Who else loves the 16-50mm?

Joshua A · 09-18-2014, 08:15 AM

I just wanted to throw some love to my amazing 16-50mm. I was going to sell it today for some cash, but after looking at how cositantly it amazes me, I don't think I will. Abosolutly amazing lens. Other than the SDM...

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-18-2014, 08:27 AM

Put me down as a 16-50 lover, even with one SDM repair. It's my go to zoom for a lot of things - and I have lots of lenses to choose from as well. I've owned it since 2009.

owl · 09-18-2014, 08:32 AM

It is a very useful lens, but the flare is a problem for me and led me to the DA 15 Ltd. as a solution. It remains my standard, though I'm trying a walk around kit of DA 15 and FA 43 as a replacement. If rain is in the forecast, the 16-50 gets the nod. Great all around lens, no SDM problems for me. I'm very pleased with the image quality except for flare.

Driline · 09-18-2014, 10:02 AM

I'm a believer too. I love this lens. I purchased it used from Henry's of Canada for $600 and it came with a warranty which I used for the SDM replacement. It's sharp and has beautiful colors. I will never let it go.

JinDesu · 09-18-2014, 10:13 AM

I had a DA*16-50 for 2 days and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately I had to send it back because the SDM didn't work correctly. But on the 2 days I had it, it was very sharp, very fun to use, and rendered things well.

I would have gotten another, but then I realized I don't shoot a lot between 16-20mm, so I got another lens instead.

**jatrax** · 09-18-2014, 10:26 AM

Kind of a love / hate relationship for me. I actually dislike the lens for size and weight and general useability. But if I check Lightroom it is my most used lens with a high percentage of 'keepers'. Always delivers, I just hate using it. Would much rather have a 17-70 f/4 or similar if the IQ was the same but when I absolutely, positively need the shot, I put the 16-50 on.

**jpzk** · 09-18-2014, 12:05 PM

Still have mine after many years, two returns (to Pentax Canada) for a failing SDM and now a keeper (after a third time) since it has been "hacked" for screw drive.
With the screw drive, albeit noisier but not that much, it focuses bang on every time!

It always did and still does take great pictures.

**Sholom** · 09-18-2014, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Kind of a love / hate relationship for me. I actually dislike the lens for size and weight and general useability. But if I check Lightroom it is my most used lens with a high percentage of 'keepers'. Always delivers, I just hate using it. Would much rather have a 17-70 f/4 or similar if the IQ was the same but when I absolutely, positively need the shot, I put the 16-50 on.

Maybe it's just because the 16-50 was the first modern zoom I have used (mainly a prime shooter but previously had a Canon FD 80-200 on an A-1), but I was blown away by the quality of most of the images it makes. Yes flare can be a problem, especially at the shorter focal lengths—I always use the hood but having the sun in or very near the edge of an image can still be a problem, Mine is an older copy but so far (fingers crossed) no SDM issues.Excellent color rendering and very good sharpness stopped down beyond f/4 (even wide open is not too bad on my copy).

RossCo · 09-18-2014, 12:42 PM

I have had mine for 4 years now and I have over 50,000 images that I have taken with it. It is a versatile lens and I have carried it to every state and province in Canada and the US. The size is not an issue because I know I will get great images with it.

ruggiex · 09-18-2014, 01:04 PM

It's an useful lens but I don't think I am in love with it. I tend to use my 18-135 more due to size and weight and that lens performs well in the mid range. But during low light situation when that f2.8 becomes useful, I find it handy but have to careful about its soft corners. I probably should spend more time with mine...

**Rondec** · 09-18-2014, 01:55 PM

I really like mine. It is a nice range and the fact that it goes to 16mm helps out. Distortion and flare are two things that I definitely watch for...

**jpzk** · 09-18-2014, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by Joshua A

I was going to sell it today for some cash, but after looking at how cositantly it amazes me, I don't think I will

So ... what are you going to do now?

Did you yet read all of the replies here?

JP

**Mikesul** · 09-18-2014, 06:56 PM

Yes, I am a big fan of this lens. It has wonderful rendering. The only drawback for me has been its size but it's performance has been solid and reliable for almost 3000 pictures over more than two years. I am very sympathetic with your dilemma. Several times I have been on the verge of switching to a lighter system but have just not been able to complete the sale when I look closely at the wonderful DA*s and limiteds I have, including the Da*1650. If your finances allow it keep the 16-50 and sell something else.

fgaudet · 09-18-2014, 07:10 PM

I thought my 50-135 was my favourite lens, sharp, decently fast and very nice IQ. It was my little baby (zoom wise) and it is doing well against many primes.

But then came the 16-50. I wasn't too sure about it because of mixed reviews, some saying the IQ was not up to par for its price... And the SDM

My heart is torn apart now, the 50-135 is great but the 16-50 is pretty awesome. One thing is for sure, count me in as a 16-50mm Lover!

Sandy Hancock · 09-18-2014, 07:38 PM

Add me to the list. It is my most used event lens; in good light, bad light, with flash or without it, never lets me down: especially now its AF is hacked to screw-drive....

09-18-2014, 08:15 AM	#1
Joshua A Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 273	Who else loves the 16-50mm? I just wanted to throw some love to my amazing 16-50mm. I was going to sell it today for some cash, but after looking at how cositantly it amazes me, I don't think I will. Abosolutly amazing lens. Other than the SDM...

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09-18-2014, 08:27 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Put me down as a 16-50 lover, even with one SDM repair. It's my go to zoom for a lot of things - and I have lots of lenses to choose from as well. I've owned it since 2009.

09-18-2014, 08:32 AM	#3
owl Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 92	It is a very useful lens, but the flare is a problem for me and led me to the DA 15 Ltd. as a solution. It remains my standard, though I'm trying a walk around kit of DA 15 and FA 43 as a replacement. If rain is in the forecast, the 16-50 gets the nod. Great all around lens, no SDM problems for me. I'm very pleased with the image quality except for flare.

09-18-2014, 10:02 AM	#4
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	I'm a believer too. I love this lens. I purchased it used from Henry's of Canada for $600 and it came with a warranty which I used for the SDM replacement. It's sharp and has beautiful colors. I will never let it go.

09-18-2014, 10:13 AM	#5
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I had a DA*16-50 for 2 days and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately I had to send it back because the SDM didn't work correctly. But on the 2 days I had it, it was very sharp, very fun to use, and rendered things well. I would have gotten another, but then I realized I don't shoot a lot between 16-20mm, so I got another lens instead.

09-18-2014, 10:26 AM	#6
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Kind of a love / hate relationship for me. I actually dislike the lens for size and weight and general useability. But if I check Lightroom it is my most used lens with a high percentage of 'keepers'. Always delivers, I just hate using it. Would much rather have a 17-70 f/4 or similar if the IQ was the same but when I absolutely, positively need the shot, I put the 16-50 on.

09-18-2014, 12:05 PM	#7
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Still have mine after many years, two returns (to Pentax Canada) for a failing SDM and now a keeper (after a third time) since it has been "hacked" for screw drive. With the screw drive, albeit noisier but not that much, it focuses bang on every time! It always did and still does take great pictures.

09-18-2014, 12:06 PM	#8
Sholom Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 125	Originally posted by jatrax Kind of a love / hate relationship for me. I actually dislike the lens for size and weight and general useability. But if I check Lightroom it is my most used lens with a high percentage of 'keepers'. Always delivers, I just hate using it. Would much rather have a 17-70 f/4 or similar if the IQ was the same but when I absolutely, positively need the shot, I put the 16-50 on. Maybe it's just because the 16-50 was the first modern zoom I have used (mainly a prime shooter but previously had a Canon FD 80-200 on an A-1), but I was blown away by the quality of most of the images it makes. Yes flare can be a problem, especially at the shorter focal lengths—I always use the hood but having the sun in or very near the edge of an image can still be a problem, Mine is an older copy but so far (fingers crossed) no SDM issues.Excellent color rendering and very good sharpness stopped down beyond f/4 (even wide open is not too bad on my copy).

09-18-2014, 12:42 PM	#9
RossCo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 53	I have had mine for 4 years now and I have over 50,000 images that I have taken with it. It is a versatile lens and I have carried it to every state and province in Canada and the US. The size is not an issue because I know I will get great images with it.

09-18-2014, 01:04 PM	#10
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	It's an useful lens but I don't think I am in love with it. I tend to use my 18-135 more due to size and weight and that lens performs well in the mid range. But during low light situation when that f2.8 becomes useful, I find it handy but have to careful about its soft corners. I probably should spend more time with mine...

09-18-2014, 01:55 PM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I really like mine. It is a nice range and the fact that it goes to 16mm helps out. Distortion and flare are two things that I definitely watch for...

09-18-2014, 05:04 PM	#12
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Joshua A I was going to sell it today for some cash, but after looking at how cositantly it amazes me, I don't think I will So ... what are you going to do now? Did you yet read all of the replies here? JP

09-18-2014, 06:56 PM	#13
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Yes, I am a big fan of this lens. It has wonderful rendering. The only drawback for me has been its size but it's performance has been solid and reliable for almost 3000 pictures over more than two years. I am very sympathetic with your dilemma. Several times I have been on the verge of switching to a lighter system but have just not been able to complete the sale when I look closely at the wonderful DAs and limiteds I have, including the Da1650. If your finances allow it keep the 16-50 and sell something else.

09-18-2014, 07:10 PM	#14
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	I thought my 50-135 was my favourite lens, sharp, decently fast and very nice IQ. It was my little baby (zoom wise) and it is doing well against many primes. But then came the 16-50. I wasn't too sure about it because of mixed reviews, some saying the IQ was not up to par for its price... And the SDM My heart is torn apart now, the 50-135 is great but the 16-50 is pretty awesome. One thing is for sure, count me in as a 16-50mm Lover!

09-18-2014, 07:38 PM	#15
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Add me to the list. It is my most used event lens; in good light, bad light, with flash or without it, never lets me down: especially now its AF is hacked to screw-drive....