to still get sharp images with longer focal lengths. However, this zoom is known to be a Tamron design, qualified by Pentax, but I was surprised that it performed better that the DA 18-55 and pretty sharp until 130mm. Also, due to the number of lenses/glass quality, it looses some light along the way. So, I made around 20000 travel photos with this lens and the K200D, both still works perfect, and some of my best photos were taken with the 18-250 and K200 in dusty country side of north Africa. It's kind of a robust work horse.

Pros:
- focal range
- compact
- light weight for this focal range
- decent sharpness until about 130mm.
- reliable screw drive AF

Cons:
- no so bight, works with good sun light at > 150mm
- sharpness above 130mm
- image contrast , colors a bit soft, no so saturated
- AF a bit noisy
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2011
Posts: 8

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 14, 2014 Recommended | Price: $275.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Range, zoom, image quality, weight
Cons: Limited to small aperture wide open, limited resolution
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k5   

A great lens. I had the Tamron version, of which the AF was not functioning. I decided not to repair the Tamron but have this one (used) instead.
The images seem to be even more rich in color than the Tamron's. The zoom is still very useful for basically any condition. Zoomed in, one has to keep it very steady though, since the aperture is not very large for large focal lengths.

One more reason (apart from the coating) reason to prefer it over de Tamron: the images can be in-camera (or with Photoshop afterwards) corrected for lens aberations.

Overall: the one lens I bring for any condition. And the Pentax has an advantage over the Tamron (and make out for yourself what you are willing to pay for that)
   
Junior Member

Registered: May, 2012
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 42

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 29, 2014 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Versatile, Reasonably Sharp, convenient
Cons: zoom creep, extension, low light focus hunting
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K100D Super, K30   

For its purpose, this is one great lens. While it gave me above average photos on the K100D Super, it is a beast on the K30. Images are so good. There are issues in low light when it hunts a lot. But for its versatility, I found it my main go to lens especially when I need 18mm in an instance and 200mm immediately after. The loss in IQ is seen particularly only for tiny subjects like ants. For all others, it is a great lens.

The zoom creep was fixed by using a simple plastic band like others have done. No other complaints.

Mango Leaves in Rain


Straw Boats


Pelican


Ape
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2012
Posts: 2
Review Date: January 25, 2014 Recommended | Price: $367.00 | Rating: 6 

 
Pros: compact, small, long focal range
Cons: focus creep, bokeh
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 4    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 6    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5   

An all-in-one lens which will likely stay on my camera most of the time for snapshots. IQ is okay for such a long zoom range. The bokeh is below average or worse.
   
New Member

Registered: June, 2012
Posts: 8

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 24, 2013 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: 18-250, build quality, I.Q.
Cons: Bulky and a bit pricey (but a heck of a lot smaller and cheaper than the 3 lenses it replaces)
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-5 IIs   

My pros and cons sum it up really. In fact, given that the 55-300 is f5.8 at the long end (1/4 of a stop faster than this), I'm not sure why you'd bother owning the 55-300 and an 18-55, this does the same job as them both - and when comparing it with the 18-55, does it better too. (At 55mm this lens has only been forced to f4.5 not f5.6 - and it's sharper as well).

I got this thinking it would be "handy", but planning to use my higher grade lenses more often, but I was blown away by the quality of this and Lightroom tells me it's now my most used lens by about 15%, and I've had it for half the time of most of the others.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: June, 2011
Location: Near Sydney, NSW
Posts: 331

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 20, 2013 Recommended | Price: $540.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: 14x zoom, all areas of I.Q.
Cons: Umm..?
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-5   

They say "You can't have everything." Well, this lens does it's best to prove "them" wrong.
It has a ridiculously huge zoom range, and while the aperture may slow down towards the long end, the image quality does not - it is seriously impressive.

I realise that it's more expensive than the kit lenses, but it also kicks their arses for quality, build AND image. The 50-200 isn't as good, and it's only 4x zoom...

Now, I have most of Pentax's best lenses (DA* 50-135, 16-50 and some primes) because I shoot professionally a few times a year, but I have EVEN used this at weddings - because there are times when I know I'll need 18 one minute and 200 the next, and what's more, it does push me to f5.0 by 180mm, but still that's not too bad!
Sometimes, using Lightroom, I see images from this and think "Oh that must have been the 50-135,.. I don't remember getting that close?" and I look at the data but nope, it's this badboy, at 200mm, f5.6.

My criticism of this lens is really of Pentax - WHY isn't this more common and available? It should be a kit option on things like the K-30 and K500, for a little bit more cash. Also it'd be handy for everyone if it were WR but I suppose that WOULD be being greedy of me.
   
Junior Member

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 27
Review Date: February 1, 2013 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: A very versatile lens. This lens will cover most situations, their is some distortions at 18mm. The sharpness and bokeh are good, and the autofocus could be faster, but it is acceptable. The lens is very light and easy to carry around.
Cons: When using a flash at 18mm shadow from the lens hood send a shadow across the bottom of the photo. To overcome this, you need to remove the lens hood. When the lens is directed down, the lens extends by itself. Once you get use to this, you know how to
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5   

I use this lens either when travelling or have limited space when on the move. It is a compact lens, light and easy to manage. This would be the most used lens in my bag.https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.png
   
Veteran Member

Registered: May, 2008
Location: S.E. Michigan
Posts: 4,317
Review Date: January 31, 2013 Recommended | Price: $420.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Excellent walk around lens at a very affordable price.
Cons: Creeps very badly. Would have been nice to have weather sealing.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 6    Value: 10    New or Used: New   

The reason I gave this lens a 9 overall is because of it's convienience. While it would be foolish to compare this with prime lenses, one must consider that for a walk around lens, especially if on vacation and where space is limited, this lens is hard to beat. Had it not been for the lens creep and the fact it isn't weather sealed, I would have rated it a 10.
   
Junior Member

Registered: June, 2008
Location: long island ny
Posts: 31

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 28, 2012 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: good all in one
Cons: none, heavy
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 7    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: k20d, k-7, k-5   

This is a great travel lens. I have had it for 3 years. I had the lens creep and some dust in it. I sent it to pentax and they cleaned it and fixed the creep. I have had no problem since. When I go on a trip, this is the only lens I bring. I do prefer the limited primes and manual focus A lens when home.
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2012
Posts: 14

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 16, 2012 Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: versatility, decent IQ
Cons: purple fringes, distorsion, barrel creep, vigneting
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 5    Bokeh: 5    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 8    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-20   

I purchased this lens as a kit with my K-20. It's a very useful range but the quality you can expect from these superzooms is not great. I use it for holidays and family pics.

The good:

- Decent IQ until 100-150mm
- Color rendition is quite ok
- Unbeatible versatibility
- Very good under good light conditions

The bad:

- Vigneting. Worse if you use a filter, specially at 18mm
- Barrel creep
- Distorsions at 18mm
- Purple fringes
- AF hunts in low light
- No quick shift

At the end, it won't get you the quality of a prime lens but a must have when travelling.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: February, 2011
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 830

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 12, 2011 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Decent IQ, Versatile, Convenience, Compact and light for a super-zoom
Cons: Barrel creep, distortion at wide end, purple fringing at long end
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    New or Used: Used   

I bought this lens almost a year ago as a general walk-around and an upgrade from the 18-55mm kit. With all the reviews I’ve read, including the Tamron version, I wasn’t expecting an IQ rivaling that of prime or other more expensive zooms. The first thing I noticed after mounting the lens and unlocking the zoom ring with the camera faced down is its legendary “zoom-creep!” As soon as I pushed the lock switch, the barrel came out full length where it almost hit the table.

After nearly a year, here is my impression of this lens.

Pros:
- Color rendition is considerably better than the DA18-55mm.
- Fairly decent overall IQ rivals that of the DA55-300mm, especially between f5.6 – f11.
- Very good outdoor lens (bright and sunny conditions)
- Compact and light-weight for a super zoom
- Unbeatable versatility

Cons:
- Significant barrel distortion at 18mm, though easily corrected in post-processing
- Tends to get soft between f3.5 – f4.5
- IQ begins to degrade, though still acceptable, at 100mm and above
- Barrel creep
- Purple fringing at the long end
- Hunts in low light
- Discontinued and not particularly easy to find

My family and I recently visited Disneyland. This was the only lens I used throughout the trip. It was all I needed, and I never felt or wished I had something else. Sure, it’s on the slow side and may not have the IQ of a prime or a more expensive zoom, but for traveling, where my primary consideration is enjoying the vacation with my family, the versatility, convenience, and performance of this lens is simply unbeatable. In my opinion, the DA 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 would be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a decent all-in-one walk-around travel or vacation lens.
Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]



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