[alpeterson]

Another A-lens that does not seem to have a review. The A version of this lens seems to be much less common than the F and M versions. I have not tried either of those, but I saw a copy of this lens used and purchased it based on the good reviews on this site. I purchased it lens primarily for the wide end, and I have used it mainly for landscapes. However, it holds its own at the longer ends also and is thus a great walk-around lens covering slightly wide, normal, and slight telephoto ranges. Thus it's a very handy focal length for both digital and film. Although it doesn't have quite the same crispness as primes in this range, it's sharp enough and renders colors especially well. I do not use it very often, in part because I love my M 35-70 lens so much that it is my usual choice when I want a short telephoto. However, the A 24-50 fills a great niche and is a well-constructed, fun lens with its own character. All photos here taken with K3.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

[alpeterson]

PS. I chose these samples not for their amazing quality as photographs but to show some of what this lens can do -- interesting bokeh, decent sharpness, and nice colors. I'm also impressed with the lack of purple fringing shooting skyward. Adding a couple more photos here -- color version of my dog, showing the bokeh better than the black and white version. It's unusual (compared to my other old pentax lenses) and not the bokeh I would always want, but it has its own charm I think. Also one more landscape -- a very challenging shadowy setting, which this lens handled really well. This is at least a 50% crop in low light.

[volley]

If you don't mind manual focus this is a great walk-around lens with good sharpness and contrast on APS-C (I don't have a FF to judge).
A few examples from a recent trip to London.

[volley]

A very nice landscape lens!
2 shots taken at a hike on the Brazilian Island Ilhabela

[volley]

I have used this lens now for the first time on FF, the original K1.
Quite happy with the outcome!

[volley]

No one else here using this fine lens??

A few more with the K1

[volley]

Another one with this great little zoom - here with the K1 @24mm

[volley]

A few more examples - all with the K1