Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

As a pro event photographer, iStock contributor and generalist shooter with a penchant for urban/street, enviro portraiture and cycling, I'm not happy with this lens at all - nor with the previous near-version (18-250). Anyone that says this lens is sharp has not yet experienced better glass on their camera. Yes, it's a good lens for the price, but that doesn't make it a good lens. Ya get what ya pay for. Focus is slow. Hunting is bad. Creep is ridiculous. Bokeh is weak. Sharpness lacks. I learned to squeeze the best performance out if it I could (f/8, not racked out, no more than 200 ISO in good lighting with auto focus point detection when using AFC), but all those limitations came at a price. I do have a good copy and I did adjust F/B focus (a lot). I've since bought pro glass and this lens has been benched as backup for travel/walk-around photography. Too bad, too. I read good things about it (which is why I bought it in the first place). If you're anything more than a casual auto-shooter saving droves of JPEGs on your computer, invest in better glass than this - you'll be glad you did. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it would be a good starter lens for a novice.

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

I bought this as a general purpose lens for my Pentax K-x. The focal range is exactly what I need to reduce lens changes. With the K-x and newer Pentax DSLR's, it's surprisingly good for capturing low light shots, thanks to the excellent high ISO performance and sensor stabilization.

While I wouldn't use this lens for fast sports shots, it would work well out on the golf course, or for tennis perhaps.

Be careful if you use this with the built-in flash. Any focal length starting at 28 or higher should do for that purpose. Just don't forget to take off the lens hood. Otherwise, get a dedicated digital flash unit (something I'm still looking for).

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

Well build lens, very sharp pics, compact, a little heavy but I like a heavier lens, doesn't feel cheap or plasticly. only thing that need inprovement is the focus speed, but I don't mine that issue for the type of pictures I take.

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

I use it on my pentax ist, with this lens I do not need other lenses when traveling.

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

The great thing about this lens is, it is the only one i need to take with me when I am traveling etc. The only con when zooming is the slow focus

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

Price point (with rebate) is outstanding for the quality lens you get. I have mated it with my Pentax K200D as "my go anywhere, always have a camera with you" package... VERY pleased so far!

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

Great lens between 24mm-200mm use. 18mm use is a little less desirable because of vignetting but I have never been a great fan of taking shots below 24mm anyhow.

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

The lens performs as expected on my Pentax ist*DS except for the autofocus. More often than not it hunts forever until I change the zoom level, then rezoom to what I want. All the hunting is a battery killer.

Comments about Tamron Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom Lens with Macro, for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras - U.S.A. Warranty:

Slide mechanism that holds lens closed much better than that on another brand of lens I own.

Used at photo seminar with excellent results.