It appears we can all come up with reviews to support our views. This is part or the problem with reviews. There is sample variance, personal bias, different testing methods, different conditions during the tests, different rating systems for interpreting the results and so on...
The figures you quote cannot be easily compared between a prime and a zoom. If they are subjective ratings then no comparison can be made as factors other than the quality at 24mm may be considered (eg the advantage that the zoom has by being able to shhot at 20mm and 35mm etc). If the ratings are calculated, then for a zoom this calculation will be totally different than for a prime as it has to take into account various readings at different focal lengths - therefore you cannot compare easily. Also, how does a calculated figure weight the readings at different apertures? If the apertures used are min, F8 and max for example then the fact that the 24 has a min of F2 which will likely be softer than the 20-35 at F4 would not help it. You need far more detail if you are to draw anything from these figures. The only true comparison is if you shoot both at 24mm of the exact same subject at the same exposure settings on the same camera at the same time. I doubt if any group test would have put these two back to back. However the FA*24/2 is semi-legendary in the industry and there must be a good reason for that. Its not like it can be due to Pentax marketing, is it? > -----Original Message----- > From: Sylwester Pietrzyk [mailto:sylwek@;ozon.com.pl] > Sent: 14 November 2002 13:43 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: SMCP FA 20-35mm f/4 AL or the FA* 24mm f/2 AL > WAS -- Re:Wideangle Dilemmas > > > on 14.11.02 13:58, Brad Dobo at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Brad, > [cut] > > But to the core of the matter. Which is better? The SMCP > FA 20-35mm > > f/4 AL or the FA* 24mm f/2 AL? I know the general opinion, > and I just > > won't comment. Except that any difference in image quality > is small, > > very. > > > I think you are right. SMC-FA 20-35/4 is very good lens. > According to prestigeuos German's magazine "Foto Magazin" > this is one of the best super wide angle zooms on the market, > superceded only by Nikkor 17-28/2.8. It has grade 9.6 (of 10) > for optical performance and 9.0 for build quality. FA* 24/2 > had only 9.0 for opticals, and 9.6 (as I remember) for mechanics! > > -- > Best Regards > Sylwek > > > >
