This is the lowest rated Pentax DA* lens - Pentax-DA* 16-50mm f2.8 Review 

In my estimation, the camera gear is like audio gear. Certain product, even made by the same company and same generation does not mean it's a perfect fit together. Marrying two distinct generations of the product can give you that perfect match for that setup as you see in your example. Its sometimes a like a voodoo game, of putting together your franken gear, but the output or outcome can be extremely pleasing both sonically and visionally ... as always - Awesome review!!!

Nice review! I also got mine second hand in 2018 for quite low money. Failed SDM motor, but easily converted. I mostly use primes, but for travel or if I need the weather sealing (and don't want to change lenses in the field) I am happy with its performance. A fast normal zoom will always find uses.

I picked this lens up along with the Pentax 17-70 to try & shoot at those focal lengths some more, both great performers for the money (second hand) but I just can't stay away from my love for longer reach lenses so I've put them both up for sale. Pretty spot on with your review James!

I think even Pentaxians sometimes forget how good Pentax lenses are, the colors and look you get from many Pentax lenses are unique. The PLM lens will bypass the dreaded aperture block on models like the K-70 though so that may be worth considering too.

Two videos back to back? You spoil us! Nice to see the K10D (pretty sure that was the k10) make an appearance again as well. That lens is very attractive at that price and I almost ended up with one, but as you said the Sigma 17-50 is tough competition. But it isn't weathersealed, it is heavy, and it zooms backwards! Lol I have wondered if I'd enjoy the Pentax more despite its quirks for those reasons. Plus, for me there's just something about images from Pentax glass, even if it's less favoured Pentax glass. Could be all in my head though. :)

Nice review. I opted for the Sigma 17-50 when I was shopping for that zoom range several years ago, based largely on price, as you suggested.

I have one that I bought with a broken SDM motor and converted it to screw focus. I've been so impressed with it I'm looking for a second one for my "beater" K5 II (I have a nice K5 II, K10D, and K1 also). Really as a landscape and walk around lens it's outstanding with screw drive auto focus.It's a great companion to the either the 50-135, or 50-250 * lenses.

Was looking at this lens, decided to look for a video on it, and you just so happened to upload this about an hour ago. Talk about great timing!

I took this lens and a K3 on a walk around through Sydney a couple of years back. Along with the 50-135 da* as well. Intention was to use the Pentax kit for slow landscape, and use a 35mm film camera for street. Well, I went through a stack of film pretty quick :) Sydney is just amazing, so many interesting things. Anyway, long story short .. the K3 plus the 16-50 turns out to be a killer combo for fast street shooting, in variable light. Battery endurance is great too. It’s a bit bulky of course, but if you don’t mind the workout, it’s a great tool for street. Unexpected even. Also, with “SDM failure” … I think it might be a tad exaggerated. I have bought 3 SDM lenses for cheap so far, all with “SDM failure”, and all 3 of them were able to be bought back to life by simply spending half an hour and a couple of batteries by holding the AF button down a lot, and letting the lens motor “recharge”. Shouldn’t work, but it seems to work. Very strange.

I just bought my 2nd 16-50 DA* with working SDM auto focus for £300 in excellent near perfect condition still need to give it a full test but so far I like it’s quality. I regularly use my trusty Tamron 18-50 for most urban or just walk about photography. I’m quite happy to take the Tamron out on the town it’s light and I don’t worry about it getting broken as you can pick them up for £150 or less and even without weather sealing i have been out in rain and cold and it has been a trooper dust is a bit of a problem for it though but you only make the mistake of photographing in a dust storm once. Next time you just pull out your mobile phone. Like the reviewer said for near a $1000 people expected a lot from the Pentax 16-50mm DA* and it often just didn’t deliver that and all too often would be sat on a shelf at home. My old 16-50 DA* has screw focus which was fine and under daytime conditions stopped down a little to f4- f8 would produce great photos with a little more colour than the Tamron but then what lens isn’t good at that F range. I paid about £180 for it 4 years ago and really don’t use it much instead I would always use my lighter sharper Tamron 18-50 f2.8 it is a super walk about lense and great value. The Sigma 18-50 is slightly sharper but bulkier and heavier. The Pentax 20-40 Limited is an alternative and people rave about it but I never managed to pick one up cheap and couldn’t justify it at full price over the Tamron 18-50 which does more for less. A truly great lens is the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 Art I tested one and everything about it is great truly the best at that focal range maybe even better than the new Pentax 16-50mm DA* PLM.

I had this lens when I was with Pentax. Actually I had 2 of them. One with a dead SDM drive. The other one with slightly inferior optics. I actually ended up swapping the optics so that I had a working SDM motor and the best optics. I converted the other one to screwdrive and I think I ended up selling it. In terms of IQ, it’s a mixed bag. To the point where I once read that the f/2.8 aperture’s main advantage was a brighter viewfinder and more light for the AF sensors. I did get some good portrait shots out of it at 50mm and about f/3.5, I think. And from about f/5 onwards, there was nothing to complain about. After I switched to Nikon, I found their AF-S 17-55/2.8 to be much sharper wide open, as well as having better bokeh. It’s also built better and has a way better (ring type ultrasonic) AF motor. The Pentax lens is smaller and lighter though. But I think, there’s a reason why they replaced it.

Nice quick review, totally agree on the value issue. I think if there exists two lenses that have the same sharpness but one was dirt cheap and the other expensive, then they will come out with different Sharpness ratings out of 10 (even though they are identical) because it is very hard for the reviewer to compartmentalize things properly, so the value spills over to performance often. "Damn! This thing is sharp for $30!" vs "Damn... I thought it would be sharper than this, I paid $1k for this lens..." Has PF done a 16-50 SDM vs 16-50 PLM yet?

I used to use the 16-50 on a K-5 and wasn't my favourite lens nor focal length, I'm always been a 50-135 type of guy. Now that I have the monster adapter and using it on my a6300 I'm finally falling in love with this lens

Hi James. I had the pleasure of using this lens several times, various copies. Honestly, only once, recently, I was able to attach the really good example to my KP. I believe that this particular copy was as very good in terms of sharpness as the Sigma 17-50. Of course, the colors were much better than with the Sigma. So what's wrong with this lens? Two things: purple aberration in contrasting situations in old and worn-out models and sharpness in the corners and edges of the frame. I compared this "quite successful" copy with my HD DA20-40, same scene and conditions and unfortunately my DA Limited zoom is much better in this area, almost perfect. I think the smc DA* 16-50 is a great lens for portraits and events, but it does not perform well as a universal lens for travel and landscape. For me, the sharpness on the edges of the frame in it and in the Sigma 17-50 is something that excludes these lenses as typical equipment for trips. But as a wedding or event lens - why not?

I had fun with my copy, but my biggest disappointment was the fact that I owned my "new to me" lens less than a year and the focus motor stopped working. So I have purchased the new PLM version....that is some great glass!

Good review. It is a lens that I had for a while, I liked it a lot, I bought it second-hand at an acceptable price, but the definition on the edges and its excessive weight did not convince me. I bought a 16-85 and although it's slower it's better and I can use it wide open, the 16-50 you have to close it a bit losing its opening advantage. Good lens if you find it at a very good price, if not, look for the most versatile and best 16-85.

I have this lens but the SDM motor died long ago. I could convert it to be screw driven, but it has since been superseded in my lens arsenal by the DA 16-85 f3.5-5.6 which, while slower is much sharper and more versatile for my type of photography. I also have the Tamron 17-50 f 2.8 and as you say, it outperforms the Pentax 16-50 with regard to sharpness. That does not mean the DA* is a bad lens, but as you say, for the price it was a bit disappointing.

Seems a very fair assessment! Very enjoyable review as always James. The ticking time bomb of the SDM has made me slightly uneasy about these! I echo fellow commenters in saying it would be great to see some reviews of Pentax’s budget lenses, certainly what drew me to Pentax was the value offering, kit lenses with weather sealing, awesome!

Nice! I never used the DA*, but I was a fan of the 16-45/4.

3:21 shoutout for using the old faithful K10D! ;) I do agree, $200 for a weatherproof zoom with good image quality and large aperture really isn't a bad deal. I jumped on the plastic fantastic collapsible 18-50mm when I found one for 35€, just to have at least one WR lens. Sadly here in Germany the DA* 16-50 still goes for around 400€.

I think this lens would be fun to adapt to my a6000 or E-M5 Mark II. Pretty sure there are speed boosters for Pentax to Sony E and MFT which would make it an 22.72-71mm f2 on MFT. Since it is a 'dumb' speed booster, it wouldn't matter if the AF on the lens isn't working which would make it even cheaper! Possibly there are AF mount adapters with speed booster element, but i haven't looked yet

Several points, 16-50 was thought to be a Tokina rebadged lens (nothing wrong with that but CAs are on the high side). It was overshadowed by the superb 50-135mm f2.8 released at the same time. And for standard zooms, as you mentioned, the competition: the outstanding Sigma and Tamron standard zooms of that era (not to mention the CaNikon equivalents) were first rate optically.

Hey James. Enjoyed the latest video. I've been really wanting the PLM version of the 16-50mm as my first "pro-level" lens. Alas, it is out of my price range currently. Your video has made me reconsider the SDM version as well as the Sigma. The SDM is what keeps me away. I think that focal length combined with the 55-300mm PLM I have, would make a great two-lens combo. Thanx again for another great lens video.🙂 Oh, I picked up the 35mm Macro Lmtd. this winter for a pretty good price. Would love to see a video with your (positive/negative) thoughts. Thanks. -J.

I bought this lens after I got the K5 and it worked great, I used it for around 3 years quite heavily and it started to fall apart, first the SDM failed, then the weather seal broke off. I don't have the K10D and I updated the FW of my K3 too early to missed the opportunity to do the screw drive hack, so I traded the lens for the older but still good 17-70, both are SDM but the latter seems to have no problem with the SDM after so many years. While I had the K5 and just bought the K3 I did a comparison of the two with this lens, and I found with the K5 the SDM randomly worked, but completely dead on the K3, so I believe the K3 has weaker drive power to the SDM just a guess. Btw I found rubber gasket on the 17-70 mount I believe the lens has some weather sealing but not advertised as WS grade.

I purchased mine about 12 years ago and have used it for 98% of my photography. I forgot about the price a long time ago. Never any regret buying this lens ever. I did just buy a used Tamron 17-50 for my son as a gift. The image quality is good or better than the Pentax though I have no idea about the durability but for $130 on Amazon, just wow, set my son up with a K70 $650 and a Tamron 16-50 F2.8 $130, nice kit for a younger photographer starting out. BTW the motor has never failed on my 16-50. I think I did get a second generation where they had improved the quality control.

Awesome images! Looks like a keeper for sure.

I bought mine used in excellent condition this year. I've used it on a K-3, a K-7 and an old favorite, my K10D all with great results. I wouldn't pay $1000 but its a pretty good by, in great shape for $300

I think one of Pentax's budget lenses would be fun to review, like the DA 50mm plastic fantastic or the DA 35mm (you may have already and I missed it). There's some older autofocus 300mm primes on ebay for good prices that could be fun. Man, so many cool lenses out there.

I was reading that all bodies and lenses have some play in focusing. On Pentax forums there is an article talking about how to use calibration tools in order mate the body to the lens. I wonder if a lot of these issues would be resolved by such a technique? Thanks, good video.

love my copy, 2nd favorite pentax lens after the da 12-24 f4

Very good video as always. This time I went straight to the new PLM version and I think I made the right choice because it's awesome, better than the Sigma that I had previously for low light.

You got a pretty good bargain. I would definitely not buy any of the older DA* lenses new. Too many SDM issues. I'd buy them used with hopes of their AF motors never failing. Hahaha! I do have the new DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 PLM & the DA*11-18mm f/2.8 DC in my wish list at B&H. I'm hoping to get them soon. I'm also waiting for that supposed DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 PLM lens.

The DA* 50-135 was the first of these I ever used, a weird number of years ago now. At the time I took it into my local camera tech just to pick up a good UV filter for protection and he had no idea Pentax was making lenses of the sort. He used there in the shop and then made some face and walked outside not wanting to hand it back. He was enormously impressed, which was saying something if you knew him. At any rate, the SDM is really the achilles heel of them all, but like you point out, not all is lost even in that case. For my part, I guess I'm lucky.... both my DA* 50-135/2.8 and my 300/4 still SDM focus flawlessly (knock on wood).

This is the best lens I've ever used from Pentax, and I really like it, and even now I'm using a Panasonic g9, still use it with adapter.

I had this lens, it has a (apparently) linear built in drive that and other refinements. Although it works, I felt the images didn't justify hanging on to it. On selling it the next owner wasn't happy with it either. I sent it to the official Pentax service people who told me it was a common fault and the repair would cost me £170 (?). I gave the ok, and on receiving it back, I resold it to recover the repair cost and a some of my initial purchasing cost. Since then I've always been wary of over priced hype on any product. I've got superb cameras from charity shops in mint condition complete with Leica lenses. If I buy a budget lens that has limitations, I just use it within the acceptable parameters.

Excellent review!

Next time? FA* 80-200 f2.8 Power Zoom. :) It's next on my list to buy.

I am more and more pleased to have found your channel and to have subscribed.😁😁😁😁 I would like to buy a better lens for my k10d, and I was wondering what this 16-50 was like. Because I have heard, many conflicting opinions. I found one with a broken engine for € 100, do you think it's worth it? For me it is not a problem to use it only in manual focus.

Had just looked on Ebay for used lenses and saw just these in my neighborhood at a good price. Shortly after I saw this video. Hold the lens in my hands right now :-)

Used to have this and LOVED it.

Between this and the 20-40mm which one would you buy?

The Sigma is a favorite on my KP but after getting the DA*16-50 I can`t choose that easy between them. The DA*16-50 has ”that something” about the images from it. What about reviewing the 50-135 to complete the set?

total agree. I spent $300 for it on the pre-owned market. I would rate it 9/10. It is not sharp like DA* len, but very reasonable price. And the color is good.

How is it to use with manual focusing?

Question: the MX-S, I just bought one. Hmmm, am I totally crazy? Or, am I getting ready for the new cameras (film) Coming from Pentax/Ricoh?

Nice review . The rating this lens received on pentaxforums was my main concern and the reason I ended up getting the Tamron equivalent zoom (and eventually the 20-40 ltd since I wanted the WR). But it seems to be a good option for the price it can be found now! How about reviewing some older zooms? Lets say the supposedly "stack of primes" A-35-105mm f3.5 which seems to get some very positive reviews. Or the M-35-70mm, which has an even better rating on PF but I hardly find anyone using it and posting images on facebook groups. By the way I use the latter one and really like it's quality although I'm not really a MF lens guy

How about reviewing the hd version of this lens ? Maybe put them side by side to see what the differences really are ?

I agree on the 16-50 SDM beeing low rated, because of the SDM failures I encountered twice and because of the weather sealing gaskets that easily break and are nowhere availlable

I had 4 of these lenses fail and replaced under warranty. The last time one failed my son-in-law converted it to screw drive and the result was surprising. If anything it focused faster with no delay from a shutter press than with the SDM. It also wasn't noisy as I expected and in reality was reasonably quiet. Go figure.

One point of having an f2.8 lens, even if you don't actually shoot at that aperture, is the viewfinder brightness that you get. I avoided this lens based on tests run by the German ColorFoto mag. Very few Pentax lenses made their "Digitally recommended" list, compared to Canon's & Nikon's lineups. As their cameras got more megapixels, none did. Still I enjoy my "crappy" 18-135mm WR and other zooms they've made.

I bought a Pentax kp, which I’ve thought about selling. The only lenses I have for it are lenses I used on my Ricoh KR10 and I was thinking of actually selling the camera. But it has been on eBay for a few months now and nobody is buying it. I’ve reduced the price from what I paid for it so won’t make a profit on it, but still no takers. So, I’m thinking of taking it off the market and this is one lens that I would consider. But then would I end up selling other camera gear to justify keeping the Pentax and buying yet more lenses?? I have 2 mft cameras and a Fuji x-e2

Looking at the wider end of the "holy trinity" : have you already had the opportunity to take a look at the Sigma 10-20mm 3.5? I am seeing mixed opinions, including pretty good ones... 🤔

I've had my SDM drives replaced on both my 16-50 and 50-135 and now they are slowing down again! Hardly got any use out of them! But both lenses are sharp and I have won some camera club awards with shots from these two lenses.

The old one was totally ok, not as bad as the reviews. The new one is so sharp it hurts your eyes =) Tested it but returned it due to the huge build factor. The new one is as big as the DFA24-70/2.8 so it is not a walkaround lens as the 16-50 or the 20-40 are on a APS-C. On the K-1 it would be but not on the K-3´s or KP´s. And one thing to understand is that clinical sharpness is not always the sign of a good lens. The way it renders is.

I've had one for years and it's a very respectable lens but it did eventually succumb to the motor problem and I suspect that this is the cause of the dissatisfaction, not the price. My copy has been repaired and so far is fine.

Please tell how did you made the picture of the tree at 0:41. Is it day or night?

bought this used, running around construction sites taking inspection photos, dont need to worry about a little bit rain. Luckily im bad enough photographer that i cant blame the lens for any bad photos lol.

Motor failure is the biggest reason i think for not buying this lens. The copy i had was excellent but sold it to swap to Limited primes

Any chance to review DA* 55-135mm😇😇😇?

I am happy with my Tammy 17-50 2.8)

You mus4 have gotten a good copy of this lens mine is not sharp on my K70

Love mine

The reviews are so poor because it's an SDM lens with a reputation for the SDM autofocus motor failing completely after a year or two.

Another thing is though that some lenses that are $$$$ but don't perform will get a good review because it makes people feel justified and not like an idiot for spending. This happens with all products. Look at cars like Mustangs. There are cars that are much less that will outperform them for the money. But ask a mustang owner? There will be a laundry list of BS reasons why the Mustang is better....because they can't admit that it wasn't a great investment.