Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras by Pentax
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Digital camera reviews of Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: A Sweet Piece of Glass!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the 18-250 prior to Christmas and used it throughout the Holidays - taking about 500 snapshots, both with and without flash. What a workhorse this is! All the way from ultra-wide to fully extended, it was a consistently excellent performer. My K10d focused quickly and sharply starting with photo number one. Although I'm no professional, I do have a stable of pretty nice glass including the DA 21mm Limited pancake, the DA 16-45, & the FA 50mm 1.4 prime. (Also owned the DA 18-55mm and the DA 55-200mm zoom which I've already sold). The clarity and sharpness of the 18-250 rivals the 16-45 (beats the 55-200 hands down) and -to my eyes- comes close (but not quite) to the excellent primes, though obviously not as fast. Alas, my 16-45 is now completely redundant and I put it on Ebay today. When you consider the excellent performance of this lens all along the length of its tele range, I believe that it truly could become a do-it-all replacement for most of your medium range zooms while doing a very respecable job at the 18mm wide angle. This lens surpassed all of my expectations and I give Kudos to Pentax for offering this in their digital lineup. Wish it had been there earlier and I could have avoided the expensive migration. I've heard comments that it is a bit pricey - I don't think so. It represents great value in a high quality optic that can cover a wide range of photographic opportunities. My prints and slide shows resulting from the 18-250 mounted to my K10d are vivid, sharp, and colorful and have made my photography hobby more joyful and enjoyable than ever. People are impressed with how consistently beautiful & clear my photos are. And isn't that really why we shutterbugs enjoy making memories with photos? If you can get one, try it. . I think you'll love it. It really deepens my appreciation for the reasons I chucked the point-and-shoot digitals for the flexibility and superiority of the DSLR. Cheers.Digital camera Review: A Versatile, Affordable Lens, With a Couple of Quibbles
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm just seconding some of the commentary already made, but . . . the versatility of the focal length on this lens is terrific. One lens fits so many situations. Combined with the K10D it becomes heavy after awhile, and I recommend a tripod, especially if you anticipate zooming all the way in. Roger Watts is right on with his "lens creep" critique. Sometimes if you're pointing down, you have to hold the zoom ring to keep the lens from extending during the shot! Still, highly recommended, esp. at this price.Digital camera Review: All purpose lens
Summary: 4 Stars
I own the kit lens with K100D and a Quantaray zoom for sports. Needed something to take portraits and have zoom capability. This one fits the bill and helps keep the sensor clean by not having to change out lenses.
Focus ring a little hard to turn and auto focus slightly noisy.
Solid feel and lock mechanism is handy. Will probably rate 5 once I have enough shots to compare.
Digital camera Review: Almost prefect
Summary: 4 Stars
It's a great lens. Bang for the buck it's kaboom. Pentax nailed the grab and go range. With this lens parked on my camera I'm ready for 90% of subjects that may be presented from birds in the tree to kids on the piano to bees on the flower.
I said "almost perfect". The manual focus ring is ergonomically well done but mechanically a bit crunchy. With autofocus engaged the manual focus ring is not moveable (I guess this is okay). With the autofocus deselected the manual focus ring seems partially engaged and anything but smooth.
Even though this lens doesn't have a Pentax feel, I'm happy to have it. I'm especially happy to have it at this price.
Amazon.com offered the safest and least expensive option at the time of my purchase.
HAL
Digital camera Review: Anateur/Enthusiast Photographer
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't let anyone tell you anything about the negative side of this DA 18-250mm zoom lens. It is a little darling gadget in exploring good photography. Amateur and enthusiast would just love to have one in his bag. Its focal length is tremendous. You can zoom back and fore with one touch. I was laboriously using two lenses (18-55mm and 50-200mm) in the past; now I just carry one with my camera inseparably. Best of all, it has a tiny lock switch on the barrel to prevent extending out when you carry your equipment up-side-down. Otherwise, you probably have to use a suspender to hold it back.