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normhead · 08-23-2017, 09:51 AM

Tess seems to be in the process of making my DFA 28-105 often un-accessable. So, I'm turning to Ebay.

The DFA 24-70, unbelievably (at least to me) weighs almost as much as my DA*200. also a 2.8 lens. A real non-starter.

The two lenses that have caught my eye would be there FA 24-90, and F 24-50. TO me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input. Whatever lens I choose will be taken out with either the DA*60-250 or DA* 200 and FA 50 macro. I'm looking for a relatively lightweight companion.

biz-engineer · 08-23-2017, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by normhead

DFA 24-70

It balances well with the K1, no problem at all.
On the other hand, the DFA15-30 doesn't handle well, heavier than the camera body and no handle like on tele lenses...that's uncomfortable.

normhead · 08-23-2017, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

It balances well with the K1, no problem at all.
On the other hand, the DFA15-30 doesn't handle well, heavier than the camera body and no handle like on tele lenses...that's uncomfortable.

In this case, not a question of handling, but of how much weight and space it occupies in my carrying cases. It's really big lens from what I can tell.

**boriscleto** · 08-23-2017, 10:06 AM

How much of the love for the 24-50 comes from the fact that it can be found (at least in the past) for less than $200? The cheapest one on eBay now is $292...

What about the FA 28-70/4? If you can find a good copy it's probably as good as the 24-90...but Pentax QA wasn't all that great at the time...

biz-engineer · 08-23-2017, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by normhead

In this case, not a question of handling, but of how much weight and space it occupies in my carrying cases. It's really big lens from what I can tell.

I think what matter for carrying camera + lens is the virtual cube that fits into. For example, if I carry the K1 with DFA28-105, even though the 28-105 is relatively small, the total camera + lens isn't significantly smaller that I could carry it in a smaller bag. That's why if I'd get a Sony Alfa with lenses equivalent to the ones I use on a K1, I would be able to use a smaller bag either. I think, people regarding the Sony MILC are attracted by looking at the camera only, but afterwards in real use conditions don't save the space that would enable to fit in an apsc or u43 compartment.

You are mentioning lenses that were designed for film cameras, those camera were smaller than todays full frame DSLR.

**monochrome** · 08-23-2017, 11:24 AM

The 24~90 is best -very sharp- between 30 and 70. It has a huge Hood that takes up much bag space when reversed. It has been reported contsruction can be iffy - barrel wobble is a common complaint. Manual focus damping is nil.

It is light, responsive and renders colors on K-1 and KP nicely. I like mine. Great value back in the day for a consumer zoom.

There is an eBay seller with 2 left of 5 NiB - I bought one for use with my MZ-S in May.

fwcetus · 08-23-2017, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by normhead

The two lenses that have caught my eye would be there FA 24-90, and F 24-50. TO me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input. [...] I'm looking for a relatively lightweight companion.

I have no experience with the FA 24-90, but I do with the F 24-50/4 (and the virtually identical A 24-50/4), and it is a good lens design for sharpness, contrast, and color, and it is indeed quite compact and light,as well. (And the clip-on/slip-on RH-B60 rubber hood collapses for compact storage, too.)

grispie · 08-23-2017, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by normhead

O me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input.

I sure like what the 24-50 outputs on my K3
Can't comment on the K1 nor compare it to the other lens...

**Scorpio71GR** · 08-23-2017, 12:36 PM

I had the 24-50 in the A version. I loved that lens but unfortunately sold it when I unloaded most of my film gear. Before the K-1 you could easily get a F24-50 under 200 US Dollars. Now when you do find one you are lucky to get it under 300. I gave up looking for a decent copy and purchased the DFA 28-105. Unless you can find a good deal I would just get another 28-105. It is a far superior lens. It is getting hard to justify paying what they want for those older lenses.

normhead · 08-23-2017, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

What about the FA 28-70/4? If you can find a good copy it's probably as good as the 24-90...but Pentax QA wasn't all that great at the time...

I've decided this time, I'm definitely covering 24mm.

surfar · 08-23-2017, 01:45 PM

I own the 24-50 F4, its quite good but ive just bought the 28-105 as well,so thats on the K1.

There was plenty of 24/50s in Japan a while ago,maybe all the K1 owners have snapped them up?

**luftfluss** · 08-23-2017, 02:07 PM

Don't know if you've seen this, but here is @northcoastgreg's review of the 24-90...

Pentax FA 24-90 f3.5-4.5 | Lens Reviews | The Northcoast Photographer

normhead · 08-23-2017, 02:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by surfar

I own the 24-50 F4, its quite good but ive just bought the 28-105 as well,so thats on the K1.

There was plenty of 24/50s in Japan a while ago,maybe all the K1 owners have snapped them up?

Do you have any comparison images?

surfar · 08-23-2017, 02:58 PM

Not yet, the 24/50 is quite light and convenient....no WR.

I bought the DFA after (mostly) reading your opinion and the reviews and posted images.I haven't had 10 shots with it yet.

normhead · 08-23-2017, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Not yet, the 24/50 is quite light and convenient....no WR.

I bought the DFA after (mostly) reading your opinion and the reviews and posted images.I haven't had 10 shots with it yet.

Tess is just raving about the shots she took with the DFA 28-105 today and last week. I'll never get it back. <sob>.

Maybe she'll let me borrow it every now and then. But it's almost certain she's taking it this weekend.

08-23-2017, 09:51 AM	#1
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	F 24-50 or FA 24-90? Tess seems to be in the process of making my DFA 28-105 often un-accessable. So, I'm turning to Ebay. The DFA 24-70, unbelievably (at least to me) weighs almost as much as my DA200. also a 2.8 lens. A real non-starter. The two lenses that have caught my eye would be there FA 24-90, and F 24-50. TO me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input. Whatever lens I choose will be taken out with either the DA60-250 or DA* 200 and FA 50 macro. I'm looking for a relatively lightweight companion.

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08-23-2017, 09:56 AM	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,249	Originally posted by normhead DFA 24-70 It balances well with the K1, no problem at all. On the other hand, the DFA15-30 doesn't handle well, heavier than the camera body and no handle like on tele lenses...that's uncomfortable.

08-23-2017, 09:58 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	Originally posted by biz-engineer It balances well with the K1, no problem at all. On the other hand, the DFA15-30 doesn't handle well, heavier than the camera body and no handle like on tele lenses...that's uncomfortable. In this case, not a question of handling, but of how much weight and space it occupies in my carrying cases. It's really big lens from what I can tell.

08-23-2017, 10:06 AM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	How much of the love for the 24-50 comes from the fact that it can be found (at least in the past) for less than $200? The cheapest one on eBay now is $292... What about the FA 28-70/4? If you can find a good copy it's probably as good as the 24-90...but Pentax QA wasn't all that great at the time...

08-23-2017, 10:16 AM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,249	Originally posted by normhead In this case, not a question of handling, but of how much weight and space it occupies in my carrying cases. It's really big lens from what I can tell. I think what matter for carrying camera + lens is the virtual cube that fits into. For example, if I carry the K1 with DFA28-105, even though the 28-105 is relatively small, the total camera + lens isn't significantly smaller that I could carry it in a smaller bag. That's why if I'd get a Sony Alfa with lenses equivalent to the ones I use on a K1, I would be able to use a smaller bag either. I think, people regarding the Sony MILC are attracted by looking at the camera only, but afterwards in real use conditions don't save the space that would enable to fit in an apsc or u43 compartment. You are mentioning lenses that were designed for film cameras, those camera were smaller than todays full frame DSLR.

08-23-2017, 11:24 AM	#6
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The 24~90 is best -very sharp- between 30 and 70. It has a huge Hood that takes up much bag space when reversed. It has been reported contsruction can be iffy - barrel wobble is a common complaint. Manual focus damping is nil. It is light, responsive and renders colors on K-1 and KP nicely. I like mine. Great value back in the day for a consumer zoom. There is an eBay seller with 2 left of 5 *NiB* - I bought one for use with my MZ-S in May.

08-23-2017, 12:06 PM	#7
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by normhead The two lenses that have caught my eye would be there FA 24-90, and F 24-50. TO me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input. [...] I'm looking for a relatively lightweight companion. I have no experience with the FA 24-90, but I do with the F 24-50/4 (and the virtually identical A 24-50/4), and it is a good lens design for sharpness, contrast, and color, and it is indeed quite compact and light,as well. (And the clip-on/slip-on RH-B60 rubber hood collapses for compact storage, too.)

08-23-2017, 12:12 PM	#8
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by normhead O me the F 24-50 at least from the reviews looks like the better lens. I'm wondering if anyone here has any input. I sure like what the 24-50 outputs on my K3 Can't comment on the K1 nor compare it to the other lens...

08-23-2017, 12:36 PM	#9
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,031	I had the 24-50 in the A version. I loved that lens but unfortunately sold it when I unloaded most of my film gear. Before the K-1 you could easily get a F24-50 under 200 US Dollars. Now when you do find one you are lucky to get it under 300. I gave up looking for a decent copy and purchased the DFA 28-105. Unless you can find a good deal I would just get another 28-105. It is a far superior lens. It is getting hard to justify paying what they want for those older lenses.

08-23-2017, 01:19 PM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto What about the FA 28-70/4? If you can find a good copy it's probably as good as the 24-90...but Pentax QA wasn't all that great at the time... I've decided this time, I'm definitely covering 24mm.

08-23-2017, 01:45 PM	#11
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,147	I own the 24-50 F4, its quite good but ive just bought the 28-105 as well,so thats on the K1. There was plenty of 24/50s in Japan a while ago,maybe all the K1 owners have snapped them up?

08-23-2017, 02:07 PM	#12
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628	Don't know if you've seen this, but here is @northcoastgreg's review of the 24-90... Pentax FA 24-90 f3.5-4.5 \| Lens Reviews \| The Northcoast Photographer

08-23-2017, 02:23 PM - 1 Like	#13
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	Originally posted by surfar I own the 24-50 F4, its quite good but ive just bought the 28-105 as well,so thats on the K1. There was plenty of 24/50s in Japan a while ago,maybe all the K1 owners have snapped them up? Do you have any comparison images?

08-23-2017, 02:58 PM	#14
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,147	Not yet, the 24/50 is quite light and convenient....no WR. I bought the DFA after (mostly) reading your opinion and the reviews and posted images.I haven't had 10 shots with it yet.

08-23-2017, 03:07 PM	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	Originally posted by surfar Not yet, the 24/50 is quite light and convenient....no WR. I bought the DFA after (mostly) reading your opinion and the reviews and posted images.I haven't had 10 shots with it yet. Tess is just raving about the shots she took with the DFA 28-105 today and last week. I'll never get it back. <sob>. Maybe she'll let me borrow it every now and then. But it's almost certain she's taking it this weekend.

F 24-50 or FA 24-90?

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