I have both
Here's my thoughts from use (not from scientific test):
* 17-70 is sharper than the 16-45
* The bokeh is much smoother on the 17-70. I definitely prefer this.
* 16-45 seems to have less distortion at the wide end
* 16-45 has less vignetting at the wide end
* 17-70 is SDM, of course
* 70mm end is excellent - especially for portraits etc
* 16-45 physically extends at 16mm end producing really wacky close up wide angle shots!
* 17-70 has 0.31x mag as opposed to 0.26x
* 17-70 is 485g as opposed to 365 (17-70 certainly feels more solid too!)
* Some report high CA on the 16-45.

Overall I am very please with the 17-70. It's an excellent walkabout lens with superb capabilities
One day I might do a side-by-side image comparison

Enjoy the lens John!!

Matt

Interesting link Shim.
I have the Pentax one - works pretty well. My observations are as follows:

1) Vignetting when using specs. Fairly acceptable, but find you have to slightly move your head to see the viewfinder indicators properly

2) Fogs up in the rain! Found this out when using the DA*50-135 & K20D in the pouring rain.

It's one of those accessories that I like on some days and not on others (Fickle person that I am )
Matt

For these type of shots you should either:
1) Switch to manual focus
2) Turn off the "AF on half press" option in the custom menu and use the "AF button"

What you need is the camera, on a tripod, already focused so that when you press the shutter the camera just takes the shot (and doesn't try to autofocus again!)

HTH!
Matt

Yes, there are two types of preflash. However, the P-TTL preflash cannot be disabled (unless you're using an old lens!)

The preflash for P-TTL definitely IS a problem for light-triggered slaves! There's only milliseconds between the pre-flash and the main flash, but it's enough to discharge the slave so it has nothing left for the main flash.

It works like this:
* Preflash fires
* Camera takes metering information
* Mirror goes up and shutter opens
* Main flash fires
* Shutter closes and mirror goes down.

When using wireless remote the pop-up flash STILL does a preflash and main-flash. In fact, it's more complex since the wireless is not radio but light! The popup flash communicates with the slave before the exposure by using bursts of light.

All this will mess up a light-triggered slave.
So, your only real options are:
1) Use an AF360 or AF540 as a remote in wireless P-TTL/Manual/A mode
2) Use an older flash on the hotshoe as a controller for the "dumb" slaves
3) Use the PC connector and use wired slaves

Does that make better sense?
Matt

You can pick up an old Pentax AF160 flashgun for around £10 (or less).
When you connect a flash gun that has "A" and "M" modes only onto the hot-shoe of the camera THEN you definitely get just one flash

HTH!
Matt

Yikes! That's a huge difference
Matt

Stefan, ParkCameras have the DA*50-135 listed as £529. However, they probably have older stock.
I guess that may be the same for the sources you quote in the Netherlands as well
Maybe... we'll have to see. Though there are price rises on the other brands as well - but from what I've seen they look like just currency price rises.

The Pentax rises just seem completely and utterly absurd! (Are they trying to "milk the market" or something??)

Matt

I still haven't seen a good explanation about the sheer steepness of these price increases!
Is Hoya/Pentax increasing the prices to show to the "all-the-gear-no-idea" crew that they are seriously expensive, and therefore must be better??

Ok, some of it comes down to currency issues - but definitely not on that scale!

Chris - any explanation from Pentax as this massive price hike?

Matt

I was gobsmacked to see the new price of the 50-135
I'm even more stunned to see the crazy price of the 50/1.4 and 10-17

What on earth is going on here? It's not exchange rate fluctuations, is it??

I only wish my salary had gone up by a similar proportion

...at this rate I'll be here less and less (to save the temptation for LBA!)

Matt

Aha! Must be my new iMac that's messing up the numbers

Matt