SMC-M 28mm f2.8 version II

I picked up a mint Pentax ME with the SMC-M 28mm f2.8 version II lens at a second hand shop for GBP 10 today. How rare is this version II lens? Is it supposedly better than the earlier SMC-M version?

It's supposedly better. From what I understand it's optically identical to the Pentax-A 28mm f2.8. I think you did very well to get it for a tenner, they're not rare so much as "uncommon". Hopefully the ME works, too?

Yeah, I will drop by that second hand shop on a regular basis from now on Both the ME and the lens look like they come straight from the factory, but I am uncertain whether the ME needs service or not? I guess maybe the light seals need to be checked/changed?

Providing the ME works and the metering seems about right then it should be fine. Light seals will need replacing if they've gone gooey, but there are pre-cut kits for sale on ebay for around £7 including postage which will solve this.

Thanks for your help Matt!

I have changed the light seals on my Spotmatic, so I guess I will manage to fix the ME if needed. I also need to service my MX cameras, but these I would not touch myself. They are too precious to me, so they will be sent to a pentax technician for service in due time.

Having read a lot about the K28mm 3.5 on this forum, I managed to buy one in good shape from Sweden. I am very impressed with this lens, it is razor sharp and produces great colours. It has become my favourite "normal" prime lens on the K20D. With this background I do not have very high expectations for the M28 2.8, but when I found it yesterday for GBP 10 I could not pass it by I am looking foreward to compare the K and the M.

Bjørn

From all I have heard, the M is going to be quite a disappointment compared to the K, which is a legendary lens.

But you'd probably get £30 for it on Ebay.

G

As Matt has said this is identical to the Pentax-A series 28mm f/2.8 which is also the same optics as the Pentax-F version. I never thought it was as good as the Pentax-A 24mm, but it didn't cost anywhere near as much.

It's much better than stuff like the Sigma II 28mm f/2.8 which some people praise.

It gets very impressive results in this test link the older versions look to be past their sell by dates

Slightly off topic the same site has a test on the Rokinon/Samyang 35mm f/1.4 on a Nikon D700 and it looks impressive link

Not very good news for anyone with the 85mm Samyang :

"The 85mm had a large focus shift when stepping down, which required it to be focused at the aperture you were shooting at"

I can't see the test page for that though.

Yep, the K 28/3.5 will rather embarrass it. Mind you, it gives the latest lenses a bit of a shock too! I have both the K and M 28/3.5, the K is sharper wide open but by f8 they're equal. I tend to use them for different situations and on different bodies, the M goes to places where I don't fancy risking the K or when I need a smaller lens.

As for that review site, he seems more interested in numbers than in actually taking the lenses out and using them!

It will be interesting to see your comparison Bjørn against the K version.
It's also worth comparing it against the 18-55mm kit lens.

The Samyang 85mm test seems to be here link

Thank you all for your help! I will try to do a comparison of the M and K (and the 18-55mm) lenses, like you suggest, in the near future, and post some photos here.

Bjørn

I have the SMC Tak 28/3.5, K28/3.5, M28/3.5, A28/2.8 and the Vivitar 28mm/2.8 close focus. I keep meaning to do some formal(ish) sort of test of them but haven't managed to find the time as yet... Usually the Tak gets used on my ES/ESII, the K and M on my K-mount film bodies and the A on the K20D, although I do mix it up now and again.

K.

I love my A28 f/2.8 very sharp, even across the frame, and the perfect normal FoV.