Any news on the DA* 16-85 zoom?

normhead · 03-08-2013, 06:19 AM

OK, so you have the 18-135, that is excellent in the low end, edge to edge, and excellent in the upper end for centre sharpness, but soft on the edges. and the 18-135 is water sealed.. , what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint.

SyncGuy · 03-08-2013, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by normhead

OK, so you have the 18-135, that is excellent in the low end, edge to edge, and excellent in the upper end for centre sharpness, but soft on the edges. and the 18-135 is water sealed.. , what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint.

My take would be it'll be a "remake" of the A35-105/3.5..
So yea, DA*20-70/3.5? Maybe lsightly diff in FL but apture should be constant f/3.5..

psychdoc · 03-08-2013, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by normhead

The only thing I know about the 17-85 is it's coming too late to save me from buying the Tamron 17-50 as a second walk around lens. That horse has left the barn

I bought the 17-50 instead of the 16-50 awhile back. I like the Tamron, its very sharp. However, when you have a WR camera, it would be nice to have a similar lens. A lens that would come closer to the 50-135 for IQ would be nicer. I wish Pentax would just make a WR 17-50 f2.8 lens instead, its probably easier to make.

LIJ · 03-08-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't?

I guess that is just the thing, it must have something that the 18-135 lacks, otherwise it doesn't make sense to make it. I guess it might be build quality, but thinking it must be something else as well to live up to the DA* designation. Probably aperture or optical quality.

It seems to me that this lens is not a direct replacement for the 16-50 since its very unlikly its a fixed 2.8. It would end up as something in between the 18-55, 18-135 and 16-50. My hope is for a f4 with the SDM and image quality issues of the 16-50 fixed.

yygomez · 03-08-2013, 09:20 AM

I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA*50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA* 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this rage for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic.

bdery · 03-08-2013, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by normhead

what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint.

Many reports suggest that the 18-135 is good enough, but none pretend that it is stellar. I think most reviews show that it's not really better than the 18-55 WR. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a lens better optically than that, as much as I like the WR kit.

philbaum · 03-09-2013, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by yygomez

I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA*50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA* 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this rage for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic.

Well said. I also own the 50-135 and love it. Never got convinced that the 16-50 was a good match for the 50-135, plus i wanted an overlap at the 50 end. I ended up with the Pentax 17-70 F4 which actually has a weather seal ring at the mount but nowhere else, for some reason. Also, the 17-70 F4 by most accounts is a bit soft at the 70 end.

Originally posted by bdery

Many reports suggest that the 18-135 is good enough, but none pretend that it is stellar. I think most reviews show that it's not really better than the 18-55 WR. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a lens better optically than that, as much as I like the WR kit.

The 18-135 is fine for a walk around weather sealed lens, but i will wait for something that's comparable to the 50-135 quality. so i agree with you. Nikon and Canon have good lens in this area - why shouldn't Pentax.

Anvh · 03-09-2013, 10:02 AM

Since it won't be a f/2.8 lens i won;t call it a good match with the DA*50-135 either but that's me.

Very curious what the aperture value will be, how good and the price of course...

yygomez · 03-18-2013, 02:11 PM

I wonder how the new Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Lens for Pentax will compare to the existing in terms of IQ

bdery · 03-19-2013, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by yygomez

I wonder how the new Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Lens for Pentax will compare to the existing in terms of IQ

Based on the previous two versions, we can assume the new Sigma will be an excellent all-around lens, reliable in most situations. Not quite up there with the best, but not far.

Waratah · 07-23-2013, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by yygomez

I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA*50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA* 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this range for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic.

Hear hear. I'll sign a petition. Would really enjoy same quality as 50-135, overlap 50-70ish, and the not change shape/internal zoom moving bits (sure there must be a technical term for that). The 18-135 just didn't do it for me.

krebsy75 · 07-23-2013, 06:20 AM

The 18-135 is weather resistant, not sealed.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-25-2013, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by LIJ

It seems to me that this lens is not a direct replacement for the 16-50 since its very unlikly its a fixed 2.8. .

One of the Pentax honchos (in Japan) said in an interview it could be considered as a replacement of the DA* 16-50....

Doundounba · 07-25-2013, 06:16 PM

Short of knowing exactly what it will be, I'd just really like to know when it will ship! The new C version of the Sigma 17-70 is supposedly improved in the 50-70 range, so I for one am pretty tempted to upgrade from my version 1 (17-70 F/2.8-4.5) for faster aperture, silent and quicker focus, better looks and better upper range. I'd be worried I might lose some corner sharpness in the 17-25mm range though, and that's where I do most of my (walkaround) shooting. The pre-announced Pentax 18-85ish lens is definitely something I'd like to consider, if it's significantly better than the Sigma and less than twice the price. I can wait for this lens 3-4 months, but not until 2015! Just when is the next big photo show where everyone makes big announcements, anyway?

northcoastgreg · 07-26-2013, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

One of the Pentax honchos (in Japan) said in an interview it could be considered as a replacement of the DA* 16-50....

I think what was meant is that photographers could use the ~16-85 instead of the 16-50, since they cover the same range. I doubt he was suggesting that the ~16-85 would replace the 16-50 in the DA lineup. As has already been noted, it's extremely unlikely that the ~16-85 will be an f2.8 zoom. A 16-85 f4 lens cannot entirely replace a 16-50 f2.8 lens.

Originally posted by Doundounba

I can wait for this lens 3-4 months, but not until 2015!

There's a pretty good chance that we'll see at least an announcement of this lens when Pentax announces/introduces the new (hopefully pro-level) flagship APS-C camera, probably before the end of this year.

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03-08-2013, 06:19 AM	#16
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	OK, so you have the 18-135, that is excellent in the low end, edge to edge, and excellent in the upper end for centre sharpness, but soft on the edges. and the 18-135 is water sealed.. , what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint.

03-08-2013, 06:31 AM	#17
SyncGuy Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 821	Originally posted by normhead OK, so you have the 18-135, that is excellent in the low end, edge to edge, and excellent in the upper end for centre sharpness, but soft on the edges. and the 18-135 is water sealed.. , what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint. My take would be it'll be a "remake" of the A35-105/3.5.. So yea, DA*20-70/3.5? Maybe lsightly diff in FL but apture should be constant f/3.5..

03-08-2013, 07:01 AM	#18
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	Originally posted by normhead The only thing I know about the 17-85 is it's coming too late to save me from buying the Tamron 17-50 as a second walk around lens. That horse has left the barn I bought the 17-50 instead of the 16-50 awhile back. I like the Tamron, its very sharp. However, when you have a WR camera, it would be nice to have a similar lens. A lens that would come closer to the 50-135 for IQ would be nicer. I wish Pentax would just make a WR 17-50 f2.8 lens instead, its probably easier to make.

03-08-2013, 09:05 AM	#19
LIJ Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 56 Original Poster	Quote: what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? I guess that is just the thing, it must have something that the 18-135 lacks, otherwise it doesn't make sense to make it. I guess it might be build quality, but thinking it must be something else as well to live up to the DA* designation. Probably aperture or optical quality. It seems to me that this lens is not a direct replacement for the 16-50 since its very unlikly its a fixed 2.8. It would end up as something in between the 18-55, 18-135 and 16-50. My hope is for a f4 with the SDM and image quality issues of the 16-50 fixed.

03-08-2013, 09:20 AM	#20
yygomez Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Surfside,FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 155	I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this rage for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic.

03-08-2013, 09:52 AM	#21
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by normhead what is it you think the 17-85 is going to have that the 18-135 doesn't? The only thing I can think of might be F 2.8. The chances of it being better optically are pretty faint. Many reports suggest that the 18-135 is good enough, but none pretend that it is stellar. I think most reviews show that it's not really better than the 18-55 WR. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a lens better optically than that, as much as I like the WR kit.

03-09-2013, 09:54 AM	#22
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by yygomez I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this rage for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic. Well said. I also own the 50-135 and love it. Never got convinced that the 16-50 was a good match for the 50-135, plus i wanted an overlap at the 50 end. I ended up with the Pentax 17-70 F4 which actually has a weather seal ring at the mount but nowhere else, for some reason. Also, the 17-70 F4 by most accounts is a bit soft at the 70 end. Originally posted by bdery Many reports suggest that the 18-135 is good enough, but none pretend that it is stellar. I think most reviews show that it's not really better than the 18-55 WR. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a lens better optically than that, as much as I like the WR kit. The 18-135 is fine for a walk around weather sealed lens, but i will wait for something that's comparable to the 50-135 quality. so i agree with you. Nikon and Canon have good lens in this area - why shouldn't Pentax.

03-09-2013, 10:02 AM	#23
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Since it won't be a f/2.8 lens i won;t call it a good match with the DA*50-135 either but that's me. Very curious what the aperture value will be, how good and the price of course...

03-18-2013, 02:11 PM	#24
yygomez Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Surfside,FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 155	I wonder how the new Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Lens for Pentax will compare to the existing in terms of IQ

03-19-2013, 05:02 AM	#25
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by yygomez I wonder how the new Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Lens for Pentax will compare to the existing in terms of IQ Based on the previous two versions, we can assume the new Sigma will be an excellent all-around lens, reliable in most situations. Not quite up there with the best, but not far.

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07-23-2013, 06:06 AM	#26
Waratah Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 81	Originally posted by yygomez I hope they do not sacrifice IQ, I own the DA50-135, and have been struggling to find the complement for the low range/All around, right now the options are The Sigma 17-50 2.8 with the best IQ but no weather sealing, and the DA 16-50 with the problems that we all know. It looks like that covering this range for APS-C with decent IQ is very problematic. Hear hear. I'll sign a petition. Would really enjoy same quality as 50-135, overlap 50-70ish, and the not change shape/internal zoom moving bits (sure there must be a technical term for that). The 18-135 just didn't do it for me.

07-23-2013, 06:20 AM	#27
krebsy75 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chester County, Pa. Posts: 804	The 18-135 is weather resistant, not sealed.

07-25-2013, 05:55 PM	#28
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by LIJ It seems to me that this lens is not a direct replacement for the 16-50 since its very unlikly its a fixed 2.8. . One of the Pentax honchos (in Japan) said in an interview it could be considered as a replacement of the DA* 16-50....

07-25-2013, 06:16 PM	#29
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Short of knowing exactly what it will be, I'd just really like to know when it will ship! The new C version of the Sigma 17-70 is supposedly improved in the 50-70 range, so I for one am pretty tempted to upgrade from my version 1 (17-70 F/2.8-4.5) for faster aperture, silent and quicker focus, better looks and better upper range. I'd be worried I might lose some corner sharpness in the 17-25mm range though, and that's where I do most of my (walkaround) shooting. The pre-announced Pentax 18-85ish lens is definitely something I'd like to consider, if it's significantly better than the Sigma and less than twice the price. I can wait for this lens 3-4 months, but not until 2015! Just when is the next big photo show where everyone makes big announcements, anyway?

07-26-2013, 08:45 AM	#30
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,168	Originally posted by Pål Jensen One of the Pentax honchos (in Japan) said in an interview it could be considered as a replacement of the DA* 16-50.... I think what was meant is that photographers could use the ~16-85 instead of the 16-50, since they cover the same range. I doubt he was suggesting that the ~16-85 would replace the 16-50 in the DA lineup. As has already been noted, it's extremely unlikely that the ~16-85 will be an f2.8 zoom. A 16-85 f4 lens cannot entirely replace a 16-50 f2.8 lens. Originally posted by Doundounba I can wait for this lens 3-4 months, but not until 2015! There's a pretty good chance that we'll see at least an announcement of this lens when Pentax announces/introduces the new (hopefully pro-level) flagship APS-C camera, probably before the end of this year.