A24 or K24? Two beauties. Which to keep?

arpaagent · 02-08-2009, 09:23 PM

Ok, some of you may drool, so get out your bibs. I've got a dilemma. I'm torn between these two beauties. Both are great, same optical formula, different physical charisma.

The K is so classic and difficult to find. The chrome ring sparkles and beckons me from within my bag. The classic rectangle rubber knobs are so...classy.

The A has aperture communication is such great build quality for an A series. The cool feeling of it's full metal construction leaves nothing to be desired.

I don't want to part with either one, but it makes no sense for me to have both! And I would like to generate some funds so I can get closer to trying out an FA* zoom. Of course, selling in today's market is difficult, no one is really in the buying mood it seems like.

I guess it seems obvious to go with the A since it is easier to use on digital bodies, but what would you do in my situation? Go with the classy look + feel of the K or the sleek and sexy A?

Last edited by arpaagent; 03-02-2009 at 07:06 PM.

Votesh · 02-08-2009, 09:39 PM

Keep the A.

**Eaglerapids** · 02-08-2009, 09:55 PM

I'd keep both.

frank · 02-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by Votesh

Keep the A.

ditto that ...

**EsBee** · 02-08-2009, 10:17 PM

Since you already know that the K is more difficult to find, why not keep that and generate more funds by selling the A?

It would be easier to find another A24 if and when you wanted it again.

frank · 02-08-2009, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by EsBee

Since you already know that the K is more difficult to find, why not keep that and generate more funds by selling the A?

It would be easier to find another A24 if and when you wanted it again.

If for collecting purpose, I'd keep both. Otherwise I'd just keep the A24 and enjoy using it on both digital and film cameras

And besides, I really don't think the K24 is any harder to find than the A24, both show up quite regularly on eBay or kEH ..

Steinback · 02-08-2009, 10:38 PM

Sell both to fund an FA* 24/2 for that extra stop plus autofocus?

Seriously though, for day to day use I'd keep the A lens, for collecting I would probably keep both and wind up using neither (because what kind of collector doesn't have at least 5 lenses covering any given focal length?).

arpaagent · 02-08-2009, 11:03 PM

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

Originally posted by Steinback

Sell both to fund an FA* 24/2 for that extra stop plus autofocus?

Seriously though, for day to day use I'd keep the A lens, for collecting I would probably keep both and wind up using neither (because what kind of collector doesn't have at least 5 lenses covering any given focal length?).

Haha yes true, I hear you on the redundant focal lengths. I certainly have the "collecting" mentality, although it is often hard to justify. It would probably be interesting for a psychologist to do a study regarding collectors and why they enjoy it. I certainly can't fully explain it, and I don't think it is just because of materialism. Maybe I just really respect and admire precision made instruments and gadgets...I do enjoy just looking at them from time to time.

Oh well, I might end up keeping both after all.

**xs400** · 02-08-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by Votesh

Keep the A.

+1 on that

gokenin · 02-09-2009, 06:12 AM

going to break with the trend here and say keep the K. I dont have the A but do have the K and i like the look of it more than the A but again its all a personal choice really

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-09-2009, 06:21 AM

what is your intent. being a collector or a photographer?

honestly though, the A is a LOT more useful than the K due to the apature contacts, but I'll take what ever you don't want. Actually the K would fit my collection nicely, it already has friends waiting (50mmF1.4, 105mmF2.8, 135 F2.5, and 300 F4)

Nesster · 02-09-2009, 07:32 AM

From the pov of fund raising, which one would bring more?

kathyk · 02-09-2009, 08:16 AM

I would keep the A, and if I wanted to replace the K would get the 24/3.5, nice lens from what I've seen.

Blue · 02-09-2009, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

what is your intent. being a collector or a photographer?

. . .

What's wrong with being both?

Edit: I forgot, I'd keep the A if I were going to keep just 1. However, since I have a K2, I would probably keep the K for it.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-09-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Blue

What's wrong with being both?

Edit: I forgot, I'd keep the A if I were going to keep just 1. However, since I have a K2, I would probably keep the K for it.

the question was more aimed at helping the OP decide at what to keep.

if he is a collector AND photographer he would keep both, if he is a collector only he would keep the rarer of the two, the true photographer would keep the A because it is more useful

02-08-2009, 09:23 PM	#1
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	A24 or K24? Two beauties. Which to keep? Ok, some of you may drool, so get out your bibs. I've got a dilemma. I'm torn between these two beauties. Both are great, same optical formula, different physical charisma. The K is so classic and difficult to find. The chrome ring sparkles and beckons me from within my bag. The classic rectangle rubber knobs are so...classy. The A has aperture communication is such great build quality for an A series. The cool feeling of it's full metal construction leaves nothing to be desired. I don't want to part with either one, but it makes no sense for me to have both! And I would like to generate some funds so I can get closer to trying out an FA* zoom. Of course, selling in today's market is difficult, no one is really in the buying mood it seems like. I guess it seems obvious to go with the A since it is easier to use on digital bodies, but what would you do in my situation? Go with the classy look + feel of the K or the sleek and sexy A? Last edited by arpaagent; 03-02-2009 at 07:06 PM.

02-09-2009, 06:21 AM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	if you're seling one, I'll buy it! what is your intent. being a collector or a photographer? honestly though, the A is a LOT more useful than the K due to the apature contacts, but I'll take what ever you don't want. Actually the K would fit my collection nicely, it already has friends waiting (50mmF1.4, 105mmF2.8, 135 F2.5, and 300 F4)

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02-08-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Keep the A.

02-08-2009, 09:55 PM	#3
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	I'd keep both.

02-08-2009, 10:14 PM	#4
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by Votesh Keep the A. ditto that ...

02-08-2009, 10:17 PM	#5
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Since you already know that the K is more difficult to find, why not keep that and generate more funds by selling the A? It would be easier to find another A24 if and when you wanted it again.

02-08-2009, 10:30 PM	#6
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by EsBee Since you already know that the K is more difficult to find, why not keep that and generate more funds by selling the A? It would be easier to find another A24 if and when you wanted it again. If for collecting purpose, I'd keep both. Otherwise I'd just keep the A24 and enjoy using it on both digital and film cameras And besides, I really don't think the K24 is any harder to find than the A24, both show up quite regularly on eBay or kEH ..

02-08-2009, 10:38 PM	#7
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Sell both to fund an FA* 24/2 for that extra stop plus autofocus? Seriously though, for day to day use I'd keep the A lens, for collecting I would probably keep both and wind up using neither (because what kind of collector doesn't have at least 5 lenses covering any given focal length?).

02-08-2009, 11:03 PM	#8
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803 Original Poster	Thanks for everyone's input so far. Originally posted by Steinback Sell both to fund an FA* 24/2 for that extra stop plus autofocus? Seriously though, for day to day use I'd keep the A lens, for collecting I would probably keep both and wind up using neither (because what kind of collector doesn't have at least 5 lenses covering any given focal length?). Haha yes true, I hear you on the redundant focal lengths. I certainly have the "collecting" mentality, although it is often hard to justify. It would probably be interesting for a psychologist to do a study regarding collectors and why they enjoy it. I certainly can't fully explain it, and I don't think it is just because of materialism. Maybe I just really respect and admire precision made instruments and gadgets...I do enjoy just looking at them from time to time. Oh well, I might end up keeping both after all.

02-08-2009, 11:24 PM	#9
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	Originally posted by Votesh Keep the A. +1 on that

02-09-2009, 06:12 AM	#10
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	going to break with the trend here and say keep the K. I dont have the A but do have the K and i like the look of it more than the A but again its all a personal choice really

02-09-2009, 07:32 AM	#12
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	From the pov of fund raising, which one would bring more?

02-09-2009, 08:16 AM	#13
kathyk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan/USA Posts: 173	I would keep the A, and if I wanted to replace the K would get the 24/3.5, nice lens from what I've seen.

02-09-2009, 08:45 AM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge what is your intent. being a collector or a photographer? . . . What's wrong with being both? Edit: I forgot, I'd keep the A if I were going to keep just 1. However, since I have a K2, I would probably keep the K for it.

02-09-2009, 09:00 AM	#15
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by Blue What's wrong with being both? Edit: I forgot, I'd keep the A if I were going to keep just 1. However, since I have a K2, I would probably keep the K for it. the question was more aimed at helping the OP decide at what to keep. if he is a collector AND photographer he would keep both, if he is a collector only he would keep the rarer of the two, the true photographer would keep the A because it is more useful