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Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF)

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) lens
Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) lensPentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) lensPentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) lens
 

APS-C sized image

Lenses that create APS-C sized image are designed for digital only. They cannot be used on cameras that have image sensor larger than the APS-C format. These lenses are not suitable for film cameras either.

 

No Ultrasonic AF

Lenses with ultrasonic focusing mechanism tend to be quiter and faster than traditionally focusing lenses.

 

One or more Low Dispersion lens element is used

Low Dispersion lens elements help to reduce chromatic aberration.

 

Not stabilized

Image stabilization helps to reduce blur caused by hand shake, especially at high focal length or in low light situations. Image stabilization can give 1 to 3 stop advantage over none stabilized lens, based on the reciprocal rule.

 

Metal mount

Cheaper lenses are usually equipped with plastic mount, while more expensive, professional lenses have metal mount. In general, metal mounts are more durable, and a good thing to have when lenses are changed a lot. When a camera is used mainly with one lens, the material of the lens mount is not that important.

 

Internal Focusing

Internally focusing lenses don't change their size while setting focus.

 

No Internal Zoom

Internally zooming lenses don't change their size while focal length is changing.

 

The front lens is fixed

The fixed front lens is not rotating during zoom and/or focusing. This allows the photographer to use petal shaped lens hood. Fixed front lenses also make the use of polarization filters a lot easier.

 

Not Sealed

Weather sealed lenses are protected from dust and water. While they are not water proof, these lenses can be used in rain and other humid environments. Some sealings only provide protection against dust or water, not both. Sealing is only available when the lens is used on a similarly weather sealed camera body.

 

No drop-in filter support

Drop-in filters are used in those lenses where either the front lens is too large, or the field of view doesn't permit the use of traditional filters at the front of the lens. Usually bright tele and ultra-wide angle lenses support this filter type.
The smc-DA series of lenses are particularly developed and designed for use with PENTAX digital cameras. They are designed to fulfil the high digital image technology standards of PENTAX digital SLR cameras and are intended exclusively for use with these cameras. Extreme focal lengths are the domain of SLR photography. With the 12 - 24mm zoom lens PENTAX has succeeded in mastering a difficult challenge and can now offer wide angle photography on the highest digital level. With the 35mm equivalent of an 18 - 36mm lens, breath taking photographs are possible even if the spatial surroundings are limited.

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Specification

Available mount(s) Pentax K
Application(s) Landscape, Interiors, Architecture
Category(s) Wide angle zoom
Multiplier 1.5×
Stabilizer no
Focal length 12 - 24 mm (2× zoom)
Lens construction 13 elements in 11 groups
Angle of view 35mm: N/A
digital: 99-61°
Number of blades 8
Maximum aperture wide: f/4 tele: f/4
Minimum aperture wide: f/22 tele: f/22
Minimum focusing distance 30 cm
Magnification 0.12×
Filter size 77 mm
Size ∅ 84 × 87.5 mm
Weight 430 g
Notes Aperture control: Automatic, Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
AF speed N/A
AF sound
Internal focusing yes
Internal zoom no
Fix front lens yes
Mount type metal
Weather sealed no
Drop in filter no
Ultrasonic AF no
APS-C sized circle yes
Low dispersion lens element yes
Hard case N/A
Soft case S100-120 (not included)
Lens hood PH-RBI 77MM (included)
Tripod adapter N/A
Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Specification

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Reviews

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) in the news

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Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Owner Reviews

Most useful owner reviews from Amazon

A must for the wide end

Jan 9, 2007

The main problem with the APS-C sensor is the fact that to get a very wide angle of view, you need a special lens. My old 20mm lens, which has served me for many, many, years, is just a moderate wide on the digital sensors.

With a few doubts, I sprang for this super-wide zoom.

WHAT A SURPRISE! This lens is AMAZING!

Low or no distortion (you can get away without correcting for distortion in Photoshop - quite a feat - unless you have a fanatical lunatic architectural client). CA hard to see. Very sharp, sharper wide open than any zoom has a right to be!!

Flare is so well controlled, I shot right into th sun and did NOT get the usual string of circles, just one ghost. How do they DO that???

The constant aperture is a blessing (I still refuse to buy a zoom with a variable aperture).

All modern lenses are polycarbonate. Supposedly, it's more dimensionally stable than metal under temperature extremes. Maybe so, but I still have some of the older K and M lenses and some Limited lenses. I guess I'm just old fashioned.

But with the APS-C sensor, you need a VERY wide lens. This is the one that will save your hide on any assignment where you need ultra-wide angle of view.

Penatx has always been known for their glass. With this lens, they continue to impress those who know that the glass is what counts!

Vivid color, amazing linearity, sharp to corners - but delicate alignment

Sep 1, 2007

Pop Photo (Apr-06) praised this lens as a "Wide Winner" for spectacular performance on bench testing: excellent image sharpness and contrast; imperceptible distortion ["best of breed"]; and barely notable vignetting at the short end. I can add breathtaking color, crisp contrast and ruler-straight linearity to that list. At first glance, a 2X zoom doesn't sound impressive these days - until you realize that this parafocal zoom sweeps an incredible 100 to 60 degree viewing range, that's just perfect for cramped interiors, group pictures or landscapes. This zoom is a landmark of stellar engineering: combining extra-dispersion glass and aspheric lens elements into flagship "great glass".

But a finely-tuned optical engine performs optimally only if all cylinders fire in unison ... at daylight trial, I noted a hideous 'purple fringing' [chromatic aberration] of trees and power lines outlined against an overcast sky -- something was badly remiss. Rather than returning the lens, I packed it up for warranty service so as to alert the manufacturer to quality control slippage. Irreparable misalignment [probably from rough shipping/handling] was acknowledged; replacement with a brand-new lens was hassle-free as well as timely.

Should you detect distortion (run some test shots before starting a formal shoot!), fear not -- Pentax service was knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful. To their great credit, exchange was virtually painless, and the new replacement lens at last performs flawlessly. Although the initial unit turned out to be a glass lemon, Pentax made good (try that with a new car!); I have nothing but praise for the fair and decisive warranty follow-through.

Tip: the bulbous cyclops snout of the forward element is close to the surface, begging for scratches and smudges. Protecting the front end with a haze or UV filter in essence adds an unproven 14th glass element to a balanced optical design -- buy the high quality multi-coated filter (mounted in a thin WA ring) this star performer deserves to minimize glare, internal reflection and corner vignetting.

A nice ultrawide

Jun 21, 2008

This lens covers a handy range of focal lengths. At 24mm (equivalent to 35mm on a 35mm film camera) it replicates the popular moderate wide angle that is handy for car shows, architecture, landscapes and group shots.

Go down to 12mm, and you get a very wide view, great depth of field, and essentially no barrel distortion.

Although there is some overlap in the focal length of the Pentax 10-17mm lens, that one has the pronounced "fisheye" distortion (though not too much at 17mm), while the 12-24 maintains straight lines (it's "rectilinear") though if you are tilted up (or down), your subject will lean in (or out).

More expensive than some lenses but less than others, I say it is worth it. Its constant f4 maximum aperture is part of the cost (and weight).

It is a little bulky, not lightweight, and has a rather large lens hood, so you might have to rearrange your bag divider...

Do you hesitate to buy it?

Jan 18, 2008

This lens is savvier, more perfect than I expected. I don't need to say about pros because lots of people already say about that in review. But this lens' weight is quite heavier compared with other Pentax lens.

Best darn wide angle zoom out there

Dec 8, 2008

This lens is amazing. If I had a choice of one lens to leave on my camera forever, this would be it. Its sharp, contrasty, and the angle of view at 12mm is AMAZING. The distortion is minimal to my eyes though I have not measured it. I'm just very happy with the results I consistently get with it.

Its very flare resistant and though the lens is mostly plastic, its feels very solid and well made. Not a whole lot of slop to any of its movements. Its very lightweight, so its not a burden to carry it around. I just wish it was a tad shorter, but this is not a complaint.

The range is very good for a walking around lens, the 24mm upper end gives about a 36mm angle of view equivalent for a 35mm standard film camera.

Just add a 50-135 2.8 and you have a great range for just about everything.

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Sample Photos

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) Accessories

77 mm Filters

77 mm Polarizer Filters

77 mm UV Filters

77 mm Skylight Filters

77 mm Lens Caps

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