is it 'safe' to buy a da* 16-50mm now?

m8o · 03-07-2009, 09:32 PM

Sigma, Tamron & Pentax all have great offerings in the focal range. The DA* has the others beat for weather sealing, SMC coating, & in carrying the Pentax name.

But I can't help but always come back to all those threads for "duds" people had gotten and shared with us here.

Has anyone went thru a few copies before they got one they're sticking with -- or gave up on -- lately? Or has everyone gotten a "good copy" right off the bat?

Please share.
-thanx-

rfortson · 03-07-2009, 09:42 PM

I've had one since December of 2007. First used it on a K10D and was completely underwhelmed. Easy to cause purple fringing, and I had to stop it down a good bit before I got consistent focus. However, when I got my K20D, I slowly noticed that problems didn't occur with the K20D, and now it's my main walk around lens.

EricT · 03-07-2009, 10:06 PM

I'm interested in this lens as well, simply because no other lens exist in this focal range with weather-sealing. I would love for Pentax to come up with a smaller and cheaper weather-sealed lens, but for now, that seems like a pipe dream.

You didn't mention SDM, which is another thing the 16-50 has going for it. Although it seems some people have problems with the micromotors failing...

frank · 03-07-2009, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by EricT

I'm interested in this lens as well, simply because no other lens exist in this focal range with weather-sealing. I would love for Pentax to come up with a smaller and cheaper weather-sealed lens, but for now, that seems like a pipe dream.

I know quite some guys use the kit lens or even 16-45 in light rain or dusty areas without any problem. The kit lens is really cheap, I don't mind using it in pouring rain if I have to

er1kksen · 03-07-2009, 11:16 PM

Only problem with that is that water can get in through the non-sealed lens into the camera if the rain is heavy.

EricT · 03-07-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by frank

I know quite some guys use the kit lens or even 16-45 in light rain or dusty areas without any problem. The kit lens is really cheap, I don't mind using it in pouring rain if I have to

Yeah, well, I'm not talking light drizzle here...and if I understand correctly, water may leak through the lens at the mount and then into the camera, so shooting in pouring rain is probably not a very good idea.
Also, there is something to be said about the peace of mind of a truly weather-sealed system.

03-07-2009, 09:32 PM	#1
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	*is it 'safe' to buy a da 16-50mm now?** Sigma, Tamron & Pentax all have great offerings in the focal range. The DA* has the others beat for weather sealing, SMC coating, & in carrying the Pentax name. But I can't help but always come back to all those threads for "duds" people had gotten and shared with us here. Has anyone went thru a few copies before they got one they're sticking with -- or gave up on -- lately? Or has everyone gotten a "good copy" right off the bat? Please share. -thanx-

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03-07-2009, 09:42 PM	#2
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	I've had one since December of 2007. First used it on a K10D and was completely underwhelmed. Easy to cause purple fringing, and I had to stop it down a good bit before I got consistent focus. However, when I got my K20D, I slowly noticed that problems didn't occur with the K20D, and now it's my main walk around lens.

03-07-2009, 10:06 PM	#3
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	I'm interested in this lens as well, simply because no other lens exist in this focal range with weather-sealing. I would love for Pentax to come up with a smaller and cheaper weather-sealed lens, but for now, that seems like a pipe dream. You didn't mention SDM, which is another thing the 16-50 has going for it. Although it seems some people have problems with the micromotors failing...

03-07-2009, 10:29 PM	#4
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by EricT I'm interested in this lens as well, simply because no other lens exist in this focal range with weather-sealing. I would love for Pentax to come up with a smaller and cheaper weather-sealed lens, but for now, that seems like a pipe dream. I know quite some guys use the kit lens or even 16-45 in light rain or dusty areas without any problem. The kit lens is really cheap, I don't mind using it in pouring rain if I have to

03-07-2009, 11:16 PM	#5
er1kksen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Forestville, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,801	Only problem with that is that water can get in through the non-sealed lens into the camera if the rain is heavy.

03-07-2009, 11:19 PM	#6
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	Originally posted by frank I know quite some guys use the kit lens or even 16-45 in light rain or dusty areas without any problem. The kit lens is really cheap, I don't mind using it in pouring rain if I have to Yeah, well, I'm not talking light drizzle here...and if I understand correctly, water may leak through the lens at the mount and then into the camera, so shooting in pouring rain is probably not a very good idea. Also, there is something to be said about the peace of mind of a truly weather-sealed system.

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