I was hesitant to order this lens due to quite a bit of chatter on the internet regarding focusing issues with this lens. Mine is a little soft on the outer edges at 16-20mm if you really pixel peep.Other than that it is an amazingly sharp lens with great color reproduction.

near silent focusing; outstanding IQ

There have been some quality control issues with this lens

This is an excellent lens. The image quality from this lens is superb and it is comparible in sharpness to my 31mm f1.8 FA lens.

The build quality of the Pentax lens is very high thanks to quality materials and weather-sealing. The broad, rubberized zoom and focus control rings operate very smooth. Thanks to an internal focusing system (IF) the front element does not rotate so using a polarizer is no problem.

This pro-caliber, standard-range, bright digital zoom ($1030, street) is the second Pentax to use sonic-wave autofocusing for very smooth and quiet AF. It works with newer Pentax bodies that accept the KAF2 mount. On older bodies such as the K100, it defers to the noisier, body-housed AF motor.

Review of the Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL IF SDM lens

Nice balance and robust feel

Slightly stiff and jerky zoom action

The gold ring around the front of its barrel tells you that this is a serious lens. Its f/2.8 maximum aperture is maintained right across the zoom range and although this results in a rather large lens it is very well balanced and therefore comfortable to hold and use.

Nice balance and robust feel

Slightly stiff and jerky zoom action

A fast and quite compact lens, at least compared to the excellent but clumsy Pentax FA* 2.8/28-70mmAL, I used up to now. Although the first reviews in photo magazines were somehow mixed, I finally gave it try and I don't regret it..

Bought this lens when I bought my Pentax K-7 and I love it . Its very sharp throughout the zoom range but I am most fond of the wild angle quality. Nice as a landscape lens. I have used it in all weather conditions and it performs great. Check out the photos taken with it.

Great image sharpness

None

The 18-55mm kit lens shipped as standard with most Pentax DSLRs is not one of the world's greatest lenses. The zoom range is modest and the optical performance is a little below average, with soft-edge definition and a fair amount of chromatic aberration.

I have had this lens for more than a year now and my experience is unfortunately quite mixed. I used it mainly for landscapes, with additonal filtering (Hoya Pro 1 D polarizer and Cokin P system).

- Weather sealed; - Sharpness; - Color accuracy

- Questionable durability/solidness (definitely in my case; - Poor flare resistance; - High level of chromatic aberration; - Needs the largest (and most expensive) square filters (vignetting is visible even with a wide-angle adapter for Cokin P system; - High price