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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-10-2011, 10:24 AM  
Yet another DA*16-50 SDM death...
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 19
Views: 4,837
Sorry about your frustrations Pat. I understand. I have to disagree on one point though: I do not believe the 16-50 optics are particularly good. 50-135 optics are good (but SDM and slow focus speed make it frustrating to use) but the 16-50 is soft compared to the competition (even if you get one that is not decentered.) I had the tamron 17-50 and the 16-50 at the same time, and posted many comparisons here. The 16-50 was inferior in sharpness. Other reviews such as photozone have shown this as well. The 16-50 is WAY overpriced for the mechanical as well as optical quality that you get.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-27-2011, 10:01 AM  
Urgent opinion...is my 16-50 faulty?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 11
Views: 2,610
IMO that lens is clearly decentered. No doubt about it. Notice the RHS is not "soft," but clearly out of focus. I have seen this problem many times with the 16-50, and yours is consistent with those. Return it. Dont waste your time with taking any other pictures to test it. It is clearly out of focus on the RHS even though the items are in the hyperfocal distance range.

Also, decentering is not normal nor acceptable in a zoom. I have never heard that before except from people trying to justify a flaw on an obviously flawed item. Send this lens back for a refund. You paid way to much for sub par performance.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 02-25-2011, 02:53 AM  
Popular Photography Full Test Results For The K-5.
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 40
Views: 9,144
A "tad" slower? At EV3, it is 60% slower than the entry-level T2i! Pentax seems to have only improved the AF speed over the K-7 by about 12%

Again, time for SAFOX to be upgraded.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-23-2011, 10:08 AM  
Is DA*16-50 worth the price over kit lens?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 81
Views: 14,923
I did a similar test with 4 different lenses here and made a game of it. You have to guess which is which:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/49639-4x50-lens-game.html

(Note, I didn't include the DA* 16-50 because it would have been too easy to guess the lens. At f/4.5 the 16-50 would have still showed softness at the edges which would be detectable on the wall. Oh yeah, also I didn't have the 16-50 because if I recall, this was done one of the times where the lens was sent back due to either faulty SDM or lens decentering.)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-23-2011, 12:59 AM  
Is DA*16-50 worth the price over kit lens?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 81
Views: 14,923
My testing disagrees with your opinion. So does that of the Photozone tests. The DA* 16-50 lens has very poor edge sharpness. Especially wide open. That might be fine for portraits where the softness is hidden in the bokeh, but that is it.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-22-2011, 01:46 PM  
Is DA*16-50 worth the price over kit lens?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 81
Views: 14,923
I guess you may have missed my past threads talking about my 3, yes THREE DA* 16-50's. Also, you may have missed my DA*16-50 vs Tamron 17-50 throwdown threads versions I and II.

Yes, I have tried a 16-50. Have you tried a 17-50 and compared them head to head?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-22-2011, 01:40 PM  
Is DA*16-50 worth the price over kit lens?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 81
Views: 14,923
I vote no. Value for price is not worth it IMO. If you need f2.8 I would go with the Tamron. Much sharper edge to edge than the 16-50 even at f2.8. The only thing the 16-50 has over the Tamron is 1mm, and weather sealing. (How often do you really shoot in rain so intense that it would actually flow around the lens barrels and into the mechanism?)

What's up with the "newbies" calling wlachan out as a troll for expressing his opinion? You may be new to Pentax and feel strongly about your purchase and the need to defend the faith, but just chill for a while and realize that some people are not trolling, but legitimately bringing up limitations of the brand in hopes that they will change in future models.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-22-2011, 12:04 PM  
Another SDM Failure - 16-50mm f/2.8
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 40
Views: 11,666
Did you read the latest thread from benjikan regarding his DA* that was repaired with the "upgraded motor?" That motor failed. I think the "upgraded motor" is a myth.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/130049-darn-16...aar-shoot.html
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-25-2011, 08:23 PM  
Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 181
Views: 34,578
What amazes me so, is that not only do you think it is ok for corporations to hide defects, but by your own words, you think it is "exactly what they need to do"!

It would make me feel better about humanity if there were /sarcasm tags after your posts, but I fear you are dead serious!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-25-2011, 03:12 PM  
Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 181
Views: 34,578
OK, just so I make sure I understand you: You are telling us that Pentax shouldn't admit to their product flaws because it may cost them money and even put them out of business?

Wow. I sure hope you don't work for a pharmaceutical company!!! :eek:
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-24-2011, 10:31 PM  
Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 181
Views: 34,578
Wow. So what you are saying is that it is ok for Pentax to solve thier problems and "expand thier user base" on our dime, because if they admit to thier problems and fix them, it will put them out of business?

I can think of better charities for me to donate to than CRIS and Hoya. I didn't realize I was buying lenses simply to prop up an undercapitalized business. :rolleyes:
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-24-2011, 11:25 AM  
Buy an SDM lens recently?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 186
Views: 23,770
Yes, SDM is very quiet...especially when it is not working! :lol:
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-23-2011, 11:50 AM  
Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 181
Views: 34,578
I seem to recall you posting when the "new series" motor was replaced. Didn't Pentax service tell you something like: "the early failures of the SDM lenses have been resolved using new motors" or something like that? I suspected they were feeding you a line then, based on my experience with SDM problems. Seems like my suspicions were correct.

SDM just seems fundamentally flawed, and Hoya seems to just be crossing thier fingers and covering thier eyes hoping that they can sell the division before people notice the flaw...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-20-2011, 01:24 PM  
Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 181
Views: 34,578
Sorry Ben.

So do the doubters believe us NOW!?! :fedup:

"The Pentax DA* series of high-grade lenses designed exclusively for Pentax digital SLR cameras."

*Purchaser understands that use of the DA* lens is entirely at your own risk. Warranty only valid for one year. Sometimes requires spinning of focus barrel to wake up SDM motor. Pentax is not responsible for intermittent SDM failure, or decentered focus at f/2.8. Purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of this disclaimer and not hold Pentax liable, nor post negative feedback about the lens on photography forums. All similarities to FA* glass either specific or implied is strictly a coincidence. Purchaser agrees to the statement that "SDM failure is a myth", and further agrees not to compare focus speed to other manufacturers. Shots missed due to the focus speed and/or SDM failure of DA* lenses are entirely the responsibility of the photographer. All rights reserved.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-19-2011, 01:03 AM  
Buying pentax *50-135mm and *16-50mm
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 15
Views: 3,604
The part in quotes is taken directly from the Pentax online store. :p
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-18-2011, 10:21 AM  
Buying pentax *50-135mm and *16-50mm
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 15
Views: 3,604
"The Pentax DA* series of high-grade lenses designed exclusively for Pentax digital SLR cameras."

*Purchaser understands that use of the DA* lens is entirely at your own risk. Warranty only valid for one year. Sometimes requires spinning of focus barrel to wake up SDM motor. Pentax is not responsible for intermittent SDM failure, or decentered focus at f/2.8. Purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of this disclaimer and not hold Pentax liable, nor post negative feedback about the lens on photography forums. All similarities to FA* glass either specific or implied is strictly a coincidence. Purchaser agrees to the statement that "SDM failure is a myth", and further agrees not to compare focus speed to other manufacturers. Shots missed due to the focus speed and/or SDM failure of DA* lenses are entirely the responsibility of the photographer. All rights reserved.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-12-2011, 10:05 PM  
Buy an SDM lens recently?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 186
Views: 23,770
DA "*" lenses are supposed to be Pentax "Pro" level, or "Luxury" glass, or whatever one chooses to call it. I remember long ago the "*" on Pentax glass was a mark of excellence. We Pentaxians dreamed of owning "*" level glass. To us, it meant the same thing as "L" glass to Canon shooters.

Now, I fear that the "*" is no longer a "star" but an asterisk, serving as a disclaimer for slow performance, poor quality control, and terrible warranty. When I read an ad for a DA* lens, this is the way I see it:

"The Pentax DA* series of high-grade lenses designed exclusively for Pentax digital SLR cameras."
*Purchaser understands that use of the DA* lens is entirely at your own risk. Warranty only valid for one year. Sometimes requires spinning of focus barrel to wake up SDM motor. Pentax is not responsible for intermittent SDM failure, or decentered focus at f/2.8. Purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of this disclaimer and not hold Pentax liable, nor post negative feedback about the lens on photography forums. All similarities to FA* glass either specific or implied is strictly a coincidence. Purchaser agrees to the statement that "SDM failure is a myth", and further agrees not to compare focus speed to other manufacturers. Shots missed due to the focus speed and/or SDM failure of DA* lenses are entirely the responsibility of the photographer. All rights reserved.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-12-2011, 11:13 AM  
Buy an SDM lens recently?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 186
Views: 23,770
Every SDM lens I owned failed one way or another. All were due to QC problems, and three were due to SDM failure.

I'm just sayin...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-09-2011, 03:33 PM  
Buy an SDM lens recently?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 186
Views: 23,770
Those databases are incomplete. I had 2 16-50s that were decentered and one SDM failure. I also had TWO SDM failures of 50-135. I dont see my data on that database.
I also had a k-20D e-dial failure and a K-7 e-dial failure. The only Pentax DSLR that didn't give me any QC problems was my k-10D.

Lets stop making excuses for Pentax poor QC.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-06-2011, 11:39 AM  
Buy an SDM lens recently?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 186
Views: 23,770
Greg,
You may have missed the point of most of the reported SDM failures. Most of us that had bought SDM lenses "recently" were as happy as can be (unless you are talking about 16-50 decentering.) Most of us that had SDM failures had them happen after some time. Many times after the Pentax warranty expired.

Too bad that Pentax seems to have a nice new K-5 which is competitive in several ways in terms of performance, but lens focus speed and QC concerns in thier "pro" line lenses are still holding them back. I used to buy Pentax because of the lenses, now I havent bought new Pentax gear in some time because of the lenses.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-09-2010, 11:20 PM  
Why no teleconverter?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 19
Views: 4,002
Do you really need a TC in the modern digital age? Consider that a 1.4 TC only gives you a 1.4 increase in focal length, but you lose 1 full stop of aperture, as well as degradation of the IQ from the lens, dimmer viewfinder, more difficulty in AF, etc. and it costs more money.

I think that for a great many applications, a 1.4 crop-zoom may be preferable to a TC, and you retain the f# of the original lens.

Consider this test. A photo was taken at a focal length of 144mm. Then at 200mm (a 1.4 mag) Compared the two.

Which of these pictures is the untouched 200mm and which is the crop-zoom of the 144 (to make it look like 200mm)? (No fair looking at EXIF)




Here are the 100% crops of the same images:





I haven't found a need for TC's since I used film.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-27-2010, 08:45 AM  
Pentax AF focus issues?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 21
Views: 6,192
Since most pros use Canon or Nikon gear, this story tells me more about your friends abilities, than it tells me about Pentax AF. ;)
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-26-2010, 09:04 PM  
Pentax AF focus issues?
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 21
Views: 6,192
Please don't take offense if I don't believe you. Your evidence is merely anecdotal. The slow AF behavior of Pentax DSLR's in lower light, has been well documented for years in many places. For example, take a look at the pop photo focus speed charts vs light level. All Pentax DSLR's take a "dive" after EV 6. And that is on AF-S. The AF-C is even worse if one attempts to try tracking a moving target in low light.

I often point to these tests that someone posted on youtube. They are consistent with my experience with my k10d, k20d, and k-7, and Canon cameras I have used. SAFOX is at least a decade behind the competition. Only time will tell if the SAFOX IX AF improvements are real, or more smoke...

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngUcQUchHEU[/YT]
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-gfkUJA6dY[/YT]
Forum: General Talk 09-15-2010, 10:27 AM  
No respect...
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 45
Views: 13,166
I disagree with your premise. Respect must be earned. In the past, Pentax was worthy of that respect. Apparently both of us remember those days fondly. The "modern" Pentax, is not the one we remember from old...The new Pentax unfortunately, is behind technologically, as well as in QC in my opinion. Even our old mantra of "best camera for the dollar" does not ring true any longer if you compare cost/benefit of each system.

In regards to use of old glass; sure that is a feature of new Pentax DSLR's. But Nikon can also make that claim. Canon can also make that claim (to a lesser extent.) All EOS lenses are compatible with new Canon DSLR's. That is every lens made back to 1987...23 years. Are there that many folks out there that are basing a camera decision on lenses that are older than two decades? Backwards compatibility is a dying niche, populated by a diminishing number of enthusiasts.

What will earn my respect back, is if Pentax starts competing not based on colorful cameras, but on quality, cost, and technology on par with the competition.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-14-2010, 05:06 PM  
K7, faulty front e-dial
Posted By PentaxPoke
Replies: 19
Views: 8,660
Had the same problem with my K-7. Wrote a thread about it a while ago, (but don't feel like looking it up.) Talked to the Pentax service rep, and they said it was a problem that required me to send the camera back and have the dial electronics replaced.

One more in my long list of modern Pentax QC problems unfortunately. :(
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