DA* 16-50mm Review

Photozone have published a long-awaited review of the DA*16-50mm.

This appears to be their 3rd attempt. The first two failing with centering problems.

The results can be seen here:

DA*16-50 Review

From my direction this does reinforce some of the problems that have been reported with this lens. I'm on my 2nd sample and while it is miles better than the first sample it still feels a bit disappointing.

Glyn

Well, I am glad I bought one before the reviews because I have learned its little foibles and appreciate its finer qualities.

Corners and edges are not so good wide open its true, though I dont see the same CA issues stopped down as Klaus does.

But what sets this lens apart is the way the colours pop out. Back to back with just about any Sigma or Tamron lens the Pentax results have a vibrancy that the others cant match. So, despite its faults it just has a certain something and quite nice bokeh too.

Not all the best lenses do best on test charts I guess.

It was the statement "The AF accuracy of the tested sample was mediocre with a quite significant back-focus problem at 50mm" which rang true with me. While mine performs very well for portraits and close objects for landscapes the AF is often disappointing particularly at infinity.

It is also the only lens in my collection that I have had any issues with lens-flare.

Glyn

On my K20 the AF is incredibly accurate even in the dark! I dont seem to have too many flare issues either and I use it a lot for night shots. Do you use yours on a K10?

Yes it is on a K10D.

On the flare front bright sunlight seems to occasionally create an internal reflection and I get some blobs appear in the resulting shot. For example, while not a very good shot, this shows the problem:

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP4245-small.jpg[/IMG]

To a lesser extent there are two bright blobs on the right hand of this shot (which were easily removed):

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP8873-small.jpg[/IMG]

Glyn

And there was me thinking DA star lenses were top class glass!,I'll just stick with my 16/45 until Pentax get their act together and start turning out lenses to an exacting standard!................there seem to be far too many little problems at the moment.............

There have been many issues with this lens on various forums, this link might help

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/22297-da-16-50mm-s...

That's alot of duff lenses!

I know I am seriously reconsidering my decision to upgrade my glass, at least I know what I currently have works.

I also wonder if this problem with the 16-50 is why Pentax are not offering cashback on this lens, ie they dont have enough good stock to cope with the demand they'd get.

If I'm going to pay £400+ for a lens I want it perfect and dont want to be sending it back for replacement or adjustment.

I think we will have to sweetheart Chris to test them all before he sends them out!..lol...............

The 16-50 is an amazing lens. It is actually light years better than the 18-55 and probably much better than the 16-45 (and 17-70). At f5.6 you can compare sharpness to a prime lens, and this is incredible for a zoom.

Complaining about a lens that you DON'T own, is simply idiotic. Buy the lens, if its not working well, you will surely have all the guarantees from the trusted shop you've bought it from, which will substitute the faulty lens immediately. And then you will have nothing to complain, and loads to enjoy.

If anybody would like to try a great 16-50 in the west london area, you are welcome to contact me.

The 16-50's MTF charts on Photozone.de don't look much better than the 16-45's:

http://tinyurl.com/6z67zs


www.photozone.de/pentax/134-pentax-smc-da-16-45mm-f4-ed-al-review--test-report?s...

The 16/50 may be an amazing lens, if you get a good one!,but my point is for the price you pay they should all be amazing,in this modern age even mass produced lenses should come off the production line to the same high standard. As for returning stuff,if you live out in the sticks like me it's such a fart!.....if I'm not at home at the time of delivery it's a 24mile round trip to pick it up.........

Yes, the charts are similar, prove that central sharpness is generally better in the DA*, and the 16-45's charts are 1 stop slower, bringing it to f11.

I think that the important part of my post was the second one though. Criticizing a great lens without trying it, or without using a good copy of it, is simply idiotic, because it creates rumors where these are definitely not needed.

Pentax is already struggling for its market place, and they are producing amazing lenses and cameras that simply don't receive the same publicity as other brands because of the stupid rumors of faulty lenses.

I can appreciate your comments Nathan, especially as you are happy with yours, but you cant deny that a £400+ lens shouldn't need to be sent back, it just shouldn't be faulty in the first place at least not to the degree that it is been reported.
As for the "rumours" most of these complaints have come from a Pentax Forum and dissatisfied Pentaxians themselves, not over zealous canikons who are trying to degrade the Pentax brand.

I dont know why you put the "lol" on the end, I think thats a serious consideration for any bit of kit thats sent out via mail order, the time it would take to do a quick test before dispatch could save a lot of time and money in having to send out replacements and refunding postage costs, mind you I hear SRS are doing so well they can afford to send Pentax lenses instead of Sigma