I can recommend the SMC Pentax-M 28mm F2: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $71.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
very fast, very sharp, excellent build, just slightly larger than the f2.8 version
Cons:
all manual, 6 blade aperture
I got this lens used, but in new condition. The difference between this lens and my M series f2.8 is dramatic. Although the 2.8 is a typically well built Asahi SMC lens and produces excellent results, this f2 is not only faster, but sharper with better contrast and color rendition.
My f2.8 renders "flat" images. That is to say landscape photos appear more 2 dimensional than 3. So do my 28mm lenses from Tamron, Beston, Takumar, and Sigma. Some are better than others. In fact the Sigma (mini-wide PK) and the Takumar both render excellent results, but still flatten out images more than I'd like. My SMC 18mm renders lively 3 dimensional images as does my 17mm fisheye, and it's a little disappointing to see the results from the host of 28's.
That being said, the f2 is lively and 3 dimensional. Granted at f2, closely focused images, such as flowers render extreme on axis sharpness, but very soft focus at the outer edges of the flower. This can be a plus in my book, although maybe not for others. When photographing images such as landscape or architecture, even wide open this softness isn't quite as evident as in close focus situations. Stopped down a bit, it renders nice clean IQ with great DOF.
Physically, it's about 3/16" of an inch longer than the 2.8. Otherwise, it handles nearly identically with the f2.8 requiring 1/4 turn for the full focal range, and the f2 requiring slightly more....something on the order of 12 o'clock to 4 o'clock.
It's a great complement to my M 50mm f1.4, A 50mm f1.7, A 35mm f2.8, M 200mm f4, Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 300mm f4, my DA's & FA's, as well as non Pentax or Asahi branded optics.
I'm very pleased with the build and performance of this lens, and should've purchased one years ago. If you can find one of these rare beauties, I highly recommend it!
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-M 28mm F2: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $379.00
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Fast (and bright finder image), sharp, good flare resistance, build quality
Cons:
tad more barrel distorition than the other SMC-M 28mm's
Bought in 'Demo' condition from Adorama, sight unseen. After shooting some colour and B&W with it, I'm pretty happy; the f/2 makes focusing on the matte screen easier, and it's decently sharp wide open at relevant working distances. As this lens seems to be pretty rare, there's not as much info, but one Italian site documents the 'minimizing' of the K-series 28mm f/2 formula that was bases on a Ziess lens. The M series is very capable, sharp, and has good rendering and bokeh for a wide angle. My only bugbear is some occasionally noticeable barrel distortion, but compared to previous 28mm's and zooms I've used in the past, it doesn't matter. I'm definitely happy.
On the subject of flare, I took a test shot where I deliberately had the sun in the top corner of the image, producing visible flare in the viewfinder. The negative, when scanned, showed some loss in saturation, but none ghosting or red 'wings' that were visible through the LX's finder. Pretty impressive.
Here are some samples to give you a feel.
Pretty sharp at f/5.6. HP5+ scan.
Good close range rendering, handling of high key bokeh & distortion. Uncorrected Provia 100F scan.
Here's one probably wide open, focused on left edge of yellow graffiti. Handheld @ 1/30th and minimal PP sharpening, but shows rendering of distant out of focus backgrounds and highlights. Uncorrected Kodak Portra 400VC scan.
