New DA*16-50/2.8 PLM arrived in my B&M store

Ishpuini · 07-30-2021, 09:31 AM - **9 Likes**

Just had word from my local B&M store that my pre-ordered DA*16-50/2.8 PLM has arrived and is waiting for me to be picked up. I'll be going there first thing tomorrow to collect it. First impressions to follow..

**jatrax** · 07-30-2021, 10:12 AM

Wow, that is a lot faster than I expected. look forward to hearing your report.

**c.a.m** · 07-30-2021, 10:16 AM

Camera Canada -- the largest Pentax retailer in Canada -- lists it as "In Stock" at CAD $1,799.

They are a B&M store in London, Ontario, and an online seller. They usually stock most Pentax gear.

- Craig

**Pentax Syntax** · 07-30-2021, 11:51 AM - **1 Like**

Too rich for my blood. Look forward to your report though so I can live vicariously.

**UncleVanya** · 07-30-2021, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

Just had word from my local B&M store that my pre-ordered DA*16-50/2.8 PLM has arrived and is waiting for me to be picked up. I'll be going there first thing tomorrow to collect it. First impressions to follow..

Do you have an existing sdm 16-50 for comparison?

**clickclick** · 07-30-2021, 06:13 PM

Exciting stuff. I'm hoping to see some nice deals of it bundled with the K-3 III at some point as a kit - helluva kit it would be.

Ishpuini · 07-30-2021, 11:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Do you have an existing sdm 16-50 for comparison?

Yes I do, although my copy is no longer in pristine shape and converted to screw drive. But I'll certainly look at both side to side.

First breakfast and then off to the store.

Ishpuini · 07-31-2021, 05:56 AM - **5 Likes**

First impressions straight out of the box are great. Judging from the back LCD, IQ improvement is confirmed compared to my SDM version. I'm not going to post images yet, as my few so far mediocre shots are perfectly in line with available on-line comparisons. Excellent corner sharpness at f/2.8 across the entire zoom range.

A few things that I hadn't noticed so far though:
- hood: the new model has a different hood that is not compatible: PH-RBN77 (the old one was PH-RBJ 77mm). It is slightly less wide and also a tad shorter. No more than 1mm on all sides, but it makes the PLM ever so slightly narrower in the bag. The new hood also feels slightly studier, but that might just be because it's new out of the box and the old one has suffered.
- extension to 50mm: it seems the new one extends slightly less (one barrel vs two on the SDM), barely one mm I would say.

But those are mere details compared with the 20mm length difference and the considerably fatter base.

- Zoom action on the PLM is slightly smoother, and I remember my SDM being even tighter out of the box than it is now.
- Focus ring is tighter, but my SDM has been converted to screw drive, so that might be a factor.
- Overall the lens build quality feels better, similar to the DA*11-18 as expected.
- Focus is very silent indeed, and very snappy. Note I've tested it on good light on the K-3III.

Will add to this once I take it out for some photography.

**c.a.m** · 07-31-2021, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

First breakfast and then off to the store.

What? A real Pentaxian would have skipped breakfast and headed directly to the store, perhaps with coffee in hand. Once there, pound on the door to be let in before opening time.

Originally posted by Ishpuini

Will add to this once I take it out for some photography.

Thanks for your initial assessment. Looking forward to your images.

- Craig

Paul the Sunman · 07-31-2021, 03:41 PM

So Canada gets it first! I wonder how that happened.

Ishpuini · 08-01-2021, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

So Canada gets it first! I wonder how that happened.

OP writing here. I'm actually in Belgium, in the heart of old Europe.

Sandy Hancock · 08-01-2021, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

OP writing here. I'm actually in Belgium, in the heart of old Europe.

Lucky you! Australian pre-orders are not expected until September.

torashi · 08-02-2021, 05:11 AM

You would think Australia being closer would get to buy them first.

sbc · 08-02-2021, 07:30 AM

I am still waiting here for a post from your new lens!

Ishpuini · 08-02-2021, 11:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sbc

I am still waiting here for a post from your new lens!

Sorry about that. I have a few images on the card in the camera, but haven't fired up my home PC yet. We've been working from home for over a year now, and my home office space is taken up by work stuff, which means I just don't get around to clearing up enough space for the image processing.

I have tested the lens at f/2.8 for close-up photography of some flowers in the garden, and came away impressed with the bokeh. It so nice, that I might forego packing a fixed focal length lens for that purpose in future. The lens is really good wide open, but I already wrote that.

I the news thread I also wrote that handling the lens on a non-gripped camera is surprisingly comfortable. Normally for such a large and heavy lens, using a grip would seem most practical, but the lens is just beefy enough to align nicely with the bottom of a gripless camera, and as such is can rest flat in the extended palm of a left hand. That makes it easy to hold in a balanced way without the weight of the grip.

One more thing is distortion. At 16mm the lens is not distortion free, as can be expected. There is some barrel distortion and a little bit of moustache too. Much less than in the old version though. I'm looking forward to a lens profile in Adobe Lightroom for this and to see the impact of this correction on corner resolution to evaluate the lens for architecture. I am optimistic about this though.

07-30-2021, 09:31 AM - 9 Likes	#1
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	*New DA16-50/2.8 PLM arrived in my B&M store** Just had word from my local B&M store that my pre-ordered DA*16-50/2.8 PLM has arrived and is waiting for me to be picked up. I'll be going there first thing tomorrow to collect it. First impressions to follow..

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New HD 16-50 F2.8 PLM pre-order in Shanghai, shipping start on 7/30	Yxkane	Pentax News and Rumors	13	07-31-2021 06:15 AM
HD 16-85 vs 55-300 PLM, DA* 50-135, M28/2 & M50/1.4 : IQ/Sharpness	azath	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	08-29-2018 01:38 AM
Other PLM lenses or updates with plm motor?	Pentigor	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	07-05-2016 11:00 AM
Shootout #2 - DA 15 Ltd / Tamron 17-50 @17 / DA* 16-50 @16 / Sigma 10-20 @16	EarlVonTapia	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	06-23-2013 10:17 PM
For Sale - Sold: [US] K7 Body & grip, K20 Body & grip, DA* 16-50 2.8, DA* 50-135 2.8, & more	andyschwartz	Sold Items	4	03-09-2010 10:23 PM

07-30-2021, 10:12 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Wow, that is a lot faster than I expected. look forward to hearing your report.

07-30-2021, 10:16 AM	#3
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,192	Camera Canada -- the largest Pentax retailer in Canada -- lists it as "In Stock" at CAD $1,799. They are a B&M store in London, Ontario, and an online seller. They usually stock most Pentax gear. - Craig

07-30-2021, 11:51 AM - 1 Like	#4
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Too rich for my blood. Look forward to your report though so I can live vicariously.

07-30-2021, 02:41 PM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by Ishpuini Just had word from my local B&M store that my pre-ordered DA*16-50/2.8 PLM has arrived and is waiting for me to be picked up. I'll be going there first thing tomorrow to collect it. First impressions to follow.. Do you have an existing sdm 16-50 for comparison?

07-30-2021, 06:13 PM	#6
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Exciting stuff. I'm hoping to see some nice deals of it bundled with the K-3 III at some point as a kit - helluva kit it would be.

07-30-2021, 11:55 PM - 1 Like	#7
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Do you have an existing sdm 16-50 for comparison? Yes I do, although my copy is no longer in pristine shape and converted to screw drive. But I'll certainly look at both side to side. First breakfast and then off to the store.

07-31-2021, 05:56 AM - 5 Likes	#8
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727 Original Poster	First impressions straight out of the box are great. Judging from the back LCD, IQ improvement is confirmed compared to my SDM version. I'm not going to post images yet, as my few so far mediocre shots are perfectly in line with available on-line comparisons. Excellent corner sharpness at f/2.8 across the entire zoom range. A few things that I hadn't noticed so far though: - hood: the new model has a different hood that is not compatible: PH-RBN77 (the old one was PH-RBJ 77mm). It is slightly less wide and also a tad shorter. No more than 1mm on all sides, but it makes the PLM ever so slightly narrower in the bag. The new hood also feels slightly studier, but that might just be because it's new out of the box and the old one has suffered. - extension to 50mm: it seems the new one extends slightly less (one barrel vs two on the SDM), barely one mm I would say. But those are mere details compared with the 20mm length difference and the considerably fatter base. - Zoom action on the PLM is slightly smoother, and I remember my SDM being even tighter out of the box than it is now. - Focus ring is tighter, but my SDM has been converted to screw drive, so that might be a factor. - Overall the lens build quality feels better, similar to the DA*11-18 as expected. - Focus is very silent indeed, and very snappy. Note I've tested it on good light on the K-3III. Will add to this once I take it out for some photography.

07-31-2021, 12:52 PM	#9
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,192	Originally posted by Ishpuini First breakfast and then off to the store. What? A real Pentaxian would have skipped breakfast and headed directly to the store, perhaps with coffee in hand. Once there, pound on the door to be let in before opening time. Originally posted by Ishpuini Will add to this once I take it out for some photography. Thanks for your initial assessment. Looking forward to your images. - Craig

07-31-2021, 03:41 PM	#10
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	So Canada gets it first! I wonder how that happened.

08-01-2021, 04:23 AM	#11
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman So Canada gets it first! I wonder how that happened. OP writing here. I'm actually in Belgium, in the heart of old Europe.

08-01-2021, 05:03 AM	#12
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Originally posted by Ishpuini OP writing here. I'm actually in Belgium, in the heart of old Europe. Lucky you! Australian pre-orders are not expected until September.

08-02-2021, 05:11 AM	#13
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	You would think Australia being closer would get to buy them first.

08-02-2021, 07:30 AM	#14
sbc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 357	I am still waiting here for a post from your new lens!

08-02-2021, 11:35 PM - 1 Like	#15
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727 Original Poster	Originally posted by sbc I am still waiting here for a post from your new lens! Sorry about that. I have a few images on the card in the camera, but haven't fired up my home PC yet. We've been working from home for over a year now, and my home office space is taken up by work stuff, which means I just don't get around to clearing up enough space for the image processing. I have tested the lens at f/2.8 for close-up photography of some flowers in the garden, and came away impressed with the bokeh. It so nice, that I might forego packing a fixed focal length lens for that purpose in future. The lens is really good wide open, but I already wrote that. I the news thread I also wrote that handling the lens on a non-gripped camera is surprisingly comfortable. Normally for such a large and heavy lens, using a grip would seem most practical, but the lens is just beefy enough to align nicely with the bottom of a gripless camera, and as such is can rest flat in the extended palm of a left hand. That makes it easy to hold in a balanced way without the weight of the grip. One more thing is distortion. At 16mm the lens is not distortion free, as can be expected. There is some barrel distortion and a little bit of moustache too. Much less than in the old version though. I'm looking forward to a lens profile in Adobe Lightroom for this and to see the impact of this correction on corner resolution to evaluate the lens for architecture. I am optimistic about this though.