Just Released the 16-85mm

FantasticMrFox · 10-29-2014, 05:57 PM

HD coating, the DC motor, WR and, most importantly, 16 mm are all good features that make this lense very interesting, especially considering that the prices for Pentax products always drop quite quickly. The most important factor, however, is obviously image quality (sharpness etc.)

Considering it's not very fast, if this lense does not have better image quality than the 18-135, then I'd not be interested.

rawr · 10-29-2014, 05:57 PM

Compared to the 18-135 (both f3.5 - 5.6), it puzzles me why it's a 72mm filter diameter lens vs 62mm, and heavier (488g vs 405g). Min focus distance is about the same. WR, DC motor etc the same.

Optical construction of the 16-85 is a tad more complicated (16 elements in 12 groups for the 16-85 vs 13 elements in 11 groups for the 18-135), so I guess the extra weight is due to the extra glass - perhaps to improve the 18-135 optical performance - and to get that extra 2mm of wide.

Be very interested in the lenstip or other reviews to see how it goes.

Brooke Meyer · 10-29-2014, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by kchamber4

I just saw an email from Pentax announcing the HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR. I have a question for all of you experts. Why can't Pentax release this type of lens with a straight 3.5 or better yet a 2.8 instead of the variable aperture lens. I would love to have my old Access 28-70 with a full 28 through out in an AF and with HD lens coating. So what if it has 72mm front lens. I won't mind a little extra glass to get that constant 2.8.

Comments everyone!

The DA17-70/4 works well. Why not add the WR & HD part to that? Dinosaurs like me who live on manual exposure depend on constant aperture lenses.

starjedi · 10-29-2014, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by kchamber4

I just saw an email from Pentax announcing the HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR. I have a question for all of you experts. Why can't Pentax release this type of lens with a straight 3.5 or better yet a 2.8 instead of the variable aperture lens. I would love to have my old Access 28-70 with a full 28 through out in an AF and with HD lens coating. So what if it has 72mm front lens. I won't mind a little extra glass to get that constant 2.8.

Comments everyone!

No matter how low the price will be, I will not buy into... It has slow aperture and APS-C only... No way after I bought 18-135mm...

rrstuff · 10-29-2014, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

It is already 72mm so anything faster would be even bigger and more money. Though if i had a vote i would have preferred constant f/4.

But the 18-135 is also 3.5-5.6 and has only 62mm filter so can someone explain why this lens needs a 72mm filter for the same aperture and less focal length?

I must be missing something.

16mm vs 18mm will be one thing, and likely also less vignetting and better corner sharpness.

aleonx3 · 10-29-2014, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by starjedi

No matter how low the price will be, I will not buy into... It has slow aperture and APS-C only... No way after I bought 18-135mm...

Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only?

bullitt_60 · 10-29-2014, 07:05 PM

I haven't bought a lens in a couple of years and this would be perfect. For that price I need it to outperform the Sigma 17-70.

rrstuff · 10-29-2014, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only?

yes. Aps-c only.

yygomez · 10-29-2014, 07:13 PM

If IQ compares well within the same range (and aperture) with the Pentax DA*16-50 and the Sigma 17-50 it is a winner for me, if it is the same as the 18-135 i'll pass

I just want a lens on that range (16-70) with IQ as good as the DA* 50-135 even if it is F4

ahh, and with no SDM issues.

rawr · 10-29-2014, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by rrstuff

yes. Aps-c only.

On paper

It could be different under test. The new FF kit lens, perhaps ...
Someone should test it on a Sony A7.

freerider · 10-29-2014, 07:22 PM

It seems like this lens will fill the void left by the 16-45mm in that it's a kit lens upgrade that offers 16mm. The WR and DC motor are a bonus. If this lens provides better or equal IQ to the 18-135mm, it could be an excellent zoom compliment to an existing prime collection.

Alizarine · 10-29-2014, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only?

Every DA lens is presumed to be APS-C only unless otherwise some FF tests have been done...

Originally posted by Brooke Meyer

The DA17-70/4 works well. Why not add the WR & HD part to that?

the DC motor would also be a relief for the SDM-spooked. While my DA*50-135's motor hasn't failed me once, it's still better to know the better motor could come in more practical lenses

rrstuff · 10-29-2014, 08:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alizarine

Every DA lens is presumed to be APS-C only unless otherwise some FF tests have been done...

It's one of the basic rules we stand by - presumption of croppinnence.

ElJamoquio · 10-29-2014, 08:14 PM

I think it's fair to assume a zoom that's labeled as DA and starts at 16mm is an APS-C only lens.

Alizarine · 10-29-2014, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

I think it's fair to assume a zoom that's labeled as DA and starts at 16mm is an APS-C only lens.

True. 16mm on a 135/FF format ... that will be like really wide for a consumer "kit lens upgrade".

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10-29-2014, 05:57 PM	#16
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	HD coating, the DC motor, WR and, most importantly, 16 mm are all good features that make this lense very interesting, especially considering that the prices for Pentax products always drop quite quickly. The most important factor, however, is obviously image quality (sharpness etc.) Considering it's not very fast, if this lense does not have better image quality than the 18-135, then I'd not be interested.

10-29-2014, 05:57 PM	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Compared to the 18-135 (both f3.5 - 5.6), it puzzles me why it's a 72mm filter diameter lens vs 62mm, and heavier (488g vs 405g). Min focus distance is about the same. WR, DC motor etc the same. Optical construction of the 16-85 is a tad more complicated (16 elements in 12 groups for the 16-85 vs 13 elements in 11 groups for the 18-135), so I guess the extra weight is due to the extra glass - perhaps to improve the 18-135 optical performance - and to get that extra 2mm of wide. Be very interested in the lenstip or other reviews to see how it goes.

10-29-2014, 06:01 PM	#18
Brooke Meyer Guest	Originally posted by kchamber4 I just saw an email from Pentax announcing the HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR. I have a question for all of you experts. Why can't Pentax release this type of lens with a straight 3.5 or better yet a 2.8 instead of the variable aperture lens. I would love to have my old Access 28-70 with a full 28 through out in an AF and with HD lens coating. So what if it has 72mm front lens. I won't mind a little extra glass to get that constant 2.8. Comments everyone! The DA17-70/4 works well. Why not add the WR & HD part to that? Dinosaurs like me who live on manual exposure depend on constant aperture lenses.

10-29-2014, 06:14 PM	#19
starjedi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 932	Originally posted by kchamber4 I just saw an email from Pentax announcing the HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR. I have a question for all of you experts. Why can't Pentax release this type of lens with a straight 3.5 or better yet a 2.8 instead of the variable aperture lens. I would love to have my old Access 28-70 with a full 28 through out in an AF and with HD lens coating. So what if it has 72mm front lens. I won't mind a little extra glass to get that constant 2.8. Comments everyone! No matter how low the price will be, I will not buy into... It has slow aperture and APS-C only... No way after I bought 18-135mm...

10-29-2014, 06:45 PM	#20
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by jatrax It is already 72mm so anything faster would be even bigger and more money. Though if i had a vote i would have preferred constant f/4. But the 18-135 is also 3.5-5.6 and has only 62mm filter so can someone explain why this lens needs a 72mm filter for the same aperture and less focal length? I must be missing something. 16mm vs 18mm will be one thing, and likely also less vignetting and better corner sharpness.

10-29-2014, 06:59 PM	#21
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by starjedi No matter how low the price will be, I will not buy into... It has slow aperture and APS-C only... No way after I bought 18-135mm... Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only?

10-29-2014, 07:05 PM	#22
bullitt_60 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 320	I haven't bought a lens in a couple of years and this would be perfect. For that price I need it to outperform the Sigma 17-70.

10-29-2014, 07:08 PM	#23
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by aleonx3 Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only? yes. Aps-c only.

10-29-2014, 07:13 PM	#24
yygomez Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Surfside,FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 155	If IQ compares well within the same range (and aperture) with the Pentax DA16-50 and the Sigma 17-50 it is a winner for me, if it is the same as the 18-135 i'll pass I just want a lens on that range (16-70) with IQ as good as the DA 50-135 even if it is F4 ahh, and with no SDM issues.

10-29-2014, 07:15 PM	#25
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by rrstuff yes. Aps-c only. On paper It could be different under test. The new FF kit lens, perhaps ... Someone should test it on a Sony A7.

10-29-2014, 07:22 PM	#26
freerider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 299	It seems like this lens will fill the void left by the 16-45mm in that it's a kit lens upgrade that offers 16mm. The WR and DC motor are a bonus. If this lens provides better or equal IQ to the 18-135mm, it could be an excellent zoom compliment to an existing prime collection.

10-29-2014, 07:58 PM	#27
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by aleonx3 Sorry, didn't follow closely, has this been confirmed that this lens is for APS-C only? Every DA lens is presumed to be APS-C only unless otherwise some FF tests have been done... Originally posted by Brooke Meyer The DA17-70/4 works well. Why not add the WR & HD part to that? the DC motor would also be a relief for the SDM-spooked. While my DA*50-135's motor hasn't failed me once, it's still better to know the better motor could come in more practical lenses

10-29-2014, 08:05 PM - 1 Like	#28
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by Alizarine Every DA lens is presumed to be APS-C only unless otherwise some FF tests have been done... It's one of the basic rules we stand by - presumption of croppinnence.

10-29-2014, 08:14 PM	#29
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	I think it's fair to assume a zoom that's labeled as DA and starts at 16mm is an APS-C only lens.

10-29-2014, 08:18 PM	#30
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by ElJamoquio I think it's fair to assume a zoom that's labeled as DA and starts at 16mm is an APS-C only lens. True. 16mm on a 135/FF format ... that will be like really wide for a consumer "kit lens upgrade".