Product Description

The smc PENTAX-DA 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL[IF]SDM wide angle zoom lens delivers the highest level of optical quality and includes SDM technology for fast, accurate, quiet focus. Bringing together advanced optical technologies, including aspherical elements, special optical-glass elements and original lens coatings, these new interchangeable lenses are superior to any existing lens series in terms of contrast, clarity and edge-to-edge sharpness.

Product Details

• Brand: Pentax
• Model: B000NO5QV6
• Released on: 2007-08-15
• Dimensions: 3.30" h x 3.30" w x 3.90" l, 1.25 pounds

Features

• SMC DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) Lens, Lens Cap, Rear Lens Cap B (31006), Lens Hood, Lens Soft Case
• High performance, wide angle zoom lens
• SDM system creates smoother, quieter auto focus
• Weather resistant and dust resistant body
• Quick-shift Focus System for instant switching from auto focus to manual

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, the Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 wide-angle zoom lens is a terrific choice for landscapes, portraiture, and just about any other application. The lens features a tightly sealed, weather-resistant and dust-resistant construction to enhance durability in rainy or dusty conditions. The lens's three aspherical elements and two special optical glass elements, meanwhile, help compensate for chromatic and spherical aberration, producing images with superior contrast, clarity, and edge-to-edge sharpness. And thanks to the lens's Pentax-original Quick-Shift Focus System, you can easily and instantly switch from autofocus to manual focus.

Specifications

• Focal length: 16-50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
• Angle of view: 83 to 31.5 degrees (when used with Pentax digital SLR camera body)
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.3 meters
• Maximum magnification: 0.21x
• Filter size: 77mm
• Corresponding AF mounts: Pentax KAF2
• Dimensions: 3.3 inches in diameter and 3.9 inches long
• Weight: 19.9 ounces (without hood)
• Warranty: 1 year

Customer Reviews

Tremendous lens, a bargin compared to...
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.

EXCELLENT LENS TO OWN
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!!!

A bargain...just buy it!!!
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).