Zoom Lens Special: Speed Is In

WHY LOOK: Described (by us) as a “last-forever” lens, this well-built 24–76mmequivalent wide-to-moderate tele has Pentax’s new KF2 mount that supports a sonic-wave motor for fast, accurate, and very quiet AF—but only on KF2- compatible Pentax bodies. The price dropped by $240 in 2009.
CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS (March 2008): Excellent sharpness and contrast across the focal lengths. Its Visible-range barrel distortion at 16mm (0.60%) quickly improved to 0.10% and 0.12% pincushioning at 35mm and 50mm, in the Imperceptible and just barely Visible ranges, respectively. Nice!
STREET PRICE: $670.