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

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

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

Unfortunately got a bad copy of the lens. Sent back to adorama for a replacement.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

The weather sealing was the seller for me.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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........

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.