Shel, I can tell you a little. This is a * lens so it's build quality is higher than the typical FA lens - it is mostly metal-can't say if any plastic is used. It also has the focus clutch, which IMO, provides for a much better manual focus feel than the typical FA lens. The extra stop is handy, but not critical. For most uses of a wide angle you are going to stop down a fair bit. Since I have never used the K, I can't make a fair comparison between them. I have been quite happy with mine and it is one of the lenses that goes in the bag even when traveling light.
Bruce Dayton Friday, January 11, 2002, 11:53:29 AM, you wrote: SB> The 24/2.0 is getting rave reviews here, which, of course, is always of SB> interest. But the question is, how much better is it than the K24/2.8? SB> After all, moving to the FA*24/2.0 one is giving up manual focusing, SB> adding a lot of weight - the lens weighs twice that of the K24/2.8 - and SB> bulk, and, while I don't judge a lens solely by it's performance SB> figures, the figures on Boz's site show the two lenses to be quite SB> close. SB> So, what characteristics does the 24/2.0 have that make it so desirable SB> besides being a stop faster? How does it feel to focus manually? Is SB> the lens body plastic? Has anyone experienced any problems with it? SB> Bob S. wrote: >> ... you won't find a better wide angle >> lens than the FA 24mm f2.0." - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .