Pentax smc P-D FA smc DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro 50mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Pentax smc P-D FA smc DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro 50mm
The Pentax 50mm f/2.8 macro lens is widely praised for its sharpness, color reproduction, and value for money. Users find it excellent for macro work, general photography, and digitizing documents or artwork. Common criticisms include autofocus hunting in live view and a focus ring that rotates continuously, which some find unusual. Overall, it is considered a compact, high-quality lens that performs well above its price point.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Great color reproduction
- Excellent value for money
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile for macro and general use
Cons
- Autofocus hunts in live view
- Focus ring rotates continuously
- Plastic barrel instead of metal
- Narrow depth of field at wide aperture
- Learning curve for close-up focusing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Pentax smc P-D FA smc DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro 50mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 8 | — |
| Groups | 7 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 0 | 2★ |
| Coating | smc | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Pentax K | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.26 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 49 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 380 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:1★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Pentax smc P-D FA smc DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro 50mm
- Strong macro (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (78th percentile)
- Strong social proof (75th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm offers 2.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
