A weak lens...
It sound to me like the same lens - the 'a' presumably refers to it having the a setting on the aperture ring. As I understand it the original 'K' lenses did not have this, then the 'M' series came along with it.
The 'A' setting for aperture came along with the 'A' series Nigel. Functionally the K and M series lenses are identical but the more recent 'M' series were deliberately built to a lighter and more compact design, in the view of some with a detriment to quality (in general, there are always exceptions).
Im finally understanding the rendering issues that old lenses have - some of them struggle with front lighting and CA etc but I think they are fab to use
The DA 35 2.4 is a great lens and might opt for it if theres one going cheap on here
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I can't directly comment on the M28mm F2.8 as I've never owned one, but as Nigel (McGregni) pointed out I rave about the M28mm F3.5. Maybe this lens is not quite fast enough for street photography, but it is a sharp little beast and has quite a reputation for being one of the best 'affordable' legacy lenses out there. I would ditch the F2.8 if I were you and either go for a F3.5 (they're not that difficult to find) or buy something different altogether that's more modern and has AF, although that will cost you more. I've been looking at your shots with the M28 F2.8 and my thoughts are that they would be blown away completely if you took the exact same shot with the F3.5 version. I'm making the assumption that your shots were correctly focussed when saying this.
Regards
David
SMC20/4M
SMC28/3.5M
SMC35/2M
SMC50/4M macro
SMC50/1.4A
SMC135/3.5M
SMC200/4M
For all around fun and great image quality I'd throw the SMC35-105/3.5A into the mix - super zoom lens built to last with more than decent IQ. Build quality comes at a cost though...it's quite heavy. There's been one for sale in West End Cameras (Tottenham Court Road) for a while now. It looks mint to me and they've had it long enough that I suspect haggling may be worth trying!
Anyone know of any other old manual lens or any other K mounts that would suit my street stuff?
The M40/2.8 might be worth considering. Not particularly well regarded generally but I was pleasantly surprised. Some thoughts here. For a wider option then a Sigma superwide 24/2.8 is a fine little lens.
Regards
David
Years since I used them to be honest, but from memory I remember them being fine.
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/primes/wide-angle/index.html
The Pentax SMC-F 28mm F2.8.
This was announced with the first of the Pentax AF cameras back in 1987, and only produced until 1989, when it was replaced by the FA series of lenses.
So, to start with, what do you get?
Well you get a typical 80's style of outer design - Dark grey, with bold red graphics. Not pretty, and a bit retro.
Build - The outer casing is plastic, but the core of the lens is clearly metal. The filter screw is metal and the lens is quite weighty. The whole effect though provides a very solid and well made lens.
Size - think of the FA35, FA50 and DA35 and you get the idea - small.
Handling - The focus ring is small, ala FA lenses, but solid and grooved, so it is ugly, but works very well. It also has a window for focal distances. more like modern lenses and Pentax's own DA* range.
Now the important bit
Performance.
Now I was lucky recently to compare this lens to the later FA 28mm lens, which has a completely different optical arrangement. The FA was good, but the F is better. It is so sharp! Not that the FA is not, but the Next sentance will explain why.
Use on Digital.
Here we go, A 25 year old lens on a modern K-5 body, surely the CA is appalling?
On the contrary, the Lens on digital, even the demanding K-5, the CA is practically zero! The FA (mentioned above) does show a small amount, but this lens? nil!
Sum up
The F-28mm is a fantastic lens, which gives you true FOV on APS-C. It is not quick, but if you want a small sharp lens, then try and get hold of one of these. They are rare, and demand a premium, but they are worth it. If you can't get the F, then the FA, is an excellent substitute.
.
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
It is not made in Jena, but in Japan (maybe by Pentax) but it seems affordable .
There is one on the internet: 251442498371
Also there are quite a lot other manufacturers which have this focal lenght
in a K mount.
Regards, Horst
If none of them suits you, you can always look for the Pentax FA31 f 1,8
The focal length is quite close and I don't think you can complain about the quality of this lens (except the price maybe)
Regards, Horst
If you want a K35/3.5 I'm thinking of selling one.
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1489 posts
12 years
Heres another with my 28 - as mentioned earlier it seems to work well with black and white
Check out ones photographs on Flickr!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/