I have been wanting a walk around lens for some time, but the 18-135 just didn't have the reach I needed, and wasn't the keen on the 18-270 Pentax. I read some positive reviews about the new Sigma 18-250 Macro, and decided to give it a try. Today I took it mounted on my Pentax K5, for a walk on a nature trail near home. Anyway to make a long story short, I was very pleased with the results I got today. I do have a few primes/Ltd's when I need them, but hated stopping and switching lenses, and some times missing shots because I didn't have the correct lens on. I think I found the do everything lens I need. Focus was fast, smooth and quiet. Worth checking it out.
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Got the new SDigma 18-250 Macro today (Pentax Version)
- Thread starter gmachine
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- pentax k-5
Purchased the lens from B&H Photo. I did try the macro "close focus" briefly on a couple of roses, in my yard (hand held) and it did a very good job, although it can't compete with a true Macro lens. Over all I would rate this lens a little better than the DA 55-300, that I used to have. Weight is about the same but the Sigma is shorter, more compact, the focus seems better/quieter. I think this lens will spend a lot of time on my K5, for the type of pictures I take.
They still use the old Sigma picture. It is just confusing. I also consider it to replace my old Pentax 18-250.
Here is the link to the old and the new Sigma 18-250mm lenses.
Sigma 18-250mm at B&H
The new one reads Macro and is US $549. The old one is US $399.
Ron
The only question that I have, how is the lens creep? About a year ago, my friend asked me to take some images at his birthday party using his camera. I can't recall the exact specifications of the lens other than it was a Tamron and either 18-200 or 18-250. The lens creep was terrible. As soon the barrel got below the horizontal, it extended. Since most of my lenses are internal focusing lenses, I wasn't used to the creep and it about drove me crazy. I can't count the number of times I banged the lens. I was just wondering.
Nfrw
Member
I just took the new Sigma 18-250 on a road trip to Maryland. The IQ is excellent though it falls off a little on long shots. Color is great, though I did experience a little flare on shots of sunsets through trees with water reflection. There is a lock to prevent lens creep, but I forgot to lock it and experienced no creep - and I was walking through the National Zoo and Montecello on the trip. I used the macro at the zoo on closeups of frogs, etc. again excellent quality. I do a lot of sports photography with long heavy lenses. This lens is compact and relatively light - great for walking around and shooting the sights.
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Nfrw http://cfiechtner.zenfolio.com/
GPGeneralPhoto
Senior Member
Is your Pentax 18-250 broken, or is the new Sigma that much better?
noel2
Senior Member
I have also received the 18-250 Macro yesterday. It is also intended to supplement the 18-135 as a "tourism" lens for the same reasons as yours. My first impressions are good: less vignetting and CR than the 18-135, though somewhat greater distortion. And of course it is not WR (but neither is the much more expensive Pentax 18-270).
Here is one of the few tests with my K5 : a macro in very bad conditions - indoors with light from an overcast sky. f: 5.6 with ISO 3200 and 1/90 sec exposure.
the unedited jpg:
Edited with Topaz Detail from the DNG:
I only took the lens out for one day, but experienced no lens creep. The lens is still new and tight, didn't lock the lens at all. Don't know if it will loosen up or not later. Will take more pictures when weather gets better. Yesterday it was foggy and dark, was in the trees and brush a lot, the K5 was set to auto ISO, and many pictures taken at 3200 ISO, but still looked good. Will learn more when conditions are better. Still impressed and feel good about it. Never had Pentax's older version so can't compare the two. Shot mostly jpegs yesterday, but will try some in raw format next time.
Priscilla Turner
Senior Member
So here am I back with my familiar question: if I am walking around happily zooming, with SR on and Av with auto ISO set, does this lens automatically adjust speed to the changing F/L as my DA 18-250 does?
Nfrw
Member
I posted a couple up above. This is from the same trip - my grandson is running around Thomas Jefferson's front yard. It was taken late in the afternoon, so the ISO is a little high - and it was shot at the full 250mm.
K-5, Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC HSM-Pentax, 1/125 sec at f/22 250mm ISO 800
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Nfrw http://cfiechtner.zenfolio.com/
K-5, Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC HSM-Pentax, 1/125 sec at f/22 250mm ISO 800
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Nfrw http://cfiechtner.zenfolio.com/
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DDoram
Forum Pro
I purchased a used last generation model in like new new condition. It will be used for vacation shots. It will be interesting to see how the OS works compared to Pentax SR.
Dale
Dale
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