Question for 16-50mm owners

RBellavance · 03-13-2008, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by Geekybiker

I dunno. 20% difference on the wide end.... I guess it depends on what you need it for.

Sure, the Sigma 10-20 is wider, but its distortion at the wide end seems pretty severe (and not easily correctable to boot). The DA12-24's is better controlled (and basically non-existent at the tele end), it is sharper and has a constast f/4.0 aperture.

But as you say, it depends on what one wants to do with it. If 10mm is really needed, then there is only one choice. Otherwise, the 12-24mm is, IMHO, a much better buy (I better think so, since I chose it over the Sigma 10-20mm a couple of weeks ago

)

Last edited by RBellavance; 03-13-2008 at 02:26 PM.

Shashinki · 03-13-2008, 01:53 PM

Distortion and vignetting on the 10-20 is for me not tolerable. It's not as sharp as the 12-24, nor does it cope with the high resolution of the K20D and the build quality is not as good.

It's almost half the price of a 12-24 though.... If you have a Limited budget, and get a good copy of the lens it's another matter. It does offer a wider angle, and I am slightly exaggerating the difference. But hey, I'm a pentaxian right?

It's amazing how you can spend all your money on Pentax' Limited lenses. C&N photographers must be wealthy indeed to be able to purchase all non-Limited lenses.

benplaut · 03-13-2008, 07:46 PM

A limited budget means something different to a Pentax user (pentaxian? I refuse!)

It means having enough to own a DA21, FA31, FA43, and FA77

bymy141 · 03-19-2008, 11:42 AM

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/5114/lens-test-pentax-da-16-50mm-f28-sd...ons-page2.html

Reading this test, the results look pretty much Ok.
There is no mentioning of the famous (corner) sharpness/focus issues.
Either their copy was Ok, or their tests are not doing anything in that direction.

Have fun reading.

- Bert

sashae · 03-20-2008, 07:10 AM

Lens has been returned by Pentax and zooms smoothly end-to-end, and now seems to be autofocusing SIGNIFICANTLY quieter. Really noticeable. The repair note stated that focus was adjusted as well, and I will be testing the lens further but thus far I'm pleased.

Tbear · 03-25-2008, 03:00 PM

Maxington · 03-25-2008, 03:54 PM

Great photos, I think the DA* 16-50 colour/contrast is brilliant. By far my favourite lens to use, its rarely off my camera.

I hope the 60-250 is as good, without the QC issues

Tbear · 03-25-2008, 04:20 PM

Thank you, Maxington. I am thrilled with this lens, and I mean THIS lens. Worth the hassle of returning two lenses to Pentax to get this gem.

gawan · 03-25-2008, 04:32 PM

Superb shots Tbear! I can't wait till I get my 16-50 back from the repair!

16-50 really performs well, if you have a good copy!

**Eaglerapids** · 03-25-2008, 06:45 PM

Breathtaking photos, very nicely done:-).

vievetrick · 03-25-2008, 07:11 PM

WOW does not say enough. So WOW WOW, Great shots hope third time is a charm for you.

**rparmar** · 03-25-2008, 08:11 PM

I wish I had my Pentax when I was in Utah.

song_hm · 03-25-2008, 08:59 PM

Gorgeous shots TBear. Makes me want to give the 16-50 another shot.

NYpHoToGraphEr · 03-25-2008, 09:04 PM

Great Photos.
You have 3 DA* lenses?
Wow you must have the cash...

roentarre · 03-26-2008, 02:33 AM

Yes, great shots all around.

You just renewed my confidence in this lens and would definitely use it again for some trips down the track. The colour, IMHO, is way better than Da 14

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

03-19-2008, 11:42 AM	#529
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	*Latest PopPhoto test of the DA 16-50mm** http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/5114/lens-test-pentax-da-16-50mm-f28-sd...ons-page2.html Reading this test, the results look pretty much Ok. There is no mentioning of the famous (corner) sharpness/focus issues. Either their copy was Ok, or their tests are not doing anything in that direction. Have fun reading. - Bert

03-25-2008, 03:00 PM	#531
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	*A few samples from my 3rd DA 16-50mm** Last edited by Buddha Jones; 03-25-2008 at 04:16 PM.

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03-13-2008, 10:56 AM	#526
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Geekybiker I dunno. 20% difference on the wide end.... I guess it depends on what you need it for. Sure, the Sigma 10-20 is wider, but its distortion at the wide end seems pretty severe (and not easily correctable to boot). The DA12-24's is better controlled (and basically non-existent at the tele end), it is sharper and has a constast f/4.0 aperture. But as you say, it depends on what one wants to do with it. If 10mm is really needed, then there is only one choice. Otherwise, the 12-24mm is, IMHO, a much better buy (I better think so, since I chose it over the Sigma 10-20mm a couple of weeks ago ) Last edited by RBellavance; 03-13-2008 at 02:26 PM.

03-13-2008, 01:53 PM	#527
Shashinki Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 355	Distortion and vignetting on the 10-20 is for me not tolerable. It's not as sharp as the 12-24, nor does it cope with the high resolution of the K20D and the build quality is not as good. It's almost half the price of a 12-24 though.... If you have a Limited budget, and get a good copy of the lens it's another matter. It does offer a wider angle, and I am slightly exaggerating the difference. But hey, I'm a pentaxian right? It's amazing how you can spend all your money on Pentax' Limited lenses. C&N photographers must be wealthy indeed to be able to purchase all non-Limited lenses.

03-13-2008, 07:46 PM	#528
benplaut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NY Posts: 268	A limited budget means something different to a Pentax user (pentaxian? I refuse!) It means having enough to own a DA21, FA31, FA43, and FA77

03-20-2008, 07:10 AM	#530
sashae Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 33	Lens has been returned by Pentax and zooms smoothly end-to-end, and now seems to be autofocusing SIGNIFICANTLY quieter. Really noticeable. The repair note stated that focus was adjusted as well, and I will be testing the lens further but thus far I'm pleased.

03-25-2008, 03:54 PM	#532
Maxington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 255	Great photos, I think the DA* 16-50 colour/contrast is brilliant. By far my favourite lens to use, its rarely off my camera. I hope the 60-250 is as good, without the QC issues

03-25-2008, 04:20 PM	#533
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	Thank you, Maxington. I am thrilled with this lens, and I mean THIS lens. Worth the hassle of returning two lenses to Pentax to get this gem.

03-25-2008, 04:32 PM	#534
gawan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,400	Superb shots Tbear! I can't wait till I get my 16-50 back from the repair! 16-50 really performs well, if you have a good copy!

03-25-2008, 06:45 PM	#535
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	Breathtaking photos, very nicely done:-).

03-25-2008, 07:11 PM	#536
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	WOW does not say enough. So WOW WOW, Great shots hope third time is a charm for you.

03-25-2008, 08:11 PM	#537
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	I wish I had my Pentax when I was in Utah.

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03-25-2008, 08:59 PM	#538
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	Gorgeous shots TBear. Makes me want to give the 16-50 another shot.

03-25-2008, 09:04 PM	#539
NYpHoToGraphEr Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn,NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 329	Great Photos. You have 3 DA* lenses? Wow you must have the cash...

03-26-2008, 02:33 AM	#540
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Yes, great shots all around. You just renewed my confidence in this lens and would definitely use it again for some trips down the track. The colour, IMHO, is way better than Da 14