"Best in Class" for 16-50mm?

FHPhotographer · 01-22-2010, 12:39 AM

Just saw the Feb Popular Photography Guide...Tested Zooms and the 16-50 was named "Best in Class" although it's a bit unclear what the "classes" are
Brian

Damn Brit · 01-22-2010, 12:48 AM

This qualifies as Pentax news.

KungPOW · 01-22-2010, 01:00 AM

What class...

Disposable lenses maybe?

**Rondec** · 01-22-2010, 05:00 AM

It is in the quick take version of their lens guide on page 89 (here). The "stand out spec" is its "last forever construction." Interesting. I wonder if they have ever seen the pyramids?

PentaxPoke · 01-22-2010, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

It is in the quick take version of their lens guide on page 89 (here). The "stand out spec" is its "last forever construction." Interesting. I wonder if they have ever seen the pyramids?

Funny how lens reviewers can say "last forever construction" when they use the lens for what, 10 minutes?

Maybe to them "forever" means "to the end of the warranty."

**SA Photo** · 01-22-2010, 10:50 AM

My copy of the 16-50 has been a great lens. I got it when they first came out and I keep it on my K20 75% of the time. It's very sharp and has been trouble free so far. I did get the zoom locked up once trying to get the hood off but was able to fix it myself.

Andrew Faires · 01-22-2010, 11:06 AM

While I can appreciate that a lot of users here and at the other forum have had their problems with this lens, I've personally had nothing but good experiences with it. It's taken over 2 years of abuse and continues to perform wonderfully. My only gripes are zoom-creep and that d@mn polarizer access thing on the lens-hood (which is currently residing somewhere in or around Algonquin PP - many miles away from the rest of the lens/hood).

esman7 · 01-22-2010, 12:18 PM

I was well aware of all the issues with the 16-50mm DA*, but the excellent results and reviews from satisfied users of the lens are what prompted me to buy it.

I've had it for almost a month and love the results. Sure they may be some issues, but the glass will remain the same and the results have been stellar.

**Ash** · 01-22-2010, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

This qualifies as Pentax news.

Not very accurate news, though.

From their review: Pentax Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 SDM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips, they say: "owners of the K10D and K20D -- and Pentax legacy DSLR shooters who plan to upgrade to newer bodies -- may want to invest in this new zoom for its silky new SDM-driven autofocusing and its clearly superior, last-forever build."

PrimeObjectif · 01-22-2010, 12:52 PM

I'm just going to whistle and look away on this one.

Actually, when I don't have to worry about AF in low light, I'm very happy with my 16-50, but I've only had it since May and not since "forever."

RBellavance · 01-22-2010, 01:35 PM

Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a *Pentax-dedicated* forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials...

PentaxPoke · 01-22-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a *Pentax-dedicated* forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials...

You make an excellent point. Most people are here because they are Pentax enthusiasts at least at some level.

Damn Brit · 01-22-2010, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Not very accurate news, though.

From their review: Pentax Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 SDM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips, they say: "owners of the K10D and K20D -- and Pentax legacy DSLR shooters who plan to upgrade to newer bodies -- may want to invest in this new zoom for its silky new SDM-driven autofocusing and its clearly superior, last-forever build."

Even more reason for it to be in News and Rumours.

Blue · 01-22-2010, 02:30 PM

I have avoided this lens due to the focusing issues as well as the SDM issues. As a matter of fact, the only SDM lens I have is the DA* 300 and I bought an extra warranty for it due to the SDM concern.

Oggy · 01-22-2010, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a *Pentax-dedicated* forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials...

Sorry, but you should know by now that if you have an SDM lens, it will kill you - all mine have killed me.

If you know anyone with an SDM len it will kill you and your family. All my friends are dead because of mine.

If anyone on the same continent as you has an SDM well---

01-22-2010, 12:39 AM	#1
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	"Best in Class" for 16-50mm? Just saw the Feb Popular Photography Guide...Tested Zooms and the 16-50 was named "Best in Class" although it's a bit unclear what the "classes" are Brian

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01-22-2010, 12:48 AM	#2
Damn Brit Guest	This qualifies as Pentax news.

01-22-2010, 01:00 AM	#3
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	What class... Disposable lenses maybe?

01-22-2010, 05:00 AM	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	It is in the quick take version of their lens guide on page 89 (here). The "stand out spec" is its "last forever construction." Interesting. I wonder if they have ever seen the pyramids?

01-22-2010, 09:52 AM	#5
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by Rondec It is in the quick take version of their lens guide on page 89 (here). The "stand out spec" is its "last forever construction." Interesting. I wonder if they have ever seen the pyramids? Funny how lens reviewers can say "last forever construction" when they use the lens for what, 10 minutes? Maybe to them "forever" means "to the end of the warranty."

01-22-2010, 10:50 AM	#6
SA Photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virgina Posts: 129	My copy of the 16-50 has been a great lens. I got it when they first came out and I keep it on my K20 75% of the time. It's very sharp and has been trouble free so far. I did get the zoom locked up once trying to get the hood off but was able to fix it myself.

01-22-2010, 11:06 AM	#7
Andrew Faires Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 744	While I can appreciate that a lot of users here and at the other forum have had their problems with this lens, I've personally had nothing but good experiences with it. It's taken over 2 years of abuse and continues to perform wonderfully. My only gripes are zoom-creep and that d@mn polarizer access thing on the lens-hood (which is currently residing somewhere in or around Algonquin PP - many miles away from the rest of the lens/hood).

01-22-2010, 12:18 PM	#8
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	I was well aware of all the issues with the 16-50mm DA*, but the excellent results and reviews from satisfied users of the lens are what prompted me to buy it. I've had it for almost a month and love the results. Sure they may be some issues, but the glass will remain the same and the results have been stellar.

01-22-2010, 12:45 PM	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by Damn Brit This qualifies as Pentax news. Not very accurate news, though. From their review: Pentax Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 SDM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips, they say: "owners of the K10D and K20D -- and Pentax legacy DSLR shooters who plan to upgrade to newer bodies -- may want to invest in this new zoom for its silky new SDM-driven autofocusing and its clearly superior, last-forever build."

01-22-2010, 12:52 PM	#10
PrimeObjectif Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 599	I'm just going to whistle and look away on this one. Actually, when I don't have to worry about AF in low light, I'm very happy with my 16-50, but I've only had it since May and not since "forever."

01-22-2010, 01:35 PM	#11
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a Pentax-dedicated forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials...

01-22-2010, 01:50 PM	#12
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by RBellavance Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a Pentax-dedicated forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials... You make an excellent point. Most people are here because they are Pentax enthusiasts at least at some level.

01-22-2010, 02:22 PM	#13
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Ash Not very accurate news, though. From their review: Pentax Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 SDM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips, they say: "owners of the K10D and K20D -- and Pentax legacy DSLR shooters who plan to upgrade to newer bodies -- may want to invest in this new zoom for its silky new SDM-driven autofocusing and its clearly superior, last-forever build." Even more reason for it to be in News and Rumours.

01-22-2010, 02:30 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I have avoided this lens due to the focusing issues as well as the SDM issues. As a matter of fact, the only SDM lens I have is the DA* 300 and I bought an extra warranty for it due to the SDM concern.

01-22-2010, 02:59 PM	#15
Oggy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 235	Originally posted by RBellavance Just the fact that such a positive review is received with so much cynicism on a Pentax-dedicated forum should be a wakeup call Pentax/Hoya officials... Sorry, but you should know by now that if you have an SDM lens, it will kill you - all mine have killed me. If you know anyone with an SDM len it will kill you and your family. All my friends are dead because of mine. If anyone on the same continent as you has an SDM well---