Verdict on latest revision of DA* 16-50 f2.8?

awaldram · 03-18-2014, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by Noam

Oh, yeah for a moment I forgot about that one.

The only problem is that this is not really an official statement, just a quick word from a local technician

A local technician who is not directly employed by Pentax!!

The same guy who said the same thing in 2010 ? , One wonders how many times Pentax allegedly updates the motor or if 15 minutes of fame makes people say anything.

**Rondec** · 03-18-2014, 08:02 AM

I have no reason to say that the SDM is fixed or not, except that the forum chatter about failures seems to have gotten less over time. That maybe is because of a fix, maybe it is because they are just selling fewer of these lenses, or maybe more folks are just converting them to screw drive.

As to the lens itself, it is a nice lens. Biggest faults are weakness at the very wide end (gets better stopped down) and tendency to flare (I think most zooms in this range zoom a fair amount compared to primes). Still, I have used it a lot over the last four or five years and it has been quite dependable and given my a lot of photos that I treasure.

Stagnant · 03-18-2014, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by Giklab

Which Ricoh rep is this? The Forums have a few bugs to report.

Tohru Kodama . Atleast that is the display name, and it is a part of the official e-mail address. I could ask him, if it is ok, to publish his contact information here. I highly doubt that he would object, but still.

Giklab · 03-18-2014, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by Stagnant

Tohru Kodama . Atleast that is the display name, and it is a part of the official e-mail address. I could ask him, if it is ok, to publish his contact information here. I highly doubt that he would object, but still.

That would be great, thanks.

Stagnant · 03-18-2014, 11:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Giklab

That would be great, thanks.

Message with a request sent. Considering my positive experience with this very representative, I really hope to get a positive answer.

cbope · 03-19-2014, 06:33 AM

DA* 16-50 ordered, hope to have it by Friday.

cali92rs · 03-19-2014, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by cbope

DA* 16-50 ordered, hope to have it by Friday.

It's a great lens. The range is extermely useful, most don't have a need to go any wider and it is built like a tank.
And if the SDM dies, you can alsways convert it to screwdrive and never have to worry about it again

**monochrome** · 03-19-2014, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by cali92rs

you can alsways convert it to screwdrive and never have to worry about it again

A good reason to keep a K10/K20

cali92rs · 03-19-2014, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

A good reason to keep a K10/K20

I bought a cheapo K100D (non-super) for the sole reason of converting my lens

Totally worth the price...especially if i want to someday buy a 50-135mm as well.

Lokusart · 03-19-2014, 07:17 AM

That lens seems very capable, but just like you, after reading those bad verdicts accusing it of unreliable, it makes anyone thinking twice. I would really like they fixed those problems with the da*16-50

cbope · 03-19-2014, 07:18 AM

I don't plan on converting mine, I want the silent focusing. Screw drive is too noisy. If the SDM dies after the warranty, I am more than likely to get it fixed rather than convert it, plus I don't have access to an older body for conversion.

DSims · 03-19-2014, 11:52 PM

Originally posted by cbope

I don't plan on converting mine, I want the silent focusing. Screw drive is too noisy. If the SDM dies after the warranty, I am more than likely to get it fixed rather than convert it, plus I don't have access to an older body for conversion.

In the meantime (between now and some potential future failure that may or may not ever come) you'll have a lens you can get good use out of!

Sandy Hancock · 03-20-2014, 12:50 AM

I love my DA*16-50. The handling, colours and IQ are great. The SDM failed, and I converted it to screw drive. For what it's worth, it is much quieter than my screw drive DA and FA limiteds, probably because of the materials used and the size of the lens.

Westoz · 03-21-2014, 03:38 AM

I purchased my DA*16-50 over two years ago from B&H I haven't had any issues with it and it has had a significant amount of use. I did the comparison thing with all the other similar lenses but in the end the weather sealing I thought was going to be handy. We spent a week in Orlando at all the Magic Kingdom parks and it rained two out 5 days and I was one of the few people at the park that didn't have to run inside and hide my camera. They ultimately turned out to be some of the best photos because there wasn't anyone else in the way.

8540tomg · 03-21-2014, 05:00 AM

I've had the DA*16-50/2.8 for about four years now. I've yet to have any issues SDM or otherwise with my copy. So far the only anxieties I have come from reading in threads like this one.

. The lens is expensive. I got mine ages before the price increase and thought is was expensive then. Other than the price my only concerns are I find there is more distortion at 16mm than I would like. It is also pretty heavy the lug around all day. That being said It is well built, weather sealed and produces some pretty fine images for me. I've not had any SDM issues to date but there is a cloud hanging over the lens on this point. I would be curious no know what percentage of these lenses have had SDM problems.

Tom G

03-21-2014, 05:00 AM	#30
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	I've had the DA16-50/2.8 for about four years now. I've yet to have any issues SDM or otherwise with my copy. So far the only anxieties I have come from reading in threads like this one.. The lens is expensive. I got mine ages before the price increase and thought is was expensive then. Other than the price my only concerns are I find there is more distortion at 16mm than I would like. It is also pretty heavy the lug around all day. That being said It is well built, weather sealed and produces some pretty fine images for me. I've not had any SDM issues to date but there is a cloud hanging over the lens on this point. I would be curious no know what percentage of these lenses have had SDM problems. Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 03-21-2014 at 05:01 AM. Reason: Typo*

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03-18-2014, 07:43 AM	#16
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by Noam Oh, yeah for a moment I forgot about that one. The only problem is that this is not really an official statement, just a quick word from a local technician A local technician who is not directly employed by Pentax!! The same guy who said the same thing in 2010 ? , One wonders how many times Pentax allegedly updates the motor or if 15 minutes of fame makes people say anything.

03-18-2014, 08:02 AM	#17
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	I have no reason to say that the SDM is fixed or not, except that the forum chatter about failures seems to have gotten less over time. That maybe is because of a fix, maybe it is because they are just selling fewer of these lenses, or maybe more folks are just converting them to screw drive. As to the lens itself, it is a nice lens. Biggest faults are weakness at the very wide end (gets better stopped down) and tendency to flare (I think most zooms in this range zoom a fair amount compared to primes). Still, I have used it a lot over the last four or five years and it has been quite dependable and given my a lot of photos that I treasure.

03-18-2014, 09:36 AM	#18
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	Originally posted by Giklab Which Ricoh rep is this? The Forums have a few bugs to report. Tohru Kodama . Atleast that is the display name, and it is a part of the official e-mail address. I could ask him, if it is ok, to publish his contact information here. I highly doubt that he would object, but still.

03-18-2014, 11:03 AM	#19
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by Stagnant Tohru Kodama . Atleast that is the display name, and it is a part of the official e-mail address. I could ask him, if it is ok, to publish his contact information here. I highly doubt that he would object, but still. That would be great, thanks.

03-18-2014, 11:39 AM - 1 Like	#20
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	Originally posted by Giklab That would be great, thanks. Message with a request sent. Considering my positive experience with this very representative, I really hope to get a positive answer.

03-19-2014, 06:33 AM	#21
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664 Original Poster	DA* 16-50 ordered, hope to have it by Friday.

03-19-2014, 06:35 AM	#22
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by cbope DA* 16-50 ordered, hope to have it by Friday. It's a great lens. The range is extermely useful, most don't have a need to go any wider and it is built like a tank. And if the SDM dies, you can alsways convert it to screwdrive and never have to worry about it again

03-19-2014, 06:54 AM	#23
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by cali92rs you can alsways convert it to screwdrive and never have to worry about it again A good reason to keep a K10/K20

03-19-2014, 06:59 AM	#24
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by monochrome A good reason to keep a K10/K20 I bought a cheapo K100D (non-super) for the sole reason of converting my lens Totally worth the price...especially if i want to someday buy a 50-135mm as well.

03-19-2014, 07:17 AM	#25
Lokusart Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Algarve Posts: 173	That lens seems very capable, but just like you, after reading those bad verdicts accusing it of unreliable, it makes anyone thinking twice. I would really like they fixed those problems with the da*16-50

03-19-2014, 07:18 AM	#26
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664 Original Poster	I don't plan on converting mine, I want the silent focusing. Screw drive is too noisy. If the SDM dies after the warranty, I am more than likely to get it fixed rather than convert it, plus I don't have access to an older body for conversion.

03-19-2014, 11:52 PM	#27
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by cbope I don't plan on converting mine, I want the silent focusing. Screw drive is too noisy. If the SDM dies after the warranty, I am more than likely to get it fixed rather than convert it, plus I don't have access to an older body for conversion. In the meantime (between now and some potential future failure that may or may not ever come) you'll have a lens you can get good use out of!

03-20-2014, 12:50 AM	#28
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	I love my DA*16-50. The handling, colours and IQ are great. The SDM failed, and I converted it to screw drive. For what it's worth, it is much quieter than my screw drive DA and FA limiteds, probably because of the materials used and the size of the lens.

03-21-2014, 03:38 AM	#29
Westoz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 470	I purchased my DA*16-50 over two years ago from B&H I haven't had any issues with it and it has had a significant amount of use. I did the comparison thing with all the other similar lenses but in the end the weather sealing I thought was going to be handy. We spent a week in Orlando at all the Magic Kingdom parks and it rained two out 5 days and I was one of the few people at the park that didn't have to run inside and hide my camera. They ultimately turned out to be some of the best photos because there wasn't anyone else in the way.