[006]

I'll try to use it with catch-in focus option. In other manual lenses I've used - it brought excellent effect. maybe even better and faster than AF. once again thanx for posts

[VaSA]

Another option is the SMC Takumar 28/3.5. It's the same formula as the K lens but is much easier to find and cheaper. It is also quite easy to find the excellent OEM metal hood for that lens.

I think this is a common mistake. K28 is a different design from the SMC Takumar. In fact I've used a Takumar a lot and really loved it, but IQ wise that lens loses to the other Pentax 28mm lenses.

[freewheeler]

I've used the m28/2.8, the FA28/2.8 and m28/3.5.
The m28/2.8 was good on film stopped down to 5.6 at least.
The FA-version was good on film and digital but only stopped down to 5.6 at least,
otherwise it produced dark corners on FF and was not that sharp.
The m28/3.5 is just very good.
I would only trade it for a m28/2.0.

[m42man]

I have the Takumar A version, so a lense without SMC, and it's a good lense, but because it doesn't have SMC it produce some CA often ...

I don't think the coatings will have any effect on CA; flare and contrast yes, but not CA.

CA/PF seems to be a feature of all the older Pentax/Takumar lenses (not that other makes are immune).

[8540tomg]

interesting.. how can I tell the older M version from the newer one?

Conventional wisdom holds the A series 28mm is marginally better optically than the M series. Both are very good and I suspect if one were to put an image from each side by side I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference. There is a big difference in build quality however. For the most part, aside from A* lenses, the M series were better built. The K series were better still as far as build quality goes with the Takumar's in a class by themseleves. In any case the M series 28/2.8 is all metal while the A series has some plastic bits, an updated optical formula and the A setting. The version 2 M series 28/2.8 is the only lens in the series which is not all metal.

Personally, I prefer the look and feel of the M to A series but this is subjective. Certainly the A series gets the nod for convenience. As for telling the difference between the two 28mm offerings Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax Page gives good guidance.

See links below.

Version 1

M 28/2.8 (version 1)

Version 2

M 28/2.8 (version 2)

Tom G