| Author: | | Inactive Account Registered: May, 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 1, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Quallity | | Cons: | Autofocus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 2
Handling: 5
Value: 7
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3 - K1
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Great lens, but very delicate
I use it for years but now the autofoucs system does not work.
Even when running the system was slow compared to other Pentax optics
Unsuccessful attempt to repair
Bright and perfect in detail.
Not overly heavy.
We hope the new full frame D FA 24-70 performs better in the focus system.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: La Spezia / Italy Posts: 107 | | Review Date: August 7, 2017 | Not Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Quality of lenses/handling | | Cons: | Autofocus/not solid construction | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 1
Handling: 10
Value: 5
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K20/K3
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I have a 16-50 for 9 years and I used it under all conditions.
I do not think it's a good lens, the criticality of autofocus, which is a feature of the lens, makes it unreliable. Mechanically it is very delicate, for example in my lens, a yoke appeared in the front barrel, even though it has never hit. Indeed, given the cost, one could expect more.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Warsaw Posts: 83
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 6, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very good to STUNNING IQ. Screw-drive-ability on K5. | | Cons: | SDM failure by the previous owner was my LUCK! | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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Interesting, how ratings of this glass do vary from 3 to 10... maybe inconsistency in QC (quality control) or in EL (expectations level) ;-)
I was lucky to get this lens in very good optical/mechanical condition really cheap due to its SDM failure. Screw drive conversion took me no more than 5 minutes.
I am user of a very good copy of the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, so the IQ expectations were quite high. No regret: DA 16-50 produces stunning IQ results across the entire Tamron (REAL) zoom range:17,7-50mm. At 16mm centre sharpness is great from f/2,8 - from f/7,1-f/8 corners are very good, too. I'm not a landscape pro and I don't pixel-peep extreme corners shot at f/2,8 on 16mm setting. Contrast, colour and resolution is what this lens produces. Weather Resistance and Manual Focus all-time override are also two important features.
Screw-drive AF is quite fast and accurate - Pentax type :-). Only one AF correction value is required for the entire zoom/distance range, while for my Tamron I needed to remember few different values for different focal length and distance (the only reason I sold it).
Pentax DA 16-50 is bigger and heavier than Tamron/Sigma, but the advantage is that the REAL focal length on the wide zoom end is 16mm while Tamron is 17@17,7mm and Sigma is 18@19,5mm.
Considering the prices of the new lenses I'd go for well selected Tamron with confirmed, accurate AF mechanism. Tamron is more compact and also has great colour and resolution, but for the price I've paid - I am a happy man with my DA 16-50.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 118
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 8, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $750.00
| Rating: 3 |
| Pros: | Good image quality above f5.6, 20-50mm | | Cons: | Poor image quality below f8 on the wide end, fringing, SDM | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 1
Handling: 8
Value: 2
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-20D, K-30, K-01
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Poor IQ under f8 on the wide end, fringing, the SDM broke a month out of warranty. I get better wide angle images from my Q-7 and the kit lens! If you want a Pentax Zoom, get the 16-45 or 16-85, either one is cheaper and will work better, with no SDM issues.
The worst Pentax lens I have ever owned (and I've owned dozens of them over 50 years.)
| | | | | | | Closed Account Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 8,694
8 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 23, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $535.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, f2.8, weather sealing, zoom range | | Cons: | None for me. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3
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I find the DA* 16-50 to be a fantastic lens ( now ). When I first got this lens I thought that I had got a " bad " copy. The only thing that was " bad " was my technique in using it. Very fast lenses and lots of megapixels highlight flaws in hand held camera technique very quickly. I found some of my images were tack sharp and others with some blur. It would have been too easy to blame the lens. Once I got my head around the large drop in depth of field from 50mm to 16mm at f2.8 from the same shooting distance, my keeper rate of photographs improved. Practicing good shutter release technique improved my keeper rate more again. The SDM problems that this lens has had in the past was not a deterrent for me getting it. If my SDM stops working, I will get it repaired. The fear of it breaking down did not prevent me from getting it. I would have missed out on some valuable to me photographs if I had l had let the prospect of SDM failure cloud my thoughts. All the DA* lenses are quality items. I can highly recommend the 16-50.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2014 Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 19, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $380.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Range, Wide angle low end (16mm) | | Cons: | sharpness (2 samples), construction (hard spot), | | Sharpness: 4
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 6
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
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I was really waiting for getting this lens, because of the aperture and range...and was really disappointed it, as I could not get a sharp shot even when stopped down, at F/5.6 or even F/8 (then such a lens become useless...).
On top of this, I could notice a hard spot at 24mm approx, while zooming...
I kept it 1 month and finally sold it.
I could try a second sample, and the story was basically the same.
I finally got a 20-40 Ltd that became one of my favorite lens,awesome construction, sharp, usable wide open, much lighter and smaller (due to not constant aperture), even if the wider range...
Each time I see awesome shots taken with the DA*16-50 I cannot figure out they could have been taken with it...Its probably due to bad luck but anyway, I do not recommend this lens
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 273
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 24, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $899.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Weather Sealing, Optical Quality, Character | | Cons: | SDM Failure, Chromatic Abberations, Flare Resistance | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 6
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5, K3, K3ii
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Overview:
The 'SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM' is a lens which I have grown very fond of over the last two years of ownership. Despite an autofocus (SDM) failure and several optical flaws, this lens always finds a way to keep itself within my lens collection.
Build Quality:
Positive:
The first thing you'll notice upon seeing the lens, is its small dimensions for a lens of it's speed and class. The lenses from rivals Canon and Nikon are considerably larger that of the Pentax, even though the Pentax has a wider zoom range than either lenses. This is likely due to the IBIS of Pentax bodies, allowing Pentax to design lenses free of OS dependability.
True to Pentax form, the lens hood is incredibly well designed with a removable port near the filter ring of the lens, allowing the user to remove the segment of the hood in order to rotate polarising filters attached to the lens without removing the hood. Another nice design touch to the lens is the wide diameter of the hood itself. Whilst on first glance, it looks much too large compared to the diameter of the lens, in the field in wet conditions, the hood does in fact shield the lens better from the elements compared to some of it's competitors.
Onto the topic of bad weather, this lens does feature an incredible level of weather resistance. Though some internet commentators are keen to mention the flaws in the Pentax K system, they always seem to disregard what is possibly the most important selling point to the system, Weather Resistance. Now, not to just shout manufactures claims, I have indeed taken this lens through hell and back, and it has, on numerous occasions, performed flawlessly. The following scenarios have befallen the lens, to no apparent harm to the lens.
Monsoon season in Indonesia for 4 hours, no rain cover or bagging.
High temperatures, +40C(+100F) in direct sunlight, multiple hours a day for weeks at a time
8 meter fall down a 45 degree rock face into a dry river bed
Many sprays with salt water onto both the front element and the interior lens barrel, wiped with damp cloth.
Negative:
Whilst the 'SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM' finds itself within the upper echelon of Pentax lens options, with a generally outstanding build quality, there are a few minor errors Pentax has made in designing this lens. Firstly, the 'dual cam' zoom mechanism, while not horrible, does contribute to the intake of dust and moisture into the lens. Fortunately, the lens does feature a level of weather sealing that far exceeds the quality of most rival manufactures lenses, and help minimise the vulnerability of the lens to the elements. Nonetheless, I do find myself wishing that they had gone the extra mile and designed the lens with a single cam, or even with internal zooming, in order to improve on the lens' ultimate survivability.
Also worth mentioning is the extensive use of plastics in the construction of the lens. While it is hard to fault the finish of the lens, it would be nice if Pentax would utilize more metal for the barrel of the lens upon succeeding this model with a new lens.
TBC
Optical Quality:
Focus Quality:
Miscellaneous Comments:
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2011 Location: Hanoi Posts: 213
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 27, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | WR, sharpness | | Cons: | autofocus, wide angle | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K5 IIs
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In such a good weather, the powerfull of DA* 16-50 f2.8 is clear, so there is no need for further argument.
 San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, on Flickr
 San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, on Flickr
 Intramuros, Manila, on Flickr
 Underground river, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Central Ontario Posts: 144
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 19, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | weather sealing, picture quality, fast focusing | | Cons: | wobbly lens extension | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 7
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K 3
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Purchased a year ago. Supposed to be an upgrade from my DA 16-45 f 4 lens, since discontinued. Had no issues with this older lens whatsoever, just wanted the f 2.8 and supposedly better optics. Takes great photos with beautiful colour but inconsistent results. Sometime a purple ring around the edges appears, even though the previous or next photo had no issues ( of the same subject from the same position ). This only happens very occasionally.
Took lens in for repair a couple of months ago due to wobbly lens when barrel extended. SDM motor was replaced and a seal. Did not know there was a SDM issue. Seemed better but not perfect afterwards.
Have had excellent focusing results the whole time, no issues whatsoever. Balance with BG-5 grip is excellent and I always keep this on the camera body, just seems to make it complete.
Still concerned when walking around and can sense lens barrel trying to move. Sometimes get the feeling that it is easier to extend the barrel than retract it. Just a slight difference. Did not notice this prior to repair. Lens creep?
Other than this concern, I really like this lens and it is my usual one on this body. I also have a K5 and usually keep a Sigma 10-20 lens on it. Obviously I like to take wider shots but the 16-50 is a much more practical choice for everyday use. If only taking one camera, I take the K 3/ DA* 16-50 combo.
I would still recommend this lens since it does take beautiful pictures. Just thought the quality would be better, being a DA* lens. Some reviews state that the quality is great and others mention perceived issues. Recommend you check out the unit you wish to purchase prior to doing so. I adjusted the focusing when purchasing this, easy to do and now know that it is spot on.
I also have the DA* 60-250 and have no issues with this whatsoever. This is a true professional grade lens.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 214
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 30, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Silent operation, weather sealing, nice build, 16mm wide | | Cons: | Size and price | |
The only thing that bothers me when thinking about this lens is that I didn't get it earlier. Looking at the tests, even the comparative one done for this forum, you could not understand why Pentax kept this lens in production. Well, after getting one you realize that they keep making it because they know it's good.
In real life and even doing some testing with a high-resolving body like the K-3 you will not find any significant optical advantage with the Tammy 17-50 over this lens. The advantages are obvious – silent and adjustable focus, weather sealing. In daily use you may also note the accuracy of focus (using phase-detect) which is an achilles heel of the Tammy (which I've been using for six years).
The mere one-two mm of wider angle also seems to make a difference comparing to the alternatives.
This lens has become a centerpiece of my equipment when on work. If I have to do an assignment with only one lens, mostly it would be this one.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 30, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $670.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Tough, weather resistant | | Cons: | Somewhat heavy | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3, K-5, K-5ii, K-01
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I have had this lens for almost 3 years and have used it extensively hiking in the deserts of Arizona and Utah. So it has been exposed to extreme temperatures and rough use. It has performed flawlessly for me. I am aware of the SDM concerns but (knock on wood) I have not had problems. It is not the fastest focusing but it is silent and smooth. The IQ is very good for a zoom. Changing primes in the desert is not a pleasant prospect. I purchsed mine from Amazon Warehouse Deals listed as Very Good. It appeared unused when I received it. It has gotten hard, frequent use since but can be cleaned up to look almost as good as new. I am fond of everything about the lens except the weight.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 8
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 25, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | WR, 2.8, quick focussing if SDM works, 16mm wide end | | Cons: | SDM failure (changed to screw drive), heavy, not razor-sharp | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: k5
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This is a lens for which I have mixed feelings. When I first got it, the speed of AF was increadible, just like the silence. Indeed, as one reviewer mentioned here, I almost set the beep to confirm the focus point has been found. The images are not razor sharp, but it is no prime... For longer focal length, it gets better. The 2 extra mm compared to a kit lens do make a large difference. Overall rating: 8/5/10.
Then, I was strongly disappointed since also my copy after 3 years got a SDM failure. First, it would only auto focus to distances closer by (so first you had to manually put it to infinity, and it would be OK), then it failed completely. Needless to say: I was heavily disappointed! I was ready to get it repaired, but in the shop they refused to give me a quote for repair. Overall rating: 3/10.
I considered repairing it myself (there are some manuals on the internet), untill I found a way to change it to screw drive AF. Much more reliable, less risks of losing screws, that was the way to go for me.
Now, with the lens repaired, I am quite happy again. The WR feature is also useful!
| | | | | Closed Account Registered: March, 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 415
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 15, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $930.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast, versatile when AF works. | | Cons: | SDM, internal hardware, poor quality control | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 4
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5 and K5IIs
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Bought new in Dec. 2008. I just had my 4th incident (2 SDMs) with this lens causing me to spend more than the cost new if I decide to have this last one fixed (I did get 1 deal on 1 SDM incident). I can't deactivate the SDM because I have a mac (PKTether is for PC only) but I may have found some help. Otherwise I will use it in MF because its worth nothing now and I spent too much...! It is a dud and Pentax Canada has still not offered a decent deal such as total replacement...Granted, it still is a great all around lens with good glass but the hardware is poor given that there are 30+ SDM incidents listed out of the 188 lenses in the lens data base - not counting those that people are not willing to declare for resale purposes...?
That will make 3 SDM incidents counting my 50-135mm - which I hardly used - that just occurred as well...
In conclusion: car manufacturers recall their models for less than that. Maybe there are enough users out there that are not speaking out and there may be enough there to have a class action launched...!
June 2017 update:
I just read the latest thread on SDM failures today and rushed over to try my 16-50mm (2008) and 50-135mm (2012) and guess what... none of their SDMs work, either on my K5 or K5IIs. My 10-17mm fisheye and 18-55WR work flawlessly on both cameras.
Granted, I haven't used the 50-135 for a while but I did use my 16-50 2 weeks ago. I tried them, turned the focus wheel, turn the camera off and on, used the AF button and the half press numerous time... no deal! I'm fed up with those SDMs, more so since I had a big argument with Sun Camera of Toronto with the 16-50mm fixed as "under warranty", not mentioning the hassles before. Working the SDM every week is lot of bull...for Pentax products!
All worked well for a couple of years but now I'm convinced that the SDM system is a piece of s...t and i've decided to look seriously into switching to screw drive.
I definitely don't recommend that lens and that's my 2 cents on this subject...!
Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/346697-sdm...#ixzz4j5KgdCmV
Sept 2017 update
Just received the 2 lenses back from UncleVania's. The SDMs are gone, toast, I'm back to screw drive and I'm totally satisfied with this. I still wonder what the fuss was in favour of the SDM because the sound of the screw drive running is minimal and now I know things are back to normal. I put the rating back to a "9".
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Posts: 1,298 | | Review Date: April 23, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $585.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Fast focus | | Cons: | Not sharp, Heavy | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 5
Value: 3
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-30 & K-50
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I purchased this lens used with intention of using it to shoot pictures of my grand daughter. The lens is much to heavy to roll around taking pictures of a 1 year old. My daughter and i used it to take some portrait pictures out doors of the grand daughter and no mater how hard we tried could not get sharp pictures. I plan to sell it soon before anything goes wrong!
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2014 Posts: 9
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 23, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $480.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | WEATHERSEALING for those travelers or outback hikers, great optics, great IQ, so much potential (needs firmware update to easily switch to screwdrive af) | | Cons: | 1. Shadow Casting while using built in flash o.O 2. Nit picking - color fringing 3. Again nit picking - zoom ring tough to turn | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 6
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K3
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What I shoot most of are indoor and outdoor portraits, occasional landscapes.
Considering all the potential this lens may have, it does have flaws. I was very optimistic about the lens which I recently purchased and got in yesterday. I wasn't so nit picky about the SDM motor acting up for the price I paid, which is still a lumpsome amount at $480 w/shipping but I can always hack into screwdrive mode. IMO I believe it is best valued at around $300 right now with all its issue with quality control. My hiccup that I noticed was the shadow cast from using built in flash between 16-28mm without lens hood on the lens (low key casual shooting is a no go to at key distances). I shouldn't be surprised with it's long build protruding out at a wide angle shots, lesson learned. I guess the only work around is using my external flash, small but important to mention for those who don't want to travel around with there external flash everywhere.
I am still considering if I should have gone with the DA* 50-135mm 2.8 since it would make sense to avoid that shadow cast with more telephoto.
Overall, I do recommend this lens but it will take some time to work around it's flaws. SEriously though Pentax need to drop the value price for this product.
Performs great to an extent!
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