Pentax 18-250mm lens - good price?

[Lili]

Hi Guys,
Really quick question, I've found a second hand Pentax DA 18-250mm ED F3.5-6.3 lens for sale for $450 locally which is apparently in top condition. Is this a good price? I was looking at the Sigma equivalent last night and it was $700+ but I'm having trouble finding the list price for the Pentax version online anywhere to compare. I've heard this is just a rebadged Tamron - is that a bad thing? Sorry for the noob questions :)

Thanks in advance!
Amanda

[Kym]

Yes it's reasonable if its in good condition and has no scratches, no mould/fungus etc.

I assume its this lens... http://www.dpreview.com/news/0710/07100103pentax18250.asp
http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/showproduct.php?product=305&cat=43

[Lili]

Thanks Kym! Yep that's the one :) I shall contact the seller! Hopefully it's still available... Is it wrong to buy a lens before you've got the camera? :)

[I @ M]

Photozone tells me that it is a Tamron lens rebadged for Pentax.

Review here ----- http://www.photozone.de/pentax/367-pentax-smc-da-18-250mm-f35-63

[Kym]

Yes it is a re-badged Tammy.
A super zoom is always a compromise, but this one is a good one.

[Kym]

Is it wrong to buy a lens before you've got the camera? :)

No! In fact choosing a lens first is the right thing to do.
Over time you keep glass and change bodies!

This choice gives:
a. One lens for many things - makes life easy - wide landscape to portraits, to some wildlife (maybe not small birds)
b. No so good in low light (the super zoom compromise) coz it's not as fast as alternates
c. No changing lenses in the field
d. Some specialist cases where it will not have the IQ of primes etc
e. Very affordable
f. Reviews well and you will get good images

[Lili]

Ah bummer, the lens has already been sold :( Not surprising really, they're hard to find! It looks like my best choice now is to pick up a Sigma 18-200mm when I get my K7 (I'm ringing around for quotes now).

Thanks for the tips Kym, you've reinforced my decision to go for a superzoom, at least to start with. I don't want to lug many lenses with me overseas next month, and I have no idea what focal range I'll need most, so I thought a versatile lens was probably best. It certainly won't be the lens (but my skill level) holding my photos back :)

Hopefully once I get back I can figure out what focal lengths I like the most and then pick up some better quality glass then :)

[Kym]

Thanks for the tips Kym, you've reinforced my decision to go for a superzoom, at least to start with. I don't want to lug many lenses with me overseas next month, and I have no idea what focal range I'll need most, so I thought a versatile lens was probably best. It certainly won't be the lens (but my skill level) holding my photos back :)

As long as you are fully aware of the issues. And it looks like you are.
A one lens strategy is not bad for travel.

Maybe some other travel thoughts...
1. Copy your memory card to disk and CDROM/DVD and mailing those home along the way.

2. Pentax battery chargers are universal, make sure you have adapter plugs for the countries you are travelling to.

3. 2 x 8GB cards are better the 1 x 16GB, just in case (very unlikely) one fails.

4. Are you planning any night shots?
If so you need support and lugging a tri-pod is a pain - maybe a camera bean bag

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Lili

Kym gives good advice (above too)
I am a superzoom user too - I travel Oz for months each year & size & weight of equipment comes in as "very important" along with Image Quality too

You are asking about a Pentax / Tamron lens ... have a look at Shopbot.com for a possible source & price - I use it as a source & have bought several items from the sellers on the list

Regards, Phil

[Kym]

OT :th3:

Shopbot is good, also Staticice
http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+k-7&spos=3

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+sigma+18+250&spos=1

http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-7

http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+tamron+18+250

http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=sigma+pentax+18+250

[Lili]

Thanks for the advice Kym and Phil! They're some good travel tips Kym, things I mostly hadn't thought of. Sorry for the slow reply, work got in the way :)

Those links are great and I'm sure I'll be able to make much use of static ice and shopbot in future. For this purchase (camera and a lens) I was pretty keen to keep it local, as long as it didn't mean paying through the nose. We're leaving to head overseas next Friday and with Monday being a holiday I was petrified of things not ariving in the post in time (it happened with some bits and pieces I ordered for a friend's wedding a few weeks ago). So I've paid a little bit more than I would have online, but I prefer it this way. I would have liked to order through a site sponsor, but none of them seem to stock Pentax?? :/

I've had to settle for a 18-200mm Sigma to go with my new baby, the 18-250mm is just too far outside my budget brand new :/ The good news is, it's all ordered! I'm going to pick up my new toys (and accessories) either tomorrow or Wednesday! Squee!

Thanks again for the help APeeps. I promise not to disappear off into the shadows again now :)

Amanda

[tim71]

sorry all a bit too late (just got to bottome of thread), dirt cheap cameras (site sponsor, go to link on the site) has it for $859 and they sell K7 body as well

[Lili]

Thanks for the heads up Tim, I admit that I overlooked them, sorry Dirt Cheap! I'll hopefully be able to throw some business their way in future.