Well, it was with the K5 initially. The K5 got dreaded mirror slap issue, went in for repair and JPSS kindly calibrated the DA*16-50 as well - to match the K5. When it came back it was significantly sharper (or at least it focussed properly!). I haven't recently compared against the DA16-45 (my son has this) - but I was never a fan of the bokeh of the 16-45. The 16-50 has very nice rendering, as does the 17-70.

Of course, the weather sealing is very useful on the DA*. It would be interesting to see how the DA16-85 stacks up against the DA17-70 + DA*16-50. Probably not the same build quality as the 16-50, but the MTF tests look very promising - possibly similar, but of course a tad slower in the f-stop department.

FWIW, I went through an AF adjustment process with the K3 and made very good use of focus-peaking in LiveView to check the accuracy of the phase-detect focus. I used a product box about 6ft away, focussed with normal AF, then engaged LV and checked that the focus peak was optimal - i.e. if moving the focus ring on the lens produced a better peak (I could see the litho rose/ring pattern on the product printing box!) then I'd adjust the AF and repeat. Meant to write that process up... but no time
Matt

The 50-135 is sublime - always makes me smile using it
My 16-50 is lovely, but in a subtly different way. Superb for landscapes - just finding out how much detail it provides with the K3!! I did get my ageing copy calibrated by JPSS and it came back a different beast

Add the 12-24 and that's my 99% of the time kit. Exceptionally compact, all in a Lowepro Nova 3.
Matt

For "offical" and group shots the DA*16-50 is lovely.
The DA17-70 is a very good second best - very useful range, especially for an only lens.

But for candid shots and picking out details, for speeches etc, the DA*50-135 is an absolute stunner.

Beautiful set of images!
Think you'll need more than an apple a day to carry that as walkabout kit!
Thank you for sharing.

Actually a replacement shoe isn't that much. It only takes four screws to replace.

Think I got mine from Asahi Photo last time I broke a shoe.

Matt

If you just want really good scanning ability, then Vuescan is your answer. Forget TWAIN
Matt

Appreciate the update John! Enjoy

@50mpCMOS - have PM'd you

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