Lens Tournament: FA* 24mm F2 vs FA 20mm F2.8

Adam · 10-21-2014, 09:26 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results.

In this short telephoto knockout match, the SMC Pentax-FA* 24mm F2 faces the SMC Pentax-FA 20mm F2.8.

Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account.
Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours.

Lens Info:

Adam
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DSims · 10-21-2014, 09:37 PM

This one's easy. I have (and like) both lenses, but I use the FA*24/2 much more. I really like the faster aperture (very good results at f/2.2) and the 24mm FL is a favorite of mine.

JinDesu · 10-21-2014, 09:40 PM

Given that they are similarly priced nowadays, I'd give it to the FA*24.

mtux · 10-21-2014, 10:40 PM

The f/2 is very tempting.

**spartan** · 10-22-2014, 05:20 AM

FA 24 F2 is great

Mazhe · 10-22-2014, 06:40 AM

Ohhh, this duel was destined to happen again (before was during the film days): FA 20 is way superior in sharpness (both center and border), FA* 24 has the aperture and that's all.

vrrattko · 10-22-2014, 08:11 AM

I have used FA20 only once, but reading the comments of the owners I believe it's a "wolf in sheep's clothing" like FA35/2....

DSims · 10-22-2014, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Mazhe

Ohhh, this duel was destined to happen again (before was during the film days): FA 20 is way superior in sharpness (both center and border), FA* 24 has the aperture and that's all.

I haven't noticed this in my copies.

Photozone sharpness measurements show the FA*24 winning at the center, while the FA20 is sharper at the borders.

If you're going by observations from the film days, the APS-C "border" of the FA*24 would have covered much more of the frame, so the FA20 might appear better overall on film. But I'm not sure this is true on current cameras.

johnha · 10-22-2014, 05:23 PM

I haven't either of these lenses, I was looking at both but went for an FA20-35/4 instead. Of the two I'd prefer the 20mm, the difference between 20/24 is much bigger than 24/28 and the FA20 approximates the FoV of my 6x7 45mm quite well.

trdjohn · 10-22-2014, 07:33 PM

fa 20

Wild Mark · 10-22-2014, 08:29 PM

FA20 - my copy is sharp corner to corner. That is what I want when wide angle is deployed. The FA 24 is apparently a great lens, but is not sharp corner to corner like the FA20.

rburgoss · 10-22-2014, 08:59 PM

If I could pull a "Marty McFly trick" and go back in time to use both lenses (I have both) with film and my PZ1P, then the FA24* is a winner, but when using both on mt K20D, then its THE FA 20 the one that shines. In digital, the *24 is too soft and lacks contrast wide open. Usable only from 2.8 to f11. Closed down gets too much purple fringing.

DSims · 10-22-2014, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by rburgoss

Closed down gets too much purple fringing.

PF doesn't bother me much, but why don't you fix it in PP? Is it because you prefer to shoot JPG (I usually do for events)?

mtux · 10-22-2014, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by DSims

PF doesn't bother me much, but why don't you fix it in PP? Is it because you prefer to shoot JPG (I usually do for events)?

PF isn't always easy to fix.

View Poll Results: Which lens should be the winner of this match?
FA* 24mm F2	68	70.10%
FA 20mm F2.8	29	29.90%
Voters: 97. You may not vote on this poll

10-21-2014, 09:26 PM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	*Lens Tournament: FA 24mm F2 vs FA 20mm F2.8** Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results. In this short telephoto knockout match, the SMC Pentax-FA* 24mm F2 faces the SMC Pentax-FA 20mm F2.8. Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account. Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours. Lens Info: SMC Pentax-FA* 24mm F2 AL [IF] Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-FA 20mm F2.8 Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-21-2014, 09:37 PM	#2
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	This one's easy. I have (and like) both lenses, but I use the FA*24/2 much more. I really like the faster aperture (very good results at f/2.2) and the 24mm FL is a favorite of mine.

10-21-2014, 09:40 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Given that they are similarly priced nowadays, I'd give it to the FA*24.

10-21-2014, 10:40 PM	#4
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	The f/2 is very tempting.

10-22-2014, 05:20 AM	#5
spartan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 428	FA 24 F2 is great

10-22-2014, 06:40 AM	#6
Mazhe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 139	Ohhh, this duel was destined to happen again (before was during the film days): FA 20 is way superior in sharpness (both center and border), FA* 24 has the aperture and that's all.

10-22-2014, 08:11 AM	#7
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	I have used FA20 only once, but reading the comments of the owners I believe it's a "wolf in sheep's clothing" like FA35/2....

10-22-2014, 09:58 AM	#8
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Mazhe Ohhh, this duel was destined to happen again (before was during the film days): FA 20 is way superior in sharpness (both center and border), FA* 24 has the aperture and that's all. I haven't noticed this in my copies. Photozone sharpness measurements show the FA24 winning at the center, while the FA20 is sharper at the borders. If you're going by observations from the film days, the APS-C "border" of the FA24 would have covered much more of the frame, so the FA20 might appear better overall on film. But I'm not sure this is true on current cameras.

10-22-2014, 05:23 PM	#9
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	I haven't either of these lenses, I was looking at both but went for an FA20-35/4 instead. Of the two I'd prefer the 20mm, the difference between 20/24 is much bigger than 24/28 and the FA20 approximates the FoV of my 6x7 45mm quite well.

10-22-2014, 07:33 PM	#10
trdjohn New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Western 'burbs of Chicago Posts: 19	fa 20

10-22-2014, 08:29 PM	#11
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	FA20 - my copy is sharp corner to corner. That is what I want when wide angle is deployed. The FA 24 is apparently a great lens, but is not sharp corner to corner like the FA20.

10-22-2014, 08:59 PM	#12
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	If I could pull a "Marty McFly trick" and go back in time to use both lenses (I have both) with film and my PZ1P, then the FA24* is a winner, but when using both on mt K20D, then its THE FA 20 the one that shines. In digital, the *24 is too soft and lacks contrast wide open. Usable only from 2.8 to f11. Closed down gets too much purple fringing.

10-22-2014, 10:59 PM	#13
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by rburgoss Closed down gets too much purple fringing. PF doesn't bother me much, but why don't you fix it in PP? Is it because you prefer to shoot JPG (I usually do for events)?

10-22-2014, 11:31 PM	#14
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	Originally posted by DSims PF doesn't bother me much, but why don't you fix it in PP? Is it because you prefer to shoot JPG (I usually do for events)? PF isn't always easy to fix.