My DA 16-50 is back from Japan, NOT

blende8 · 03-14-2008, 03:26 AM

In Dec. I sent my DA16-50 in for focus calibration.
Since Pentax Europe is unable to do this, the lens traveled to Japan.
So far no lenses came back from Japan at all.
After 3 months and nothing, Pentax Germany decided to give us new lenses.
Hearing this, I requested mine to be checked carefully before.
They did so.
I got it yesterday evening, could do only some preliminary tests, which look good so far.

The new lenses sent out now have quite varying serial numbers, e.g.
9015106
9018622
Since there are also reports of bad copies in this range (and the numbering is already up to 9021xxx) I would say that one cannot deduce anything from the S/N.

Well, what does this mean?
Has Pentax Japan so much to do that they are unable to calibrate a lens within 3 months?
Why is there no info or feedback?
Without investigation I would still wait.

svenphoto · 03-14-2008, 03:47 AM

Well Wieland, I am very curious how your new copy performs. especially what the major differences will be. I still have doubts about my copy, even after having it matched by pentax with my k10d (BF around 16mm disappeared after this!). Still i have the feeling my wide pictures look less sharp,en "clean" compared to my kit-lens. I want to know for sure once and for all, couse then i could either throw it back to them, or keep shooting until i drop.

Anyway, I will follow your thread closely.

Hope you got a good one this time, and i thinks it's great you are being honestly critical about this lens.
greetz
sven

svenphoto · 03-14-2008, 04:55 AM

well, just did the newspapertest compared to my kit-lens ,both on 18mm 3.5,sr off, tripod etc etc.

results were stunning....... could not read a word on the da* pics, the pics with the kit-lens are really a LOT better!!!!
and this after pentax having my lens tested and let me come al the way up to belgium to have it matched with my camera. really , what a joke!!!!
i am furious. no matter what others will say. this is really getting a show-stopper for me.. investing 700euro's to get something worse then a 60euro lens.................pppfffffffff
gimme a break.....

(ps.: sorry for the frustration......)

roscot · 03-14-2008, 05:12 AM

I don't blame you in the least. This is supposed to be Pentax's premium pro quality lens. There really is no excuse at all for this terrible QC.

svenphoto · 03-14-2008, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by roscot

I don't blame you in the least. This is supposed to be Pentax's premium pro quality lens. There really is no excuse at all for this terrible QC.

well thanks.

Just got back from the camerashop, i returned the lens and got my money back. (bought it dec.2007) so a very nice shop, good service, even though its a online shop aswell!!!!!

as for pentax.........well, I hope for all da* 16-50 owners they come up with something good, thats not too much to ask for.

*nostatic* · 03-14-2008, 11:42 AM

so far I am happy with my 16-45. I had a 16-50* with the K10d and ended up taking them both back. Now have K20d and the 16-45 and am favorably impressed. I think I'll get the 50-135* though...tried that at the shop and it seemed to be very sharp.

and · 03-14-2008, 12:07 PM

Maybe they would be better off making a v2 version of the 16-50, if they actually managed to fix all the qc issues, so that people wouldnt feel that buying one was such a big risk like it is with the current version.

desame.one · 03-14-2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by blende8

Since there are also reports of bad copies in this range (and the numbering is already up to 9021xxx) I would say that one cannot deduce anything from the S/N.

I agree.

I'm glad I only had to exchange mine once. If it's any consolation, once you receive a good copy of the lens...it definitely makes the hassle of going through the return and exchange process worth it. And at that point, I think the DA* 16-50 becomes one of those lenses you'll refuse to part with.

Cheers!

bigben91682 · 03-14-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by desame.one

I agree.

I'm glad I only had to exchange mine once. If it's any consolation, once you receive a good copy of the lens...it definitely makes the hassle of going through the return and exchange process worth it. And at that point, I think the DA* 16-50 becomes one of those lenses you'll refuse to part with.

Cheers!

That's good to hear because I am waiting on my second copy and starting to get disenchanted with this lens (after only one bad one!) I hope you right and the wait/hassle are worth it, because for a lense at this price point you should be able to pop it on the camera out of the box and have zero doubt about it capability, instead people are having to go through this mess....

sashae · 03-14-2008, 03:04 PM

My copy has just been shipped back from Pentax, I'm curious if i'm going to get the same lens in return or a new one...

desame.one · 03-14-2008, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by bigben91682

because for a lense at this price point you should be able to pop it on the camera out of the box and have zero doubt about it capability

It could be worse. Canon and Nikon glass cost a lot more. They have their fair share of problems as well. From what I have heard, Pentax is more consistent than the other two brands when it comes to rolling out gear that functions to spec. I had quite a few duds when I was still shooting with Canon gear.

Cheers!

Tom Lusk · 03-14-2008, 04:26 PM

"It could be worse."

How?

"Canon and Nikon glass cost a lot more."

Some of their lenses cost more, some cost less. Some are better quality, some are worse.

"They have their fair share of problems as well."

Maybe so, but I don't believe there has ever been a photographic product from any manufacturer that has had such a poor record. There is a possibility, that with future failures of the focussing mechanisms due to the rough finish inside the barrel and the defective plastic guide material that every 16-50 ever produced will fail. Those who have received "good" copies may not be so happy some time in the future.

"From what I have heard, Pentax is more consistent than the other two brands when it comes to rolling out gear that functions to spec."

Where/when did you hear that? Must have been before the 16-50 introduction.

On a related note - congratulations to Ben K. for publicly admitting his copy is defective. We have butted heads in the past, but I really respect the fact he did not just quietly return his lens for a replacement. A class move.

**roentarre** · 03-14-2008, 04:38 PM

With the backfocusing problem, I had been discouraged from shooting f2.8

Lately, I have gone back to using Da 14mm f2.8; it definitely focuses fast. Just annoying to use Da 14mm f2.8 in day light - the flare is just too much

attack11 · 03-14-2008, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by nostatic

so far I am happy with my 16-45. I had a 16-50* with the K10d and ended up taking them both back. Now have K20d and the 16-45 and am favorably impressed. I think I'll get the 50-135* though...tried that at the shop and it seemed to be very sharp.

just an fyi, the 16-45 is the same performance as the 18-55; costs more and has worse chromatic aberrations.

theedudenator · 03-14-2008, 05:01 PM

My first lens was a dud - no SDM focus.
My second lens seems ok, not really sure what to look for in faults?? Focus issues.

My serial is 90170XX