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robiles · 07-11-2016, 02:48 AM

Hy all,

i have stumbled uppon the lens mentioned in the title for sale for a more than reasonable price ( aprox 400$ with a make offer posibility) but the item is sold as spares or repair because the af is not functional, other than that it seems in perfect condition.

I know this lens is famous for its weak af motor, so my question is:

- i know it is possible to convert to screw drive but is it possible that the lens has other problem?

- is it hard or risky to convert to screw drive

- and lastly, what is a good price to offer for such a lens considering the risks

Thank you in advance for your help.

Apapukas · 07-11-2016, 02:59 AM

I'd say look for a better deal. You can find this lens with working motor in very good/like new condition for 300-500.

I found one for myself for 300 a month ago and I really like this lens.

Imp · 07-11-2016, 03:09 AM

I got a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 instead. As far as i've seen, people say the image quality of the 16-50 wide open isn't that great, so I wouldn't go for it unless you need the WR and the good looks

It can be had for around USD250 used.

robiles · 07-11-2016, 03:17 AM

I do not care that much about f2.8. I am more interested in wr because in Germany it rains a lot, and when not, it is cloudy and humid.

I saw what u guys in the U.S. pay for gems. Here everybody has internet and everything is a bit overapreciated, so we have to pay up for everything.

**Rondec** · 07-11-2016, 03:55 AM

The process for conversion to screw drive is not hard and if that is the only thing wrong with it, it may be worth it. I own a 16-50 and have been pretty happy with it. Biggest problems are weak borders at f2.8 and a tendency to flare. Otherwise, the colors are what you expect from a solid Pentax lens and it works well.

I think 350 would probably be reasonable considering you are taking a chance that a screw drive conversion isn't guaranteed to fix the lens.

Phenix · 07-11-2016, 04:26 AM

Keh had a few copies weeks ago. With 6 month warranty, ex to ex+ condition costs around 300-350 USD shipped.

MikeD · 07-11-2016, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by Imp

I got a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 instead. As far as i've seen, people say the image quality of the 16-50 wide open isn't that great, so I wouldn't go for it unless you need the WR and the good looks

It can be had for around USD250 used.

What IMP said.

Driline · 07-11-2016, 06:40 AM

It's worth $200 bucks broke if that. Walk away from that bad deal.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-11-2016, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by robiles

- i know it is possible to convert to screw drive but is it possible that the lens has other problem?
.

It has problem with flare.

robiles · 07-11-2016, 07:59 AM

Thank you all for the good feedback. i am going too pass on this one.

I am having a tough time deciding between what i want and what would be more convenient to use. so many variables. a lot of people say pentax has not enough lens choices but for me there are too many. I know a lot of you would say go down the da limited path, but that one is long and costly...

anyways, im not in a rush, i will decide at the next possibly good deal.

northcoastgreg · 07-11-2016, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by robiles

I do not care that much about f2.8. I am more interested in wr because in Germany it rains a lot, and when not, it is cloudy and humid.

The two best WR standard zoom choices for Pentax APS-C K-Mount are the DA* 16-50 and the DA 16-85. The DA 16-85 is a more recent offering, and as a result it's going to be harder to find good deals on that lens. But in terms of image quality, it's reputably very very close to the DA* 16-50, with longer zoom range and better flare control, but much slower in terms of aperture.

If either of those choices are too pricey, the next best WR choice is the DA 18-135.

cali92rs · 07-11-2016, 10:46 AM

If f2.8 isn't a concern for you, I highly recommend the newer 16-85mm. I loved that lens before I sold it (to raise funds for the K-1).
It pretty much trumps the 16-50mm in every regard other than aperture.

robiles · 07-11-2016, 11:27 PM

I see nobody is showing love for the 20-40 limited, is it that bad?

i also took that in consideration at one time, but from the reviews it seems a bit bipolar

cali92rs · 07-12-2016, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by robiles

I see nobody is showing love for the 20-40 limited, is it that bad?

i also took that in consideration at one time, but from the reviews it seems a bit bipolar

I had one for a little bit... It was ok, but I couldn't fall in love with it. To me it wasn't wide enough in the wide end nor long enough on the long end.
IQ was good, not stellar. And it is not a small lens for covering such a short range and being variable aperture.

07-11-2016, 02:48 AM	#1
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	*Pentax DA 16 50 worth it?** Hy all, i have stumbled uppon the lens mentioned in the title for sale for a more than reasonable price ( aprox 400$ with a make offer posibility) but the item is sold as spares or repair because the af is not functional, other than that it seems in perfect condition. I know this lens is famous for its weak af motor, so my question is: - i know it is possible to convert to screw drive but is it possible that the lens has other problem? - is it hard or risky to convert to screw drive - and lastly, what is a good price to offer for such a lens considering the risks Thank you in advance for your help.

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07-11-2016, 02:59 AM	#2
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	I'd say look for a better deal. You can find this lens with working motor in very good/like new condition for 300-500. I found one for myself for 300 a month ago and I really like this lens.

07-11-2016, 03:09 AM	#3
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	I got a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 instead. As far as i've seen, people say the image quality of the 16-50 wide open isn't that great, so I wouldn't go for it unless you need the WR and the good looks It can be had for around USD250 used.

07-11-2016, 03:17 AM	#4
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311 Original Poster	I do not care that much about f2.8. I am more interested in wr because in Germany it rains a lot, and when not, it is cloudy and humid. I saw what u guys in the U.S. pay for gems. Here everybody has internet and everything is a bit overapreciated, so we have to pay up for everything.

07-11-2016, 03:55 AM	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	The process for conversion to screw drive is not hard and if that is the only thing wrong with it, it may be worth it. I own a 16-50 and have been pretty happy with it. Biggest problems are weak borders at f2.8 and a tendency to flare. Otherwise, the colors are what you expect from a solid Pentax lens and it works well. I think 350 would probably be reasonable considering you are taking a chance that a screw drive conversion isn't guaranteed to fix the lens.

07-11-2016, 04:26 AM	#6
Phenix Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 47	Keh had a few copies weeks ago. With 6 month warranty, ex to ex+ condition costs around 300-350 USD shipped.

07-11-2016, 05:13 AM	#7
MikeD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: traverse city MI Posts: 346	Originally posted by Imp I got a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 instead. As far as i've seen, people say the image quality of the 16-50 wide open isn't that great, so I wouldn't go for it unless you need the WR and the good looks It can be had for around USD250 used. What IMP said.

07-11-2016, 06:40 AM	#8
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,706	It's worth $200 bucks broke if that. Walk away from that bad deal.

07-11-2016, 07:12 AM	#9
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by robiles - i know it is possible to convert to screw drive but is it possible that the lens has other problem? . It has problem with flare.

07-11-2016, 07:59 AM	#10
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311 Original Poster	Thank you all for the good feedback. i am going too pass on this one. I am having a tough time deciding between what i want and what would be more convenient to use. so many variables. a lot of people say pentax has not enough lens choices but for me there are too many. I know a lot of you would say go down the da limited path, but that one is long and costly... anyways, im not in a rush, i will decide at the next possibly good deal.

07-11-2016, 08:23 AM	#11
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,176	Originally posted by robiles I do not care that much about f2.8. I am more interested in wr because in Germany it rains a lot, and when not, it is cloudy and humid. The two best WR standard zoom choices for Pentax APS-C K-Mount are the DA* 16-50 and the DA 16-85. The DA 16-85 is a more recent offering, and as a result it's going to be harder to find good deals on that lens. But in terms of image quality, it's reputably very very close to the DA* 16-50, with longer zoom range and better flare control, but much slower in terms of aperture. If either of those choices are too pricey, the next best WR choice is the DA 18-135.

07-11-2016, 10:46 AM	#12
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	If f2.8 isn't a concern for you, I highly recommend the newer 16-85mm. I loved that lens before I sold it (to raise funds for the K-1). It pretty much trumps the 16-50mm in every regard other than aperture.

07-11-2016, 11:27 PM	#13
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311 Original Poster	I see nobody is showing love for the 20-40 limited, is it that bad? i also took that in consideration at one time, but from the reviews it seems a bit bipolar

07-12-2016, 09:26 AM	#14
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by robiles I see nobody is showing love for the 20-40 limited, is it that bad? i also took that in consideration at one time, but from the reviews it seems a bit bipolar I had one for a little bit... It was ok, but I couldn't fall in love with it. To me it wasn't wide enough in the wide end nor long enough on the long end. IQ was good, not stellar. And it is not a small lens for covering such a short range and being variable aperture.

Pentax DA* 16 50 worth it?

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