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drivel · 02-12-2008, 12:45 PM

Thanks for your help guys. I would have to ship the lens/camera to pentax. I'll try the focus test tomorrow as well.

wlachan · 02-12-2008, 12:50 PM

It's not a flat field lens and it will never look good on 2D target. If both sides are equally blurry or sharp, the lens should be good. Just use it for normal subjects and you will be a much happier man.

Alfisti · 02-12-2008, 08:22 PM

Which is EXACTLY why it's best to phptograph a newspaper!

Originally posted by Gooshin

the wall might not be fully parralel to the camera

the softness could simply be OOF depending on where you focused.

Tbear · 02-13-2008, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by drivel

You're right, but it's out of focus about equal amounts in each corner. I'll post some more at 16mm stopped down in a bit.

Here are some at 50mm f8

Whole image:

100 %Crops of

Center:

Top Right:

Bottom Right:

Top Left:

Bottom Left:

Thanks again!

Certainly appears that the left side images are not nearly as sharp as the right side images. This could of course be due to sensor not being parallel to the subject or due to centering defect. I found it helpful to compare my * lens to my kit lens at identical focal length/aperture combinations. My kit lens, which never had any problems, showed consistent sharpness across the newspaper, while my * lens showed obvious poor sharpness on left side of all images.

Ted

Buddha Jones · 02-13-2008, 10:24 PM

Are they safe to buy yet? I was thinking of getting the DA 14mm because it seems to produce nice images and is fast at f2.8 but for a little bit more I can get the DA* I think it might be worth it, that is if it is past the quality control issues.

and · 02-13-2008, 10:28 PM

I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good)

clawhammer · 02-13-2008, 11:02 PM

I agree with And- go to the store and 'try before you buy'.

rvannatta · 02-14-2008, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by and

I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good)

agreed--- there may be very few bad ones, but they keep getting recycled I suspect so a 100 folks have beenburned by the same 10 lenses.

ryan s · 02-14-2008, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by rvannatta

agreed--- there may be very few bad ones, but they keep getting recycled I suspect so a 100 folks have beenburned by the same 10 lenses.

Someone should start a database/thread of the serial #'s of bad copies so that if someone buys one they can check it against the known uglies...

Peter Zack · 02-14-2008, 02:53 AM

That's no a bad idea with the SN's

This is one lens, I'd never try to save a few buck with online. Some guy on Ebay just dumped one and before the end, I emailed him since he guaranteed the lens was fine. So his response was that his gear worked great but if there was a FF/BF issue he would not take it back under any circumstances. Sorry no deal!

Tbear · 02-14-2008, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by and

I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good)

I agree. If you have the luxury of trying out the DA* 16-50 hands-on before purchase, that is the way I would do it. Otherwise you are buying a $700+ lottery ticket.

Ted

fast50 · 02-14-2008, 05:50 AM

Is there a good easy test to try in store to see if it's a dud? I'm going to try one out this weekend if they have it in stock.

Buddha Jones · 02-14-2008, 07:17 AM

No store within 100 miles of here has any Pentax gear in stock, it sucks. Unless things have changed over the past few months. Maybe I will venture out today and see what I can find. If not, I have a plan B already in the works.

smokey · 02-14-2008, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

No store within 100 miles of here has any Pentax gear in stock, it sucks.

Same here. So I have to rely on online retailers and these forums.

But you guys are scaring me right now. Mine is 'out for delivery' at this moment. I hope it's a good one. Probably won't have time to try it out until this evening. Keeping fingers crossed.

blende8 · 02-14-2008, 08:39 AM

If I were in a store I would check if it is able to focus correctly at 16mm f2.8.
E.g. lay a catalog on the table, a pencil next to it and focus on the pencil.
Distance about 30 cm. Try to use daylight.
Check the small script on the catalog next to the pencil, if it is focussed accurately, or if there is back- or frontfocus.
Then repeat this at 50 mm.
If both are ok, the you probably got a good one.

View Poll Results: Is this DA*16-50mm good or bad?
Keep it -- it's good.	23	88.46%
Return it or send it in for repair.	3	11.54%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

02-13-2008, 10:24 PM	#395
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	*DA 16-50mm** Are they safe to buy yet? I was thinking of getting the DA 14mm because it seems to produce nice images and is fast at f2.8 but for a little bit more I can get the DA* I think it might be worth it, that is if it is past the quality control issues.

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02-12-2008, 12:45 PM	#391
drivel Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 65	Thanks for your help guys. I would have to ship the lens/camera to pentax. I'll try the focus test tomorrow as well.

02-12-2008, 12:50 PM	#392
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	It's not a flat field lens and it will never look good on 2D target. If both sides are equally blurry or sharp, the lens should be good. Just use it for normal subjects and you will be a much happier man.

02-12-2008, 08:22 PM	#393
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Which is EXACTLY why it's best to phptograph a newspaper! Originally posted by Gooshin the wall might not be fully parralel to the camera the softness could simply be OOF depending on where you focused.

02-13-2008, 07:48 AM	#394
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by drivel You're right, but it's out of focus about equal amounts in each corner. I'll post some more at 16mm stopped down in a bit. Here are some at 50mm f8 Whole image: 100 %Crops of Center: Top Right: Bottom Right: Top Left: Bottom Left: Thanks again! Certainly appears that the left side images are not nearly as sharp as the right side images. This could of course be due to sensor not being parallel to the subject or due to centering defect. I found it helpful to compare my * lens to my kit lens at identical focal length/aperture combinations. My kit lens, which never had any problems, showed consistent sharpness across the newspaper, while my * lens showed obvious poor sharpness on left side of all images. Ted

02-13-2008, 10:28 PM	#396
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good)

02-13-2008, 11:02 PM	#397
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	I agree with And- go to the store and 'try before you buy'.

02-14-2008, 12:11 AM	#398
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	Originally posted by and I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good) agreed--- there may be very few bad ones, but they keep getting recycled I suspect so a 100 folks have beenburned by the same 10 lenses.

02-14-2008, 12:19 AM	#399
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Originally posted by rvannatta agreed--- there may be very few bad ones, but they keep getting recycled I suspect so a 100 folks have beenburned by the same 10 lenses. Someone should start a database/thread of the serial #'s of bad copies so that if someone buys one they can check it against the known uglies...

02-14-2008, 02:53 AM	#400
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	That's no a bad idea with the SN's This is one lens, I'd never try to save a few buck with online. Some guy on Ebay just dumped one and before the end, I emailed him since he guaranteed the lens was fine. So his response was that his gear worked great but if there was a FF/BF issue he would not take it back under any circumstances. Sorry no deal!

02-14-2008, 05:48 AM	#401
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by and I would visit a store and test it thoroughly there... I dont think there is any guarantee that the copies out there are all good. I have seen some not very impressive shots from sub par copies of this lens and some very good ones from good copies (codiacs copy seems very good) I agree. If you have the luxury of trying out the DA* 16-50 hands-on before purchase, that is the way I would do it. Otherwise you are buying a $700+ lottery ticket. Ted

02-14-2008, 05:50 AM	#402
fast50 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 86	Is there a good easy test to try in store to see if it's a dud? I'm going to try one out this weekend if they have it in stock.

02-14-2008, 07:17 AM	#403
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	No store within 100 miles of here has any Pentax gear in stock, it sucks. Unless things have changed over the past few months. Maybe I will venture out today and see what I can find. If not, I have a plan B already in the works.

02-14-2008, 07:31 AM	#404
smokey Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salina, KS Posts: 92	Originally posted by Buddha Jones No store within 100 miles of here has any Pentax gear in stock, it sucks. Same here. So I have to rely on online retailers and these forums. But you guys are scaring me right now. Mine is 'out for delivery' at this moment. I hope it's a good one. Probably won't have time to try it out until this evening. Keeping fingers crossed.

02-14-2008, 08:39 AM	#405
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	If I were in a store I would check if it is able to focus correctly at 16mm f2.8. E.g. lay a catalog on the table, a pencil next to it and focus on the pencil. Distance about 30 cm. Try to use daylight. Check the small script on the catalog next to the pencil, if it is focussed accurately, or if there is back- or frontfocus. Then repeat this at 50 mm. If both are ok, the you probably got a good one.

Question for 16-50mm owners

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