| Author: | | 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
| |
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.)
| | | | | | | 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:
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2011 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 492
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 21, 2012 | Not Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Build quality | | Cons: | Size, weight, handling | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 5
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5
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I bought this lens because I was looking for a decent standard zoom for my K-5.
I know that there are reliability issues with the lens, so I bought it new for Ł639 (some Ł200 less than the current RRP).
It is not a bad lens by any stretch of the imagination. Build quality is excellent and I liked the gold highlights and distance scale. This aspect is certainly way above the competition from Sigma and Tamron. I had few complaints about the image quality. It's not up there with my macro lenses, but perfectly decent:
Autofocus was snappy and accurate. This was partly down to the extremely short focus throw (no more than sixty degrees, if that).
However, problem was: I just didn't like it. I found taking it out and using it more of a chore than a pleasure and this is all down to the handling which is poor. Make no mistake, this is an enormous lens. The weight given above is wrong. With hood mounted, it tipped my kitchen scales at more like 660 grams. The weight is exacerbated by the extremely poor balance - uniquely among zoom lens, the camera is more wieldy with the lens fully zoomed out. Besides the weight, the relative sizes of the zoom and focus rings meant that my hand would, as often as not, twist the focus ring rather than the zoom ring when composing a photograph. Note that this a trait shared with the 50-135.
Another major issue is cost. This lens is plain not good value. Although not quite at the level of the Nikon 17-55, it is significantly more expensive than competing models from Canon and Sony. Given the price, I cannot recommend it. If you're looking for a fast, standard zoom, the Tamron 17-50 is a far better value proposition (optically superior too). If you don't mind sacrificing a little speed for extra reach, the Sigma 17-70 is hard to beat.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2007 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,249
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, contrasty, WR, silent (SDM) | | Cons: | barrel distortion @16mm, big and heavy, zoom friction around 28mm | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 6
| |
This lens had a bad reputation due to a lot of bad copies but its performance is fantastic when you get a good copy.
One of the complaint about this zoom is the relatively poor performance at f/2.8. Actually it's already quite sharp in the center, borders need about f/5.6 to get very sharp.
Optically, the only real complain I could do about this lens is the heavy barrel distortions @16mm. I know you can correct them by software (or even in-camera starting with the K-7 and K-x) but it's another step and you'll loose borders meaning that you don't get your full 16mm.
Build construction is great in general (and much better than lenses costing more like the Canon 17-55 IS). The only thing I don't like is the friction when zooming at around 28-35mm. The mechanism never feels as smooth as the excellent DA* 50-135mm.
The big downside for me regarding this lens is the size and weight. I think it doesn't balance well on my K-7 if I'm not using the external grip.
Pictures taken with the DA* 16-50mm | | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Brno Posts: 295
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 12, 2023 | Not Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Weather sealing | | Cons: | Sudden Death Motor, weaker resolution wide open | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 5
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D, K5, K3
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I bought 2nd hand DA*16-50/2.8 in package with other things. I also have Sigma 17-50/2.8 for many years and Sig18-35/1.8 too.
My "new" DA*16-50 lens already had issues with Sudden Death Motor and although it looks like new and was only used with camera having less than 2500 clicks on shutter counter, the motor was already dead. DA*50-135/2.8 in same pack was struggling at the beginning, but after some time it was possible to wake the motor up and lens works. But 16-50/2.8 refused to do anything, so I had to convert the lens to screw drive only.
Camera driven AF +/- works, but it is only so-so usable with +10 AF fine tuning especially on wide end. F2.8 image is weaker than what Sigma 17-50/2.8 can do. It needs about F4 to show some good image. On longer end central part is usable with F2.8 and whole image needs at least F3.5 to be usable outside of center.
Screw drive AF is quite fast and even in live-view it is usable altough not a speed demon. But at least live-view is more accurate.
Back in K10D era when this lens was introduced, the price was already premium and +/- corresponded with what this lens can provide. But in 2009 the price was increased to unbelievable level and it remained quite overpriced in Ricoh hands until it was replaced by the new HD-DA*16-50/2.8 PLM AW (which is again overpriced, but at least has better image output).
In general, this lens only makes sense if it has some low price and you accept the fact, that motor will die over time. Even later lenses produced after 2012 are having many SDM issues, so the problem was not entirely fixed.
Usually you'll be able to find Sigma 17-50/2.8 offered with lower 2nd hand price, so unless you need weather sealing, get that Sigma instead. That one millimeter at wide end is noticeable, but nothing dramatical and AF on that Sigma is quiet and works well for many years. And if you need high resolution output, then just get Sigma 18-35/1.8. It has crisper image with F2 than this lens can do at F4  | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2013 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 574
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 15, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | F2.8 across, center sharpness, wr, general ruggedness | | Cons: | heavy | |
This lens is always on my K-5 and it gets abused a lot. In the 8 years I've been using it, it got hit by a baseball bat (had to go to the repair shop) dropped twice, has been in heavy rain, heavy snow, covered in frost, got hit by quite a few massive waves in Virginia Beach and the Carabean...
-15°C is the coldest I'll use it for an extended period of time (sitting on a tripod doing astrophotography). The grease between the gears gets quite stiff below that.
I really love working with this lens. The F2.8 is so so useful for when the light isn't ideal (about 75% of the time). SDM is so discreet, on the K-5 I have no problem shooting "quiet" events like a few years back my sister's thesis defense. SDM is still working great. I did think it was going down in 2017 when it started acting up. But, here what seems to have settle the problem: "reviving" the lens on the K-5 with a fully charged battery, and then using it every week or so. (For some reason I could not revive it with a fully charged battery on my old K-50) Now, it's as good as new! No reviving necessary even after a month or two unused.
Center sharpness is good at f/2.8. From f/4 and up, it's a stack of primes. After 8 years of abuse I must say IQ slightly went down but the image below (taken last month) is a testimony to the fact it still yields good results. It's not the best in any categorie but so good in all of them I gave it an overall 10.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 796
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 20, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Constant F2.8 aperture, WR, silent AF | | Cons: | Big, heavy, not so good IQ, uncomfortable zoom ring | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 6
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-30, KP
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While stopped down the IQ of this lens is good, wide open not. I would not recommend a constant F2.8 standard zoom with this image quality below F4 if there were a comparable WR alternative. I had the tamron 17-50 F2.8 and that lens has a much better IQ except the bokeh. I have to say this lens has a nice bokeh, much better than what the tamron had. Altough the tamron was sharper, was more flare resistant and that was lighter and much cheaper. (and had focus issues...) The DA*16-50 also has a bad barrel distorsion at the wide end. I bought this lens for the WR-ness and the silent AF.
The build quality is very good, but the zoom ring is a little hard to move and not big enough to be comfortable while the focus ring is much bigger, then what I need. Also this lens is heavy and big. The hood is enourmous. If I can I leave it at home and bring only primes, but this isn't an option for a wedding for example. There are alternatives, but in general the lens is up to the challenge, so finally I recommend it.
Here are some images:
 IMG170414_0019 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG170603_0020 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG170415_0027 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG161127_0015 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG161120_0021 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG161022_0014 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG160709_0194 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG160625_0001 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180428_0388 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
And a cross eye 3D:
 IMG180428_0104 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Posts: 1,761
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 15, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | High contrast, sharp | | Cons: | Lens flare in some situations | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5, K-5IIs, K-3II
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This was my third DA series lens. The first one was the very respectable DA18-55WR that came with my K-5 and later the DA10-17 joined the fun. I do have some very fine glass from the film era such as A24, F28, M35 and F50 so I have quality and speed covered, but not the versatibility of a zoom lens, WR and wide angle. After some analysis on lightroom regarding lens and focal lengths use (great tool for this purpose), I noticed that a lot of the shots done on good locations (generally bad weather conditions or difficult to move freely) were taken using the DA18-55WR. Comparing these with the few taken with F28 or F50 showed a subtle but worthy difference...
The DA*16-50 is a polemic lens and so I read, asked and read a little more to understand what the softness, aberration, distortion, etc. problems where all about. Finally, comments from other users and numerous samples at different settings convinced me that it was a good choice for my needs.
The following are some findings I didn´t read about when researching the lens.
Size & weigth: Ok, everybody writes about this regarding this lens, but perhaps this is a different approach: Not long ago, I was able to replace my F80-200 (300grs, sweeet) with the FA80-320 (550grs, similar size and weight as DA16-50). At first I was hesitant about this, but afer trying it I realized the weight and size actually helped with stability and felt better balanced with the body. Funny, I had never mounted a lens heavier than 300grs on my camera.
As expected, this also applies to the DA16-50, though not when picking it up or maneuvering one handed, even if only for a few seconds.
Transporting the lens is another thing. I was thinking about selling the DA18-55WR to recover some of the investment, but now I am thinking of keeping it for the times when portability is more important than ultimate IQ and/or adverse weather conditions are not expected.
Control layout: Excellent. I don´t know if this is relevant to more experienced users but I find it really easy and intuitive to set. May sound silly or obvious but I value a good efficient design.
Manual focus: I was surpriced to discover how easy it is to manually focus (stock viewfinder screen). Short but well dumped focus throw / ring makes things really pop on the viewfinder once in focus. I made a comparison with the A24/2.8, which has a similar distance scale (although larger focus throw), and the experiment confirmed the finding. Focus ring is big and well dumped. One more thing about focus ring: infinity stop actually corresponds to infinity!
| | | | | 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".
| | | | | 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!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,654
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 3, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very good, but ... | | Cons: | Difficult lens to use | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: New
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When I bought this lens a year ago I struggled with it. I wanted something else - something uniformly sharp across the frame, or so I thought. I bought a couple of primes and have been very happy with them (DA 20 & 40). However, this winter I decided to have a concerted effort with this lens.
I studied the resolution charts and analysed my previous results and after some time I realised what this lens was about (I think).
This is what I think now, for what it's worth:
# This lens is difficult to use, until you understand it (I'm getting there, I think).
# I started with dull misty days and generally poor light and somehow it pulled something out from the dullness. A quality that I don't think the primes would have found. The colours on fine days are striking.
# It isn't equally sharp across the frame. In fact it is significantly less sharp at the edges at extreme apertures. This I first thought was a huge problem. However, I now see it as an advantage, creatively. It can be very sharp in the centre.
# It is a heavy lens. This is subjective, really, especially as I have been using small primes. I've found that I do need a tripod on most occasions to obtain the sharpness. Is this due to the weight or balance ? But again, I now see this as an advantage. Slows me down too. Fewer snaps.
Overall, I'm glad I tried again to learn this lens. It is the most tricky lens to use in my collection, but I'm growing to appreciate it.
In my opinion, the review test charts for this lens are in some ways misleading as they miss the point. The do point out how the lens behaves in a mechanical way, but I should have stood back and tried to interpret what the data was trying to say ie it is NOT a lens with flaws, but an challenging lens with much potential.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: San Luis Obispo Posts: 146
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great Sharpness, Great Color. | | Cons: | Poor CA, heavy, price | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
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This lens is very sharp when you actually use it.
It's sharpness at border sucks at border /17mm, but it's very good when you stopped down to 8.0. It's also super sharp at center at 50mm in larger aperture.
Since as a photographer, you only need to use smaller aperture at wide angle, larger aperture at 50mm for bokeh, I don't see any reason this lens is "poor at sharpness"
Color of this lens is very very good, it is as good as my A50/1.7
Take a look at photozone and DxO's MTF chart, it is consistent with this.
You should consider what you gonna do with the lens, not how sharp this lens is at largest aperture.
It's sharper than Sigma 17-50/2.8 in the the center at 50mm and overall at 17mm/F8.0. Yes, I have both lens.
Problem is the CA, you need really good software (like lightroom) to get rid of it.
Autofocus might be an issue, but I disabled SDM on this lens allowing me to use screw driver AF, which is super fast and accurate. When it is at SDM, it is very very slow...
I feel so sorry that I have to put my copy of lens on sale because I need money.
    | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Posts: 24
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 7, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $850.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Perfect range, beautiful build, handling, quiet AF | | Cons: | Price - but worth it | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
| |
When it asks if I'd recommend the lens, I need to say exactly what I mean by clicking 'Yes'. I mean YES YES YES - the reason I have to recommend it so strongly is because of the reservations I had, and the ones I'm sure you may have.
"Hmm, seems expensive when the Sigma is 2/3rds of that price."
"Hmm, some people say it's not that sharp?"
"I think I'd like greater range at the cost of a slower aperture."
Wrong wrong wrong. This lens just answers those criticisms big time. The Sigma, ummm, no thanks. I owned it, and couldn't wait to get rid of it. It was sharp but just... bad all other ways.
The DA* isn't that sharp? Maybe try adjusting your AF or something because mine is plenty sharp.
Bigger range? Nah, the 16-50 is perfect and when you can use f2.8 all the way on that, it's just... man I love this lens.
Get it before Pentax puts the prices up even more.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2012 Posts: 118
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 23, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | wide angle to portrait, weather shield, fast apperture, 80% of my picture are on this zoom range. | | Cons: | price | |
Consider the best lens you can get for your photography, cover from wide to street to portrait.
i never worry about the weather condition, since the lens and camera is weather resistant.
2.8 will give you sharp at center and the rest a bit soft.
5.6 will give you "excellent" a cross the frame.
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