DA vs HD DA?

[smoke665]

Looking to add to my collection of toys. I'm thinking I want to go with the HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens. This would fill a gap for me. However, there are other non HD models that are less expensive. Opinions please?

 

[charchri4]

Um you might give us something to work with here!
What gap are you filling? What's the rest of your collection? What do you shoot? (body) What do you shoot? (subject)

For what it's worth I have a 16-85 and it is rarely on my K-3 for what I do but I did use it recently for this shot.

 

[smoke665]

Sorry, primary use granddaughter portraits. I already have a DA 18-55 and some other (non Pentax lenses), up to 300 mm. Looking to upgrade quality without breaking the bank.

 

[charchri4]

This > Amazon.com : Pentax DA 50mm f1.8 lens for Pentax DSLR Cameras : Digital Slr Camera Lenses : Camera & Photo

Makes this
Am by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
_IMG8012-Edit by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
mich by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
Luke by Jim Stainer, on Flickr

Need I say more?

 

[smoke665]

This > Amazon.com : Pentax DA 50mm f1.8 lens for Pentax DSLR Cameras : Digital Slr Camera Lenses : Camera & Photo

Makes this
Am by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
_IMG8012-Edit by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
mich by Jim Stainer, on Flickr
Luke by Jim Stainer, on Flickr

Need I say more?

 

[pez]

I have the HD DA 16-85. It is hands down the most useful Pentax zoom I have ever owned, and has been glued to my K-3 ever since I bought it. Super sharp edge-to-edge, even wide open, good bokeh, contrast, etc. and great build quality. With larger, faster zooms, I often end up stopping down to make them sharp and avoid CA and stuff, so I don't see the speed as a drawback in most cases. I absolutely love the lens. Get one.

 

[pez]

The 16-85 is great for close-ups, with its .36x close focusing capability. This is @ 68mm, f8.