As an ambitious photographer, I have already bought something on glass, as some fixed focal lengths and are also a long zoom and fisheye, all sealed light strong and many. But since it is not always possible take many lenses and one (I) would like to have even Portrait of Wide Variables something that was the brightest lens that offers Pentax weatherproof seal. That has been the reason to buy. Who wants to compare a push in the imaging quality with fixed focal lengths, which should think again how different the only physics / optics works here.
Therefore anticipate - a Zoom is always a compromise!
Packing:
The Pentax SMC DA * 16-50mm / F2.8 (IF) SDM comes in the usual cardboard box, the lens hood is packed in foil and put in the cardboard box in the carrying bag made of tear-resistant fabric (Pentax bags Model S100 / 140) of the is. The lens is also packed, including front and back cover in foil and gets the usual silica gel bag. Manual / warranty card is also included. The carrying bag is in its turn also packaged in film - a considerable amount of film for an objective, right?
Lens Features:
The Pentax SMC DA * 16-50mm / F2.8 (IF) SDM has a filter thread of 77mm and the lens cap is plugged with "Innenverrigelung" therein and plastic (Pentax has also lenses with plug-metal cover, such as Fisheye or Limiteds), the back cover is also made of plastic and the bayonet is made of metal. The front lens is slightly larger than the lens diameter has to, therefore, there is a circumferential edge and then the lens hood into place. Here there is the first small problem, because if you want to put the lens hood, it can happen quickly that you plugged the minimal angle over the edge and as a "snapping without having a look" does not always work. The lens hood has a little window, which you can take off for example, to use a polarizing filter or variable ND filter with small lever. The lens is definitely not easy - for a bright zoom but not heavy with 600 grams. The diameter is chosen very well with ~ 85mm and can be gripped protrude. The length is still discreet with just under 10cm or 15cm just with attached lens hood, also here the dimensions of the light intensity and the zoom function are owed. Laterally there is a switch to switch between manual focus and autofocus on the lens is above the sight glass of the distance scale.
Weatherability and Quickshift (will be explained) round off the complete package.
Function:
At the Pentax K-5, the lens works quite well, the ultrasonic autofocus motor (SDM) is average in terms of speed and works compared (as a reference) minimally faster than the Pentax kit lens 18-135 with direct-current motor, could felt indeed be a little faster, but is for a zoom, which indeed must provide more ways of lenses all right. The focus ring is Quickshift by the function for automatic focusing manually operable to readjust or even possibly to intervene in border areas, for example at close range. The focus ring is located on the front of the lens and it is the wider ring - can be very fine-tune from the feeling and thus is not too easy. The zoom ring to adjust the focal length, the narrower ring on the bayonet, and is rotated in the direction of 16mm to 50mm clockwise. He who knows others manufacturer who can so something may get confused because there are lenses that are rotated counterclockwise.
Picture:
As already mentioned initially - a zoom is a compromise. Due to the variable focal length, it is not on the whole length optimally, which here means in concrete terms a minimum exposure at 16mm and maximum aperture (f2.8) Here the border area is slightly out of focus and if you shoot against the sky you can see - or better - you see almost not - a slight vignetting (vignetting) the lens hood. If one dims an aperture the lens across the entire zoom range is consistently sharp. At 16mm the lens produces a barely noticeable barrel distortion - Chromatic aberration (color fringing) or other optical imperfections in the glass, I have not yet discovered.
Thus, I can only say - Pentax has done its homework and made the best compromise between the focal length of 16-50mm.
The light intensity is a really great advantage, from about 20mm, the complete range is consistently sharp even at maximum aperture, and this really is a property that you have to look more on the lens market. Pentax paid in addition all lenses with an asterisk (* DA) on the front lens against dirt.
The Bokeh is great, nice and soft and pleasant.
Pros cons:
+ Weatherability
+ Luminous intensity
+ Picture quality
+ Universal focal length range
+ Beautiful Bokeh
+ - Focus speed only ultrasonic average
- Slight edge blur at 16mm and maximum aperture
Conclusion:
Let's be honest - a compromise is a prerequisite for sale - otherwise one can fall back on prime lenses. That's why I bought the compromise by simply regarding light intensity and a great bokeh in weight slightly overall to be a variable lens with enormous potential on the road. The lens is intended primarily for unclear environments such as street photography, snapshots and should be suitable to portrait and nature. What you get ultimately before the lens you do not know many times before - here the SMC DA 16-50mm * / F2.8 is really perfect in Compromise and evening and night lights on festivals etc. or to celebrate the strengths are even more apparent.
Now even if one turns his head towards another premium glass from other manufacturers can quickly realize how cheap Pentax DA * lens with such lies.
Thus, for price / performance and quality as well as versatility and also for the bokeh very clear 5 star for my copy - and that's today (01.04.2012) wrote no April Fool's joke.
