Pentax 16-45 review in Photography Monthly

ngkmh · 04-16-2007, 06:49 AM

Hi,

I was interested in buying this lens recently until I saw this review in Photography Monthly. There was a comparison of standard zoom lenses.

The Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC Macro came out top with a score of 91% and Pentax 16-45 was bottom with a score of 79%

I'm kinda of perplexed by this given that most users on this board has given the Pentax lens a glowing recommendation.

To be honest, I'm not sure I understand the Pentax review. Its mainly positive except for saying that there is noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end and that its slower than the others. The performance graphs were comparable to the Sigma's and seemed much better than the other lens.

Anyway I thought I's post this as I havent seen any 'official' reviews on the web for the Pentax 16-45, in case any UK members want to get a copy.

Cheers

Kevin

Dana G · 04-16-2007, 07:14 AM

The 16-45 is good enough for a number of professional shooters to use it. Reviews are interesting, but real-world use is more of a test.

Lazar · 04-16-2007, 07:27 AM

79% doesn't means the 16-45 is bad... it just means that the 18-50mm with 91% is very good according to them.
If the 18-50mm is as sharp (or almost) as the 16-45 and has good contrast, the fact that it has less distortion (according to that review) and a constant f2.8 aperture makes it better (but the 16-45mm is 2mm wider, and at the wide end those 2mm can be very important for some).

Btw, was the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 also tested? How did it perform?

ngkmh · 04-16-2007, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by Lazar

79% doesn't means the 16-45 is bad... it just means that the 18-50mm with 91% is very good according to them.
If the 18-50mm is as sharp (or almost) as the 16-45 and has good contrast, the fact that it has less distortion (according to that review) and a constant f2.8 aperture makes it better (but the 16-45mm is 2mm wider, and at the wide end those 2mm can be very important for some).

Btw, was the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 also tested? How did it perform?

Yes the Tamron was tested too. It came in joint second with the Nikon/Canon lenses.

Good points were CA was well controlled, ok resolution
Bad points Distortion at wide end and no sonic motor

The performance graph of the Tamron looks much worse than Pentax so its a mystery why it has a high score. The problem is that they don't mention what the graphs measure.

I dont believe the Tamron comes in a Pentax mount unless you've heard otherwise....

Lazar · 04-16-2007, 08:00 AM

No it doesn't... yet.
I think I red in a german (or maybe french) forum that a Pentax version was planned.

Anyway, I'm waiting for the DA* 16-50, should perfectly suit the K10D (SDM, weather-resistant...) and be better than all of those

Ardy · 04-16-2007, 12:35 PM

Hmm odd, I love this lens. I guess it all depends on what you like to shoot.

Christian · 04-16-2007, 02:26 PM

I read this review too. BUT it said that the Sigma had a motor (HSM)... unfortunately it doesn't... lazy review from a stale magazine I think... How could they get that wrong?

I think the only Sigma with HSM of that sort of range is the 30 1.4 HSM which I'd quite like to have.

04-16-2007, 06:49 AM	#1
ngkmh Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 41	Pentax 16-45 review in Photography Monthly Hi, I was interested in buying this lens recently until I saw this review in Photography Monthly. There was a comparison of standard zoom lenses. The Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC Macro came out top with a score of 91% and Pentax 16-45 was bottom with a score of 79% I'm kinda of perplexed by this given that most users on this board has given the Pentax lens a glowing recommendation. To be honest, I'm not sure I understand the Pentax review. Its mainly positive except for saying that there is noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end and that its slower than the others. The performance graphs were comparable to the Sigma's and seemed much better than the other lens. Anyway I thought I's post this as I havent seen any 'official' reviews on the web for the Pentax 16-45, in case any UK members want to get a copy. Cheers Kevin

04-16-2007, 07:27 AM	#3
Lazar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 126	79% doesn't means the 16-45 is bad... it just means that the 18-50mm with 91% is very good according to them. If the 18-50mm is as sharp (or almost) as the 16-45 and has good contrast, the fact that it has less distortion (according to that review) and a constant f2.8 aperture makes it better (but the 16-45mm is 2mm wider, and at the wide end those 2mm can be very important for some). Btw, was the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 also tested? How did it perform? Last edited by Lazar; 04-16-2007 at 07:33 AM.

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04-16-2007, 07:14 AM	#2
Dana G Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Masachusetts Posts: 243	The 16-45 is good enough for a number of professional shooters to use it. Reviews are interesting, but real-world use is more of a test.

04-16-2007, 07:57 AM	#4
ngkmh Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 41 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lazar 79% doesn't means the 16-45 is bad... it just means that the 18-50mm with 91% is very good according to them. If the 18-50mm is as sharp (or almost) as the 16-45 and has good contrast, the fact that it has less distortion (according to that review) and a constant f2.8 aperture makes it better (but the 16-45mm is 2mm wider, and at the wide end those 2mm can be very important for some). Btw, was the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 also tested? How did it perform? Yes the Tamron was tested too. It came in joint second with the Nikon/Canon lenses. Good points were CA was well controlled, ok resolution Bad points Distortion at wide end and no sonic motor The performance graph of the Tamron looks much worse than Pentax so its a mystery why it has a high score. The problem is that they don't mention what the graphs measure. I dont believe the Tamron comes in a Pentax mount unless you've heard otherwise....

04-16-2007, 08:00 AM	#5
Lazar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 126	No it doesn't... yet. I think I red in a german (or maybe french) forum that a Pentax version was planned. Anyway, I'm waiting for the DA* 16-50, should perfectly suit the K10D (SDM, weather-resistant...) and be better than all of those

04-16-2007, 12:35 PM	#6
Ardy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Marlbrough, NZ Photos: Gallery Posts: 11	Hmm odd, I love this lens. I guess it all depends on what you like to shoot.

04-16-2007, 02:26 PM	#7
Christian Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Islington, London UK Posts: 206	I read this review too. BUT it said that the Sigma had a motor (HSM)... unfortunately it doesn't... lazy review from a stale magazine I think... How could they get that wrong? I think the only Sigma with HSM of that sort of range is the 30 1.4 HSM which I'd quite like to have.