First report: This will mostly be in comparison to the DA 16-45/4 - which I have and use quite extensively.
It appears, at least for this lens, that Pentax has a new lens cap designed a bit more like the Tamron caps where there are inner grips to squeeze. It is more rounded than the Tamron and looks very nice. It is an improvement over the standard cap I am used to on Pentax lenses. The 16-45 zoom mechanism is unusual in that as the lens extends, the focal length shortens - rather opposite of what you would expect. The DA *16-50 is the opposite - as the lens extends, so does the focal length. The fit and finish are improved and it handles much more like an FA * lens. It doesn't use the old clutch system, but the focus manually is very similar in that it doesn't turn during AF and you can turn the focus ring past the ends of proper focus - those of you who have use FA* lenses will know what I mean. It is a bit larger lens than the 16-45 and a bit heavier. The hood seems to be built to have more use - my 16-45 hood is wearing off the small detent that locks it in place. The DA*16-50 is much beefier. But it is not anything like the FA*85 or FA*200 hoods. I took both lenses and wandered around outside my house and took some quick shots using AF-S and AV priority. The SDM is very quiet- not absolutely soundless, though. If it is very quiet, you can hear it settle/lock focus. Tons quieter than the old system, though. My impression was that the DA* lens seemed to focus slightly more accurately than the DA 16-45. It also seemed a bit faster, but not obviously. I didn't really try it on moving targets. The exposures seemed slightly different between the two lenses - the DA* was slightly darker/richer - could be contrast or could be exposure - haven't delved deep into that yet. The few blowups that I looked at - from Breezebrowser quick conversions (no adjustments), the DA* seems a bit sharper than the 16-45. Some first impressions - I'll try to write more when I have something to say. -- Bruce -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
