Pentax 50-200DA zoom - £122 Tecno

Just bought a new Pentax 50-200DA digital zoom lens from Tecno for £122 including postage. Brilliant.
Jessops price = £179

Do Tecno still have shops? I wonder if there any "Up North". I 'll have to google them to find out.

HowardJ

Howard
Don't know if there are still any Tecno shops around.
I used to visit the one in Birmingham but don't know if it's still there.
On line service was good though, only took two days.

SRS Microsystems are doing them for £129

Just got mine - what a diddy little lens
Now I need some light and subject to try it out
Matt

I took delivery of the 50-200 today. But on inspection I thought the front element of the lens stood proud of the printed surround. I could rub my finger along the edge of the glass which was rough in some parts.
I got out my 18-55 to compare. And indeed on the 18-55 the glass is totally housed at the front with no exposed edge. Hope this is making sense.
I reboxed it, rang the supplier and asked them to look at another 50-200 while I was on the phone and they described it to be similar in finish to the smaller kit lens.
I'm thinking I got one with a factory fault. It's going back tomorrow for inspection. I'm hoping they will pay the post if I'm found to be correct.
Am I the unlucky one?
Tom

Tom,
The front element is higher than the printed text. The actual construction is like this:
Printed area; small groove; metal ring; glass element that sits flush with the metal ring.

Hope that makes sense! Could do you a shot of mine if it'd help...
Matt

Just took a quick snap of the front of mine, this is really close up so the rough edge is really noticeable, but it sounds as though it's the same as yours. Mine works fine, but I can't compare the construction of it to the kit zoom, I don't have one.

I just assumed it was how it should be.




Dan[/img]

Flush with metal ring? I was sure I rubbed my finger on a glass edge and not a metal ring. I would like to see the shot Matt.
Daniel has very kindly posted a shot of his which does look like mine.
Matt have you a kit lens or other to compare finishes?
Tom

Tom,
Just tried snapping mine - but the image looks very similar to Daniel's.
However, that doesn't appear to be the edge of the element itself - if I run a finger nail from the edge of the element towards the lettering, it stops at the circular metal rim.
If, on the other hand you gently rub your finger over it - it feels rough (because you're feeling the metal rim, not the element). I've just examined mine from all directions and it definitely looks like a thin rim of metal around the edge of the element.

Contrary to what I said, the element is very, very slightly lower than the metal surround.

I have the 16-45, which is completely different in construction. I suspect they've squeezed the 50-200 into a very small space, but it is a bit strange that it feels "unfinished" on the front element.

In summary - not the best thing to cuddle and stroke ( LOL ), works a treat though as a lens

Matt

Matt and Daniel
Thanks so much for helping me on this. In the morning, in the clear light of day when I'm not in need of a stroke or cuddle I'll unpack it again and have another look.
Tom

I've had a close look at our 50-200mm and although the front element is proud of the mount, the finish is perfect. No rough edges at all.

Mines smooth like John's - maybe a batch destined for samsung got mis-labelled?

Hey, I have a Samsung 50-200 and it is as smoothe as a baby's bum.
I have no qualms with the quality and use it quite a lot. No offence taken.
Harry

sounds like mine is identical to Matts. The metal ring is maybe as much as 1/2mm above the glass surface, both are above the printed writing. I haven't subjected mine to a macro lens to see how smooth it is (not keen on touching it, I'm paranoid about my front elements!)

Mine is the same with the ring (which is very thin) a fraction above the glass surface