K-r works well with Tamron AF 18-200MM F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)?

[JohnTaylor]

how is this
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens (Pentax mount)
compare with
Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR ?

Monetarily, Sigma roughly half the cost of Pentax.

The Pentax 18-135 mechanical performance is far better than the Sigma. Pentax will focus much faster and quieter than the Sigma. It is also smaller and a bit lighter (you can look up exact specs online).

As for picture quality, Pentax produces sharper photos, but both not as sharp as primes or f2.8 type lenses.

But photo quality also depends a lot on skill of photgrapher for composition, imagination (sadly, my skill here quite low, needs developing).

 

[detritus]

how is this
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens (Pentax mount)
compare with
Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR ?

after a certain point, any effort to compare lens specs will just lead you down the road to "measurebation". no point.

my emphasis tends to be more towards usability. 200mm at f6.3 is just not very useful for anything other than a sunny day shoot or a shoot under good lighting.

the pentax 18-135 costs more but u benefit from the new DC motor, which gives faster AF and is WR. when used with a WR body, it gives greater assurance when used in bad weather.

u should consider your own style and needs. is 200mm absolutely necessary? would you use it often? or would it be more of a "good to have" u can do without? and how useful would it be at F6.3?

i know pple who love the 18-200 range because they use it for shooting kids on family outings and find the large zoom range very useful. i have a different view as i found the rate of keepers very low for such a lens. expectations matters.

at that price range, i might prefer a fast zoom like a tamron 17-50 rather than an 18-135 or 18-200 because i tend to shoot closer and i find F2.8 across the whole zoom range more versatile.

you may have different needs. :dunno:

 

[abeltcb]

thanks for all the info.

 

[poseur]

I used to have the tamron 18250/18200 as my travelling kit. brought an 18200 and 18250 to do a "shootout" but sold everything away after i had my fun with them. 18250/18200 IQ is basically quite similiar to kits lens quality. so if you intention is better IQ you are no better off then the kit lens, which i assume you already have. The only advantage is the focal lengh is really good for travelling.
Color rendition lose to pentax lens, as i perfer color from pentax lens better.
Sharpness 18250 is slightly sharper to 18200 if you are a pixel peeker.
18250 suffers zoom creep because of the lens design (front heavy) but there is a lock switch at 18mm if u need to be on the move.
18200 lens design is a lot more compact and balance (no zoom creep with my copy that time).
distortion at 18mm is noticeable but can be correct with software. if you can get a 18250 copy an additional bonus is that u can turn on the distortion correct in the camera body as it is no secret the tamron 18250 = pentax DA18250. it is the identical lens with just difference in SMC coating, price and external design.
I always use a CPL and shoot about F8-F11 on bright sunny days to get good results.
Bring a flash along if you want to shoot indoors and night shoot. But do remember the limits of using flash as your focal lengths also plays an important role.

 

[jason1980]

I have the 18-55 and 55-300 kit lens.
But i use my Tamron 18-200 more often.sort of a in between range with my kit lens.

 

[abeltcb]

I have the 18-55 and 55-300 kit lens.
But i use my Tamron 18-200 more often.sort of a in between range with my kit lens.

is the IQ of Tamron better than pentax kit lens?

 

[poseur]

is the IQ of Tamron better than pentax kit lens?

IMO, 55300 IQ is way better then 18200. but in terms of walk about range it lose out