DA*16-50 Lens Filters - Normal or Slim?

LowVoltage · 07-10-2009, 08:25 PM

Greetings everyone,

I'm strongly considering purchasing the Pentax DA*16-50 lens, but I'm curious about possible vignetting with filters.

If anyone can tell me (positively) whether or not a slim profile filter is required with this lens? My plan is to immediately buy the lens with a UV filter, but I'd appreciate knowing if plunking down an extra fifty dollars on a filter is absolutely necessary! Of course, this would also help in a future purchase of a polarizer.

If, by some chance, someone can tell me definitively they do/do not use a slim filter on their 16-50, could that person also kindly tell me what brand filter they use? A cursory search only shows Hoya as making (quality) slim-profile UV filters, but I'm sure there are more out there.

Cheers!

heliphoto · 07-10-2009, 10:39 PM

I use mine with the Hoya Pro1D UV on it for protection, and haven't noticed any vignetting from the filter. This isn't the widest filter out there, but it's not a super-slim model either. Incidentally, if I were to buy these filters again, I'd look at the Kenko's which I believe are the same product as the Hoyas and are available for a good price at HVStar in Hong Kong (now MaxSaver.net I guess).

Most people here will tell you you're crazy to use a filter on expensive lenses - they believe it degrades image quality in a noticable way, but I think you'd be crazy not to use a filter to protect your investment - 'course I'm tough on gear and the protection on my DA* 16-50 has already paid off - I run UV filters on all my expensive lenses and have had no trouble even when shooting into the sun which I do commonly. However, I will caution you to be sure to buy a quality Multi-Coated filter, or you will indeed see negative effects from the filter (though probably not very much honestly).

LowVoltage · 07-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Thank you for the swift and detailed reply, Heliphoto!

To make a long story short, I'm not taking any risks with this lens; I'm going to protect it. While I might not leave it on when I actually make a photograph, I will certainly have it on during the setup.

I can appreciate that adding more facets to the lens change the characteristics of the image. However, I would prefer that as few things as possible come in contact with the actual glass of my lens, whether it be a finger print or an errant flying pebble!

07-10-2009, 08:25 PM	#1
LowVoltage Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	*DA16-50 Lens Filters - Normal or Slim?** Greetings everyone, I'm strongly considering purchasing the Pentax DA*16-50 lens, but I'm curious about possible vignetting with filters. If anyone can tell me (positively) whether or not a slim profile filter is required with this lens? My plan is to immediately buy the lens with a UV filter, but I'd appreciate knowing if plunking down an extra fifty dollars on a filter is absolutely necessary! Of course, this would also help in a future purchase of a polarizer. If, by some chance, someone can tell me definitively they do/do not use a slim filter on their 16-50, could that person also kindly tell me what brand filter they use? A cursory search only shows Hoya as making (quality) slim-profile UV filters, but I'm sure there are more out there. Cheers!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Perfect Normal Lens	Nerdold Nerdith	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	68	04-16-2010 08:49 AM
Looking for a f/2 or better normal lens (~28mm) - again.	Egg Salad	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	02-12-2010 04:58 PM
Normal Lens On LX Shoot-Out	DaddyLuna	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	0	04-17-2009 07:35 AM
Slim or normal B+W Kaesemann Polarizer with 16-50mm 2.8?	jfsavage	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	08-05-2008 01:09 PM

07-10-2009, 10:39 PM	#2
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	I use mine with the Hoya Pro1D UV on it for protection, and haven't noticed any vignetting from the filter. This isn't the widest filter out there, but it's not a super-slim model either. Incidentally, if I were to buy these filters again, I'd look at the Kenko's which I believe are the same product as the Hoyas and are available for a good price at HVStar in Hong Kong (now MaxSaver.net I guess). Most people here will tell you you're crazy to use a filter on expensive lenses - they believe it degrades image quality in a noticable way, but I think you'd be crazy not to use a filter to protect your investment - 'course I'm tough on gear and the protection on my DA* 16-50 has already paid off - I run UV filters on all my expensive lenses and have had no trouble even when shooting into the sun which I do commonly. However, I will caution you to be sure to buy a quality Multi-Coated filter, or you will indeed see negative effects from the filter (though probably not very much honestly).

07-10-2009, 11:02 PM	#3
LowVoltage Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 544 Original Poster	Thank you for the swift and detailed reply, Heliphoto! To make a long story short, I'm not taking any risks with this lens; I'm going to protect it. While I might not leave it on when I actually make a photograph, I will certainly have it on during the setup. I can appreciate that adding more facets to the lens change the characteristics of the image. However, I would prefer that as few things as possible come in contact with the actual glass of my lens, whether it be a finger print or an errant flying pebble!