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04-27-2017, 08:12 AM   #1
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Alternatives to the Pentax M 28mm f2?

Hi,
I would like to buy this lens, but prices are extremely high and I also can't find a decent copy of this lens, both on the forum and on ebay.

Is there a valid alternative to this lens?

Thank you!

04-27-2017, 08:52 AM   #2
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In legacy lens terms i would not say it is extremely high...look at a K 28 f2 for that, they go for three times the price.

The M 28mm f3.5 is a very well regarded lens as is the K 28mm 3.5 although the K goes for more.
04-27-2017, 09:02 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by pschlute Quote
In legacy lens terms i would not say it is extremely high...look at a K 28 f2 for that, they go for three times the price.

The M 28mm f3.5 is a very well regarded lens as is the K 28mm 3.5 although the K goes for more.
Yeah I saw one in the market and the price is really high!

But then, do you recommend the 28mm 3.5? I can also consider third-party lenses, if they are better.
04-27-2017, 09:10 AM   #4
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I have a nice copy of the Tamron Adaptall-2 02B; it's a versatile lens that performs well enough that I stopped shopping for an SMC 28mm lens...

04-27-2017, 09:24 AM   #5
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Maybe the Kiron 28mm f2 but I donīt have it so I canīt really recommend it or not.
What I do have and recommend is the Pentax 28mm f3.5 (both M and K versions) but I think what youīre looking for is the extra speed of the f2.
04-27-2017, 09:41 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by gabro822 Quote
Yeah I saw one in the market and the price is really high!

But then, do you recommend the 28mm 3.5? I can also consider third-party lenses, if they are better.
Do you consider $325 for the M28/2 really high? The K28/2 is $900!

Do you consider $229 for the M28/3.5 really high? The K28/3.5 has recently been $169-ish.

What is an acceptable price? *


* I'm fairly embarrassed to admit I have all four of these lenses, plus an M28/2.8 (that's a $50 lens).
04-27-2017, 10:06 AM - 2 Likes   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by gabro822 Quote

But then, do you recommend the 28mm 3.5?
It is a lovely lens. I shot this recently with it on b+w film with a Pentax LX



04-27-2017, 10:07 AM   #8
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If you need high image quality but don't care about aperture, get the 28mm f3.5. Or even F 28mm f2.8
If you need fast aperture wide angle, think about Samyang 24mm f1.4
If you want exactly 28mm f2.0, then you have the two Pentax lenses, and I think there is also a Zeiss prime. But the Zeiss is not cheap, either.
There is a Sigma 28mm f1.8, but the reviews claim its not as good
04-27-2017, 11:15 AM   #9
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If you are shooting APS-C, the Sigma 30/1.4 is lovely, though not so much for landscapes.
04-27-2017, 12:45 PM   #10
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If MF is an option, the Kenlock-McTor MC 1:2.8 f=2.8mm is an option. You should get this one for scraps, but it is a really nice lens. It is flare sensitive, but razor sharp. Actually there is one listed on Ebay, for about $30. It's worth a try.
04-27-2017, 01:13 PM   #11
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Thanks guys for all these answers! I have to check many lenses I didn't know about!

About the price... Unfortunately, yes..I'm a student and don't have so much money to invest right now, after I made my big purchase on the LX.
Now I'm saving for a wide angle, but, since my 50mm is too long as an everyday lens, I was consider to buy as soon as possible one between the 28 and 35 focal range. And, between the two, I thought that the 28 can give me more field of view to play with in landscape/urban photography.

I've had already consider the Samyang 24, but I gave up because both the fov is too wide for me and the lens itself it's really big. I was searching for something a bit more compact (yeah, I know that the Pentax 28mm 2.0 is a beast, but I didn't consider at that moment).

I love the 35mm, I would live only with it and the 85mm (which is my go-to for my canon gear), but I wanted to experiment with new lenses now.

I'll take a look to every lens you posted, thanks a lot!
04-27-2017, 01:19 PM   #12
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If funds are tight and you want a 28mm the M 28mm 2.8 is cheap and plentiful. There are no duds in the M series. Although this lens doesn't get the accolades of it's stalemates it is still a great lens that will produce marvellous pictures.
04-27-2017, 02:51 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by pschlute Quote
If funds are tight and you want a 28mm the M 28mm 2.8 is cheap and plentiful. There are no duds in the M series. Although this lens doesn't get the accolades of it's stalemates it is still a great lens that will produce marvellous pictures.
Second this idea. Best bang for the buck in a wide. With care you can get a pristine example for $40.

Also keep an eye open for a K35/3.5 @$139.
04-27-2017, 03:16 PM   #14
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vivitar 28mm 1:2 mc, if you're lucky enough to find one at a thrift store for a few bucks like i did.
04-27-2017, 05:35 PM   #15
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My favorite lens is the Pentax K 28 3.5. Razor sharp and not to big, and not to small! Had the A 28 2.8, M 28 3.5 and now the K 28 3.5. The A 28 2.8 (same optical formula as the M 28 2.8) was horrible, only usable at F8 and higher, the M 28 3.5 is great, smaller than the K 28 3.5, but a little less sharp. The K 28 3.5 is perfect
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