[kmurphy220]

Hey everybody just bought a 28mm prime off of ebay branded JC Penney and was wondering if anybody had any test photos on its sharpness or just optical quality in general. I have read the reviews and they seemed pretty good but i wanted more pictures and opinions on the lenses in general. I have not received it yet as I just ordered it about 8 hours ago.

[photolady95]

The reviews, did they come from here:

JCPenney 28mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[UMC]

The problem with this question is, that JC Penney is just a brand, not a lens maker. Therefore they would acquire lenses from OEMs on demand and obviously changed the source of their lenses every once in a while.
Working on a catalog of K-mount lenses since 2 years I came across 7 different lenses labelled "JCPenney 28/2.8":

* JC Penney Multi Coated 1:2.8 28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N 84nnnnnn, Made in ?, Model ?)
* JC Penney Multi Coated 1:2.8 28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N 9nnnnn, Made in Korea, Model 624-4260)
JC Penney Multi Coated 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N 9nnnnn, Made in Korea, Model 624-4260) - just different engraving
* JC Penney Multi-Coated Optics 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 55mm, S/N 77nnnn, Made in ?, Model ?)
* JC Penney Multi-Coated Optics 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 55mm, S/N 7nnnnn-8nnnnn, Made in Japan, Model ?)
* JC Penney Multi-Coated Optics 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N 82nnnnn, Made in Japan, Model ?)
* JC Penney Multi-Coated Optics 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N ?, Made in ?, Model 624-4260)
* JC Penney Multi-Coated Optics 1:2.8 f=28mm (Filter size 52mm, S/N K85nnnnn, Made in ?, Model ?, KA-Mount)

The few reviews of JCPenney 28/2.8 lenses in the review database already indicate that all these do not have the same interior. All the above listed lenses have different outlook, different barrel shape, different rubber, etc.

I'm afraid, estimating the quality of "the" JCP 28/2.8 will be an individual job for each owner

[photolady95]

I'm afraid, estimating the quality of "the" JCP 28/2.8 will be an individual job for each owner

Agreed. Owner would have to find which brand it actually was made for.

[kmurphy220]

I ordered the model 624-4260. It has the sn that starts with nine. Anybody have that model.

[osv]

the important thing here is that you shoot it and learn from the experience.

legacy 28mm primes on crop is generally a pretty forgiving set of circumstances, you should be fine.

maybe take some big landscape shots at f/8, and post up full-size pics, get some feedback.

[kmurphy220]

The Model I have is byfar one of the worst pieces of glass I have ever owned and I own a lens that is filled with fungus that takes better shots than this. Stopped down to f/8 it is like mush. Funny though it has the exact same build of my Rokunar all the way down to the shutter mechanism. The optics must be totally different because my rokunar is sharp as a tack by f/8

[Dlanor Sekao]

On a Good Note........ I had a 28mm JCP that looked identical to a Ricoh Rikenon XR and it was fantastic ! I used it as my first lens with a K30 and had ZERO complaints.

[kmurphy220]

lol. I'm just highly disappointed in the fact that it got a solid rating and my copy ended up being a crummy copy. I just have an expensive body cap now haha

[Dewman]

I have a JCP 28mm as well as a Sears of the same flavor. I haven't given the JCP lens a test run yet, but the little Sears lens is the BOMB! The macro feature is awesome and sharp as the proverbial tack! Not bad for a $12 lens!

[kmurphy220]

I have a JCP 28mm as well as a Sears of the same flavor. I haven't given the JCP lens a test run yet, but the little Sears lens is the BOMB! The macro feature is awesome and sharp as the proverbial tack! Not bad for a $12 lens!

Lucky you. Where did you get it for $12!

[Dewman]

Lucky you. Where did you get it for $12!

eBay. I see them there quite often. Although Sears lenses were, for the most part, made by some highly thought of lens makers, they're often ignored. A shame, as some are superb lenses. But, they don't have the sexy name or cost an arm and a leg. You might consider giving one a try. Not much to lose if you don't like it.


It's just a personal opinion and I realize others may/will disagree.

[kmurphy220]

eBay. I see them there quite often. Although Sears lenses were, for the most part, made by some highly thought of lens makers, they're often ignored. A shame, as some are superb lenses. But, they don't have the sexy name or cost an arm and a leg. You might consider giving one a try. Not much to lose if you don't like it.


It's just a personal opinion and I realize others may/will disagree.

I totally agree, I have an Auto Sears 50mm f2 that is exactly the same build and glass as my Ricoh 50 prime. Sears lenses optically are actually some very nice glass. I'll have to search for some more.

[Dlanor Sekao]

I totally agree, I have an Auto Sears 50mm f2 that is exactly the same build and glass as my Ricoh 50 prime. Sears lenses optically are actually some very nice glass. I'll have to search for some more.

I have a really nice Sears 50mm 2.0 on Ebay I cant give away for $17 bucks. And it takes wonderful images ! Guess Im just too money greedy......lol.

[Dewman]

I have a really nice Sears 50mm 2.0 on Ebay I cant give away for $17 bucks. And it takes wonderful images ! Guess Im just too money greedy......lol.

I know what you mean. I have two of the Sears 50mm f:2s and a 50mm f:1.7 and both take remarkable images. But, as you say, "I can't give them away." I would even venture to say the f:1.7 dang near equals the Pentax-M equivalent.... and those are some big shoes to fill! I have taken some photos with the BIG 60-300mm Sears lens and in close-focus mode, it produces some amazingly good images.


As far as lenses that are discounted as no being hardly worth mentioning, the same can be said for the CPC-branded lenses. It's my understanding that the CPC company was an off-shoot of Ricoh/Pentax. I sold the CPC 28mm f:2.8 to a local woman two weeks ago and she stopped by today to show me some photos she took with the little 28mm that she plans to enter in the State Fair. She's quite an accomplished photographer and her work with the CPC was top notch!