Pentax FA 28 2.8 VS F28 2.8

Driline · 09-17-2013, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by bdery

Yes

Especially if you find it at 350$.

I've opwned and compared the FA28 and DA21. Honestly the FA28 surprised me, it is an excellent lens. Sharp enough, decent bokeh, fast AF, no surprises.

What it lacks when compared to the 21 is personality. The DA21 has amazing colour, saturated and contrasted, while the FA28 are neutral but a bit bland. The DA21 focuses faster, is a tad sharper, has a slightly off-looking bokeh, produces more pleasing starburst effect around light sources. It's better for landscapes, night photography, it's more compact, it can focus close, and (I repeat myself) the colours are amazing. It's that last point which sold me.

Yep, i am looking for better color saturation. Sharper is always better for me as well. I've noticed that my A series 28 mm lens does not have the color punch that my DA* lens has and that's probably typical for that era lens.

audiobomber · 09-17-2013, 07:16 AM

I tried a 21mm, but I didn't care for that focal length. It's not wide enough for dramatic landscapes, and too much wide-angle stretching for people shots.

It is sometimes claimed on this site that the F 28mm 2.8 is a better lens than the FA 28. I've had both, and that was not my conclusion. The F 28mm does look a bit punchier, but too much PF. Here's an interesting opinion, from an expert in Pentax lenses:

Yoshihiko Takinami replies:

"F28/2.8 is optically identical to M28/2.8 (later model) and A28/2.8, if I remember correctly.

FA28/2.8AL was newly designed when FA lenses were introduced. FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4, while K28/3.5 is very sharp even at wide open.

My personal ranking for Pentax 28m lenses are follows;

K28/3.5, K28/2 >= M28/3.5 >= FA28/2.8AL >>> M28/2.8 (old) >M28/2.8 (later), A28/2.8, F28/2.8

So F28/2.8 is never comparable to FA28/2.8AL in point of optical performance."

http://stans-photography.info/BriefComments.html#General

More comments are shown on the site. I like the FA 28 when I can stop down. I use the FA 35mm for maximum sharpness and low light shooting.

carrrlangas · 09-17-2013, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Driline

DA 21 used $350

Where did you find that price

?

Driline · 09-17-2013, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

Where did you find that price

?

eBay. I just lost one for $340. They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375. The rest just sit there unsold for months at a time. Consumers have dictated that price is where they are most comfortable at.

Driline · 09-17-2013, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I tried a 21mm, but I didn't care for that focal length. It's not wide enough for dramatic landscapes, and too much wide-angle stretching for people shots.

It is sometimes claimed on this site that the F 28mm 2.8 is a better lens than the FA 28. I've had both, and that was not my conclusion. The F 28mm does look a bit punchier, but too much PF. Here's an interesting opinion, from an expert in Pentax lenses:

Yoshihiko Takinami replies:

"F28/2.8 is optically identical to M28/2.8 (later model) and A28/2.8, if I remember correctly.

FA28/2.8AL was newly designed when FA lenses were introduced. FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4, while K28/3.5 is very sharp even at wide open.

My personal ranking for Pentax 28m lenses are follows;

K28/3.5, K28/2 >= M28/3.5 >= FA28/2.8AL >>> M28/2.8 (old) >M28/2.8 (later), A28/2.8, F28/2.8

So F28/2.8 is never comparable to FA28/2.8AL in point of optical performance."

Brief Comments

More comments are shown on the site. I like the FA 28 when I can stop down. I use the FA 35mm for maximum sharpness and low light shooting.

So if I understand you correctly, my A 28 is optically better than the F 28?

carrrlangas · 09-17-2013, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by Driline

eBay. I just lost one for $340. They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375. The rest just sit there unsold for months at a time. Consumers have dictated that price is where they are most comfortable at.

Wow, I´ve been looking at the marketplace for some time now and rarely see them below $400. One sold for $320 in about 5seconds... I am a bit wary of the bay because I am not in the US and the people in the marketplace is kind of more reliable regarding description and perhaps care for their equipment because of the love for the brand? ha

carrrlangas · 09-17-2013, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by Driline

So if I understand you correctly, my A 28 is optically better than the F 28?

No, look at the commas. It says: K28/3.5 OR f/2.8 ar better or equal to M28/3.5, which is better or equal to FA28; which is much much better than M28 (old), which is better than M28 (later) or A28 or F28

Blue · 09-17-2013, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by drugal

I own both the F 28 and the 21.

They are both fine lenses, but I find myself enjoying the pictures I take with the F 28 more. It may just be that I prefer the focal length, though ...

By the way, I think that you could pick up an F 28 for about $250 if you want to be patient. I didn't, so I paid about what you list above

I have both of them as well and have for a few years and like them both. If I was forced to get rid of one of the 2, I would have to think about it real hard as to which one to keep. However, I do use the F28 with my MZ-3 film body. And the DA 21 on the K-01 body.

audiobomber · 09-17-2013, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

No, look at the commas. It says: K28/3.5 OR f/2.8 ar better or equal to M28/3.5, which is better or equal to FA28; which is much much better than M28 (old), which is better than M28 (later) or A28 or F28

Right!

bdery · 09-17-2013, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4,

So, according to this gentleman, the DA21 would be much better wide open regarding sharpness.

Originally posted by Driline

They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375

I'm surprised at those prices. I think it's probably worth 400$ and that's what it sells for on the marketplace here. It's very relative of course. since it's inexpensive, there are probable more available used than, say, the FA43.

Driline · 09-21-2013, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by bdery

I'm surprised at those prices. I think it's probably worth 400$ and that's what it sells for on the marketplace here.

There's a DA 21mm right now sitting on ebay on a Buy It Now for $285 + $30 shipping that no one has snapped up. The only 2 lenses with any activity at all started out at a dollar. Both of these should sell for around $300 give or take a few bucks either way. The market determines the "buying" price of the lens. Not the seller.

There are currently at this time of writing (24) that's twenty four Pentax DA 21mm lenses for sale on ebay. ONLY 2 show activity and they are the ones that started out at a dollar. I guess the other 22 sellers are willing to sit on their merchandise for months/years but hey that's their choice not mine. Me.....I gotta make money now..... not 6 months from now

I think those that pay substantially higher prices here on the forum do so because they trust the sellers here a bit more than ebay and are willing to pay a premium for a product they deem flawless. Aint the free market system beautiful?

drugal · 09-21-2013, 07:54 AM

Not to be too contrary here, but it looks like that is an auction with a day to go.

When I look at the sold listings (which I think ebay culls of really good prices), a Sept 15th sale at $350 with shipping is the lowest recent price I see. So mid to upper $300s might be more accurate than $400, but this may be splitting hairs

Gray · 09-21-2013, 09:22 AM

The M 28/2.8 (ver. 2), A 28/2.8 and F 28/2.8 all share the same optical formula - 7 elements in 7 groups

The FA 28/2.8 and FA 28/2.8 Soft appear to share an identical formula, 5 elements in 5 groups, which makes me think Pentax simplified the FA 28 optical formula to be able to streamline costs and share optics with the new FA 28 soft lens. Maybe the optical quality of the FA was compromised a little because of this.

graphics courtesy of Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site.

Driline · 09-21-2013, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by Gray

The M 28/2.8 (ver. 2), A 28/2.8 and F 28/2.8 all share the same optical formula - 7 elements in 7 groups

The FA 28/2.8 and FA 28/2.8 Soft appear to share an identical formula, 5 elements in 5 groups, which makes me think Pentax simplified the FA 28 optical formula to be able to streamline costs and share optics with the new FA 28 soft lens. Maybe the optical quality of the FA was compromised a little because of this.

graphics courtesy of Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site.

Makes me wonder if the A 28 2.8 I currently own may not justify the FA 28 2.8 replacement other than auto focus???

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-21-2013, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by Driline

Makes me wonder if the A 28 2.8 I currently own may not justify the FA 28 2.8 replacement other than auto focus???

The FA is different. The F may not be a huge IQ upgrade. Some users don't really like the A28/2.8. I was perfectly happy with mine but had a chance to upgrade. I really like the F version too.

The Takinami opinion used to be so widely believed, the F version sold for a lot less. Part of that was that the FA was still available new in the early DSLR years, at $300. I don't think he's right about the F version, but have never had an FA to find out.

09-17-2013, 07:16 AM	#17
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I tried a 21mm, but I didn't care for that focal length. It's not wide enough for dramatic landscapes, and too much wide-angle stretching for people shots. It is sometimes claimed on this site that the F 28mm 2.8 is a better lens than the FA 28. I've had both, and that was not my conclusion. The F 28mm does look a bit punchier, but too much PF. Here's an interesting opinion, from an expert in Pentax lenses: *Yoshihiko Takinami replies: "F28/2.8 is optically identical to M28/2.8 (later model) and A28/2.8, if I remember correctly. FA28/2.8AL was newly designed when FA lenses were introduced. FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4, while K28/3.5 is very sharp even at wide open. My personal ranking for Pentax 28m lenses are follows; K28/3.5, K28/2 >= M28/3.5 >= FA28/2.8AL >>> M28/2.8 (old) >M28/2.8 (later), A28/2.8, F28/2.8 So F28/2.8 is never comparable to FA28/2.8AL in point of optical performance." http://stans-photography.info/BriefComments.html#General More comments are shown on the site. I like the FA 28 when I can stop down. I use the FA 35mm for maximum sharpness and low light shooting. Last edited by audiobomber; 09-17-2013 at 07:31 AM.*

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09-17-2013, 06:55 AM	#16
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by bdery Yes Especially if you find it at 350$. I've opwned and compared the FA28 and DA21. Honestly the FA28 surprised me, it is an excellent lens. Sharp enough, decent bokeh, fast AF, no surprises. What it lacks when compared to the 21 is personality. The DA21 has amazing colour, saturated and contrasted, while the FA28 are neutral but a bit bland. The DA21 focuses faster, is a tad sharper, has a slightly off-looking bokeh, produces more pleasing starburst effect around light sources. It's better for landscapes, night photography, it's more compact, it can focus close, and (I repeat myself) the colours are amazing. It's that last point which sold me. Yep, i am looking for better color saturation. Sharper is always better for me as well. I've noticed that my A series 28 mm lens does not have the color punch that my DA* lens has and that's probably typical for that era lens.

09-17-2013, 07:28 AM	#18
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by Driline DA 21 used $350 Where did you find that price ?

09-17-2013, 07:34 AM	#19
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by carrrlangas Where did you find that price ? eBay. I just lost one for $340. They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375. The rest just sit there unsold for months at a time. Consumers have dictated that price is where they are most comfortable at.

09-17-2013, 07:36 AM	#20
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber I tried a 21mm, but I didn't care for that focal length. It's not wide enough for dramatic landscapes, and too much wide-angle stretching for people shots. It is sometimes claimed on this site that the F 28mm 2.8 is a better lens than the FA 28. I've had both, and that was not my conclusion. The F 28mm does look a bit punchier, but too much PF. Here's an interesting opinion, from an expert in Pentax lenses: *Yoshihiko Takinami replies*: "F28/2.8 is optically identical to M28/2.8 (later model) and A28/2.8, if I remember correctly. FA28/2.8AL was newly designed when FA lenses were introduced. FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4, while K28/3.5 is very sharp even at wide open. My personal ranking for Pentax 28m lenses are follows; K28/3.5, K28/2 >= M28/3.5 >= FA28/2.8AL >>> M28/2.8 (old) >M28/2.8 (later), A28/2.8, F28/2.8 So F28/2.8 is never comparable to FA28/2.8AL in point of optical performance." Brief Comments More comments are shown on the site. I like the FA 28 when I can stop down. I use the FA 35mm for maximum sharpness and low light shooting. So if I understand you correctly, my A 28 is optically better than the F 28?

09-17-2013, 07:38 AM	#21
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by Driline eBay. I just lost one for $340. They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375. The rest just sit there unsold for months at a time. Consumers have dictated that price is where they are most comfortable at. Wow, I´ve been looking at the marketplace for some time now and rarely see them below $400. One sold for $320 in about 5seconds... I am a bit wary of the bay because I am not in the US and the people in the marketplace is kind of more reliable regarding description and perhaps care for their equipment because of the love for the brand? ha

09-17-2013, 07:40 AM	#22
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by Driline So if I understand you correctly, my A 28 is optically better than the F 28? No, look at the commas. It says: K28/3.5 OR f/2.8 ar better or equal to M28/3.5, which is better or equal to FA28; which is much much better than M28 (old), which is better than M28 (later) or A28 or F28

09-17-2013, 09:09 AM	#23
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by drugal I own both the F 28 and the 21. They are both fine lenses, but I find myself enjoying the pictures I take with the F 28 more. It may just be that I prefer the focal length, though ... By the way, I think that you could pick up an F 28 for about $250 if you want to be patient. I didn't, so I paid about what you list above I have both of them as well and have for a few years and like them both. If I was forced to get rid of one of the 2, I would have to think about it real hard as to which one to keep. However, I do use the F28 with my MZ-3 film body. And the DA 21 on the K-01 body.

09-17-2013, 09:11 AM	#24
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by carrrlangas No, look at the commas. It says: K28/3.5 OR f/2.8 ar better or equal to M28/3.5, which is better or equal to FA28; which is much much better than M28 (old), which is better than M28 (later) or A28 or F28 Right!

09-17-2013, 12:26 PM	#25
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by audiobomber FA28/2.8AL is a bit soft at wide open, and slightly soft at f/4, So, according to this gentleman, the DA21 would be much better wide open regarding sharpness. Originally posted by Driline They arn't worth more than $350 used in my opinion. Most are selling for under $375 I'm surprised at those prices. I think it's probably worth 400$ and that's what it sells for on the marketplace here. It's very relative of course. since it's inexpensive, there are probable more available used than, say, the FA43.

09-21-2013, 06:33 AM	#26
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by bdery I'm surprised at those prices. I think it's probably worth 400$ and that's what it sells for on the marketplace here. There's a DA 21mm right now sitting on ebay on a Buy It Now for $285 + $30 shipping that no one has snapped up. The only 2 lenses with any activity at all started out at a dollar. Both of these should sell for around $300 give or take a few bucks either way. The market determines the "buying" price of the lens. Not the seller. There are currently at this time of writing (24) that's twenty four Pentax DA 21mm lenses for sale on ebay. ONLY 2 show activity and they are the ones that started out at a dollar. I guess the other 22 sellers are willing to sit on their merchandise for months/years but hey that's their choice not mine. Me.....I gotta make money now..... not 6 months from now I think those that pay substantially higher prices here on the forum do so because they trust the sellers here a bit more than ebay and are willing to pay a premium for a product they deem flawless. Aint the free market system beautiful?

09-21-2013, 07:54 AM	#27
drugal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	Not to be too contrary here, but it looks like that is an auction with a day to go. When I look at the sold listings (which I think ebay culls of really good prices), a Sept 15th sale at $350 with shipping is the lowest recent price I see. So mid to upper $300s might be more accurate than $400, but this may be splitting hairs

09-21-2013, 09:22 AM	#28
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	The M 28/2.8 (ver. 2), A 28/2.8 and F 28/2.8 all share the same optical formula - 7 elements in 7 groups The FA 28/2.8 and FA 28/2.8 Soft appear to share an identical formula, 5 elements in 5 groups, which makes me think Pentax simplified the FA 28 optical formula to be able to streamline costs and share optics with the new FA 28 soft lens. Maybe the optical quality of the FA was compromised a little because of this. graphics courtesy of Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site.

09-21-2013, 10:58 AM	#29
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Gray The M 28/2.8 (ver. 2), A 28/2.8 and F 28/2.8 all share the same optical formula - 7 elements in 7 groups The FA 28/2.8 and FA 28/2.8 Soft appear to share an identical formula, 5 elements in 5 groups, which makes me think Pentax simplified the FA 28 optical formula to be able to streamline costs and share optics with the new FA 28 soft lens. Maybe the optical quality of the FA was compromised a little because of this. graphics courtesy of Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site. Makes me wonder if the A 28 2.8 I currently own may not justify the FA 28 2.8 replacement other than auto focus???

09-21-2013, 11:30 AM	#30
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Driline Makes me wonder if the A 28 2.8 I currently own may not justify the FA 28 2.8 replacement other than auto focus??? The FA is different. The F may not be a huge IQ upgrade. Some users don't really like the A28/2.8. I was perfectly happy with mine but had a chance to upgrade. I really like the F version too. The Takinami opinion used to be so widely believed, the F version sold for a lot less. Part of that was that the FA was still available new in the early DSLR years, at $300. I don't think he's right about the F version, but have never had an FA to find out.