Questions from a DA 16-85 newbie

fwcetus · 10-31-2017, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by bdery

I wouldn't worry about this ["zoom feel" stiffness]. The weather sealing of the lens/camera combo, plus some internal friction in the lens, mean it is indeed somewhat stiff, but it works just fine nonetheless.

Understood, and I've pretty much gotten used to it (or at least gotten over fretting about it) by now. [It is indeed helpful to know that my lens is not unusual in this regard.]

Originally posted by bdery

Except if you have strong reasons to suspect a problem, I would not test for this [decentering]. No lens is perfect and you WILL find problems if you look for them, but that doesn't mean the lens is bad. Just that nothing is perfect.

I have not done extensive shooting with the lens just yet, but I cannot see any evidence of any noticeable decentering, so I am satisfied at this point.

fwcetus · 10-31-2017, 12:54 PM

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed comments to this thread -- I will finally just enjoy the lens instead of fretting about it -- I will get to love the lens for all of its qualities, all of its personality, including its quirks.

gm4life · 11-04-2017, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by fwcetus

Thanks for your comments.

The "zoom feel" on mine has changed a bit after some use, becoming less objectionable now. So, it is better, and it also helps to know that it might be "normal" or "par for the course". And, my lens does seem to be optically quite good, so it's likely to be a "keeper".

As for the hood, yes, I'm already used to it (helped out by the fact that the 16-85 is the only lens I've used lately) -- perhaps I was just too picky.

You aren’t being picky. When you spend that kind of money on the 16-85 I don’t consider it picky but rather expecting good quality equipment to live up to a high standard.

10-31-2017, 12:54 PM	#17
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286 Original Poster	Thanks !!! I would like to thank everyone who has contributed comments to this thread -- I will finally just enjoy the lens instead of fretting about it -- I will get to love the lens for all of its qualities, all of its personality, including its quirks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: DA 12-24, DA 35 , DA 40, DA 16-45, Sigma 18-250 - Only not sold -DA 16-45 now $150	TGaa	Sold Items	11	05-04-2016 04:50 PM
16-85 questions	J_Master_General	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	04-10-2016 11:03 PM
16-85 Questions / Opinions	Ctkmgator	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	02-03-2016 03:04 PM
DA 16-85 vs. DA* 16-50; which is a better travel lens?	Newtophotos	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	41	01-08-2016 08:32 AM
Keep DA 16-45 or Go for DA 16-85?	Biro	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	12-31-2015 08:44 PM

10-31-2017, 12:51 PM	#16
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286 Original Poster	Originally posted by bdery I wouldn't worry about this ["zoom feel" stiffness]. The weather sealing of the lens/camera combo, plus some internal friction in the lens, mean it is indeed somewhat stiff, but it works just fine nonetheless. Understood, and I've pretty much gotten used to it (or at least gotten over fretting about it) by now. [It is indeed helpful to know that my lens is not unusual in this regard.] Originally posted by bdery Except if you have strong reasons to suspect a problem, I would not test for this [decentering]. No lens is perfect and you WILL find problems if you look for them, but that doesn't mean the lens is bad. Just that nothing is perfect. I have not done extensive shooting with the lens just yet, but I cannot see any evidence of any noticeable decentering, so I am satisfied at this point.

11-04-2017, 07:46 PM	#18
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by fwcetus Thanks for your comments. The "zoom feel" on mine has changed a bit after some use, becoming less objectionable now. So, it is better, and it also helps to know that it might be "normal" or "par for the course". And, my lens does seem to be optically quite good, so it's likely to be a "keeper". As for the hood, yes, I'm already used to it (helped out by the fact that the 16-85 is the only lens I've used lately) -- perhaps I was just too picky. You aren’t being picky. When you spend that kind of money on the 16-85 I don’t consider it picky but rather expecting good quality equipment to live up to a high standard.