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Frequently Bought Together
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Technical Details
- Super fast autofocus through ultra-sonic technology
- Completely protected against spray and dust
- Metal bayonet mount
- Quick Focus for instant switching to manual focus control
- New "Super Protection" coating for protecting the front lens element against dirt and grime
Product details
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Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
The "DA Star" series opens a new chapter in PENTAX lens history. The critical capability characteristics include an extremely fast "Supersonic Motor" incorporating ultrasonic technology and a housing that is completely sealed against water and dust. The smc-DA* 16-50 mm is the ultimate standard zoom. The continuous f/2.8 aperture provides for the necessary reserves needed in poor light conditions. And for optimal operational convenience the "Quick Shift Focus System" is again provided, enabling the user to instantly take manual control of the focusing. Rounding out the intelligent design of the new the Star series lens is the proprietary PENTAX SP coating that reliably protects the lens against pollution.
Product Description
Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM Zoom Lens
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
I am not used to write reviews even though I have bought many things from Amazon - and my native language is not english ... but anyway:
I guess how good something is always depends on what you compare it to. In my case I come from Olympus e30 with a Zuiko 12-60. I am not sure if it's my new K5 that is better than e30 or it's Pentax 16-50 that is better than Zuiko 12-60. But all together my new setup is so much more improvement than I had expected. I am so happy with this new setup, it's even a little lighter than the old one, but most of all the photos seems to have more detail, more dimension, more boheh (not sure I spelled that one right) and hardly any noise in the shadows. I can even use ISO 6400 indoors with good results. I am not the kind that remember all the technical details or even care much about that. I go with my gut feeling and I can only say good things about this lens. Go for it if you like to do landscapes, people or street photography or portraits. It covers all of it - also indoors!
I guess how good something is always depends on what you compare it to. In my case I come from Olympus e30 with a Zuiko 12-60. I am not sure if it's my new K5 that is better than e30 or it's Pentax 16-50 that is better than Zuiko 12-60. But all together my new setup is so much more improvement than I had expected. I am so happy with this new setup, it's even a little lighter than the old one, but most of all the photos seems to have more detail, more dimension, more boheh (not sure I spelled that one right) and hardly any noise in the shadows. I can even use ISO 6400 indoors with good results. I am not the kind that remember all the technical details or even care much about that. I go with my gut feeling and I can only say good things about this lens. Go for it if you like to do landscapes, people or street photography or portraits. It covers all of it - also indoors!
Amazon Verified Purchase
Built like a rock and looks really good on the K200D, huge diameter :)
Was very disappointed with the optical quality. At F2.8 everything is out of focus except a small portion on the right side of the photos, horrible CA, pictures are useless. At other F's quality varies along the zoom range, but trough most of it the right side is blurry.
Can not get consistent picture quality with this lens. Autofocus is hit, miss, miss, miss. Could get some decent pictures, but only with apertures F4 and up.
Think this is a bad sample and it will be returned. Will update this when new one arrives.
Was very disappointed with the optical quality. At F2.8 everything is out of focus except a small portion on the right side of the photos, horrible CA, pictures are useless. At other F's quality varies along the zoom range, but trough most of it the right side is blurry.
Can not get consistent picture quality with this lens. Autofocus is hit, miss, miss, miss. Could get some decent pictures, but only with apertures F4 and up.
Think this is a bad sample and it will be returned. Will update this when new one arrives.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
38 reviews
72 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Tremendous lens, a bargin compared to...
25 Nov 2007
If you've read my previous reviews, you know that I'm a retail camera salesperson. I get to use a wide variety of equipment, but I'm a bit picky on what I buy myself. I own this lens.
I couldn't be more pleased with this lens for my K10D. The images are crisp at all focal lengths and apertures. The focusing is both fast and smooth. (Note: it will require updating to firmware version 1.3 for the K10D to autofocus properly.) Build quality is top-notch, and the weather-proofing is nice, although I doubt I'll test that often.
Pentax has also equiped this lens with the older drive system, so that it can be used on older digital cameras, but the noise level goes up, and the AF performance, while decent, goes down.
This is an amazingly good deal compared to either the Canon or Nikon lenses in the same range. The Nikon has about the same build quality, but costs considerably more. The Canon has the IS system built into the lens (not necessary with Pentax); therefore, it costs about the same as the Nikon. A very good lens, it still doesn't have the build quality "feel" of the Pentax nor Nikon. Additionally, the 16mm makes the Pentax a bit wider, a big advantage for my type of shooting.
Simply put, without this lens, I'd be shooting Nikon.
I couldn't be more pleased with this lens for my K10D. The images are crisp at all focal lengths and apertures. The focusing is both fast and smooth. (Note: it will require updating to firmware version 1.3 for the K10D to autofocus properly.) Build quality is top-notch, and the weather-proofing is nice, although I doubt I'll test that often.
Pentax has also equiped this lens with the older drive system, so that it can be used on older digital cameras, but the noise level goes up, and the AF performance, while decent, goes down.
This is an amazingly good deal compared to either the Canon or Nikon lenses in the same range. The Nikon has about the same build quality, but costs considerably more. The Canon has the IS system built into the lens (not necessary with Pentax); therefore, it costs about the same as the Nikon. A very good lens, it still doesn't have the build quality "feel" of the Pentax nor Nikon. Additionally, the 16mm makes the Pentax a bit wider, a big advantage for my type of shooting.
Simply put, without this lens, I'd be shooting Nikon.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
A bargain...just buy it!!!
30 Mar 2009
For Pentax K20D users:
(Older model owners: upgrade already, you're missing all the fun, what are you waiting for? ;-)
I reviewed tons of sites before purchasing this lens. Here the lowdown after some extensive K20D (real world studio with people, not charts) testing:
-"Famous urban Internet legend" QA issues: Are done and over with. Blast from the (2008) past. All current lenses in stock do not have any issues anymore (in case you heard).
-Sharpness/Focus: Much, much better then lower grade zooms, especially if you stop down an f-stop or two (which you really should anyhow). It really shows all the (detailed) glory of your sensor. Do not settle for a third party lens (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) if you can have the real thing.
-AF: Way more accurate then kit/consumer lenses. Dead-on 95% of the time (versus non * lenses: More like 50%-70%). And in case you're comparing: Yes, it's better then the 17-70mm Pentax.
-A real bargain compared to Nikon/Canon glass: you would have to pay over a grand for the same quality.
-Bottom line: the best zoom glass you can get other then the (new digital) * primes. Even there, I think you would have a hard time to see a difference.
And yes, I do this for a living (shooting, not reviewing, that is).
I'm just flabbergasted how professional Pentax has become: The Nikon D300 with any glass shoots like a Coolpix in comparison (yes, I own an entire Nikon outfit).
(Older model owners: upgrade already, you're missing all the fun, what are you waiting for? ;-)
I reviewed tons of sites before purchasing this lens. Here the lowdown after some extensive K20D (real world studio with people, not charts) testing:
-"Famous urban Internet legend" QA issues: Are done and over with. Blast from the (2008) past. All current lenses in stock do not have any issues anymore (in case you heard).
-Sharpness/Focus: Much, much better then lower grade zooms, especially if you stop down an f-stop or two (which you really should anyhow). It really shows all the (detailed) glory of your sensor. Do not settle for a third party lens (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) if you can have the real thing.
-AF: Way more accurate then kit/consumer lenses. Dead-on 95% of the time (versus non * lenses: More like 50%-70%). And in case you're comparing: Yes, it's better then the 17-70mm Pentax.
-A real bargain compared to Nikon/Canon glass: you would have to pay over a grand for the same quality.
-Bottom line: the best zoom glass you can get other then the (new digital) * primes. Even there, I think you would have a hard time to see a difference.
And yes, I do this for a living (shooting, not reviewing, that is).
I'm just flabbergasted how professional Pentax has become: The Nikon D300 with any glass shoots like a Coolpix in comparison (yes, I own an entire Nikon outfit).
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
EXCELLENT LENS TO OWN
28 Mar 2008
Best walk around lens to own. With a K10D, you can have a weather proof combo for around $1,350. Where else can you find this kind of deal? If you add on a DA 50~135 with them, you can have an award winning camera with lenses range from 16~135 f2.8 for $2,100.
Both of these lenses have EXCELLENT SHARPNESS and BOKEH. DA 50~135 has "cleaner" picture though.
These are my 2 favorite lenses now. period.
If you want to buy something that is worth every penny, the combo I have listed above will do!!!
Both of these lenses have EXCELLENT SHARPNESS and BOKEH. DA 50~135 has "cleaner" picture though.
These are my 2 favorite lenses now. period.
If you want to buy something that is worth every penny, the combo I have listed above will do!!!
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