[Jonathan Mac]

Following this thread out of interest as I've been after a genuine Pentax 24mm for a while, though I wouldn't consider the FA* as it's not manual focus.

From reading up in the last few months it seems the K f/3.5 is probably the best overall but with not too much difference compared to the f/2.8 or the A.

My very limited experience has been with the Sigma 24/2.8 (sharp but very prone to flare) and the Tamron 01B 24/2.5 (sharp but lacking in contrast).

[garywakeling]

Following this thread out of interest as I've been after a genuine Pentax 24mm for a while, though I wouldn't consider the FA* as it's not manual focus.

From reading up in the last few months it seems the K f/3.5 is probably the best overall but with not too much difference compared to the f/2.8 or the A.

My very limited experience has been with the Sigma 24/2.8 (sharp but very prone to flare) and the Tamron 01B 24/2.5 (sharp but lacking in contrast).

The FA* has an easy to use manual/AF clutch mechanism and quite a nice focus action when used in manual mode

[W412ren]

Following this thread out of interest as I've been after a genuine Pentax 24mm for a while, though I wouldn't consider the FA* as it's not manual focus.

From reading up in the last few months it seems the K f/3.5 is probably the best overall but with not too much difference compared to the f/2.8 or the A.

My very limited experience has been with the Sigma 24/2.8 (sharp but very prone to flare) and the Tamron 01B 24/2.5 (sharp but lacking in contrast).

I agree with Gary; the FA* is very easy to manual focus and feels comfortable when doing so - far more so than my A24!
The K24/3.5 also had a vey nice feel to it's focus ring - being a 58mm filter size the diameter of the lens felt very natural for my hands - ymmv

[richard0170]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have decided to go with a K 24mm f3.5. The reasons are:-
1. Cost. I am not much of a wide angle guy to start with and I hope to use the lens as a form of discipline to get me used to a wider field of view. The DA* would be overkill if I give up on the wide angle idea.
2. Size. It is relatively compact.
3. It's a K! I love the colour all my other K series lenses produce.
4. It would go well on my KX for film use if I get round to using it.

[garywakeling]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have decided to go with a K 24mm f3.5. The reasons are:-
1. Cost. I am not much of a wide angle guy to start with and I hope to use the lens as a form of discipline to get me used to a wider field of view. The DA* would be overkill if I give up on the wide angle idea.
2. Size. It is relatively compact.
3. It's a K! I love the colour all my other K series lenses produce.
4. It would go well on my KX for film use if I get round to using it.

Glad to hear you have made a decision, I must confess that the K series lenses do appeal to me as well, I love the font around the dress rings on front of the lenses. Enjoy your new lens and I look forward to following your images made with it

[Wasp]

I got started in the Pentax world with M and A series lenses, but I have since managed to start a good collection of K series glass - 35/3.5, 50/1.2, 135/3.5, 135/2.5 and 200/2.5. The wider end is open and there is a hole that has the shape of an 85/1.8. The prices on them are a little crazy but it is on my to-do list. I do have a Rokinon 85/1.4 to cover the focal length my inner hoarder completionist is not satisfied.

[richard0170]

I got started in the Pentax world with M and A series lenses, but I have since managed to start a good collection of K series glass - 35/3.5, 50/1.2, 135/3.5, 135/2.5 and 200/2.5. The wider end is open and there is a hole that has the shape of an 85/1.8. The prices on them are a little crazy but it is on my to-do list. I do have a Rokinon 85/1.4 to cover the focal length my inner hoarder completionist is not satisfied.

It does become something of an obsession! I picked a K 85mm f1.8 up a few months ago at a very reasonable £200. Optically it has no issues but its showing some cosmetic scuffing to the body. I think that adds to its charm.
My K collection now consists of:-

24mm f3.5
28mm f3.5
35mm f3.5
35mm f2.0
50mm f4 Macro
50mm f1.4
55mm f1.8
85mm f1.8
135mm f2.5
200mm f4

I mostly think they are all lovely, though the 200mm was a little disappointing - not being much better if at all than my M version and a whole lot heavier. The 50mm Macro is wonderful on my K3 and KP cameras but disappoints on my K1 - I can't work that one out, but it is so. I would really like a 100mm Macro but they are hard to come by and I reckon not going to be any better than the M version I have. I don't want a 28mm f2 - too big and heavy but I sometimes get tempted by the 28mm shift. Maybe one day.
Anyway, I am glad I bought the 24mm f3.5. It has done its first job of getting me more used to the semi wide FOV it provides on APSC and a Fujifilm X100T has been added to my harem as a consequence., It is not a lens I would recommend though on that format as I consider it too slow and heavy for what should be light and handy. On the K1 however I reckon it shines. It is decently sharp, handles flare well and produces lovely saturated and contrasty colours. Opportunities for use have been a bit limited to date unfortunately but it is definitely a keeper.

Samples from the K1:-







and the K3:-

[Jonathan Mac]

It does become something of an obsession! I picked a K 85mm f1.8 up a few months ago at a very reasonable £200. Optically it has no issues but its showing some cosmetic scuffing to the body. I think that adds to its charm.

My K collection now consists of:-

24mm f3.5
28mm f3.5
35mm f3.5
35mm f2.0
50mm f4 Macro
50mm f1.4
55mm f1.8
85mm f1.8
135mm f2.5
200mm f4

I mostly think they are all lovely, though the 200mm was a little disappointing - not being much better if at all than my M version and a whole lot heavier. The 50mm Macro is wonderful on my K3 and KP cameras but disappoints on my K1 - I can't work that one out, but it is so. I would really like a 100mm Macro but they are hard to come by and I reckon not going to be any better than the M version I have. I don't want a 28mm f2 - too big and heavy but I sometimes get tempted by the 28mm shift. Maybe one day.

I have:

28/2.0
28/3.5
30/2.8
35/3.5
50/1.4
135/2.5
200/4

I used to have a 55/1.8 but it was easily the worst of my 50-55mm primes so I sold it. The 28mm lenses are special, as is the 135/2.5, but I'd still like a 24.

Regarding the 200mm f/4, I've found it to be one of those lenses which, if not focused absolutely perfectly, produces results that can look like the lens is not good, rather than results that look like they're slightly mis-focused. That may not make much sense unless it's a phenomena you've experienced but I've noticed it with a few lenses. My K 200/4 is far superior to the M 200/4 I owned years ago, which had nasty fringing wide open.

[garywakeling]

It does become something of an obsession! I picked a K 85mm f1.8 up a few months ago at a very reasonable £200. Optically it has no issues but its showing some cosmetic scuffing to the body. I think that adds to its charm.
My K collection now consists of:-

24mm f3.5
28mm f3.5
35mm f3.5
35mm f2.0
50mm f4 Macro
50mm f1.4
55mm f1.8
85mm f1.8
135mm f2.5
200mm f4

I mostly think they are all lovely, though the 200mm was a little disappointing - not being much better if at all than my M version and a whole lot heavier. The 50mm Macro is wonderful on my K3 and KP cameras but disappoints on my K1 - I can't work that one out, but it is so. I would really like a 100mm Macro but they are hard to come by and I reckon not going to be any better than the M version I have. I don't want a 28mm f2 - too big and heavy but I sometimes get tempted by the 28mm shift. Maybe one day.
Anyway, I am glad I bought the 24mm f3.5. It has done its first job of getting me more used to the semi wide FOV it provides on APSC and a Fujifilm X100T has been added to my harem as a consequence., It is not a lens I would recommend though on that format as I consider it too slow and heavy for what should be light and handy. On the K1 however I reckon it shines. It is decently sharp, handles flare well and produces lovely saturated and contrasty colours. Opportunities for use have been a bit limited to date unfortunately but it is definitely a keeper.

Samples from the K1:-







and the K3:-

A lovely selection of wide images, thanks for sharing

[richard0170]

I have:

28/2.0
28/3.5
30/2.8
35/3.5
50/1.4
135/2.5
200/4

I used to have a 55/1.8 but it was easily the worst of my 50-55mm primes so I sold it. The 28mm lenses are special, as is the 135/2.5, but I'd still like a 24.

Regarding the 200mm f/4, I've found it to be one of those lenses which, if not focused absolutely perfectly, produces results that can look like the lens is not good, rather than results that look like they're slightly mis-focused. That may not make much sense unless it's a phenomena you've experienced but I've noticed it with a few lenses. My K 200/4 is far superior to the M 200/4 I owned years ago, which had nasty fringing wide open.

Based on my copy I would recommend the K 24mm f3.5. Regarding mis-focusing. Yes it is a phenomena I have experienced. I have bitter experience with the A 28mm f2.8 when compared with the F 28mm I have. Both the same optical formula but I missed focus so often with the A 28mm that I have given up using it. Which is a shame as it is an ideal compact walk about lens on APSC otherwise. Needless to say the F 28mm is my go to lens on my K3 or KP as the cameras are much better at focusing than I am!

---------- Post added 04-27-23 at 09:33 AM ----------

A lovely selection of wide images, thanks for sharing

Thank you.