The SMC Pentax 24mm F2.8 is the faster version of the two K series 24mm lenses. It was succeeded by an A series lens with the same optical formula.
As you might know from previous reviews, I have a weakness for old Pentax lenses, due to the sharpness, nice color rendition and affordable prices. And this lens is smooth, feels solid and looks great. But, in contrast with some other online reviews, I found the lens to lack in sharpness. Not truly bad, but not what I expected from a Pentax lens. And it seems more soft when focussed on infinity, what is not really suitable for a focal length targeted to landscape photography. Maybe it was the Turbo II lens adapter, or the fact I had to up my ISO for early evening light... I should definitely try this lens again within a few months, on a bright day, with other subjects, maybe on one my older Pentax K20D.
I was so lucky to travel last week to San Francisco, so a good opportunity to shoot a few pictures before dinner, and during a Warriors game.
Although not the sharpest Pentax lens, it was a pleasure to use, and still had some nice Pentax colors. It therefore does deserve a place in my Pentax collection.
Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 24mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Pentax K
Optics: 9 elements, 8 groups
Blades: 5 blades
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 25cm
Maximum Magnification: 0.12x
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: 192g
Length: 63mm
Production: 1977 to 1984
Serial Number: 7536301
Company:
The company was founded in 1919 by Kumao Kajiwara. In 1938 the name changed to Asahi Optical Co., Ltd., manufacturing camera and cine lenses. Since 1957, the products were distributed under the name "Asahi Pentax" and finally the company was renamed Pentax Corporation in 2002. In 2011, Ricoh bought and renamed the company to Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd and on August 1, 2013, the company name was again changed to Ricoh Imaging Company Ltd.
SMC or Super Multi Coating
To combat partial reflection, Pentax developed chemical coatings for the lens surfaces with minimum light loss. SMC is "a remarkable seven-layer lens coating process that cuts the reflection ratio down to just 0.2% per lens surface. The result is a dramatic improvement in both color fidelity and brightness and the elimination of flare and ghost images."
SMC was patented and first applied in 1971, when Pentax was still making screw mount equipment. The multi-coated lens lines changed from Takumar and Super-Takumar to Super-Multi-Coated Takumar and later on to SMC Takumar. SMC Pentax was used for the newly introduced K-mount lenses.
Pentax's SMC is still today considered as one of the best lens coatings on the market.
Adapter:
Lens Turbo II PK - Nex
Cost: $75, used on B&H PhotoVideo, new for $149
The Pentax K Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Lens Turbo Adapter Mark II from Mitakon allows Pentax K lenses to be mounted on Sony E-Mount APS-C format cameras, increasing the angle of view by 0.726x and the maximum aperture of the lens by 1 f-stop.The four optical elements of the Lens Turbo adapter condense light from the Pentax K full frame lens and project it onto the camera's APS-C sensor allowing the sensor to capture all of the lens' transmitted light, negating the 1.5x crop factor and effectively producing full-frame coverage on non-full-frame sensors. A corresponding increase in the maximum aperture of 1 f-stop makes the lens more effective in low-light situations.
The Mark II version of the Lens Turbo features an improved design to produce sharper images. Its rectangular rear lens rests closer to the camera's sensor improving light transmission and an enhanced lens coating minimizes ghosting and flare. One extra-low dispersion (ED) lens element reduces aberrations for better delineated images. The adapter offers a sturdy metal construction and stainless steel mounts, it attaches to both camera and lens with little play and includes a front and rear protective cap. The Lens Turbo is a manual adapter offering no electronic communication between lens and camera.
Samples:
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| 1/250s - ISO800 - Handheld |
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| 1/500s - ISO800 - Handheld |
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| 1/500s - ISO800 - Handheld |
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| 1/1000s - ISO800 - Handheld |
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| 1/500s - ISO1600 - Handheld |
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| 1/250s - ISO1600 - Handheld |
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| 1/500s - ISO1600 - Handheld |
Wikipedia - Pentax
Pentax Forums
I use it on a Fuji-e3 and I get very sharp shots in B&W on a bright summer day too.
ReplyDeleteI should try it again on my A7ii full frame and see if I get sharper shots than with the speed booster on the A6000. So many lenses to play with, so little time.
ReplyDelete