Pentax DA 16-45mm F4
Introduced way back in December 2003, the SMC DA 16-45mm F4.0 ED AL was Pentax¿s first lens specifically designed
for digital SLRs, featuring a reduced image circle compared to their existing 35mm lenses, and matched to the dimensions
of the APS-C sensor. The design featured an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element and two aspherical elements, promising
high quality imaging performance, and Pentax boasted of its compact size and light weight compared to a 35mm format
lens with similar specification.
The 16-45mm was clearly aimed at supplementing 35mm users¿ existing standard zooms which would lose their wideangle view
on the digital sensor, and as such the rather modest 3x zoom ratio corresponds to a 24-70mm equivalent range, essentially
covering the wide angle option at the expense of telephoto range. The F4 constant maximum aperture, while by no means
remarkable, makes this lens a full stop faster than most comparable zooms at telephoto, whilst helping to keep the size,
weight and cost to a reasonable level.
Although digital SLRs have advanced in leaps and bounds in the four years since its introduction, the 16-45mm is still going
strong in Pentax's lens range, and indeed has only recently been supplanted by a 16-50mm F2.8 as their premium standard
zoom. But in the meantime, it¿s arguably been somewhat left behind by newer designs from other manufacturers, which tend
to offer much longer zoom ranges as all-in-one ¿walkaround¿ solutions. So the question to be answered is whether the
16-45mm is a dinosaur out of step with the modern age, or a golden oldie with much still to offer? Let¿s find out.
Headline features
24-68mm equivalent focal length range
F4 constant maximum aperture
'Quick shift' manual focus
KA mount for Pentax APS-C dSLRS onl
Maximum format size APS-C
Focal length 16-45mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) 24-68mm
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) 83°- 35°
Maximum aperture F4
Minimum aperture F22
Lens Construction ¿ 13 elements/10 groups
¿ 1 ED glass element
¿ 2 aspherical elements
Number of diaphragm blades 8
Minimum focus 0.28m
Maximum magnification 0.25x at 45mm
AF motor type ¿ ¿Screw drive¿ from camera body
¿ ¿Quick Shift¿ manual focus
Focus method Extending front element
Image stabilisation No
Filter thread ¿ 67mm
¿ Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories ¿ Front and rear caps
¿ Petal-type lens hood PH-RBL 67mm
Weight 356 g (12.9 oz)
Dimensions 72mm diameter x 92mm length
(2.8 x 3.6 in)
Lens Mount Pentax KA
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