|
Pentax SMC DA* Series 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL IF SDM Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Price: Too low to display (Add To Cart To See Your Price)
|
|
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| 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 |
|
Accessories
|
Customers Reviews
2009-09-18
Stunning lens
It's too bad there are bad copies out there because the only thing thing I can say about my copy is "stunning." Well, there are other adjectives but you get the idea;)
I've had mine for a little over a month now and it's by far my favorite lens. Crystal clear sharpness, incredible colors, great bokeh, and wonderful contrast. For me it's the perfect walkaround lens--although I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a 31mm Limited!
My copy does have very, very slight vignetting at 16mm at 2.8 but it's never been annoying, but it can be easily PP'd out if need be. I didn't mark it down for this because it is so slight and is actually pleasing to the eye, imo.
One thing, however, is you should buy it from a reputable dealer with a good return policy so if you do get a bad one it won't be a hassle to return it. I have to say, though, that this lens is so good it's worth taking the risk.
| 
2009-09-17
I sent the first two back
They are still having problems with quality assurance. This lens arrived and it looked great. I took several test images of a large 2 foot square black-on-white ink line drawing. It had sharply defined ink pen lines all over it, all the way to the edges. The images showed that the focus was unacceptably out of alignment from left to right and also a bit out from bottom to top. Looking at the test images over all, it seems like it might be a good lens if they can get me one with the alignment right.
Ammended 9/24 2009
The replacement arrived I tested it today using the same method and the alignment on this replacement lens was out of alignment in roughly the opposite direction by a similar amount, making the left edge significantly less sharp focused than the right. I returned it for replacement. We shall see what we get on the next try. I really would like to to get a properly aligned example of this lens that can provide images with a consistent focus left and right and top and bottom.
Ammended 9/29/2009
Amazon declined to send a third lens, offering simultaneously that getting two defective examples was very unusual, and strangely that, were they to ship a third, it would likely suffer the same defect. They volunteered to refund my shipping cost and purchase price, and recommended I contact Pentax. I will post clips from the center and each of the two extreme edges of the test image on this site.
It was very easy to alert Amazon and initiate a return. I really would still like to get a good one of these lenses. Apparently you do need some amount of luck to accomplish that.
My advice to anyone wanting one of these is, be prepared to test what you get, and do not order it a week before your big vacation trip expecting to have one arrive at the last minute that is good enough to use.
|
2009-06-18
Great Lens!
I've been using the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8, and upgraded to the Pentax because of the SDM, the wider wide angle, and the Weather Resistance, and I don't regret it. The Sigma isn't a bad lens, considering it costs ~60% as much, but this lens is far superior.
Initially, I thought it was broken - when I pressed the shutter button I didn't hear *anything*. Then I realized that it had focused, and was amazed. It's much faster focusing than my other short zooms, nearly silent, and very precise. Contrast is great, bokeh is very nice. It also focuses closer than I expected - down to around four or six inches. Not a Macro, but definitely useable for lots of close-ups.
The images I've gotten from it in the days I have had it are extremely sharp and contrasty. The Sigma I have tended to underexpose by about half a stop; this one seems dead on.
This thing is huge, too. It's probably 30% bigger than the Sigma, and much heavier. Prepare to spend money if you want to put filters on this baby. Make sure you have a good strong back before strapping this thing on your camera, too!
Pentax continues to amaze me with the quality they produce at such low prices. If you're one of the people that just snorted when I said "Low prices", I suggest you go check the price on the Nikkor or Canon equivalent of this lens (L series in Canon lenses). Then report back.
|
2009-06-05
This is the lens to buy
Stellar! If you're buying a new camera, don't buy the "throw away" lens that comes with the camera for a hundred bucks (you get what you pay for), save the money and apply it towards this lens. If you have the camera body already and are looking for a top notch lens, this is it. The 16mm-50mm f2.8 is great for shooting indoors and outdoors. It is excellent in low light situations, especially where you don't want to use a flash. One of the best lenses I've seen in a long time. Well worth the price at full price through Pentax, Amazon has been giving this lens away, so even better.
|
2009-03-30
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).
| |
|
Product Details
Batteries Included: 0
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Pentax
Color:
EAN: 0027075129252
Floppy Disk Drive Description:
Has Red Eye Reduction:
Is Autographed: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Pentax
Legal Disclaimer:
Manufacturer: Pentax
Model: B000NO5QV6
Publisher: Pentax
Release Date: 2007-08-15
Special Features:
Studio: Pentax
System Memory Size: |
Pentax Cameras HistoryPENTAX Corporation (before 2000 known as Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co.) was founded in 1919.
 In 1952 they manufactured first Japanese 35mm SLR camera with a cloth curtain focal plain shutter and shutter speeds range from 1/20 to 1/500 sec. It was called Asahiflex I. But even more revolutionary was their Asahiflex II (1954), having has the world's first instant return mirror system. Before that a photographer had to manually bring down mirror after having taken a picture. This system made rapid shooting possible with a SLR.
In 1957 Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. carried out another coup - they used of a pentaprism in the viewfinder of the Asahi Pentax SLR. The pentaprism made eye-level viewing possible and provided correct images. It was also the first time that the name Pentax was used on a camera. The very name, as you might have guessed, is derived from “PENTAprism reflex.”
Fancy that Pentax were so popular & successful with their cameras that in More About Pentax Cameras |
Pentax K-x Mid-Range DSLR Camera
PENTAX announces the launch of the PENTAX K-x mid-range digital SLR camera. Like the PENTAX K-m, it is a user-friendly camera for first-time DSLR camera users, and is housed in a compact and lightweight body.
This 12.4-megapixel camera spots live view shooting with 230K 2.7-inch LCD monitor, HD movie recording, and high-speed continuous shooting.
The K-x incorporates APC-S CMOS image sensor that can reproduce true-to-life images with fine detail and rich depth of colors, and a high-speed ...
Pentax Optio M85 Simple Digital Camera
PENTAX launches simple and stylish digital compact camera, the Pentax Optio M85. The camera spots 12 megapixels of resolution and 32-96mm 3x optical zoom lens in a metal body that is just 19mm thick.
Also it has 3.0 inch 230.000 dots large LCD to offer absolute convenience not only to view captured image but to make camera settings.
The Optio M85 is very easy to use and features point-and shoot operation so even first-time users can operate it.
You can also benefit from its Scene Auto ...
Pentax P80 Ultracompact Digital Camera
Pentax announced the Pentax Optio P80. It is ultra-slim, lightweight digital camera that features 12 megapixels of resolution, 27.5mm wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen and HD video shooting.
The camera sports a compact, ultra-slim camera body in a high-grade aluminum-alloy housing with sparkling chrome-plated parts. The thinnest part of the body is 16.5mm in depth.
The Pentax Optio P80 is a point-and-shoot digital camera. Its Auto Picture Mode is very helpful as well a ...
Pentax Optio E80
Pentax have announced the launch of the Pentax Optio E80 digital compact camera that comes equipped with a lot of user-friendly features to make high-quality photography available even for first-time users.
The E80 features 10-megapixel CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom and a large 2.7 inch color LCD with menus printed in large letters. It is capable of shooting HD movies (equivalent to 1280x720p at 15 fps) as well.
The Pentax Optio E80 offers you an upgraded version of Pentax’s original Aut ...
Pentax Optio WS80 Waterproof Digital Camera
Pentax announced the launch of the Pentax Optio WS80, lightweight, waterproof and dustproof digital compact camera capabilities for casual, day-to-day applications.
The camera features 10.0 effective megapixels; an optical 5X optical zoom lens, a large 2.7 inch LCD monitor and HD movie capabilities.
The Pentax Optio WS80 also allows underwater photography to a depth of 1.5 meters for up to two hours continuously and also eliminates worries in situations where water or dirt can be a conce ...
|
 |
|
|
;){kind=link}