Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED/AL (IF) Lens Review

Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED/AL (IF) Handling and Features

This lens is one of the premium offerings from Pentax, as denoted by the metallic green ring around the lens. Consequently, build quality is very solid indeed with a metal lens mount and a mixture of high quality plastics and metal used for the construction of the lens barrel. The lens weighs around 430g and balances well with the Pentax K-5 IIs body used for testing.

Focusing is performed internally, so the lens barrel does not extend during focusing, although the front section of the lens extends by a few millimetres at either end of the zoom range. As a result the filter ring does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. A petal shaped hood clips bayonet fitting on the front of the lens and it has a removable section to provide access for adjusting a polarising filter while it is attached.



The manual focusing ring rotates during auto-focus, so care may need to be taken to it catching your fingers as it moves back and forth. Manual focusing action is smooth although there is very little damping on the focus ring, which can make applying fine adjustments tricky. The Pentax 'Quick Shift' focusing system has been implemented on this lens, which means manual adjustments can be applied once the lens has focused automatically. Auto focus is screw-driven, so it generates more noise than newer silent focusing lenses do. Even so, it locks onto subjects very quickly.

The minimum focus distance of 30cm is typical for a lens of this type and it is close enough to pose no issues when shooting in claustrophobic environments, or for exploiting the distorted perspective produced by wide angle lenses used close up.

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