Do I need the DA* 16-50?

misbehave · 06-02-2012, 06:59 PM

Hello all,

I am about to make my purchase on a K-5 with the DA 18-135mm WR kit and thinking about getting the DA* 16-50mm lens so that I can have some wider angle option when I need it and I have already read from many reviews that the DA* 16-50mm seems to have excellent image quality than the DA 18-135mm.
My question is do I really need the DA* 16-50mm?
Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm?

**jatrax** · 06-02-2012, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by misbehave

Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm?

At the wide end every mm does make a difference. At the long end, no, 2mm would never be noticed. Not sure what you are basing your IQ evaluation on but I would disagree that it is similar in those two lenses. I do not have the 18-135 so perhaps my opinion has no basis but I do have the 16-50 and it has outstanding IQ. The reviews I have read on the 18-135 seem to indicate it is slightly better than the kit 18-55 but not in DA* range.

That said it really depends on what your requirements for IQ are. If the 18-135 is acceptable then no I do not think you need the 16-50. The only advantage of the 16-50 is better IQ, constant f/2.8 and 2mm of wide end. Unless you really need the better IQ then get an UWA like the Pentax or Tamron 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20 to compliment your 18-135. That way you do not duplicate the range so much.

If you are going to get the DA*16-50 then compliment it with the DA*50-135 to cover the same range as the 18-135.

gtl · 06-02-2012, 07:31 PM

If you can hold off I suggest waiting for the limited zoom that's on the lens road map.

misbehave · 06-02-2012, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by gtl

If you can hold off I suggest waiting for the limited zoom that's on the lens road map.

I am planning to make my purchase in July after the K-30 become available in US.
Want to see if the K-5 will be cheaper or not by then.
What limited zoom lens is on the way?

misbehave · 06-02-2012, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

At the wide end every mm does make a difference. At the long end, no, 2mm would never be noticed. Not sure what you are basing your IQ evaluation on but I would disagree that it is similar in those two lenses. I do not have the 18-135 so perhaps my opinion has no basis but I do have the 16-50 and it has outstanding IQ. The reviews I have read on the 18-135 seem to indicate it is slightly better than the kit 18-55 but not in DA* range.

That said it really depends on what your requirements for IQ are. If the 18-135 is acceptable then no I do not think you need the 16-50. The only advantage of the 16-50 is better IQ, constant f/2.8 and 2mm of wide end. Unless you really need the better IQ then get an UWA like the Pentax or Tamron 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20 to compliment your 18-135. That way you do not duplicate the range so much.

If you are going to get the DA*16-50 then compliment it with the DA*50-135 to cover the same range as the 18-135.

Thank You for your advice. I have a question though, does Tamron or Sigma make WR lens too? I am only going to buy WR lens cause I live in Seattle and it rains here constantly as if someone above forgot to turn off the shower.
I like shooting outdoor a lot so WR lens is a must for me.

**DAZ** · 06-02-2012, 09:02 PM

At 18mm the AOV is 66.6 deg, at 16mm the AOV is 73 deg, that is 6.3 deg more and is noticeable. For comparison 135mm is 10 and 138 would be 9.8, imperceptible.

I to live in the Seattle area. I have the 16-50 and 2 weeks ago I was taking photos in weather so sloppy that only a frog could like it. It was windy and rainy all day with water dripping off of everything. The DA* 16-50 is reported to have a little better weather resistance than just a WR lens. You also pay more for it. It was a real torture test for the K5 and the DA* 16-50.

DAZ

selar · 06-02-2012, 09:26 PM

If you are into wide get the Sigma 8-16mm zoom, nothing wider exists!

mysticcowboy · 06-02-2012, 09:56 PM

The 18-135 is better than a kit lens and is WR. Get it for the versatility. It's more than good enough for most purposes, and there will always be times when a lens like that is handier than carrying multiple lenses. Shoot for at least 6 months with the first lens; then you'll know better what other lens you need. When you bump up against the limits of the lens multiple times, you will know what to get. It may be the 16-50. It may be a prime, a macro or even a longer telephoto. Until you decide what you want to shoot, all you'll know from a forum is what kind of lens other people like. I bought a Pentax 16-50 and a Tamron 17-50 for my K-5, shot both for a week and sent the Pentax lens back. I preferred the Tamron. The next guy might find just the opposite. But until you get a feel for what you really need in a lens, you can spend a lot of money on something that may not suit your shooting style.

rvannatta · 06-02-2012, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by misbehave

Hello all,

I am about to make my purchase on a K-5 with the DA 18-135mm WR kit and thinking about getting the DA* 16-50mm lens so that I can have some wider angle option when I need it and I have already read from many reviews that the DA* 16-50mm seems to have excellent image quality than the DA 18-135mm.
My question is do I really need the DA* 16-50mm?
Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm?

I've used the DA*16-50 as a default lens of choice since 2007. It's a little big for the built in flash on the K-5, producing a dark shadow in
the bottom of photos at the widest settings. I'm hopeful that the the longer/taller flash unit on the K-30 will solve this issue.

misbehave · 06-02-2012, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by DAZ

At 18mm the AOV is 66.6 deg, at 16mm the AOV is 73 deg, that is 6.3 deg more and is noticeable. For comparison 135mm is 10 and 138 would be 9.8, imperceptible.

I to live in the Seattle area. I have the 16-50 and 2 weeks ago I was taking photos in weather so sloppy that only a frog could like it. It was windy and rainy all day with water dripping off of everything. The DA* 16-50 is reported to have a little better weather resistance than just a WR lens. You also pay more for it. It was a real torture test for the K5 and the DA* 16-50.

DAZ

Hi there.
Nice to another Pentax user in the Seattle area.
Did you get your K5 locally? Cause of all the stores here that sell cameras, I can only find one in Bellevue that carries Pentax. It's hard to find a place here so that I can get a feel of what the camera like in my hands.

sterretje · 06-03-2012, 12:53 AM

As you have already settled for the 18-135, I would wait with any other lenses to see what your needs are. You might find that 18mm is plenty wide for your needs.

With regards to the DA Ltd zoom, do a search for 'Pentax roadmap' (result e.g. Pentax Lens Roadmap for 2012-2013 - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com with a link to a PDF). I doubt however that it will be WR and it will be around 20-40mm. There will also be a DA wide zoom (possibly something like 12-35 although the roadmap one ends before 30mm) and there is a patent for a 12-35WR. We need to see what materializes.

Personally the main reason why I want something ultra-wide (wider than 18) is for architecture (indoors and outdoors) and in that case I will go more extreme than 16mm (12-24, 10-20).

**Rondec** · 06-03-2012, 03:45 AM

A lot depends on what you shoot. The 16-50 is definitely faster with regard to aperture and has nice quality throughout, although at wide angles (16 to 20mm) you do best to stop down to f4 to get rid of vignetting. The 18-135 is nice in this range too, though. If the 18-135 has a weakness, it is mostly at the long end, where the edges getting pretty soft. Between 18 and 70, it seems to be pretty good. The real question is which you would miss more -- the 50-135 range, or the extra stop of light gathering ability. Also, the 16-50 is a lot bigger lens, so factor that in too.

mysticcowboy · 06-03-2012, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by misbehave

Hi there.
Nice to another Pentax user in the Seattle area.
Did you get your K5 locally? Cause of all the stores here that sell cameras, I can only find one in Bellevue that carries Pentax. It's hard to find a place here so that I can get a feel of what the camera like in my hands.

I'm also in the Seattle area. What store in Bellevue sells Pentax? I've gotten some used lenses from Jim's Camera in the U district. Mostly I use B&H and Adorama.

misbehave · 06-03-2012, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by mysticcowboy

I'm also in the Seattle area. What store in Bellevue sells Pentax? I've gotten some used lenses from Jim's Camera in the U district. Mostly I use B&H and Adorama.

I think the place is called "Ritz & Wolf Camera West".
You will find it if you search it on Google. That was how I found the store in the first place. I was on their website they have the K-5 in stock, not sure if they really carry it in the actual store or if it is just another online only deal. I have yet to check out that place in person.

mysticcowboy · 06-03-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by misbehave

I think the place is called "Ritz & Wolf Camera West".
You will find it if you search it on Google. That was how I found the store in the first place. I was on their website they have the K-5 in stock, not sure if they really carry it in the actual store or if it is just another online only deal. I have yet to check out that place in person.

Thanks!

06-02-2012, 06:59 PM	#1
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102	*Do I need the DA 16-50?** Hello all, I am about to make my purchase on a K-5 with the DA 18-135mm WR kit and thinking about getting the DA* 16-50mm lens so that I can have some wider angle option when I need it and I have already read from many reviews that the DA* 16-50mm seems to have excellent image quality than the DA 18-135mm. My question is do I really need the DA* 16-50mm? Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm?

06-02-2012, 09:56 PM	#8
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	The 18-135 is better than a kit lens and is WR. Get it for the versatility. It's more than good enough for most purposes, and there will always be times when a lens like that is handier than carrying multiple lenses. Shoot for at least 6 months with the first lens; then you'll know better what other lens you need. When you bump up against the limits of the lens multiple times, you will know what to get. It may be the 16-50. It may be a prime, a macro or even a longer telephoto. Until you decide what you want to shoot, all you'll know from a forum is what kind of lens other people like. I bought a Pentax 16-50 and a Tamron 17-50 for my K-5, shot both for a week and sent the Pentax lens back. I preferred the Tamron. The next guy might find just the opposite. But until you get a feel for what you really need in a lens, you can spend a lot of money on something that may not suit your shooting style. Last edited by mysticcowboy; 06-02-2012 at 10:04 PM.

06-02-2012, 07:22 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by misbehave Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm? At the wide end every mm does make a difference. At the long end, no, 2mm would never be noticed. Not sure what you are basing your IQ evaluation on but I would disagree that it is similar in those two lenses. I do not have the 18-135 so perhaps my opinion has no basis but I do have the 16-50 and it has outstanding IQ. The reviews I have read on the 18-135 seem to indicate it is slightly better than the kit 18-55 but not in DA* range. That said it really depends on what your requirements for IQ are. If the 18-135 is acceptable then no I do not think you need the 16-50. The only advantage of the 16-50 is better IQ, constant f/2.8 and 2mm of wide end. Unless you really need the better IQ then get an UWA like the Pentax or Tamron 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20 to compliment your 18-135. That way you do not duplicate the range so much. If you are going to get the DA16-50 then compliment it with the DA50-135 to cover the same range as the 18-135.

06-02-2012, 07:31 PM	#3
gtl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 349	If you can hold off I suggest waiting for the limited zoom that's on the lens road map.

06-02-2012, 08:27 PM	#4
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by gtl If you can hold off I suggest waiting for the limited zoom that's on the lens road map. I am planning to make my purchase in July after the K-30 become available in US. Want to see if the K-5 will be cheaper or not by then. What limited zoom lens is on the way?

06-02-2012, 08:30 PM	#5
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax At the wide end every mm does make a difference. At the long end, no, 2mm would never be noticed. Not sure what you are basing your IQ evaluation on but I would disagree that it is similar in those two lenses. I do not have the 18-135 so perhaps my opinion has no basis but I do have the 16-50 and it has outstanding IQ. The reviews I have read on the 18-135 seem to indicate it is slightly better than the kit 18-55 but not in DA* range. That said it really depends on what your requirements for IQ are. If the 18-135 is acceptable then no I do not think you need the 16-50. The only advantage of the 16-50 is better IQ, constant f/2.8 and 2mm of wide end. Unless you really need the better IQ then get an UWA like the Pentax or Tamron 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20 to compliment your 18-135. That way you do not duplicate the range so much. If you are going to get the DA16-50 then compliment it with the DA50-135 to cover the same range as the 18-135. Thank You for your advice. I have a question though, does Tamron or Sigma make WR lens too? I am only going to buy WR lens cause I live in Seattle and it rains here constantly as if someone above forgot to turn off the shower. I like shooting outdoor a lot so WR lens is a must for me.

06-02-2012, 09:02 PM	#6
DAZ Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Everett, WA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 744	At 18mm the AOV is 66.6 deg, at 16mm the AOV is 73 deg, that is 6.3 deg more and is noticeable. For comparison 135mm is 10 and 138 would be 9.8, imperceptible. I to live in the Seattle area. I have the 16-50 and 2 weeks ago I was taking photos in weather so sloppy that only a frog could like it. It was windy and rainy all day with water dripping off of everything. The DA* 16-50 is reported to have a little better weather resistance than just a WR lens. You also pay more for it. It was a real torture test for the K5 and the DA* 16-50. DAZ

06-02-2012, 09:26 PM	#7
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	If you are into wide get the Sigma 8-16mm zoom, nothing wider exists!

06-02-2012, 10:31 PM	#9
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	Originally posted by misbehave Hello all, I am about to make my purchase on a K-5 with the DA 18-135mm WR kit and thinking about getting the DA* 16-50mm lens so that I can have some wider angle option when I need it and I have already read from many reviews that the DA* 16-50mm seems to have excellent image quality than the DA 18-135mm. My question is do I really need the DA* 16-50mm? Is 16mm not much wider than 18mm, and the image quality on the DA* 16-50mm isn't that big of a difference over the DA 18-135mm? I've used the DA*16-50 as a default lens of choice since 2007. It's a little big for the built in flash on the K-5, producing a dark shadow in the bottom of photos at the widest settings. I'm hopeful that the the longer/taller flash unit on the K-30 will solve this issue.

06-02-2012, 10:39 PM	#10
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by DAZ At 18mm the AOV is 66.6 deg, at 16mm the AOV is 73 deg, that is 6.3 deg more and is noticeable. For comparison 135mm is 10 and 138 would be 9.8, imperceptible. I to live in the Seattle area. I have the 16-50 and 2 weeks ago I was taking photos in weather so sloppy that only a frog could like it. It was windy and rainy all day with water dripping off of everything. The DA* 16-50 is reported to have a little better weather resistance than just a WR lens. You also pay more for it. It was a real torture test for the K5 and the DA* 16-50. DAZ Hi there. Nice to another Pentax user in the Seattle area. Did you get your K5 locally? Cause of all the stores here that sell cameras, I can only find one in Bellevue that carries Pentax. It's hard to find a place here so that I can get a feel of what the camera like in my hands.

06-03-2012, 12:53 AM	#11
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	As you have already settled for the 18-135, I would wait with any other lenses to see what your needs are. You might find that 18mm is plenty wide for your needs. With regards to the DA Ltd zoom, do a search for 'Pentax roadmap' (result e.g. Pentax Lens Roadmap for 2012-2013 - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com with a link to a PDF). I doubt however that it will be WR and it will be around 20-40mm. There will also be a DA wide zoom (possibly something like 12-35 although the roadmap one ends before 30mm) and there is a patent for a 12-35WR. We need to see what materializes. Personally the main reason why I want something ultra-wide (wider than 18) is for architecture (indoors and outdoors) and in that case I will go more extreme than 16mm (12-24, 10-20).

06-03-2012, 03:45 AM	#12
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	A lot depends on what you shoot. The 16-50 is definitely faster with regard to aperture and has nice quality throughout, although at wide angles (16 to 20mm) you do best to stop down to f4 to get rid of vignetting. The 18-135 is nice in this range too, though. If the 18-135 has a weakness, it is mostly at the long end, where the edges getting pretty soft. Between 18 and 70, it seems to be pretty good. The real question is which you would miss more -- the 50-135 range, or the extra stop of light gathering ability. Also, the 16-50 is a lot bigger lens, so factor that in too.

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06-03-2012, 08:22 AM	#13
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Originally posted by misbehave Hi there. Nice to another Pentax user in the Seattle area. Did you get your K5 locally? Cause of all the stores here that sell cameras, I can only find one in Bellevue that carries Pentax. It's hard to find a place here so that I can get a feel of what the camera like in my hands. I'm also in the Seattle area. What store in Bellevue sells Pentax? I've gotten some used lenses from Jim's Camera in the U district. Mostly I use B&H and Adorama.

06-03-2012, 10:16 AM	#14
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by mysticcowboy I'm also in the Seattle area. What store in Bellevue sells Pentax? I've gotten some used lenses from Jim's Camera in the U district. Mostly I use B&H and Adorama. I think the place is called "Ritz & Wolf Camera West". You will find it if you search it on Google. That was how I found the store in the first place. I was on their website they have the K-5 in stock, not sure if they really carry it in the actual store or if it is just another online only deal. I have yet to check out that place in person.

06-03-2012, 10:32 AM	#15
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Originally posted by misbehave I think the place is called "Ritz & Wolf Camera West". You will find it if you search it on Google. That was how I found the store in the first place. I was on their website they have the K-5 in stock, not sure if they really carry it in the actual store or if it is just another online only deal. I have yet to check out that place in person. Thanks!