[visiono]

I just purchased this lens here in brazil really cheap and want to make sure i got the k version which is supposed to be the best sharpest version. According to the review on this forum it says 25cm min focus, however it looks like mine is 30cm. The lens looks exactly like in this photo here:
SMC Pentax 28mm F2 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

lens does not say pentax-m nor pentax-a.
It is labeled: SMC Pentax 1:2/28 512xxxxxxxxx or serial something starting with 5
the lens feels like its about 400g.
here is a photo i found as well online, not mine though: https://ricstorageprod.blob.core.windows.net/pictures/3294641/olx_elektronik...5939352205.jpg

so is the min focus 30cm or 25cm?

thanks

[Na Horuk]

I think you got the right one. K series is not actually labelled as K.
Also, minimal focus distance is measured from the sensor to the subject, not from the end of the lens to the subject. The Pentax camera has sensor appx. 4,6cm deep, from the lens mount (that is called the register distance).

If it looks like the one on the photos, review, then its the right one. Look at the size of the lens, length of the barrel, texture of focus ring.. The other Pentax 28mm lenses are much smaller, and they have M or A or other series labels.

[farhaddad]

The picture you put has a different text on the lens than the one reviewed. Do you have a photo of the one you bought?

[boriscleto]

The picture you put has a different text on the lens than the one reviewed. Do you have a photo of the one you bought?

There were 2 different versions. The only difference was the rendering of the text on the front ring.

[farhaddad]

There were 2 different versions. The only difference was the rendering of the text on the front ring.

That makes sense. Thank you

[visiono]

i can't mount it on body yet waiting for adapter but looking at the focus markings it looks like its minimum is 30cm. is it still the rare lens but with 30cm min focus? i'm confused

[farhaddad]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62460860@N05/9255212293/in/album-72157634585613940/

[wtlwdwgn]

This is mine. The MFD is marked .3m.

[Jonathan Mac]

That looks like the right one.

How cheap is cheap?

[clackers]

but looking at the focus markings it looks like its minimum is 30cm.

Na Horuk has already said there's another 5cm from the back of the lens to the sensor. :-)

[fwcetus]

There were 2 different versions. The only difference was the rendering of the text on the front ring.

One version has "SMC PENTAX 1:2/28" while the other version has "smc PENTAX 1:2 28mm". [I.e., one version has "SMC" (all caps) and "1:2/28", while the other has "smc" (full-height lower-case letters) and "1:2 28mm".] I'm assuming that one version is likely older than the other.

Since M lenses often (always) show "smc" and "1:[max aperture] [focal length]mm", while many K lenses show "SMC" and "1:[max aperture]/[focal length]", I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that the "SMC" and "1:2/28" may be the older version, while the "smc" and "1:2 28mm" may be the newer one.

I have no idea if there are any other differences between the versions.

In any event, my specimen has the "SMC PENTAX 1:2/28" (older?) text.

EDIT: I suppose that it might be fruitful to look at serial numbers for the two versions to see which is older and which is newer (?).

[gofour3]

Two variants of the K series lens exist, the “SMC PENTAX 1:2/28” (1976-77) and the “smc PENTAX 1:2 28mm” (1977-81).

Both are the same except for the letter style used in the name. Pentax changed all K Series lenses that were not replaced by "M" versions, to the new style in 1977. (The K15/3.5 all the way to the K1000/8 are examples)

All "M" Series lenses used the new styled name.

Phil.

[fwcetus]

Two variants of the K series lens exist, the “SMC PENTAX 1:2/28” (1976-77) and the “smc PENTAX 1:2 28mm” (1977-81).
Both are the same except for the letter style used in the name. Pentax changed all K Series lenses that were not replaced by "M" versions, to the new style in 1977. (The K15/3.5 all the way to the K1000/8 are examples)
All "M" Series lenses used the new styled name.

Ah - thanks for that info, Phil. My assumptions then were basically correct (it does happen once in a while, and that fills my usual quota for today), but your details show that there was a method to it all.

[noelpolar]

Did they have a second one?....your potential new friend in Australia.....

[Na Horuk]

i can't mount it on body yet waiting for adapter

If you shoot Canon, please don't clip off the aperture lever. You can modify the lens without permanent damage, and keeping more of its resale value.
Good luck