New 16-85mm wr

Just came across this on the pentax forum fb page. Thought I'd share.


ttp://m.us.ricoh-imaging.com/camera-lenses/HD_PENTAX_DA_16-85mm_f3.5-5.6_ED_DC_WR

Can't see this displacing either my 16-50 or 18-135

Sorry but too slow to be considered a go to lens..

I really don't see the point of this when the 18-135 is available. They are both slow, about the same size, will probably end up about the same price. 2mm at the wide end is considerable I suppose but I only see this doing well if it has much better IQ than the 18-135, which doesn't seem to be bad anyway.

Ricoh, forget this nonsense and bring on the mark II DA* lenses with faster and more reliable focusing.

...if it does achieve top IQ then I suspect it will be very popular! I find the DA*16-50 a bit too short to be the perfect "all-rounder"

Can't remember the last DA* lens that was released (the DA*60-250?), not sure they will release anything else in the DA* range

It's no different to the choice of having an 18-55mm or 16-45mm. We sacrifice some at the telephoto ens and gain some at the wide angle end.

I can see that it might well suit some as an alternative standard zoom to the 18-55mm. Especially as it has the DC motor.

I see it as alongside the 18 - 135 WR as finally replacing the old kit lenses. Presumably it'll therefore be overpriced unless you accept it in a bundle offer.

I'd have thought starting at 16mm in a consumer zoom lens a popular move as it gives the field of view of classic 24mm in 35mm terms in keeping with the old 16 - 45 and 16 - 50 star..

I wonder if they plan to revamp the star lenses too? My next move would be to replace my 18 - 135mm with such.I'd suffer cheap old ones

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Agreed. There seems to be plenty of overlap at this bottom end. Notwithstanding everyone has their own interests Pentax only have one high quality affordable longish telephoto suitable for wildlife photography - the DA*300 mm. They need to get that 100-400mm (or whatever it is on the roadmap)out PDQ especiallly with Tamron and Sigma not seeming to support K-mount in their new long lenses.

I'll observe with interest, but don't see myself buying one just yet, at least unless the price drops and the IQ is an improvement on the DA17-70.

It looks a good range for a walkabout lens, the WR is attractive, and as I mainly take landscape and buildings the aperture (or any slowness in focussing) isn't really a problem.

£600, I just feel it's the replacement to the slightly troublesome 17-70 F4, wider longer but variable aperture, the big two both do them, not really that expensive as it will drop to the same level as the Nikon 16-85mm soonish. Theirs is currently elling for a whopping £573.79 at the Nikon UK store and about £150 less at SRS, so I think we will see it drop to around £450 sharpish which is not bad for such a swiss army knife of a lens? Optics we will have to wait and see on but I personally don't see it replacing my 17-70 anytime soon, (To Mike P, my 17-70 is turning out to be the best £250 I ever spent in photography, I can't thank you enough!) which I have a story to relate about when I stop shooting the autumn stuff in the lakes and have time to do it justice...
Might be just the ticket, if the optics hold up? If it's half as good as the Nikon one it'll be a brilliant lens...
72mm thread is a bit awkward though...

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/dx/zoo...

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/lenses/nikon-lenses/nikon-16-85mm-f3-5-5-6g-af-...

I think what a lot are wanting here is a fast' walkabout' zoom that is a portrait lens at the long end ... Of course this is not actually that, so the thinking may just have to adjust. Maybe it is actually one for the landscapers backpack, along with the tripod ... If these new HD coatings and advanced optics really are so optimised for the latest high resolution sensors then it could be a fantastic solution, albeit stopped down s fair bit. It will need excellent performance at both extreme ends though to be able to take this roll.

Yikes!

The pre-order price is £599! (at WEX,SRS,clifton)

im sure its a good replacement for the 18-55 but why the focus ring at the back of the lens again? I really dont like it on the 18-135.

True, it's not the best place for it.

It sounds like i should keep my 17-70 then