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

JPT · 11-22-2014, 03:01 AM

Yodobashi's price includes 8% tax. Bic Camera is before tax. But in both cases you'd get 10% back in store points, so if you're happy with that, it works out about the same as Naniwa in the end.

LensBeginner · 11-22-2014, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by JPT

Yodobashi's price includes 8% tax. Bic Camera is before tax. But in both cases you'd get 10% back in store points, so if you're happy with that, it works out about the same as Naniwa in the end.

Duh! marketing!

Just like when I went to Japan, they refused to make me pay without taxes because I had a working visa, but they applied a 5% discount anyhow.
No amount of bargaining could make them change a dime of the final price.

Jantus · 11-22-2014, 04:23 AM

Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating.

reh321 · 11-22-2014, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by Jantus

Let's judge over other things than just sharpness.

Yeah, but we have become a people addicted to sharpness ... which is why I usually use the term "needle sharp" instead of "razor sharp" or "tack sharp"

LensBeginner · 11-22-2014, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Jantus

Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating.

IMHO contrast is much easier to bump than sharpness (at least without unpleasant side effects) when developing from RAW.
That's part of the reason why, I believe...

**luftfluss** · 11-22-2014, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Jantus

Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating.

But for "other things than just sharpness", the DA 18-135 seems to do very well. So if the new 16-85 isn't appreciably sharper - particularly on the edges - than the 18-135, then the 16-85 is a failure, IMO.

---------- Post added 11-22-14 at 01:55 PM ----------

Originally posted by reh321

Yeah, but we have become a people addicted to sharpness ... which is why I usually use the term "needle sharp" instead of "razor sharp" or "tack sharp"

Yes, its annoying that there are many folks with whom you cannot discuss lenses because the first thing they do is look at the measurements by DXO and Photozone.

Na Horuk · 11-22-2014, 12:17 PM

"I only buy lenses sharp enough to shave with!"

D1N0 · 11-22-2014, 12:34 PM - **2 Likes**

When you buy a sharp lens all your pictures will rock! They will be tack sharp and you will be satisfied that you are a good photographer.

Franc · 11-22-2014, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by D1N0

When you buy a sharp lens all your pictures will rock! They will be tack sharp and you will be satisfied that you are a good photographer.

and i will only buy a lens that has character. sharpness is overrated

Zygonyx · 11-22-2014, 01:11 PM

Yes, but if you want to stop general Pentax-bashing, you need the better sharpness ever...

robjmitchell · 11-22-2014, 02:13 PM

Any 16mm f8 shots with focused edges yet?
Can't really judge the edge sharpness for landscapes otherwise. That being said it would be nice if pentax would make a wide angle zoom with good edge sharpness stopped down.

kh1234567890 · 11-22-2014, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

Yes, but if you want to stop general Pentax-bashing, you need the better sharpness ever...

Since the only point of this lens is to compete with the other lot(s), it is interesting to see how good/bad those are.

https://pixelpeeper.com/lenses/?lens=13017
https://pixelpeeper.com/lenses/?lens=13192

JinDesu · 11-22-2014, 02:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by robjmitchell

Any 16mm f8 shots with focused edges yet?
Can't really judge the edge sharpness for landscapes otherwise. That being said it would be nice if pentax would make a wide angle zoom with good edge sharpness stopped down.

Wouldn't the DA 12-24 qualify? It's sharper than the DA 15.

**luftfluss** · 11-22-2014, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Wouldn't the DA 12-24 qualify? It's sharper than the DA 15.

First thing I thought of.

Also, according to Photozone, the 16-45 & 16-50 both do well.

Mistral75 · 11-22-2014, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

But for "other things than just sharpness", the DA 18-135 seems to do very well. So if the new 16-85 isn't appreciably sharper - particularly on the edges - than the 18-135, then the 16-85 is a failure, IMO.

(...).

Sharpness is not the alpha and the omega for a lens. One can also take advantage of less distortion, less lateral chromatic aberration, less astigmatism (for a more pleasant bokeh for instance), less coma in the corners and so on.

If only 'pure' sharpness mattered, the FA Limiteds would be considered as second-tier lenses, which they definitely aren't.

11-22-2014, 02:48 PM	#615
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by luftfluss But for "other things than just sharpness", the DA 18-135 seems to do very well. So if the new 16-85 isn't appreciably sharper - particularly on the edges - than the 18-135, then the 16-85 is a failure, IMO. (...). Sharpness is not the alpha and the omega for a lens. One can also take advantage of less distortion, less lateral chromatic aberration, less astigmatism (for a more pleasant bokeh for instance), less coma in the corners and so on. If only 'pure' sharpness mattered, the FA Limiteds would be considered as second-tier lenses, which they definitely aren't. Last edited by Mistral75; 11-22-2014 at 02:55 PM.

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11-22-2014, 03:01 AM	#601
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Yodobashi's price includes 8% tax. Bic Camera is before tax. But in both cases you'd get 10% back in store points, so if you're happy with that, it works out about the same as Naniwa in the end.

11-22-2014, 03:32 AM	#602
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by JPT Yodobashi's price includes 8% tax. Bic Camera is before tax. But in both cases you'd get 10% back in store points, so if you're happy with that, it works out about the same as Naniwa in the end. Duh! marketing! Just like when I went to Japan, they refused to make me pay without taxes because I had a working visa, but they applied a 5% discount anyhow. No amount of bargaining could make them change a dime of the final price.

11-22-2014, 04:23 AM	#603
Jantus New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 14	Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating.

11-22-2014, 08:29 AM	#604
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by Jantus Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Yeah, but we have become a people addicted to sharpness ... which is why I usually use the term "needle sharp" instead of "razor sharp" or "tack sharp"

11-22-2014, 08:42 AM	#605
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Jantus Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating. IMHO contrast is much easier to bump than sharpness (at least without unpleasant side effects) when developing from RAW. That's part of the reason why, I believe...

11-22-2014, 11:53 AM	#606
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Jantus Let's judge over other things than just sharpness. Contrast is an important part of the IQ as well. IMO the contrast seems pretty decent. Flaring seems to be nicely controlled as well, thanks to the HD-Coating. But for "other things than just sharpness", the DA 18-135 seems to do very well. So if the new 16-85 isn't appreciably sharper - particularly on the edges - than the 18-135, then the 16-85 is a failure, IMO. ---------- Post added 11-22-14 at 01:55 PM ---------- Originally posted by reh321 Yeah, but we have become a people addicted to sharpness ... which is why I usually use the term "needle sharp" instead of "razor sharp" or "tack sharp" Yes, its annoying that there are many folks with whom you cannot discuss lenses because the first thing they do is look at the measurements by DXO and Photozone.

11-22-2014, 12:17 PM	#607
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	"I only buy lenses sharp enough to shave with!"

11-22-2014, 12:34 PM - 2 Likes	#608
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	When you buy a sharp lens all your pictures will rock! They will be tack sharp and you will be satisfied that you are a good photographer.

11-22-2014, 01:00 PM	#609
Franc Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hoevelaken Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,212	Originally posted by D1N0 When you buy a sharp lens all your pictures will rock! They will be tack sharp and you will be satisfied that you are a good photographer. and i will only buy a lens that has character. sharpness is overrated

11-22-2014, 01:11 PM	#610
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Yes, but if you want to stop general Pentax-bashing, you need the better sharpness ever...

11-22-2014, 02:13 PM	#611
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	Any 16mm f8 shots with focused edges yet? Can't really judge the edge sharpness for landscapes otherwise. That being said it would be nice if pentax would make a wide angle zoom with good edge sharpness stopped down.

11-22-2014, 02:15 PM	#612
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Zygonyx Yes, but if you want to stop general Pentax-bashing, you need the better sharpness ever... Since the only point of this lens is to compete with the other lot(s), it is interesting to see how good/bad those are. https://pixelpeeper.com/lenses/?lens=13017 https://pixelpeeper.com/lenses/?lens=13192

11-22-2014, 02:19 PM - 1 Like	#613
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by robjmitchell Any 16mm f8 shots with focused edges yet? Can't really judge the edge sharpness for landscapes otherwise. That being said it would be nice if pentax would make a wide angle zoom with good edge sharpness stopped down. Wouldn't the DA 12-24 qualify? It's sharper than the DA 15.

11-22-2014, 02:26 PM	#614
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by JinDesu Wouldn't the DA 12-24 qualify? It's sharper than the DA 15. First thing I thought of. Also, according to Photozone, the 16-45 & 16-50 both do well.