[gkopeliadis]

I was some clicks away to buy the DA* 16-50 when I stumbled on this site
Test Pentax DA* 16-50 mm F2.8 AL ED IF SDM - Aberracja chromatyczna - Optyczne.pl
Anyone with this lens has a problem like this? Has anyone photographs under similar conditions? I’m very worried because this is a common situation to my photographing.

[Peter Zack]

I don't read whatever language this is but the lens in question is a Tokina so the tests don't apply to the Pentax. Purple Fringing hasn't been a complaint of this lens from anyone I recall. If you get a good copy, it's as sharp as a prime in many respects.

[gkopeliadis]

I don't read whatever language this is but the lens in question is a Tokina so the tests don't apply to the Pentax.

No! It's a Pentax DA* 16-50 mm F2.8 AL ED IF SDM
Tried the link just now!

Purple Fringing hasn't been a complaint of this lens from anyone I recall. If you get a good copy, it's as sharp as a prime in many respects.

That's the reason I desided to buy it! (but...)

[Fototim]

I don't read whatever language this is but the lens in question is a Tokina so the tests don't apply to the Pentax. ...

I think you may be jumping to conclusions here Peter. I don't know, because I can't read it. But what we see may simply be some referanse to the Tokina.

This said. I don't think OP has any reason to worry. I'm usng the 16-50. Haven't used it a lot yet, but have seen no indications that CA or Purlpe Fringe may be a problem.

So if you want the lens, just do it.

[Peter Zack]

That's odd. When I first clicked on the link, it clearly stated the Tokina. Now it says Pentax. I find it hard to believe a DA* would fringe like the examples posted. The worst pentax lens I ever owned (FA28-80) was better than that.

[gkopeliadis]

I'm usng the 16-50. Haven't used it a lot yet, but have seen no indications that CA or Purlpe Fringe may be a problem.

Could you take some photographs of that kind (dark trees on a bright sky at 16mm, f 2.8 ) on your convinience and post 100% crops here?

By the way it isn't purple fringing but Blue/Yellow CA.

[Tom S.]

When I clicked on the link, here's what I got:

Pentax DA* 16-50 mm F2.8 AL ED IF SDM
Arkadiusz Olech
5. Aberracja chromatyczna

Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 raziła potężną aberracją chromatyczną, szczególnie widoczną dla ogniskowej 16 mm. Zastosowanie dodatkowej soczewki niskodyspersyjnej w Pentaxie pozwalało mieć nadzieje, że sytuacja w tej kwestii ulegnie poprawie. Niestety wykonanie choćby kilku zdjęć na ogniskowej 16 mm pokazuje, że na nadziejach sprawa się kończy, bo w rogu kadru można uwiecznić na przykład coś takiego.

I can't read what ever language this is, but it looks like the title says one thing (Pentax) while the text says something else (Tokina).

Weird.

[gkopeliadis]

I can't read what ever language this is, but it looks like the title says one thing (Pentax) while the text says something else (Tokina).

It's Polish. An online translator gave me this:
"Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 raziła the powerful particularly visible chromatic aberration, for focal of 16 mm. The application of a additional lens niskodyspersyjnej in Pentaxie permitted to have hopes, that situation in this question will succumb to improvement. Unfortunately effect as much as several photographs on focal of 16 mm shows, that question is finished on the hopes, because in the horn kadru it is possible to immortalize for example something such."

Obviously it comments the fact that DA* 16-50 and 50-135 are co-designs with Tokina, Tokina making them for other than Pentax mounts. It comments that the same findings were present with Tokina's brothers for other mount. I confirmed that "reading" the Tokina counterpart test on the same site.

[Fototim]

Could you take some photographs of that kind (dark trees on a bright sky at 16mm, f 2.8 ) on your convinience and post 100% crops here?

By the way it isn't purple fringing but Blue/Yellow CA.

Imposible for me at the moment. I have trouble with Lightroom, so I dont have access to my files. Sorry.

But honestly. What do you expect from a zoom lens? Any lens can produse CA if you provoke it to the limit. I expect you would find some CA under the described conditions, if you pixel peep.
But is it relevant? Do you print at 100%?

[gkopeliadis]

Imposible for me at the moment. I have trouble with Lightroom, so I dont have access to my files. Sorry.

But honestly. What do you expect from a zoom lens?
But is it relevant? Do you print at 100%?

Yes, I do print 100% (some times more)

I expect much more than I get with my poor 18-55 kit lens. Never gave me something like this!

DA 18-55 @ 18mm F4

[Falcons]

Wow, you actually take photos and then crop 100% then actually print it - my hat goes off to you.

Not sure if it is relevant to you but on DPR there is reference to this site and it possibly being hacked. This was re a K20D review though. optyczne.pl: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

This is part of another thread started by a DPR reviewer (I think) stating that the K20D test is being delayed due to hot pixels being found on initial camera then also on the requested replacement.

I don't think the K20D is going to be that popular a camera.

[frank]

The DA*1650 is an excellent lens (if you get a matching copy to your camera), but it does have some CA problem when shoot wide open, especially at the wide end. Not a big deal for many users, but some users might not like that.

Here is a indoor testing sample I took last year w/ a friend's DA*1650 and my K10D camera (16mm, F2.8, 100% crop):



It gets alot better when stop down to F8:




I bought the lens about a month back, but haven't really used it yet. Some guy claimed the lens has much less or no CA problem on K20D camera, but not my experience though ...

[gkopeliadis]

Wow, you actually take photos and then crop 100% then actually print it - my hat goes off to you.

Not sure if it is relevant to you but on DPR there is reference to this site and it possibly being hacked. This was re a K20D review though. optyczne.pl: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

This is part of another thread started by a DPR reviewer (I think) stating that the K20D test is being delayed due to hot pixels being found on initial camera then also on the requested replacement.

I don't think the K20D is going to be that popular a camera.

My photos are printed in magazines at 204dpi. Believe me, that kind of CA (if true) is visible at 1:1 print!

And NO, I don't like conspiracy theories

[gkopeliadis]

The DA*1650 is an excellent lens (if you get a matching copy to your camera), but it does have some CA problem when shoot wide open, especially at the wide end. Not a big deal for many users, but some users might not like that....

I just asked one for a thorough try. I'll have it next week.
(... ocuppational benefits )

[Falcons]

Well I can't say i have taken a photo worth publishing in a magazine - particularly one that I would crop at 100% for a professional shoot.

But if I ever did I think I would take the effort to PP out the CA I know it is time consuming but if I was a Pro like you I would certainly take the time.