Re: DA 16-46

[Joseph Tainter]

David, the announcement (last August or September) that the DA 16-45 
would be forthcoming was one of the things that made me think seriously 
about the *ist D. Before that I was thinking that I would wait for a 
camera with a 24 x 36 mm. sensor. The DA 16-45 is a fine lens optically 
(in my limited tests, in the same class as the excellent FA 20-35, which 
I also have). The fact that it is a constant f4 indicates that Pentax 
intended it to be a serious lens. Unless you are a primes-only shooter, 
it is an excellent zoom lens to accompany the *ist D. For my use it 
makes the camera very versatile. I don't like the physical design (the 
barrel extends when zooming toward wide angle), but other than that I 
recommend it highly.

Joe