HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens Review

HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Handling and Features

The build quality of this lens is very good indeed, with it being mostly constructed of high-quality plastics, a metal bayonet mount and a wide, rubberised zoom ring. It sports a weather and dust resistant construction and weighs only 488g. As a result, it balances very well with the Pentax K-3 body used for testing.

As focusing is performed internally, the filter thread does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. A petal-shaped hood is supplied with the lens that attaches to the front via a bayonet fitting.

The narrow manual focusing ring doesn't rotate during auto-focus and manual adjustments can be applied at any time. Manual focusing action is smooth and there is enough damping to make applying adjustments easy. Autofocus is reasonably quick, but maybe not as fast as some lenses sporting silent focusing motors. The minimum focus distance of 35cm is quite close for a lens of this type, allowing for frame filling close up images.

 

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