Kit Lens Upgrade
Posted 01/01/2014 - 14:16
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The Photozone review summarizes:
I cannot comment on the 18-135 as I haven't tried one but both my 18-250's are pretty good, even at the long end where sometimes zoom performance drops off.
Photozone actually conclude their review saying
Quote:
The Pentax lens (ie 18-135mm)is actually very good to even excellent in the image center but the borders/corners suffer from massive field curvature at the wide end and plain sofness at tele settings. This is certainly no issue for portraits and such but you don't really want use this lens for architecture or landscape photography here. This is also in so far surprising because the (cheaper) Pentax SMC-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 (a Tamron design) was actually very usable here. The secondary characteristics (distortions, vignetting, CAs) are about class-average.
They seem to prefer the 18-250mm in preference to the 18-135mm.The Pentax lens (ie 18-135mm)is actually very good to even excellent in the image center but the borders/corners suffer from massive field curvature at the wide end and plain sofness at tele settings. This is certainly no issue for portraits and such but you don't really want use this lens for architecture or landscape photography here. This is also in so far surprising because the (cheaper) Pentax SMC-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 (a Tamron design) was actually very usable here. The secondary characteristics (distortions, vignetting, CAs) are about class-average.
I cannot comment on the 18-135 as I haven't tried one but both my 18-250's are pretty good, even at the long end where sometimes zoom performance drops off.
Photozone actually conclude their review saying
Quote:
Better consider the Pentax DA-SMC 17-70mm f/4 SDM instead which is a far better lens.
Better consider the Pentax DA-SMC 17-70mm f/4 SDM instead which is a far better lens.
John K
Posted 01/01/2014 - 14:36
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JAK wrote:
The Photozone review summarizes:
I cannot comment on the 18-135 as I haven't tried one but both my 18-250's are pretty good, even at the long end where sometimes zoom performance drops off.
Photozone actually conclude their review saying
I'd agree with that, but I guess it depends whether the extra range, and the faster DC focussing are important.
The Photozone review summarizes:
Quote:
The Pentax lens (ie 18-135mm)is actually very good to even excellent in the image center but the borders/corners suffer from massive field curvature at the wide end and plain sofness at tele settings. This is certainly no issue for portraits and such but you don't really want use this lens for architecture or landscape photography here. This is also in so far surprising because the (cheaper) Pentax SMC-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 (a Tamron design) was actually very usable here. The secondary characteristics (distortions, vignetting, CAs) are about class-average.
They seem to prefer the 18-250mm in preference to the 18-135mm.The Pentax lens (ie 18-135mm)is actually very good to even excellent in the image center but the borders/corners suffer from massive field curvature at the wide end and plain sofness at tele settings. This is certainly no issue for portraits and such but you don't really want use this lens for architecture or landscape photography here. This is also in so far surprising because the (cheaper) Pentax SMC-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 (a Tamron design) was actually very usable here. The secondary characteristics (distortions, vignetting, CAs) are about class-average.
I cannot comment on the 18-135 as I haven't tried one but both my 18-250's are pretty good, even at the long end where sometimes zoom performance drops off.
Photozone actually conclude their review saying
Quote:
Better consider the Pentax DA-SMC 17-70mm f/4 SDM instead which is a far better lens.
Better consider the Pentax DA-SMC 17-70mm f/4 SDM instead which is a far better lens.
Posted 01/01/2014 - 14:48
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Can I just add, if you are buying new (whatever lens it is if available) SRS presently have some good buys with their extra 10% off their normal already competitive prices for just a few more days. Some prices are better than buying direct from the far east!
John K
Posted 01/01/2014 - 15:30
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I've done quite a bit of reading on the 18-250 and the general consensus is that it's a good lens,just one question: Do the lens correction options available in the K-5 work with both versions or is this only useable on the Pentax branded lens?
IQ is quite important to me, as I like nice colours and contrast as well as decent sharpness, I'd ideally like to move forward with a lens that focuses more quietly that the 4.5 year old Sigma 18-200 DC that I've used with my GX-10, that really does have a noisy focusing mechanism and makes me conscious of shooting in some situations. How noisy is the 18-250 when it comes to focusing?
IQ is quite important to me, as I like nice colours and contrast as well as decent sharpness, I'd ideally like to move forward with a lens that focuses more quietly that the 4.5 year old Sigma 18-200 DC that I've used with my GX-10, that really does have a noisy focusing mechanism and makes me conscious of shooting in some situations. How noisy is the 18-250 when it comes to focusing?
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Posted 01/01/2014 - 15:58
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PJMcKenna wrote:
I've done quite a bit of reading on the 18-250 and the general consensus is that it's a good lens,just one question: Do the lens correction options available in the K-5 work with both versions or is this only useable on the Pentax branded lens?
In camera lens corrections only with Pentax version, but the geometry is pretty good (see the Photozone chart) just showing some barrel distortion at the wider end (no worse than the 18-135mm.) If critical, the Pentax correction could be applied to the Tamron version in PP.I've done quite a bit of reading on the 18-250 and the general consensus is that it's a good lens,just one question: Do the lens correction options available in the K-5 work with both versions or is this only useable on the Pentax branded lens?
PJMcKenna wrote:
IQ is quite important to me, as I like nice colours and contrast as well as decent sharpness, I'd ideally like to move forward with a lens that focuses more quietly that the 4.5 year old Sigma 18-200 DC that I've used with my GX-10, that really does have a noisy focusing mechanism and makes me conscious of shooting in some situations. How noisy is the 18-250 when it comes to focusing?
Noise I would presume is similar (though not heard an 18-200.) The 18-135mm should be much quieter; are you frightened you'll scare the buses away?!
IQ is quite important to me, as I like nice colours and contrast as well as decent sharpness, I'd ideally like to move forward with a lens that focuses more quietly that the 4.5 year old Sigma 18-200 DC that I've used with my GX-10, that really does have a noisy focusing mechanism and makes me conscious of shooting in some situations. How noisy is the 18-250 when it comes to focusing?
John K
Posted 01/01/2014 - 16:14
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It's not that with the noise John, I'm thinking along the lines of technology moving on and developments have led to smoother and quieter mechanisms in the same way I've seen them do in the world of model railways too!
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Posted 01/01/2014 - 17:27 - Helpful Comment
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No, I didn't really think you were worried about the noise though it can be an issue for wildlife of course. The old screw drive has so far proved to be pretty resilient, especially compared to SDM. I can't recall hearing of failures for the screw drive even with quite old lenses but one cannot say that for SDM. Not sure about the resilience of the new DC type yet. What I'm trying to say is that the AF method shouldn't be a major factor in your decision!
John K
Posted 01/01/2014 - 18:28
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Two of my favourite lenses, the Sigma 10-20 and the DA 55-300 are screw drive and they are 100% reliable, I never had any issues with screw drive AF when I was shooting film with my Z-50P either other than when my old Tokina 35-300 came apart on me at Weymouth harbour. That was down to a fatigue failure of a casting inside the lens I was told. I've spotted a couple of used Tamron 18-250s with a dealer, both with 12 month guarantees, I'm tempted to take a punt even though I prefer to buy new!
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Posted 01/01/2014 - 18:49 - Helpful Comment
Link
Excellent plus looks to be as good as new. With a 12 month warranty all should be fine.
Just to add to your 'shall I shan't I,' did you know that Sigma do an 18-250mm too which is different to the Tamron/Pentax ones.
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-250mm-f-3-5-6-3-dc-macro-os-hsm-lens-...
Just to add to your 'shall I shan't I,' did you know that Sigma do an 18-250mm too which is different to the Tamron/Pentax ones.
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-250mm-f-3-5-6-3-dc-macro-os-hsm-lens-...
John K
Posted 01/01/2014 - 19:42
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The sample shots taken with the Sigma look very good for a superzoom, I've had a demonstration of this lens, admittedly on a Nikon D7000 and was impressed by the feel and speed of focusing.
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Posted 17/01/2014 - 21:39
Link
Just to update, I've bought a DA 18-135, but have yet to use it out and about, it feels nice on my K-5 and is of course weather resistant to match the body.
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Posted 17/01/2014 - 21:50
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PJMcKenna wrote:
Just to update, I've bought a DA 18-135, but have yet to use it out and about, it feels nice on my K-5 and is of course weather resistant to match the body.
Got this one as well, it's nice and small and light with a good range for a walkabout.
Just to update, I've bought a DA 18-135, but have yet to use it out and about, it feels nice on my K-5 and is of course weather resistant to match the body.
Posted 18/01/2014 - 20:07
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It was my first day out with the 18-135 today, and once I'd got used to the handling and the almost silent focusing, I have to say it does everything I want of it as a walkabout lens. I find it produces nice contrasty and sharp images too.
Cheers Paul
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
Pentax K5, DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 ED, DA 35 f2.8 Macro Limited, A 50 f1.7, DA 50 f1.8
Samsung GX10, D-Xenon 18-55, SEF-36PZF Flash
Sigma 10-20 EX DC f4-5.6
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4248 posts
15 years
Blyth,
Northumberland
A lot's the need for a a bit more reach without having to change lenses, which can be a nuisance when photographing buses in particular, the 18-55 whilst good is a tad short in a quite a few locations.
I was constantly changing lenses, which was a pain in the backside. It was on the back of that experience that I bought the 18-135. Freed my up from carrying a camera bag too
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