Is the DA 16-50 Worth It?

Sandy Hancock · 09-28-2012, 07:27 AM

I like it too. Sadly, the SDM died last Sunday. When it is repaired it will once again become my workhorse for outdoor music festivals.

northcoastgreg · 09-28-2012, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

As a landscape lens, I truly believe this is an excellent lens

Having seen many images from this lens (I've never used it), that's my impression as well. This lens produces images with impressive microcontrast and outstanding color rendition, the two most important factors, in my experience, for producing color landscape images with that special "wow" factor that can lead to sales. The only thing that has kept me from purchasing a copy is the QC problems. If the reports out of Germany of a fix to the wretched focusing design could be verified and I could be certain of acquiring a fixed copy, I would buy the lens in a second.

sb in ak · 09-28-2012, 09:06 AM

Thanks all for the replies!

I am leaning pretty heavily toward the 16-50 at this point.

I examined some of the test photos from the recent Pentax-Sigma-Tamron shootout and found that I did at least prefer the Pentax in the center and edge shots at f/8 over the Sigma. Quite close though.

Sandy Hancock · 12-06-2012, 08:23 PM

For what it's worth, my DA*16-50 has returned with a new SDM at no cost to me. That is despite the fact I bought it second hand and the original warrantee is from the U.S.
Now I have two

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09-28-2012, 07:27 AM	#16
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I like it too. Sadly, the SDM died last Sunday. When it is repaired it will once again become my workhorse for outdoor music festivals.

09-28-2012, 08:15 AM	#17
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by Rondec As a landscape lens, I truly believe this is an excellent lens Having seen many images from this lens (I've never used it), that's my impression as well. This lens produces images with impressive microcontrast and outstanding color rendition, the two most important factors, in my experience, for producing color landscape images with that special "wow" factor that can lead to sales. The only thing that has kept me from purchasing a copy is the QC problems. If the reports out of Germany of a fix to the wretched focusing design could be verified and I could be certain of acquiring a fixed copy, I would buy the lens in a second.

09-28-2012, 09:06 AM	#18
sb in ak Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Omaha, NE Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 612 Original Poster	Thanks all for the replies! I am leaning pretty heavily toward the 16-50 at this point. I examined some of the test photos from the recent Pentax-Sigma-Tamron shootout and found that I did at least prefer the Pentax in the center and edge shots at f/8 over the Sigma. Quite close though.

12-06-2012, 08:23 PM	#19
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	For what it's worth, my DA*16-50 has returned with a new SDM at no cost to me. That is despite the fact I bought it second hand and the original warrantee is from the U.S. Now I have two