SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Lens Review

John Riley reviews the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] vintage lens for full-frame SLR/DSLRs.

16/09/2020 - 13:28

Pentax Fa 24 90mm Front Oblique View

The SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] lens is a superior kit lens from around 2001, a little before the arrival of the crop sensor Pentax DSLRs. Thus it is designed for film cameras and does not sit particularly well with the APS-C format, where it would be a “35mm equivalent” 36-135mm; perhaps not wide enough for a general-purpose lens. However, it does sit very well as a standard zoom for full-frame and could be an interesting option compared to the expensive, heavy and bulky HD Pentax 24-70mm f/2.8 from the current range. Is it up to the mark? Let's find out, using the 36MP Pentax K-1 body.

 

SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Handling and Features

Pentax Fa 24 90mm On Pentax K1
The first impressions very clearly show us a compact, light lens, weighing in at a very modest 355g. There is a supplied and large bayonet fit lens hood that clips securely into place without the need for a locking catch. The hood has a small removable panel that enables the rotation of polarising filters with the hood in position, a nice touch that other marques have been slow to take up. The filter thread is a standard 67mm.

First up is a thin manual focusing ring and to use this the camera body will need to be switched to MF. There is no full-time manual focusing or QuickShift as Pentax describe it. The ring does rotate during AF operation, so the fingers should be kept away from it. Focusing is down to 0.5m, or 1.6 feet, for a maximum magnification of 0.18x. There is a clear distance scale, marked in feet and metres. There is no depth of field scale, but there are Infra-red correction marks for 24mm and 90mm.

The zoom ring is clearly marked at 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 90mm. The action of this ring is smooth but has little resistance, so when carried it is quite likely that the lens will extend if pointed downwards.

Finally, closest to the body is the nicely clicked aperture ring, with an “A” setting for when the camera is to control the aperture. This is the setting used for DSLRs to give full function.
Pentax Fa 24 90mm With Hood On Pentax K1

AF is by screw drive, so is hardly quiet, but it does move swiftly and accurately. The lens mount is Pentax's fine steel mount, this version complete with all mechanical and electronic connections.

Optical construction is 13 elements in 11 groups coated with the SMC (Super-Multi-Coated) multicoating of the era, which is very effective, holding up well when compared to current coating techniques. The diaphragm comprises 8 blades. As this is a film-era lens, it is likely that the exit light will not be telecentric, that is, parallel, which is what digital sensors prefer, so especially at wider angles and at the edges the lens is at an immediate disadvantage. Handling-wise, it's a gem, absolutely delightful in use, so it could be a winner if the optical performance is up to scratch.
Pentax Fa 24 90mm Rear Oblique View

SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Performance

At 24mm, sharpness is very good centrally from f/3.5 to f/22 and holds very evenly throughout the range. The edges are only fair throughout, a combination of the lack of telecentric design and probably field curvature as well. As can easily be the case, the 3D real-world images look much sharper than the flat test chart pictures, highlighting that the chart test results are never the whole story.

At 35mm, central sharpness is very good from f/4 to f/16 and good at f/22 and f/29. The edges are fair at f/4, good at f/5.6, very good at f/8 and f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22 and f/29.

At 70mm, the centre is good at f/4.5, very good from f/5.6 to f/16, good at f/22 and fair at f/32. The edges are good at f/4.5, very good from f/5.6 to f/16 and fair at f/22 and f/32.

At 90mm, the centre is good at f/4.5, very good from f/5.6 to f/16, good at f/22 and fair at f/32. The edges are fair at f/4.5 and f/5.6, very good at f/8 and f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22 and f/32.

 

Pentax SMC P-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL MTF Charts

MTF50 Graph At 24mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_MTF50_graph_at_24mm_1600250173.jpg">High-Res</a>
MTF50 Graph At 24mm
High-Res
MTF50 Graph At 35mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_MTF50_graph_at_35mm_1600250174.jpg">High-Res</a>
MTF50 Graph At 35mm
High-Res
MTF50 Graph At 70mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_MTF50_graph_at_70mm_1600250175.jpg">High-Res</a>
MTF50 Graph At 70mm
High-Res
MTF50 Graph At 90mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_MTF50_graph_at_90mm_1600250176.jpg">High-Res</a>
MTF50 Graph At 90mm
High-Res

How to read our MTF charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution and sharpness as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Pentax K-1 using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses?

 

CA (Chromatic Aberration), as expected, strays somewhat at 24mm and the edges, again through the lack of a telecentric design, but is much better as we zoom in. The centre is highly corrected throughout. This can, of course, be tackled in software and is not always obvious anyway, depending on the subject matter.

 

Pentax SMC P-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL Chromatic Aberration Charts

CA Graph At 24mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_CA_graph_at_24mm_1600250149.jpg">High-Res</a>
CA Graph At 24mm
High-Res
CA Graph At 35mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_CA_graph_at_35mm_1600250150.jpg">High-Res</a>
CA Graph At 35mm
High-Res
CA Graph At 70mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_CA_graph_at_70mm_1600250151.jpg">High-Res</a>
CA Graph At 70mm
High-Res
CA Graph At 90mm<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/smc_pentax_fA_24-90mm_CA_graph_at_90mm_1600250152.jpg">High-Res</a>
CA Graph At 90mm
High-Res

How to read our CA charts

Chromatic aberration (CA) is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Pentax K-1 using Imatest.

 

Distortion is reasonable for a zoom lens of this era. At 24mm we find-2.18% barrel distortion. This soon changes to pincushion, which measures +0.36% at 35mm, +2.13% at 70mm and +2.23% at 90mm.

Bokeh hadn't been invented when this lens was designed, so we rely on the 8 diaphragm blades and the telephoto focal lengths top create smooth background blur. It's not bad at all, but not as smooth as more recent optics.

Flare is impressively low and the worst of it is just a lowering of contrast when shooting directly into the light.

Vignetting is very moderate for a zoom lens and the results are:

Aperture 24mm 35mm 70mm 90mm
f/3.5 -2.5      
f/4 -2.2 -0.9    
f/4.5     -1.2 -1.2
f/5.6 -1.5 -0.7 -0.8 -0.9
f/8 -1.1 -0.7 -0.8 -0.9
f/11 -1.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.7
f/16 -1.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.7
f/22 -1.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.6
f/29   -0.6    
f/32     -0.5 -0.6


Pentax SMC P-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL Sample Photos

Back Of Astley Green | 1/20 sec | f/16.0 | 24.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_back_of_astley_green_1600249609.jpg">High-Res</a>
Back Of Astley Green | 1/20 sec | f/16.0 | 24.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Blue Spirit | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 58.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_blue_spirit_1600249644.jpg">High-Res</a>
Blue Spirit | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 58.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
CA Test | 1/125 sec | f/8.0 | 53.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_cA_test_1600249671.jpg">High-Res</a>
CA Test | 1/125 sec | f/8.0 | 53.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Common Hawthorn | 1/30 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_common_hawthorn_1600249704.jpg">High-Res</a>
Common Hawthorn | 1/30 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
Common Ragwort | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_common_ragwort_1600249738.jpg">High-Res</a>
Common Ragwort | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
90mm Crane | 1/15 sec | f/11.0 | 73.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_crane_1600249765.jpg">High-Res</a>
90mm Crane | 1/15 sec | f/11.0 | 73.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Derelict Carriage | 1/50 sec | f/8.0 | 58.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_derelict_carriage_1600249795.jpg">High-Res</a>
Derelict Carriage | 1/50 sec | f/8.0 | 58.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Edge Of The Marsh | 1/160 sec | f/5.6 | 58.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_edge_of_the_marsh_1600249824.jpg">High-Res</a>
Edge Of The Marsh | 1/160 sec | f/5.6 | 58.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
Flare Test | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_flare_test_1600249848.jpg">High-Res</a>
Flare Test | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Fungi | 1/40 sec | f/8.0 | 63.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_fungi_1600249875.jpg">High-Res</a>
Fungi | 1/40 sec | f/8.0 | 63.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
James Howden | 1/25 sec | f/11.0 | 63.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_james_howden_1600249896.jpg">High-Res</a>
James Howden | 1/25 sec | f/11.0 | 63.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Lancashire Mining Museum | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 38.0 mm | ISO 200<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_lancashire_mining_museum_1600249922.jpg">High-Res</a>
Lancashire Mining Museum | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 38.0 mm | ISO 200
High-Res
New Railway | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_new_railway_1600249949.jpg">High-Res</a>
New Railway | 1/250 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Orders Taken | 1/30 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_orders_taken_1600249971.jpg">High-Res</a>
Orders Taken | 1/30 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
Portrait 1 | 1/50 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_portrait_1_1600249995.jpg">High-Res</a>
Portrait 1 | 1/50 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
Portrait 2 | 1/50 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_portrait_2_1600250014.jpg">High-Res</a>
Portrait 2 | 1/50 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Portrait 3 | 1/60 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_portrait_3_1600250033.jpg">High-Res</a>
Portrait 3 | 1/60 sec | f/4.5 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Red And Green Engine | 1/60 sec | f/16.0 | 27.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_red_and_green_engine_1600250060.jpg">High-Res</a>
Red And Green Engine | 1/60 sec | f/16.0 | 27.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Sharpness | 1/80 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_sharpness_1600250087.jpg">High-Res</a>
Sharpness | 1/80 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Stay Safe | 1/320 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_stay_safe_1600250110.jpg">High-Res</a>
Stay Safe | 1/320 sec | f/8.0 | 90.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
The Frederick William | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 29.0 mm | ISO 1600<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_the_frederick_william_1600250235.jpg">High-Res</a>
The Frederick William | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 29.0 mm | ISO 1600
High-Res
Tree Of Kindness | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 58.0 mm | ISO 400<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_tree_of_kindness_1600250264.jpg">High-Res</a>
Tree Of Kindness | 1/200 sec | f/5.6 | 58.0 mm | ISO 400
High-Res
Workshop | 3 sec | f/16.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_workshop_1600250351.jpg">High-Res</a>
Workshop | 3 sec | f/16.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Winding House At F4 | 1/1000 sec | f/4.0 | 32.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_winding_house_at_f4_1600250295.jpg">High-Res</a>
Winding House At F4 | 1/1000 sec | f/4.0 | 32.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Winding House At F11 | 1/125 sec | f/11.0 | 32.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_winding_house_at_f11_1600250324.jpg">High-Res</a>
Winding House At F11 | 1/125 sec | f/11.0 | 32.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Texture In Old Brick At F4.5 | 1/400 sec | f/4.5 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_texture_in_old_brick_at_f45_1600250143.jpg">High-Res</a>
Texture In Old Brick At F4.5 | 1/400 sec | f/4.5 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Texture In Old Brick At F8 | 1/125 sec | f/8.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_texture_in_old_brick_at_f8_1600250178.jpg">High-Res</a>
Texture In Old Brick At F8 | 1/125 sec | f/8.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Texture In Old Brick At F16 | 1/30 sec | f/16.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_texture_in_old_brick_at_f16_1600250209.jpg">High-Res</a>
Texture In Old Brick At F16 | 1/30 sec | f/16.0 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res

 

Pentax SMC P-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL Aperture range

Bokeh At F4.5 | 1/640 sec | f/4.5 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f45_1600249538.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F4.5 | 1/640 sec | f/4.5 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F5.6 | 1/400 sec | f/5.6 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f56_1600249588.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F5.6 | 1/400 sec | f/5.6 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F8 | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f8_1600249620.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F8 | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F11 | 1/100 sec | f/11.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f11_1600249649.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F11 | 1/100 sec | f/11.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F16 | 1/50 sec | f/16.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f16_1600249677.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F16 | 1/50 sec | f/16.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F22 | 1/25 sec | f/22.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f22_1600249709.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F22 | 1/25 sec | f/22.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res
Bokeh At F32 | 1/13 sec | f/32.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.magezinepublishing.com/equipment/images/equipment/SMC-PFA-2490mm-f3545-AL-303/highres/pentax_fA_24-90mm_bokeh_at_f32_1600249745.jpg">High-Res</a>
Bokeh At F32 | 1/13 sec | f/32.0 | 68.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res

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Pentax Fa 24 90mm On Pentax K1 Front View At 24mm

Value For Money

Given that the obvious new alternative is the HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR at around £1049, the SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] is a real bargain for less than £200. We get a more compact lens and a longer focal length, but sacrifice QuickShift focusing, constant f/2.8 aperture, and weather resistance.

But at the price and given its versatility, value for money is sound.

For more options have a look at the Top 28 Best Pentax Lenses, or have a look at Third Party Lenses for Pentax.

 

SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Verdict

We don't spend our lives photographing test charts, and this would be the wrong lens to use if we did. Central sharpness is very good throughout, the only problem being the indifferent edge sharpness. This is not as bad as it seems though, in that real-world 3D images are fine and the lens delivers clean, crisp images. Clearly the newer 24-70mm lens is a better performer, but at a much higher cost, but the option is there. As the lens is actually very usable, despite its foibles, it remains good value for money.

Flat subjects are not rendered as well at close distances, so this is not ideal for copying documents or test charts, for example. But 3D images in the real world are sharp and crisp with very pleasant bokeh and general rendering.

This reviewer has this lens on the K-1 for general shooting and it handles beautifully and is very versatile. It is also a perfect choice of focal lengths for the full-frame K-1, filling a gap by extending the focal length range when compared to the 24-70mm and 28-105mm alternatives. It can definitely be recommended.

SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Pros

  • Very good central sharpness
  • Low central CA
  • Modest vignetting
  • Reasonably low distortion
  • Fast AF
  • Lovely handling
  • Good VFM
  • Very useful focal lengths

SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL [IF] Cons

  • No weather sealing
  • Edge softness
  • No QuickShift
  • Some edge CA
  • AF noisy
  • Lens extends when carried

Features: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Overall Verdict
4/5

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Pentax SMC P-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5 AL Specifications

ManufacturerPentax
General
Lens Mounts
  • Pentax K SMC-FA
Lens
Focal Length 24mm - 90mm
Angle of View 27° - 84°
Max Aperture f/3.5 - f/4.5
Min Aperture f/22 - f/32
Filter Size 67mm
Stabilised No
35mm equivalent No Data
Internal focusing No Data
Maximum magnification No Data
Focusing
Min Focus 50cm
Construction
Blades 8
Elements 13
Groups 11
Box Contents
Box Contents No Data
Dimensions
Weight 355g
Height 74.5mm

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donlai

Link Posted 20/09/2020 - 13:28
Thanks for your helpful review of the Pentax 24-90.
I have owned two copies of this lens and I used it on my Pentax MZ-S 35mm film camera.. I also used it less often on Pentax crop sensor digital cameras, where, as your reviewer says, the focal length becomes less useful with a wide end of the zoom having the field of view of a 35mm lens. Later I used it as a walkabout lens for the K1 until I bought the DFA28-105 and the DFA24-70 lenses.
My subjective view was the lens out performed my DA 17-70mm lens at the 70mm setting. Not bad for a lens made for film cameras.
On the old Pentax lens site (BD)has a reference to "ghostless coating" that must have been an additional coating to take into account reflection off the sensor.
The one complaint I have is to do with build quality: there was substantial barrel wobble in both copies of the lens I bought. Other than that, it was a useful walkabout lens, being both lighter and smaller than the DFA lenses.

MPpic

Link Posted 24/09/2020 - 13:34
Yes. I can confirm the review findings.
I love using it on a K5. It brings back that 70s feeling, when all I could afford was a second hand K1000 with the 1.8/55 kit lens plus a 35 wide angle and a 135 tele from Soligor. The limitations may be cumbersome in some situations but they make you think of points of view and fields of vision more than just having to turn the zoom ring to 18 or 300.
The downside really is that it is not of the same build quality as other Pentax lenses. It does feel a bit wobbly and noisy.
On the upside, the corner softness disappears, when used with an APS-C camera.
Last Edited by MPpic on 24/09/2020 - 13:35

Dnly12

Link Posted 22/03/2021 - 06:39
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Capital Digitizing
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