Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR's

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Price: $799.00    

Product Feature

• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for superior sharpness and color correction
• Responsive Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant shift from AF to MF
• The image circle is designed to match the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs
• Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images
• Mount - PENTAX KAF

Product Description

Pentax 12mm-24mm SMCP-DA f/4 AL (IF) Super Wide Angle Auto Focus Zoom LensWith Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements, the lens offers more true-to-life image reproduction. The image circlein DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm sizeof the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterpartswith similar specifications. Features:* Metal PENTAX KAF Lens Mount * Equivalent focal length to 18.5mm-37mm in the 35mm format with *istDSLRs * Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for superior sharpness and color correction * Responsive Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant shift from AF to MF * The image circle is designed tomatch the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs * Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images Specifications:Construction 11 Groups/ 13 Elements Angle of view 99° - 61� F stop range f/4-22 Closest Focusing Distance 1.0 ft. (0.3m) Maximum Magnification 0.12X FilterSize 77mm Dimensions (Length x Diameter) 3.4" x 3.3" (87.5mm x 83.5mm) Weight (Without Hood) 15.2 oz. (430g) Diaphragm: Fully AutomaticPhotometric Method: TTL open-aperture metering 8 Aperature Blades

Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR's Review

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.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR's" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR's ...