The Kiron 24mm f2 and 28mm f2. Yay or nay?

mikeSF · 11-01-2014, 02:22 PM

we're talking about a sub-$40 lens, right? So use it til it doesn't work anymore.
I had the Kiron 28/2 and the blades were gummed solid. I used lighter fluid and a swab to eventually free them. Found the lens OK but not up to other brands like Komine or Tokina.
There was also separation of elements that appeared as bubbles in the glass.

ChristianRock · 11-01-2014, 06:24 PM

No, these lenses in good working conditions are usually going for over 100 dollars. I've seen them going for over 200 (the 24/2). That is why I said I might save for the 21 instead.

rrstuff · 11-01-2014, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

No idea how it works... But it's there in the Zeiss and Pentax 28/2... And some other Zeiss as well. The Kiron 28/2 and 24/2 seems to have a bit of it, though since the color and contrast aren't in the same league, you can't say they're nearly as good... But I seem to be able to see it.

I wonder what is it. Many people mention the '3-d effect' in lenses that have a very high contrast at medium resolution, for example 5-10 lpm. This gives you a 'punch' and global contrast, even at low resolutions. I think many Pentax and Leica lenses excel in that area. Do you happen to have a model, or a link to ablock diagram you are referring to?

gor80 · 11-02-2014, 12:34 AM

I had Kiron 28 mm m42, to be honest, I do not really like it, I experimented a lot with manual lenses, and sold almost all lenses whose focal length is less than 50 mm. and basically use only modern lenses.
although I remained takumar 17mm fisheye

IgorZ · 04-10-2016, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

They're great lenses, when they work. They have the floating element, so the 3D effect is there. They're sharp enough wide open.

But... everybody says if the blades haven't failed yet, they will. Not only do they get oily, they seem to collapse as well, for no reason.

So. Is it worth taking a chance on it, or is it just better to save a little more for a better lens like the DA 21 Limited?

Did you end up getting one? I am looking at the 24mm f2, and they are asking $115 US, or so.

yusuf · 04-10-2016, 09:29 PM

I owned Vivitar-Kiron 28mm f2 and kiron 28mm f2 and don't consider either of them even acceptably sharp at f2. Even at f2.8, they under-performed than M28/2.8 which itself is not much raved by most (though I like it).

Jonathan Mac · 04-10-2016, 11:55 PM

I have the Komine 28/2 and it's a very useful lens with good image quality. On digital I don't use it much below f/3.5 but on film I'd use it below that and it's very useful to have such a fast wide angle.

In summary, I'd say if you're shooting film (where sharpness is less important) then these may be very useful and are worth the risk. If they break I imagine they can be repaired.

If you're only going to use them on digital then you'd be better off getting a smaller, lighter, cheaper (and possibly more reliable) 28/2.8 because that extra stop won't be that useful if you want really sharp results.

ChristianRock · 04-11-2016, 05:41 AM

Originally posted by IgorZ

Did you end up getting one? I am looking at the 24mm f2, and they are asking $115 US, or so.

No, I ended up sticking to f2.8 primes. I like my Rikenon 28 2.8 quite a bit, and recently bought a Pentax K 24 2.8.

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11-01-2014, 02:22 PM	#16
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	we're talking about a sub-$40 lens, right? So use it til it doesn't work anymore. I had the Kiron 28/2 and the blades were gummed solid. I used lighter fluid and a swab to eventually free them. Found the lens OK but not up to other brands like Komine or Tokina. There was also separation of elements that appeared as bubbles in the glass.

11-01-2014, 06:24 PM	#17
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	No, these lenses in good working conditions are usually going for over 100 dollars. I've seen them going for over 200 (the 24/2). That is why I said I might save for the 21 instead.

11-01-2014, 10:34 PM	#18
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by ChristianRock No idea how it works... But it's there in the Zeiss and Pentax 28/2... And some other Zeiss as well. The Kiron 28/2 and 24/2 seems to have a bit of it, though since the color and contrast aren't in the same league, you can't say they're nearly as good... But I seem to be able to see it. I wonder what is it. Many people mention the '3-d effect' in lenses that have a very high contrast at medium resolution, for example 5-10 lpm. This gives you a 'punch' and global contrast, even at low resolutions. I think many Pentax and Leica lenses excel in that area. Do you happen to have a model, or a link to ablock diagram you are referring to?

11-02-2014, 12:34 AM	#19
gor80 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Балашиха Photos: Albums Posts: 595	I had Kiron 28 mm m42, to be honest, I do not really like it, I experimented a lot with manual lenses, and sold almost all lenses whose focal length is less than 50 mm. and basically use only modern lenses. although I remained takumar 17mm fisheye

04-10-2016, 11:49 AM	#20
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Originally posted by ChristianRock They're great lenses, when they work. They have the floating element, so the 3D effect is there. They're sharp enough wide open. But... everybody says if the blades haven't failed yet, they will. Not only do they get oily, they seem to collapse as well, for no reason. So. Is it worth taking a chance on it, or is it just better to save a little more for a better lens like the DA 21 Limited? Did you end up getting one? I am looking at the 24mm f2, and they are asking $115 US, or so.

04-10-2016, 09:29 PM	#21
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	I owned Vivitar-Kiron 28mm f2 and kiron 28mm f2 and don't consider either of them even acceptably sharp at f2. Even at f2.8, they under-performed than M28/2.8 which itself is not much raved by most (though I like it).

04-10-2016, 11:55 PM	#22
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I have the Komine 28/2 and it's a very useful lens with good image quality. On digital I don't use it much below f/3.5 but on film I'd use it below that and it's very useful to have such a fast wide angle. In summary, I'd say if you're shooting film (where sharpness is less important) then these may be very useful and are worth the risk. If they break I imagine they can be repaired. If you're only going to use them on digital then you'd be better off getting a smaller, lighter, cheaper (and possibly more reliable) 28/2.8 because that extra stop won't be that useful if you want really sharp results.

04-11-2016, 05:41 AM	#23
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by IgorZ Did you end up getting one? I am looking at the 24mm f2, and they are asking $115 US, or so. No, I ended up sticking to f2.8 primes. I like my Rikenon 28 2.8 quite a bit, and recently bought a Pentax K 24 2.8.