Pentax SMCP-FA 24mm f/2.0 AL(IF) Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

stemked
( Expert)

Review Date
March 31, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.40 of 5,
5 votes

Review 1 of 11

Price Paid: $400.00 from Chuck Rubens

Summary:

I didn't actually purchase the lens, just tried it in store. Heavy, nice clutch to switch from manual to autofocus.

Strengths:

Clutch mechanism Fast 24mm

Weaknesses:

Heavy, Pricy

Similar Products Used:

24mm f2.8 K and A lenses

Customer Service:

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Rating
Reviewed by:

quenchfire
( Intermediate)

Review Date
September 23, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 11

Price Paid: $319.00 from e-bay

Summary:

What an incredible piece of glass! I bought one on the strength of reviews here, and have not been disappointed. Not a lightweight, but the amount of detail captured from corner to corner just can't be beat with a zoom lens.

Strengths:

Sharp as a tack Excellent low light performance Reasonably priced for a f2.0 prime Good color rendition Great MF action...silky Did I say sharp, even at f22?

Weaknesses:

Hood can be fussy to put on Bit on the heavy side

Similar Products Used:

SMC-M 28 f3.5 SMCP-F 28 f2.8 Tokina SL 35 f3.5 SMCP-FA 20-35 f4.0

Customer Service:

N/A

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Rating
Reviewed by: Winston
(Intermediate)

Review Date
December 6, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 11

Price Paid: $360.00 from B&H

Summary:

Very sharp from f/5.6 - f/11. A bit soft wide opened. Color rendition is typical Pentax - excellent. Nicely built with fast AF and great MF. Not recommended for architecture though, the barrel distortion is visible.

Strengths:

Sharp, bright f/2, well built, great color and flare performance, reasonably priced for a fast wideangle

Weaknesses:

Barrel distortion, soft at F/2, focus to 0.3m only

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AF 24/2.8, AIS 24/2

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by: AndrewF
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 10, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 11

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

This lens has comes at a pretty high price, however it's worth it. Have had this lens on my Camera almost constantly. It's sharp and contrasty. No Ghosting yet. Out of focus portions of an image are smooth. Handles a Cokin "P" series holder without vignetting (to my experience) and has a solid feel to it.

Strengths:

Refer to the summary.

Weaknesses:

none.

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 28mm, Soligar 20mm

Customer Service:

no experience

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Rating
Reviewed by: Rollins
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 25, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 11

Price Paid: $330.00 from B&H Photo

Summary:

I have many lenses and I never regret this purchase. This lenses is SHARP -- EXCELLENT! I mostly use this lens at f/5.6 - f/16 for landscape shots. If you want to use this lense wide open then I can't help you but this lens is extremely sharp for my experience. My girlfriend uses this lens so much and so pasionatly that if we split-up, I'll let her keep the lens. She loves the compliments that she gets at work when using this lens. I switched it once and I asked her to try another lens but after about a day she wants this lens back on her Z-5N. I may purchase another since I never get to use it lately.

Strengths:

This lens is EXTREMELY sharp since I use it f/5.6 - f/16 for landscapes. No problems at all with flare or vignetting. Build quality is very good. Focus speed is more than adequate for us.

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

Voigtlander 12mm Sigma 17-35mm Canon 20mm f/2.8

Customer Service:

N/A

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