How smooth is the zoom of a DA 16-50?

Tighelander · 12-30-2013, 09:16 PM

I'm looking at a used DA* 16-50mm that's for sale locally. Everything seems to be okay, but the zoom gets sluggish starting at 28mm and below. Is this normal, or should I look for another copy?

**jatrax** · 12-30-2013, 09:30 PM

Should be smooth as silk. There is a slight but noticeable increase in drag going from 28 to 35mm as the second tube starts to extend, 16 to 28 is smooth, 28 to 35 is still smooth but takes a bit more force to move and 35 to 50 is smooth. That's on mine but I have seen other posts that describe it the same.

Sluggish under 28mm does not sound right.

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-30-2013, 09:40 PM

Mine is similar to jatrax's. It should be smooth, barring the slight increase when the second barrel comes into play.

Tighelander · 12-30-2013, 09:51 PM

Okay, thanks!
This is very helpful.

Tighelander · 12-30-2013, 11:27 PM

This is CA & PF right?
I don't know if the specs show up, but this is 28mm @ f/11 ISO 200, normal program.

Tighelander · 12-30-2013, 11:47 PM

I'm thinking of the Sigma 17-50mm now. Its about the same price of the used DA*.

JimmyDranox · 12-31-2013, 02:52 AM

You can read this comparative review:

DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

And there is something must be noted. Pentax 16-50mm is the only one of those three lenses, which has Full Time Manual Focusing.

Tighelander · 12-31-2013, 03:22 AM

Yes, I read that. It's what made me think about getting the Sigma instead.

Gareth.Ig · 12-31-2013, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Tighelander

I'm looking at a used DA* 16-50mm that's for sale locally. Everything seems to be okay, but the zoom gets sluggish starting at 28mm and below. Is this normal, or should I look for another copy?

What you were describing is what is happening with my DA* 16-50. The zoom ring almost feels like it catches at around 28mm. Couldn't say if its normal or not. Mine was like it from when I first bought it used from Henry's in 2011.

Tighelander · 12-31-2013, 05:41 AM

The sample pic from the DA, is the PF & CA normal for the lens?

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-31-2013, 03:06 PM

It does do DA and PF, yes. I find that DxO Optics can get rid of most of it without effort on my part. The rest of the lens' characteristics I love. Quick shift, 16-50 mm, all at f/2.8, quiet focusing, weather resistant (tested under a 100m waterfall).

Tighelander · 12-31-2013, 03:51 PM

Is there in camera processing that eliminates CA & PF?

asp1880 · 01-02-2014, 02:51 AM

Originally posted by Tighelander

Is there in camera processing that eliminates CA & PF?

Lateral CA (the stuff in your sample pic) yes. Well, alleviates at least. It does actually work, I use it a lot on stopped-down shots where I go for edge-to-edge focus.

I think the new K-3 has a PF removal option too. The 16-50 can PF pretty bad on highish exposures.

Regards,
--Anders.

12-30-2013, 09:16 PM	#1
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228	How smooth is the zoom of a DA 16-50? I'm looking at a used DA* 16-50mm that's for sale locally. Everything seems to be okay, but the zoom gets sluggish starting at 28mm and below. Is this normal, or should I look for another copy?

12-30-2013, 11:27 PM	#5
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	This is CA & PF right? I don't know if the specs show up, but this is 28mm @ f/11 ISO 200, normal program. Attached Images

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12-30-2013, 09:30 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Should be smooth as silk. There is a slight but noticeable increase in drag going from 28 to 35mm as the second tube starts to extend, 16 to 28 is smooth, 28 to 35 is still smooth but takes a bit more force to move and 35 to 50 is smooth. That's on mine but I have seen other posts that describe it the same. Sluggish under 28mm does not sound right.

12-30-2013, 09:40 PM	#3
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Mine is similar to jatrax's. It should be smooth, barring the slight increase when the second barrel comes into play.

12-30-2013, 09:51 PM	#4
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	Okay, thanks! This is very helpful.

12-30-2013, 11:47 PM	#6
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	I'm thinking of the Sigma 17-50mm now. Its about the same price of the used DA*.

12-31-2013, 02:52 AM	#7
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	You can read this comparative review: DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com And there is something must be noted. Pentax 16-50mm is the only one of those three lenses, which has Full Time Manual Focusing.

12-31-2013, 03:22 AM	#8
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	Yes, I read that. It's what made me think about getting the Sigma instead.

12-31-2013, 05:35 AM	#9
Gareth.Ig Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cochrane, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 508	Originally posted by Tighelander I'm looking at a used DA* 16-50mm that's for sale locally. Everything seems to be okay, but the zoom gets sluggish starting at 28mm and below. Is this normal, or should I look for another copy? What you were describing is what is happening with my DA* 16-50. The zoom ring almost feels like it catches at around 28mm. Couldn't say if its normal or not. Mine was like it from when I first bought it used from Henry's in 2011.

12-31-2013, 05:41 AM	#10
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	The sample pic from the DA, is the PF & CA normal for the lens?

12-31-2013, 03:06 PM	#11
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	It does do DA and PF, yes. I find that DxO Optics can get rid of most of it without effort on my part. The rest of the lens' characteristics I love. Quick shift, 16-50 mm, all at f/2.8, quiet focusing, weather resistant (tested under a 100m waterfall).

12-31-2013, 03:51 PM	#12
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228 Original Poster	Is there in camera processing that eliminates CA & PF?

01-02-2014, 02:51 AM	#13
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	Originally posted by Tighelander Is there in camera processing that eliminates CA & PF? Lateral CA (the stuff in your sample pic) yes. Well, alleviates at least. It does actually work, I use it a lot on stopped-down shots where I go for edge-to-edge focus. I think the new K-3 has a PF removal option too. The 16-50 can PF pretty bad on highish exposures. Regards, --Anders.