Tamron or Pentax smc-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL 14x Zoom Lens

[CaptnHammer]

Hi folks,
I am a avid Pentax K10D user and I love my camera very much. I recently returned from a overseas holiday with my camera and a bag full of different lenses which I carried around for 3 weeks. Now my next trip will be much lighter as I am wanting to get my hands on a Tamron or Pentax smc-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL 14x Zoom Lens . From what I have heard, this lens is all I need to take on the next trip. All I want to know is where in Oz can I buy one. From what I have found out they are as rare as hens teeth or they want me to sell my prize cockatoo to pay for it,,,,,lol. Any ideas where to look

Brian (Brisbane):D

[ricktas]

Hope you get an answer from one of our Pentax members. In the meantime, welcome! Good to see you posting after joining ages ago. Hope we get to see some of your photos soon!

[kyteflyer]

...From what I have found out they are as rare as hens teeth or they want me to sell my prize cockatoo to pay for it,,,,,lol. Any ideas where to look

Brian (Brisbane):D
They are rarer than I thought, Brian. Had a bit of a poke about online and failed to find any variants for Pentax. Have you tried in the Pentaxforums market? I have one but I paid almost $900 for it when the dollar was down so am not letting it go for less than the cost of two prize cockatoos, sorry :( The price plummetted about two weeks after I took delivery of mine. I do find it fairly decent for most walkabout purposes though in recent months have discovered the joys of a limited prime so haven't used it very much.

Another thing worth considering is a shorter range. I'm pretty sure the 18-200 is still available from both Tamron and Sigma. Or you might consider a 28-300 in either brand... I'd probably go 18-200 though but I don't know much about its IQ.

Are you sure you need that kind of range?

cheers
Sue

[Speedway]

DWI have the sigma 18-250 in pentax mount for $495, I have one of these and use it extensively on my 7D and am very happy with its performance.
Keith.

[tim71]

G'day Brian,

not sure how far your budget will stretch but maybe consider the Pentax DA 55-300mm, it gets good reviews, have a look at photozone. I think site sponsor dirt cheap cameras has this lens and also try digi-direct (both Sydney stores but I have bought online from them with no problems). You could try Rainers camera house in the city but they always seem a bit dearer.

cheers,
Tim

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Brian

I am also an inveterate traveller and love my 12x lens [Leica in my case]
I would suggest you consider the above responses for either the 18-200 vs the 28-300 on the basis of 'what's more important to me ... the 18mm end or the 300mm end' then go and buy the damn thing :p and have FUN

Regards, Phil

[KevPride]

The Pentax DA 18-250 has been discontinued for some time - it was a rebadged version of the Tamron - but you may already have known that.

The Tamron is not listed on the B&H website and there was some talk the Tamron 18-270 which is available in limited mounts replaced it.

Just checked the Tamron Web Page & the lens is not listed. 18-270 is only Canikon.

I think you will struggle to find a copy - new that is.

From the Pentax Forum comments on the lens it appears to be a beauty - got very high ratings.

[KevPride]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Tamron-AF-18-250mm-f-3-5-6-3-LD-Asp-IF-Macro-Pentax-/280574308649?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item4153883129

Brian lo & behold there is one on fleabay see above - boxed & all the bits & pieces.

& to top it off its in Brisbane as well.

[CaptnHammer]

Kev,
Many Thanks for letting me know, have emailed seller for more information
Cheers Mate:D

[mudman]

The Pentax DA 18-250 has been discontinued for some time
i don't know about tgat, i got a pentax 18-250 with my K7 september 09 no problem.