Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

jsherman999 · 11-29-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by heliphoto

Nothing of interest here really...

The "How many lenses do you own?" thread made me say, "How many lenses do I use?", and the answer was - far less than I own. So thinking that pentax glass and weather sealing sounded very appealing, I decided to sell off a good chunk of my quiver and get my first * lens. Went over the threshold last night and ordered one from Amazon...

Now would be a good time to encourage me that they really have worked out the bugs, and it's a worthy lens etc.

.

Here's a perfect test - have someone sit still about 3 feet from you and turn their face to about a 30-45 degree angle to you. At f/2.8 and 16mm, 24, 35 and 50mm, shoot the eye closest to you.

Eyelashes are nature's perfect focal test grid.

It's easier than setting up the paper test (if you have someone there,) and gives you an idea about how the lens works in real-life shots as well as if it's BF/FF-ing.

If you have the K20D, adjust focus a bit to taste.

That's it - should be able to determine if you have a good copy in 5 minutes. Then go out and have fun, that's a stellar lens!

heliphoto · 11-29-2008, 10:47 AM

Thanks Jay, I'll do that. What was the main problem with the two copies you sent back (ff/bf or decentering?... something else?), and why'd you sell the keeper? Covering that range with primes and the 12-24 now? BTW, how goes the Tamron travails? Did you get a good copy back and/or get the laked copy cleaned?

Wow, that's a lot of questions... good thing it's a weekend...

Votesh · 11-29-2008, 11:06 AM

It's a great lens. There's no doubt you'll enjoy it if you get a good copy.

nulla · 11-30-2008, 12:48 AM

My most used lens

It is still holding off my LBA on getting a limited prime in this range

You will love it if you get a good copy

Neil

nah · 11-30-2008, 02:33 AM

It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off.

Votesh · 11-30-2008, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by nah

It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off.

I was worried about it too, but a local shop had them in stock so I went and tested one out there, which turned out to be a good one. It was the demo, but I'm pretty sure the shop doesn't push Pentax so it looked pretty much unused. It was on an *ist D, so I take it probably hadn't been touched in months.

If you have the ability to do this you could surely get a good copy the first try. Mine came at an alright cost, and getting a good copy the first time was worth the extra few bucks I did pay as opposed to buying one online.

Furansu · 11-30-2008, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Votesh

It's a great lens. There's no doubt you'll enjoy it if you get a good copy.

Hi,
I intend to buy this lens the day I will buy my Pentax K20D body ; what kind of defect could it have ? Is it known to have a particular defect ? Will it be easy to detect for a beginner ?
Thanks.

**Marc Langille** · 11-30-2008, 07:16 AM

Josh,

Looking forward to the results! I am hoping I can get the DA* 16-50/2.8 in the new year. Right now I use my DA 12-24 a great deal and having everything fully weather sealed would be a boon during the rainy spring season. Same goes the the DA* 50-135 as a nice landscape lens. Of course, that means the DA* 300/4 to ensure I have the bases covered... crazy LBA justification... not.

Curious: has anyone confirmed the image circle on a 35mm SLR body for either lens (16-50 or 50-135) at the wide end? Obviously AV mode is only good if the body can control it.

Regards,
Marc

vievetrick · 11-30-2008, 07:21 AM

Congrats on the new toy. I hope you get a great copy and have happy shooting with it

**Ex Finn.** · 11-30-2008, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

Josh,

Looking forward to the results! I am hoping I can get the DA* 16-50/2.8 in the new year. Right now I use my DA 12-24 a great deal and having everything fully weather sealed would be a boon during the rainy spring season. Same goes the the DA* 50-135 as a nice landscape lens. Of course, that means the DA* 300/4 to ensure I have the bases covered... crazy LBA justification... not.

Curious: has anyone confirmed the image circle on a 35mm SLR body for either lens (16-50 or 50-135) at the wide end? Obviously AV mode is only good if the body can control it.

Regards,
Marc

Just looking thru viewfinder, i would say 16-50 is a no go

on 35mm.

Cheers. Mike.

PePe · 11-30-2008, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

Just looking thru viewfinder, i would say 16-50 is a no go

on 35mm.

Cheers. Mike.

That is true. The image circle is not big enought for FF,resulting in heavy vigneting. Or rather complete black-out in the corners.

Wulifou · 11-30-2008, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by nah

It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off.

I decided not to care too long nor too much about the bad experiences others had and bought DA* 16-50 earlier this month (knowing I could always return it in case of issues, it definitely helps to have an official Pentax reseller just around the corner ....)
I certainly do not regret it

It's amazing, and I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with yours.

Fl_Gulfer · 11-30-2008, 02:05 PM

I think I would have saved money and worry and gone with the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8... Oh yeah! I did.. After hearing all the stories about the 16-50 I deceided that it just wasn't worth the weather seal advantage. And it edged out the Pentax on IQ.
Good Luck with your copy

nah · 12-01-2008, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

I think I would have saved money and worry and gone with the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8... Oh yeah! I did.. After hearing all the stories about the 16-50 I deceided that it just wasn't worth the weather seal advantage. And it edged out the Pentax on IQ.
Good Luck with your copy

I have a 17-50mm myself and from what I've read, the Pentax is better in the IQ department.

Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 vs Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

I am intrigued by this review and may want to possiblity test this myself to see if this test is indeed true.

The overall factor for me in choosing the Tamron over the Pentax at the time was price, qc on the Pentax, and good results from users. After using the Tamron for a few months and getting some fairly good results, I still wonder if the Pentax can get me that little bit of extra IQ I'm looking for.

cucme · 12-02-2008, 10:02 PM

I am not sure whether this posting is appropriate here. (Please tell me then I will delete)

I just made a purchase at prodigital2000 in ebay for the above lens with the final expected cost (excluding s/h) of $395, by combining the MS Live CB 25%, 15% ebay coupon, and ebay credit card (I opened an account).

700 - (MS Live 25% of $700) - (ebay 15% of $700, max. $100) - (ebay card 15%, max. $30)

It could have been better if I was not bound to prodigital (to replace my previous order with this one) and used MS Live 30% cashback. The cashback was down to 25% today

. Even without the ebay coupon,

$645 (other vendor in ebay with buy now) - (MS Live 25% of $645) = $453.

can get this one (still too expensive?)...

Good luck!

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

11-30-2008, 01:15 PM	#1030
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Marc Langille Josh, Looking forward to the results! I am hoping I can get the DA* 16-50/2.8 in the new year. Right now I use my DA 12-24 a great deal and having everything fully weather sealed would be a boon during the rainy spring season. Same goes the the DA* 50-135 as a nice landscape lens. Of course, that means the DA* 300/4 to ensure I have the bases covered... crazy LBA justification... not. Curious: has anyone confirmed the image circle on a 35mm SLR body for either lens (16-50 or 50-135) at the wide end? Obviously AV mode is only good if the body can control it. Regards, Marc Just looking thru viewfinder, i would say 16-50 is a no go on 35mm. Cheers. Mike. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 12-29-2013 at 10:40 AM.

12-02-2008, 10:02 PM	#1035
cucme Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 8	*DA 16-50mm f2.8 with MS Live and ebay coupon** I am not sure whether this posting is appropriate here. (Please tell me then I will delete) I just made a purchase at prodigital2000 in ebay for the above lens with the final expected cost (excluding s/h) of $395, by combining the MS Live CB 25%, 15% ebay coupon, and ebay credit card (I opened an account). 700 - (MS Live 25% of $700) - (ebay 15% of $700, max. $100) - (ebay card 15%, max. $30) It could have been better if I was not bound to prodigital (to replace my previous order with this one) and used MS Live 30% cashback. The cashback was down to 25% today. Even without the ebay coupon, $645 (other vendor in ebay with buy now) - (MS Live 25% of $645) = $453. can get this one (still too expensive?)... Good luck!

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11-29-2008, 09:36 AM	#1021
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by heliphoto Nothing of interest here really... The "How many lenses do you own?" thread made me say, "How many lenses do I use?", and the answer was - far less than I own. So thinking that pentax glass and weather sealing sounded very appealing, I decided to sell off a good chunk of my quiver and get my first * lens. Went over the threshold last night and ordered one from Amazon... Now would be a good time to encourage me that they really have worked out the bugs, and it's a worthy lens etc. . Here's a perfect test - have someone sit still about 3 feet from you and turn their face to about a 30-45 degree angle to you. At f/2.8 and 16mm, 24, 35 and 50mm, shoot the eye closest to you. *Eyelashes are nature's perfect focal test grid.* It's easier than setting up the paper test (if you have someone there,) and gives you an idea about how the lens works in real-life shots as well as if it's BF/FF-ing. If you have the K20D, adjust focus a bit to taste. That's it - should be able to determine if you have a good copy in 5 minutes. Then go out and have fun, that's a stellar lens!

11-29-2008, 10:47 AM	#1022
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Thanks Jay, I'll do that. What was the main problem with the two copies you sent back (ff/bf or decentering?... something else?), and why'd you sell the keeper? Covering that range with primes and the 12-24 now? BTW, how goes the Tamron travails? Did you get a good copy back and/or get the laked copy cleaned? Wow, that's a lot of questions... good thing it's a weekend...

11-29-2008, 11:06 AM	#1023
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	It's a great lens. There's no doubt you'll enjoy it if you get a good copy.

11-30-2008, 12:48 AM	#1024
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	My most used lens It is still holding off my LBA on getting a limited prime in this range You will love it if you get a good copy Neil

11-30-2008, 02:33 AM	#1025
nah Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Westminster, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 282	It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off.

11-30-2008, 06:06 AM	#1026
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Originally posted by nah It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off. I was worried about it too, but a local shop had them in stock so I went and tested one out there, which turned out to be a good one. It was the demo, but I'm pretty sure the shop doesn't push Pentax so it looked pretty much unused. It was on an *ist D, so I take it probably hadn't been touched in months. If you have the ability to do this you could surely get a good copy the first try. Mine came at an alright cost, and getting a good copy the first time was worth the extra few bucks I did pay as opposed to buying one online.

11-30-2008, 06:48 AM	#1027
Furansu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 69	Originally posted by Votesh It's a great lens. There's no doubt you'll enjoy it if you get a good copy. Hi, I intend to buy this lens the day I will buy my Pentax K20D body ; what kind of defect could it have ? Is it known to have a particular defect ? Will it be easy to detect for a beginner ? Thanks.

11-30-2008, 07:16 AM	#1028
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Josh, Looking forward to the results! I am hoping I can get the DA* 16-50/2.8 in the new year. Right now I use my DA 12-24 a great deal and having everything fully weather sealed would be a boon during the rainy spring season. Same goes the the DA* 50-135 as a nice landscape lens. Of course, that means the DA* 300/4 to ensure I have the bases covered... crazy LBA justification... not. Curious: has anyone confirmed the image circle on a 35mm SLR body for either lens (16-50 or 50-135) at the wide end? Obviously AV mode is only good if the body can control it. Regards, Marc

11-30-2008, 07:21 AM	#1029
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	Congrats on the new toy. I hope you get a great copy and have happy shooting with it

11-30-2008, 01:47 PM	#1031
PePe Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 597	Originally posted by Ex Finn. Just looking thru viewfinder, i would say 16-50 is a no go on 35mm. Cheers. Mike. That is true. The image circle is not big enought for FF,resulting in heavy vigneting. Or rather complete black-out in the corners.

11-30-2008, 01:54 PM	#1032
Wulifou Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: France and Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 73	Originally posted by nah It's kinda funny in bad way that a lot of people say "if you get a good copy". It's one of the reasons why I think I've stayed away so far and why I probably wouldn't want to buy a used one, just in case someone is pawning off their bad copy to me. I would love the weather sealing and great optics, but the inconsistencies throw me off. I decided not to care too long nor too much about the bad experiences others had and bought DA* 16-50 earlier this month (knowing I could always return it in case of issues, it definitely helps to have an official Pentax reseller just around the corner ....) I certainly do not regret it It's amazing, and I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with yours.

11-30-2008, 02:05 PM	#1033
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	I think I would have saved money and worry and gone with the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8... Oh yeah! I did.. After hearing all the stories about the 16-50 I deceided that it just wasn't worth the weather seal advantage. And it edged out the Pentax on IQ. Good Luck with your copy

12-01-2008, 04:39 PM	#1034
nah Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Westminster, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 282	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer I think I would have saved money and worry and gone with the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8... Oh yeah! I did.. After hearing all the stories about the 16-50 I deceided that it just wasn't worth the weather seal advantage. And it edged out the Pentax on IQ. Good Luck with your copy I have a 17-50mm myself and from what I've read, the Pentax is better in the IQ department. Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 vs Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 I am intrigued by this review and may want to possiblity test this myself to see if this test is indeed true. The overall factor for me in choosing the Tamron over the Pentax at the time was price, qc on the Pentax, and good results from users. After using the Tamron for a few months and getting some fairly good results, I still wonder if the Pentax can get me that little bit of extra IQ I'm looking for.

Question for 16-50mm owners

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!