Pentax SMCP-DA 16-50mm f/2.8 ED-AL (IF) SDM Autofocus Zoom Lens for Digital SLRs - U.S.A.

2022-01-26T07:51:37

This is my second Pentax SMCP-DA 16-50mm f/2.8 ED-AL. My first lens, through no fault of the lens was crushed when I banged it into a shelf while trying to get a great shot. When I saw that the price was reduced due to a new version I grabbed it, because before the crash I had no problems. It's a great lens at any price, so if you can't find the first version buy the new one because the new lens is the same price I paid for the older version. The lens range is fantastic you won't be sorry.

LYNNE K.

2020-12-16T08:22:04

My motor on this lens has been replaced once (not under warranty) and now it is slowly going out again.

Jay G.

2016-12-30T11:59:29

I shoot weddings and events. Most venues are fairly low light The f2.8 aperture is great for that. Crystal clear shots. I even have to soften them a little for bride shots.I've had no problems with the SDM focus motor after a full year.

RICHARD A.

2014-03-25T21:00:00

This lens is amazing. I was out in the rainforest and got some great pictures in spite of the low light. Fantastic

reel l.

2012-03-04T19:00:00

This is the lens I keep on my camera at all times because it is versitle and has a wide range of uses from low light to bright sunlight. I have taken over 3,000 images with this lens and to date have not had any problems.

ROGER L.

2011-09-11T21:00:00

This lens WAS great for scenery and low light indoor photography. In museums and shows where a flash was prohibited the lens worked great. Also worked great for portraits. It does lack the little extra "reach" to make it a little more versitle lens (16-75 or 100mm would have been nice). Unfortunately, after a year and a half of light usage (after the warrantee ran out), the auto-focus motor quit working. I can get it to work sometimes by playing with the manual focus for a while then switch to auto-focus. In checking the Pentax forums etc. many other people have the same problem. Right now it is a $1,200 paperweight until I can save the money to have it repaired, then I'll probably sell it.

GARY A.

2011-09-08T21:00:00

I am a pro wedding and event shooter and I also freelance for a couple of daily and weekly publications covering human interest stories, dinning and night life. This lens has the perfect zoom range for shooting in crowded and cramped rooms and has the great f2.8 aperature to allow me to shoot quality images in a low light venue such as chapels, restaurants and night clubs. The build quality and weather sealing allow me to focus on my work rather than babying my lens in a crowded club or on a wet wedding day. The images are crisp and the focus pops right in to place. I would highly reccomend this lens to anyone who uses a Pentax system.

ANTHONY C.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

This lens is OK. It does a nice job, but end up doing a little manipulation to the photo in my AcdSee using the sharpening. Use for outdoor team photos and it works ok.

MARK H.

2011-06-10T21:00:00

This is the second copy of the lens from Adorama. Finally, very impressed by it's performance. A bit soft wide open & on 50mm especially on border, but stopping down a little give perfect result. Best for landscape and general use. Pairing with 50-135, you don't need other lens.. :D

bhuana

2011-03-05T19:00:00

This is my mostly used among all my lenses. Excellent for landscape photography and combined with Pentax K5 gives fast and silent Auto-focus. Sharp on all apertures and produces a nice bokeh on close-up shots. All that I expected from this lens. Build quality is excellent. I think it's worth every penny.

ELENZER D.

2010-05-08T21:00:00

This is the 'as good as it gets' zoom lens for Pentax. I've used DA 16-45mm before and tried a DA 17-70mm as well. But in the end the DA* 16-50mm was IT. The versatile f/2.8 with weather seals and silent SDM really makes a huge difference over the lens that I had before. SDM focusing is not as fast as Canon USM I tried before (it wasn't even an L - just 50mm f/1.4 USM) but then again the focusing might be to do with my K20D body than the actual motor. I can't fault the pictures that I have taken with this lens so far.

Jihong P.

2010-04-10T21:00:00

Purchased lens to replace kit lens that came with K-7. So far I'm pleased with the images. I recently ordered the 50-135mm f2.8 to complement this and with these two lenses I will have everything I need.

Gregg S.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

This is the best lens I own... and I now own 2 (just incase...) It rarely leaves my camera. Very versitile, sharp and fast.

SEAN L.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

The weather sealing was the seller for me.

Frantz V.

2009-08-18T21:00:00

The lens operates very smoothly. Although it's a little heavy, a lot of glass. But I'm very please with the images. 77mm filter size makes for expensive filters.

SAMUEL P.

2009-07-10T21:00:00

I own the legendary 50-135mm and in my last photo-shoot I had to stand too far back, though the images were still stellar, I just wanted better close-ups for groups of people and this lens does it with distinction. Initially I agonized about quality control for this lens. I debated between this and the 12-24mm. But I needed a lens for weddings, general use and not just landscape. I finally took the plunge to get the 16-50mm f2.8 from Adorama (and it came in 3 days..thanks adorama); you can not beat this lens. At the 16mm end you can take landscape pictures of trees, sky and miscellaneous objects. For people photography go up to 25mm-45mm and stop down to f5.6-10 and nothing beats this lens for IQ, clarity, color, contrast and sharpness...period. This lens is simply phenomenal, super quiet and instantaneous focus, weather sealing. If you can afford this lens...hurry as prices are going up. You will be pleased about your photography.

CHUDI E.

2009-06-10T21:00:00

I traded in my 31ltd for this lens, to keep it's bigger brother, the DA*50-135 company in my bag. Both lenses are superb zooms, with a constant aperture throughout the focal range. While the 50-135 has IF, this lens extends, but with no creep. I needed this focal range for weddings and events, but haven't had a gig to fully test it out yet, I have used it for some product shots and have been happy with the results. An added bonus; when attached to your k20 (and eventually, your k-7) you have a fully weather sealed camera. Pentax's day in the sun is returning........

Ari K.

2009-05-03T21:00:00

Excellent pro glass for half the price of Nikon/Canon. The * seems to make the difference in AF: Better, more accurate AF then standard (non *) lenses, solid construction, quality feel. Better AF performance in dim ligh then Pentax 17-70mm (have both, tested). As usual, don't expect the sweet spot wide open and stop down 1-3 f-stops. F8/F11 seems to be the best performance (applies to any of my lenses). Use it on a K20D.

Bruno P.

2008-06-01T21:00:00

Great focus mechanism, silent and fast. The image quality is outstanding. Great for landscape photography and family photos. Because of its size, the in-camera flash causes big shadow on the lower portion of the picture, it will require an external flash. I am so happy with this lens that my next one will be the Pentax DA*50-135 mm on the same family of products. Pentax did a good job on this DA* family. Highly recommended.

Walter C.

2008-03-24T21:00:00

There are some QC issues with some of these lenses. [...]

Ted

2008-03-09T21:00:00

Weatherproof Design, nice build quality, Quickshift and noiseless AF are nice. Image Quality at open aperture is just on average level. Some issues with Front/Backfokus. Lenshood is sometimes tricky to mount.

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