Pentax DA18-250 vs DA18-55&DA50-200, DA18-250 Testing

[airconvent]

Thanks Feng wei...I needed you to tell me how good my 18-250 is....:bsmilie:
I just snap and snap only.
But looking at your shots, optically the 18-250 seems to illogically perform better than the 18-55mm, especially at F8. Its performance is only marred by the relatively higher chromatic abberration which was already mentioned in earlier reviews.
But as expected, the 50-200mm is definitely better at the same range and aperture..

 

[heiyu0314]

That is really a great work~~Thanks Feiwei doing that comparation.~~

 

[seafone]

thanks fengwei for taking the time to do a test comparison of the zoom. DA18250 does look quite decent....

 

[fengwei]

Thanks Feng wei...I needed you to tell me how good my 18-250 is....:bsmilie:
I just snap and snap only.
But looking at your shots, optically the 18-250 seems to illogically perform better than the 18-55mm, especially at F8. Its performance is only marred by the relatively higher chromatic abberration which was already mentioned in earlier reviews.
But as expected, the 50-200mm is definitely better at the same range and aperture..

Yes, the 18250 is indeed a very nice lens for one lens solution. I do think it performs better than the 1855 in the same range. As to the DA50200, actually the 18250 is probably as sharp as the DA50200, it's just when you shooting at a close target, DA50200 has bigger magnification ratio, so the photos seem bigger (and clearer, thus sharper). But if you shoot at target 3 to 5m away, the difference is hard to notice.

If you are happy with the dual lens solution, I'm sure you'd be happy with the DA18250 too

 

[fengwei]

That is really a great work~~Thanks Feiwei doing that comparation.~~

You are welcome

 

[fengwei]

thanks fengwei for taking the time to do a test comparison of the zoom. DA18250 does look quite decent....

Yes, the DA18250 is a better lens than it sounds or most people think. I myself like to use prime lenses, but sometimes I can't bring alot stuff along, especially with two kids w/ me all the time.

Another reason for a mega zoom lens, you can take close and far target all by turning the focusing ring

18mm F3.5 (the white car is about 25m away):

250mm F6.3:

center crop of the above 250mm one:

 

[fengwei]

And with the help of SR on the K10D, I can easily take this kind of photos:

K10D+DA18250 @ 250mm, F6.3, 1/30s, ISO320 handheld.

It's a poster over 20m away, inside a shop at Vivo City.

 

[snapnut]

wow nice... sounds like a versatile lens for travels
Thanks fengwei... a good review of this nice lens :thumbsup:

 

[gchiam]

FengWei, you're great. Thanks. :thumbsup:

I wish I had this lens during recent trip to bangkok.

 

[sbc]

This is so helpful! Thks!
But what is wrong with the DA50-200? is it OOF or the resolution is that bad in this photo?

DA18-250 @ 50mm F4.5 VS DA50-200 @ 50mm F4.5


DA18-250 @ 50mm F8 VS DA50-200 @ 50mm F8

 

[VSonic06]

There was about 8 pieces of DA 18-250 at MS a week ago. After fengwei's "review", now theres only 1 left.

 

[Vulpix0r]

Nice review dude. If only it was a DA*, I wouldn't mind paying just for the weather sealing so I can bring it with my treks.

 

[fengwei]

wow nice... sounds like a versatile lens for travels
Thanks fengwei... a good review of this nice lens :thumbsup:

Yes, the lens is very good for travel and some casual snaps

 

[fengwei]

FengWei, you're great. Thanks. :thumbsup:

I wish I had this lens during recent trip to bangkok.

Glad I can be some help

 

[fengwei]

This is so helpful! Thks!
But what is wrong with the DA50-200? is it OOF but the resolution is that bad in this photo?

I think it's because the DA50-200 has bigger mag ratio thus less DOF, which made the bell out of focus. The DA18-250 has bigger DOF even at the same focal length. I didn't notice this until I looked at those photos on PC. Should've put the bell in the same plane as the focus point :embrass:

 

[fengwei]

There was about 8 pieces of DA 18-250 at MS a week ago. After fengwei's "review", now theres only 1 left.

Don't think it's because of me lah :bsmilie: I only posted this yesterday afternoon. I guess the buyers wanted to have the Pentax version anyway

 

[fengwei]

Nice review dude. If only it was a DA*, I wouldn't mind paying just for the weather sealing so I can bring it with my treks.

Well, I don't mind bringing it out for trekking at all 'cause it's not too expensive (comparing w/ several lens solution)

 

[Vulpix0r]

Well, I don't mind bringing it out for trekking at all 'cause it's not too expensive (comparing w/ several lens solution)

My current trekking solution is the 16-50mm and 50-135mm. Usually I'm mentally prepared and know what I'm shooting so I'm quite prepared.

 

[sbc]

looking at the tests between the 18-250 and 18-55, I can't believe it actually out perform the kit lens!
Make me want to go out and buy 1, but maybe the 'original' tamron version.

 

[VSonic06]

Don't think it's because of me lah :bsmilie: I only posted this yesterday afternoon. I guess the buyers wanted to have the Pentax version anyway

Was a little shocked by the price tag and wasn't so sure if it would move at all. Quite surprised it did