PENTAX DA Star 16-50 F/2.8 PLM AW Review

[@gracievb1]

Another great review!! I should have watched this sooner. Now I’m super excited to get my new lens today. Thanks for what you do for Pentax and all the users. I especially appreciate your discussing the focusing issue.

[@mementomori5410]

I just got my combo K-3III + 16-50 PLM. This set can do sharp shots from hand in nearly darkness! The rest I totally agree with Kobie. In my opinion it is the best ever zoom from of Pentax!

[@TheSquirrelMafia]

This is hands down my favorite lens at the moment. It's glued to my K-3II with the battery grip. It's gigantic, but balances well. The IQ, AF speed, & even AF accuracy is quite impressive. I can only imagine this lens on the K-3III. I have used it on my K-50, but for the lack of a better term, that body is too dumb for this lens. Hahaha! Now if they could only update the rest of the DA* lenses..........

[@scottwarner6785]

I have a K3ii also. Receiving this lens today I was hoping it would work well on older camera.

[@lelanddyer9461]

Spot on review. Top tier glass. On Katie (Van Helsing) I'm finding that my favorite mod on the Special Function is alternating between full auto and spot depending on the subject background. Bird in the air are easy peasy for auto with solid gray skies. As far as this lens goes I have 77mm diopter lenses to use it for macro and it REALLY works great with PLM focusing.

[@KobieMC]

That's a good use of the Smart/Special Function! I've toyed with the idea of getting a Raynox adapter... Still debating lol

[@lelanddyer9461]

@@KobieMC If it's a screw on diopter they're cheap and they get pretty solid results. The tube extenders I've tried on Amazon are dumpster fires....felt like I was gonna break my damn camera just mounting them!

[@KobieMC]

Raynox is a high quality Japanese Optics solution. I've been blown away from results I've seen.

[@TomPop75]

Thank you for your quick review of that lens. However I think all we would like to see how good the continuous AF capability is of that lens combined with Pentax K-3 III. Could you please make one video which covers that aspect of that lens? I own Pentax K-3 III and the previous version of that lens as well as the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 and I wonder if it's worth to upgrade due to that specific aspect. I would be grateful if you could show us how dose it perform AF wise.

[@KobieMC]

I'll see what I can do!

[@tahersafari3104]

Hi Kobie, I just bought this lens from CameraCanada few months ago. The image quality, colour rendering and sharpness are phenomenal as you've said in this video. I don't want to take it off from my K3-III...

[@KobieMC]

Awesome purchase and from an awesome store! 🙂

[@leehubbell9636]

Great info, I recognized the Ranney Gorge in Campbellford.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Thanks Kobie :)

[@KobieMC]

You're quite welcome!

[@GODSPEEDseven]

Looks like an awesome lens! Since I got the 20-40mm Limited a few months ago, I've been in love with that lens. But I've also been debating getting a wider lens, something like the older 14mm, or 15mm limited.. but then noticed the 11-18mm DA* that blew my mind in terms of how distortion-free it is. But it is EXPENSIVE, oh boy! And well, very limited in how much use it would get, for the price. Maybe this 16-50 DA* PLM might be the best upgrade in the future, as 16mm is pretty good enough for wide shots and I wouldn't mind that extra focus speed the PLM would offer. Anything that uses 20-40mm feels right at home for me, I rarely felt like 40mm is not enough range (I usually jump over 100mm when I want more range anyways). This would have 90% of the uses I need, so for the price, although high, would at least be well loved. Thanks for your vid Kobie,.

[@KobieMC]

No problem! The 11-18 has been on my radar for a while as well, but I'm not sure how much I would use it realistically as I don't often require ultra wide angles. The 16-50 gives me all I need.

[@jerzyjablonski1432]

If you just want a wide lens to use from time to time (like I do) 15mm Limited all the way. It is a gem of a lens. Really. And nicely supplements 20-40 (I have it too). 11-18 or switching to 16-50 is worth it only if you really need wide end (or additional 10mm on long end). If not I do not think it is worth the money over 20-40.

[@GODSPEEDseven]

@@jerzyjablonski1432 It is the most likely option simple due to price. Love the build on 20-40 and the 40. I've also read some pretty incredible comments on the old 14mm. Thank you for the input & happy photography!

[@scrptwic]

I went another route and bought the Rokinon 14mm2.8 lens. A great A mount lens for the price. I used it for the Milky Way and photographing the California Redwoods as the trees are large and it's dark under the canopy. The lens also does decent sun bursts

[@6panel300]

I was quite excited about this lens coming out to compliment my 55-300 plm until i saw the price. I'll have to wait until a used example comes up for sale at a reasonable price {which could be quite some time}. A good review though.

[@skyybluu3118]

Great video thank you

[@KobieMC]

You're welcome 🙂

[@scrptwic]

Kobie . Looks like a great lens I could use a weather sealed lens in this focal length. I have one other issue with you i have number of screw drive lenses i would like to keep using them on newer Pentax cameras if possible

[@KobieMC]

Screw drive lenses will still work on newer bodies including the K-3 Mark III.

[@scrptwic]

@@KobieMC Kobie I am aware of that but you said Pentax needs to get away from screw drive I thought you were talking about future Pentax cameras. I don't tend to use my screw drive lenses on my newer cameras but I do like having the option.

[@KobieMC]

I misunderstood what you meant. Future Pentax bodies should still have built in focus motors to support screw driven lenses but future lenses should only be DC, PLM and SDM (a proper, strong SDM that won't fail).

[@scrptwic]

@@KobieMC Kobie I whole hardly agree with you so I also miss understood you when you said Pentax should get read of screw drive as I agree it is obsolete drive system

[@levus76]

Hello Kobie and all! I got this lens brand new and i'd like to share my observations and i would like to have your observations regarding this that maybe i got a faulty one. Firstly, i observed a dust spectle under the front glass, Secondly, it feels that this lens is not sitting on my K3 III that tight like my other lenses. It has a little rotational play which is a bit more than i used to. What are your experiences regarding this... ?

[@KobieMC]

Well, if there's a single dust particle I wouldn't worry about it, but, mine has a normal maybe 1mm of play when mounted to the camera. If yours is sitting looser than your other lenses, I'd send it back for a replacement.

[@Red_dead_I_I]

I bought this lens recently, just had a few test shots with my old pentax original.. to be honest i wasn't really that impressed by its sharpness, as the focus was not always spot on. i do believe that this lens was created for the more recent k3 models, and k1.. but still.. i didn't get the chance to see it's full potentials, hope i don't regret it :D

[@KobieMC]

Well, it's a crop sensor lens so isn't for full frame. It was designed with the K-3 Mark III in mind but works just as well IQ wise on the K-3, K-3 II, K-70 and KP.

[@igor_timofeev]

How much it's superior over SDM version? Since in my location I see SDM version on sale for about $300 used and PLM is $2000+ new only... Thinking)

[@KobieMC]

Superior in every way from feedback I've seen from people who have had both. Plus, no SDM failure to worry about (known issue) and the AF speed is much faster on the PLM, as well as sharpness corner to corner being better on the PLM.

[@alistairbell6728]

Choices....I have the 24-70mm should I change it for the 16-50 f2.8..?

[@KobieMC]

The 24-70 is a great lens. It comes down to the wider angle of the 16-50 and if it fits your needs.

[@GODSPEEDseven]

Btw, Kobie, I've been meaning to ask you about your experiences with fine adjustments on your bodies. Both my K-7 and my K-70 require about +9 on all lenses. My previous K-7 didn't need any ajustements.. but that one is in family hands now. Do you fine adjust your lenses or just leave them as is?

[@KobieMC]

I've had to adjust a few lenses, both on my K-3 and K-3 Mark III. My K-30 never needed adjustments. If all your lenses need +/- 9 it's still within tolerance and I wouldn't worry about it, BUT, if between 0 and +/- 10 make no difference, you'd have to send the lens in to get it re-calibrated.

[@andrewgallup3890]

Thanks for stimulating my appetite. 😡Although my Sigma 17-50 does good work I am not closed to new ideas. Alas, champagne taste with a beer budget.

[@KobieMC]

I hear you. The Sigma is a great lens though!