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.

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

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.

The Pentax SMC DA Star 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM ($1,499.95 direct) is a lens that is designed to replace the standard 18-55mm kit lens that is bundled with Pentax D-SLR cameras .

Sharp from f/4 onwards.

Expensive; Considerable distortion at 16mm.

Optics are fantastic and no complaints there. The problem is the AF. It only works when it wants. I am on my third lens and same problem every time. Well, the first one the AF never worked, second was great and then a week later died.

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

Lens was perfect. Not a mark on it. Performed faultlessly, until 30 days after I got it, then focusing motor quit altogether. Now I wonder how much repairs will cost. Hope that "great price" I paid plus repairs is still less than the cost of a new lens.

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.

If you could only afford one high quality lens per year, this one would be the one I buy. Images are sharp and clear, the motor is very quite, and very forgiving,and supper fast. it's a great wide angle lens.

Pictrue quality is as good if not better then len's costing $4,000.00 and higher

None