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: Great pentax glass - amazing versatility
Summary: 5 Stars
This lens is outstanding. My other lenses include the 18-55 kit lens, and the 50mm/1.4(also highly recommended) and this lens is beautiful as a replacement to the kit lens. I have been able to get everything from dramatic landscapes to insect macros to zoomed in moon shots. The only additional things I could ask for - 1, the Quick Shift Manual Focus thing that Pentax has on almost every other lens, and 2, a more versatile zoom-lock - because of the ridiculous range of this lens, it creeps quite readily, and it would be handy to have a lock that you could set at any focal length, rather than the current one that only works at 18mm.
So, as a walk-around, capture whatever happens to show up lens, this one is extremely hard to beat. However, I do wedding photography part time, and this lens actually hasn't performed nearly as well for those events - the aperture range just isn't there. For those occasions, pick up the 50mm F/1.4, which will allow you to take natural light pictures in all but the darkest scenarios, and gives you a magical background for portraits.
Between the two, I feel like I have a pretty good set up. This serves as a great all-around lens as a replacement for the kit, and a logical second lens once you want to get more serious with your photography. If you have this and a fast, low-light prime, you could be equipped for 95% of situations with only $600 invested in glass - crazy good deal if you ask me, especially when you consider that this includes image stabilization. A very price-competitive package compared to the other DSLR systems out there right now.
Digital camera Review: Great travel lens
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this to replace 3 lenses - my DA 18-55, DA 50-200 , and a Tamron 28-300. This lens covers most of the range of those lenses, but in a single lens.
In the 18-200 range, it is every bit as good as the separate DA lenses, but lighter and much convenient. I wish this lens went all the way to 300mm, but 250mm is still great.
The one notable bad thing about this lens is the lens creep - the zoom falls down and you need to constantly readjust the zoom when you lift the camera. That's a drawback I'm willing to live with in exchange for the convenience of having one lens that nearly does it all.
Digital camera Review: I bought it for the outdoors
Summary: 4 Stars
First i have been very happy with the Pentax line of equipment in general and the weather proofing in particular. As an outdoor photographer this point alone has removed the concern about mixing electricity & rain / snow / sleet, which allow a truer reflection of the outdoors. To match this level of of seals you would need to spend several times this amount for something comparable.
Note: this lens is not rated as weather proof but i have been out in downpours with noticeable effect to equipment or the final image output.
This lens although a bit slow is very sharp and ideal for broad vistas to tight distance shooting. It has one notable flaw (from my POV), that the barrel twists opens while walking (i tested several & it was a common flaw to all). There is a built in fix, a "lock" switch on the barrel & it works well, but it an extra step each time you stop & go.
Otherwise it rocks!
Digital camera Review: Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
Very sharp lens. It is well constructed, and has a solid feel. My only complaint is the auto focus is slow, but I have not found a lens of this length that isn't.Digital camera Review: Must Have Walk-Around Lens
Summary: 4 Stars
We've had this lens for a few weeks now and it cannot be beat for it's all-around versatility! Produces sharp shots and surprisingly good macro results. If you shoot mostly outdoors with ample natural light this is pretty much the lens to get if you want a quality lens with a good price to performance ratio. Tamron makes an 'identical' model, and Pentax model may even be made by Tamron but with the Pentax coatings; however, the Pentax version has thus far been the most attractively priced.