My thoughts about DA* 16-50mm

sychen · 10-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Been reading a lot about peoples experiences with the DA* 16-50mm.
A lot of good.. a few bad... a few nightmares.

It just got me curious, I've been putting it off considering this lens.
I have a Tamron 28-75mm that I am very happy with.

However I've had this nagging issue with the focal length though... The Tamron is the widest lens I own besides the zenitar 16mm FE. Although a excellent lens its just not convenient to use as a regular wide angle on APS-C ... not just that its manual but its an fisheye. Although easy to correct with PT lens just adds some hassle to the workflow when shooting wide often.

For some reason the Sigma 18-50mm/ Tamron 17-50mm just didn't appeal to me at all. Not sure why...

The QC issues has been the breaker for me until now. Being in Australia.. the local prices are almost always much higher than BH/Adorama by a considerable margin.

With this lens having QC issues I wanted to try it and have a convenient return/fix option. So that means buying local.... which has been poor value until recently.

Dollar has dropped considerably against the $US and a couple of local retailers selling at $900. Shipping and rate conversion adds up to be a similar price and even better as the dollar drops further.

So I thought to myself I'll go down to the store try it out... if it is not a good copy.... I can return or refund it.

Took a risk on a lens with a early serial... as the later ones in the store were visibly worse.
First thing I did.. do the Brick wall test... or Concrete wall test.
OK no decentering issues... Phewww

Then I went to take photos..

To sum up my experience so far with this lens..... " WOW "

I am blown away by how this lens renders... colour, contrast, sharpness.....
Its not that my Tamron cannot produce images that are similar.. its just that it takes work in PP to get it to that level that comes straight out of the camera with the DA*

Just in camera LCD... I could see a visible difference to my other lenses.

On my K10D I expected FF/BF but nope... spot on.

Ok the AF is silent but no faster than screw drive.

AF seems to hunt much less in low light...no it won't focus on a blank wall in dim light but it just works with the right technique.
Vignetting and Sharpness visibly improves when stopped down.

So here are a few photos... Absolutely no PP done. Raw straight to jpeg with Lightroom.

43mm f2.8 ISO100

45mm f2.8 ISO100

100% crop

Same Flower same 100% crop at f5.6

50mm f11 ISO100

39mm f11 ISO100

16mm f11 ISO100

So my trusty Tamron.. is off the market soon...

I bet many people have been put off by the QC problems.... I guess in my case my luck held.. and gotten a winner.

Cheers

jsherman999 · 10-05-2008, 09:29 PM

.

Congrats, and awesome shots!!

Here's a wide-open snapshot from the 16-50:

**roentarre** · 10-05-2008, 09:37 PM

This lens is my travel zoom and I love it very much.

A gem to treasure and your images just prove that.

Da* 16-50mm f2.8 gallery

*nulla* · 10-05-2008, 11:23 PM

My Second Favourite zoom for IQ, but my most used Lens

Just love it

Neil

*Canada_Rockies* · 10-06-2008, 04:46 PM

I am also a huge fan of the DA* 16-50. I am forcing myself to leave another lens on the camera for default (50-135 this week) every week so that I don't end up with one of the most pricey point and shoots in the world, not that a point and shoot would give me the image quality of the 16-50.

kunik · 10-06-2008, 05:10 PM

gotta love that lens

16mm; F2.8; 1/4 (hand held)

*Canada_Rockies* · 10-06-2008, 11:50 PM

Nice shot, Chris!

sychen · 10-07-2008, 06:15 AM

Thanks for the nice comments guys.
Some great shots, been really enjoying this lens. Its just really easy to use.
I understand what Canada_rockies means by a giant Point and shoot if not careful.

Got to force myself to put on other lenses...

This will be a fantastic travel lens.

Roentarre great photos on your website, great examples on what this lens can do in the right hands in a variety of situations.

Cheers
Shang

**roentarre** · 10-07-2008, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Seriously, I could narrow down my lens collection just to this zoom

Da* 16-50 , Fa 77ltd, Fa 80-200mm and Voigtlander 125mm macro

This will cover all my needs. The rest is quite redundant.

I am starting to get rid of pentax gear and explore other brands

*k100d* · 10-07-2008, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by roentarre

I am starting to get rid of pentax gear and explore other brands

which one next? i know you have a bevy of L's that i lust after :P

TanGU · 10-10-2008, 10:30 AM

i know i am off topic, but can you tell me what filter did you put on your 16-50 and reply on my post here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...guys-have.html

thanks!

*Leaf Fan* · 10-10-2008, 10:35 AM

Since getting the DA*16-50 I have rarely taken it off my camera.

I was shooting night skyline the other day and just for a lark tried the kit 50-200 lens, the DA* is head and shoulders above for night shooting. Now I have to save up for a DA*50-135.

For crying out loud can someone stop this LBA........