HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR samples

Gray · 10-09-2015, 11:22 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

I had the opportunity to introduce this lens to the southern Cascades in Oregon:

Hi Greg

Are you planning a review of the DA 16-85? I hope so because your lens reviews on your website are very useful and interesting.

I visited the Pacific NW, the Bay Area, Arizona and Utah last year armed with a Sony RX100ii, my K-5II, DA 18-135, DA 15, FA 43 and 77 in one smallish sling bag. Sea, snow, trees, canyons, lakes and people - wonderful subject material.

I found the 18-135 was a perfect travel lens, especially in inclement weather -- and good enough for the kind of landscapes I shoot. But I've been toying with the idea that the 16-85 might be even better. You know how these things go...

At the risk of hijacking the thread, here are a couple of typical touristy, unposed 18-135 shots (18 mm & 60 mm both handheld at f/8.0, RAW, LR processed). I usually only use the 18-135 in the 100-135 mm range for people shots, not for landscapes. So perhaps the DA 16-85 might be redundant for me. I don't think you own the 18-135, but I'd be very interested in your thoughts on the 16-85 all the same.

Thanks
Gray

Sorry to hijack the thread but please note these images were taken using the DA 18-135, not the DA 16-85 -- see text above

northcoastgreg · 10-12-2015, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by Gray

Are you planning a review of the DA 16-85? I hope so because your lens reviews on your website are very useful and interesting.

Yes, I am planning on reviewing the DA 16-85. I just need a bit more experience with the lens.

Originally posted by Gray

I found the 18-135 was a perfect travel lens, especially in inclement weather -- and good enough for the kind of landscapes I shoot. But I've been toying with the idea that the 16-85 might be even better. You know how these things go...

I've never shot with the 18-135, so I'm not sure how much of an upgrade the 16-85 really would be. What the 16-85 gives you is very good edge to edge sharpness from at least 16mm to 50mm, with slight reduction of sharpness along the very far edges at the long end of the lens. Combine this with excellent lens contrast and good flare control for a zoom, the 16-85 is close to perfect for any photography that doesn't require fast apertures. The 18-135 seems more of a general purpose lens, covering a longer range than the 16-85, but involving a few more compromises (supposedly, the edge to edge sharpness on the 18-135 isn't all that stupendous at either the wide end or at much of the long end of the lens). So what's more important? Edge to edge sharpness throughout the entirety of the zoom range? Or longer range? Or wider range? The 18-135 never appealed to me because (1) it doesn't go wider than 18mm; (2) I rarely shoot in the 85 to 135 range; and (3) if I do shoot longer than 85mm, I want better edge to edge sharpness than what the 18-135 allegedly offers.

One thing to think about in terms of upgrading from the 18-135 to the 16-85: do you have anything longer than 85mm? Do you need anything longer than 85mm? To get something longer than 16-85 that provides the same level of quality, you'll have to get something big and expensive, like the DA 60-250. If you get something smaller and lighter (like the DA 50-200), don't expect it to be as good as the 16-85.

Gray · 10-12-2015, 09:15 PM

Thanks Greg, looking forward to your review.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 11-10-2015, 12:45 PM - **1 Like**

San diego skyline at night, from Point Loma. 30 second exposure.

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naldopr · 11-17-2015, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Lloyd_Christmas

Shot handheld with K-3 this past weekend at "Atlanta Warbird Weekend".
No post processing:

Verry Nice picture I'm looking to buy this lens

freerider · 11-29-2015, 01:01 AM - **1 Like**

Here are a few from my trip to Amsterdam this past September.

**hyyz** · 01-11-2016, 08:40 PM

I snapped one tonight, handheld under room light. First one is entire picture and second one is center in 100% size. It is sharp right from wide open.

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**dadipentak** · 01-13-2016, 03:35 PM

Got the lens for Xmas (Santa was very good to me ;~) and almost immediately took it to Cancun.

I'm very pleased with it--within the spec constraints, it's very good.

northcoastgreg · 01-17-2016, 10:35 AM

The 16-85 at Silver Falls State Park:

heatherslightbox · 02-28-2016, 06:22 PM - **2 Likes**

I'll add a couple to the bunch...

**Archimedes the Dog** · 03-28-2016, 08:22 AM - **2 Likes**

I use this lens a lot, still, though it has fallen short in some work for me. When it works, which is usually, it really works.

freerider · 04-09-2016, 01:38 PM

One from Istanbul...

Gray · 04-24-2019, 08:42 AM - **3 Likes**

I finally bought the DA 16-85. It makes a great all weather companion to my K-5II. Some examples taken in rain and mist:

Handheld 1/4" ISO 1100 f/6.7

**Archimedes the Dog** · 10-03-2019, 01:25 PM - **1 Like**

One more with this lens, shot with a K-5 in really low light and salvaged in Lightroom. Even though I had to bring the shadows up mightily, the lens really did its job in the dark. Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River, Minnesota, historic reenactor.

**K2 to K50** · 10-07-2019, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

The 16-85 at Silver Falls State Park:

Love both these shots, Greg. Do you know what focal length the second shot was taken at?

01-13-2016, 03:35 PM	#38
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Some shots from Cancun Got the lens for Xmas (Santa was very good to me ;~) and almost immediately took it to Cancun. I'm very pleased with it--within the spec constraints, it's very good.

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10-09-2015, 11:22 PM - 2 Likes	#31
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Originally posted by northcoastgreg I had the opportunity to introduce this lens to the southern Cascades in Oregon: Hi Greg Are you planning a review of the DA 16-85? I hope so because your lens reviews on your website are very useful and interesting. I visited the Pacific NW, the Bay Area, Arizona and Utah last year armed with a Sony RX100ii, my K-5II, DA 18-135, DA 15, FA 43 and 77 in one smallish sling bag. Sea, snow, trees, canyons, lakes and people - wonderful subject material. I found the 18-135 was a perfect travel lens, especially in inclement weather -- and good enough for the kind of landscapes I shoot. But I've been toying with the idea that the 16-85 might be even better. You know how these things go... At the risk of hijacking the thread, here are a couple of typical touristy, unposed 18-135 shots (18 mm & 60 mm both handheld at f/8.0, RAW, LR processed). I usually only use the 18-135 in the 100-135 mm range for people shots, not for landscapes. So perhaps the DA 16-85 might be redundant for me. I don't think you own the 18-135, but I'd be very interested in your thoughts on the 16-85 all the same. Thanks Gray Sorry to hijack the thread but please note these images were taken using the DA 18-135, not the DA 16-85 -- see text above

10-12-2015, 10:27 AM	#32
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,174	Originally posted by Gray Are you planning a review of the DA 16-85? I hope so because your lens reviews on your website are very useful and interesting. Yes, I am planning on reviewing the DA 16-85. I just need a bit more experience with the lens. Originally posted by Gray I found the 18-135 was a perfect travel lens, especially in inclement weather -- and good enough for the kind of landscapes I shoot. But I've been toying with the idea that the 16-85 might be even better. You know how these things go... I've never shot with the 18-135, so I'm not sure how much of an upgrade the 16-85 really would be. What the 16-85 gives you is very good edge to edge sharpness from at least 16mm to 50mm, with slight reduction of sharpness along the very far edges at the long end of the lens. Combine this with excellent lens contrast and good flare control for a zoom, the 16-85 is close to perfect for any photography that doesn't require fast apertures. The 18-135 seems more of a general purpose lens, covering a longer range than the 16-85, but involving a few more compromises (supposedly, the edge to edge sharpness on the 18-135 isn't all that stupendous at either the wide end or at much of the long end of the lens). So what's more important? Edge to edge sharpness throughout the entirety of the zoom range? Or longer range? Or wider range? The 18-135 never appealed to me because (1) it doesn't go wider than 18mm; (2) I rarely shoot in the 85 to 135 range; and (3) if I do shoot longer than 85mm, I want better edge to edge sharpness than what the 18-135 allegedly offers. One thing to think about in terms of upgrading from the 18-135 to the 16-85: do you have anything longer than 85mm? Do you need anything longer than 85mm? To get something longer than 16-85 that provides the same level of quality, you'll have to get something big and expensive, like the DA 60-250. If you get something smaller and lighter (like the DA 50-200), don't expect it to be as good as the 16-85.

10-12-2015, 09:15 PM	#33
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Thanks Greg, looking forward to your review.

11-17-2015, 03:29 PM	#35
naldopr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 163	Originally posted by Lloyd_Christmas Shot handheld with K-3 this past weekend at "Atlanta Warbird Weekend". No post processing: Verry Nice picture I'm looking to buy this lens

11-29-2015, 01:01 AM - 1 Like	#36
freerider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 299	Here are a few from my trip to Amsterdam this past September.

01-17-2016, 10:35 AM	#39
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,174	The 16-85 at Silver Falls State Park:

02-28-2016, 06:22 PM - 2 Likes	#40
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	I'll add a couple to the bunch...

04-09-2016, 01:38 PM	#42
freerider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 299	One from Istanbul...

04-24-2019, 08:42 AM - 3 Likes	#43
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	I finally bought the DA 16-85. It makes a great all weather companion to my K-5II. Some examples taken in rain and mist: Handheld 1/4" ISO 1100 f/6.7

10-03-2019, 01:25 PM - 1 Like	#44
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146	One more with this lens, shot with a K-5 in really low light and salvaged in Lightroom. Even though I had to bring the shadows up mightily, the lens really did its job in the dark. Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River, Minnesota, historic reenactor.

10-07-2019, 10:04 PM	#45
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,820	Originally posted by northcoastgreg The 16-85 at Silver Falls State Park: Love both these shots, Greg. Do you know what focal length the second shot was taken at?