The KP with the DA16-45

SMCTakumar wrote:

Nice shots, looks terribly hot and dry Looks like you have a good copy. I had this lens about 10 years ago, and I miss it. I sold it along with K200D to a friend, she got good use of that combo and liked it a lot. This is the only zoom I remember having good contrast and colours like a DA prime - I liked this lens a lot, always thinking if I should grab one since I have seen a few pop up for around 200 (north of the border currency). I enjoy seeing your hikes with the dogs, looks like fun!

Eric,

I should mention that this wasn't my first 16-45.  I purchased the first one, used, from KEH at about the same time I purchased a new 55-300 PLM from Amazon and a KS-2 from B&H.  The AF wouldn't focus properly on either lens.  Thinking it doubtful that both lenses could be at fault, I sent the KS-2 back to B&H (They have a 30-day return policy and I was nearing the 30th day & so didn't have time for further testing).  Rather than replace the KS-2, I bought the K-70 with which I've been happy.

After I sent the KS-2 back I tested both these lenses on my K3 and discovered that, indeed, both lenses were faulty.  So I sent the 55-300PLM back to Amazon and the 16-45 back to KEH.  I decided not to replace the 55-300PLM but to content myself with the 55-300WR which I already had.

I still wanted a 16-45 though and shopped around until I found one at Adorama which was described with some superlative I don't recall: EX++ perhaps.  In any case the 16-45 I received did seem in excellent condition.  I recall a bit of wobble in the one I returned, but the Adorama 16-45 was very tight and the photos I got from it seemed of high quality.

I add all this in case you decide to hunt a 16-45 for yourself.  I had some work to do to finally get a good one.

Lawrence