Which lens A/ M/ Tak 28MM

kev.pride · 09-14-2008, 08:20 PM

If you had a choice - or have all 3 which would you have:

SMC PENTAX M28 MM 2.8 (ave reviews 7.6/10, 8 reviews)

SMC PENTAX A-28 MM 2.8 (ave review is 8/10, 7 reviews)

PENTAX SUPER TAKUMAR M42 MOUNT, 28MM, f1:3.5 (ave review 8.6/10, 7 reviews)

As I have started getting Takuma lenses and have not ventured into A or M lenses I would like some opinions.

Ta

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-14-2008, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by kev.pride

If you had a choice - or have all 3 which would you have:

SMC PENTAX M28 MM 2.8 (ave reviews 7.6/10, 8 reviews)

SMC PENTAX A-28 MM 2.8 (ave review is 8/10, 7 reviews)

PENTAX SUPER TAKUMAR M42 MOUNT, 28MM, f1:3.5 (ave review 8.6/10, 7 reviews)

As I have started getting Takuma lenses and have not ventured into A or M lenses I would like some opinions.

Ta

The Pentax 28/3.5 is a gem, as the review scores you posted suggest. It came in Takumar screw mount (get the Super Multi Coated / S-M-C / S.M.C. / SMC version. It helps with sky flare. I have/had an M 28/3.5 that constantly amazed me. My daughter in law is using it, mostly reversed as a 2 X macro lens. It's pretty spiffy there as well. I was very pleased wth the low distortion levels on a lens that cost $110 brand new.

Steinback · 09-15-2008, 12:14 AM

I have an A-28mm f2.8 and have used my father's S-M-C Takumar 28mm f3.5 on my K10d.

Of those two I would take the A-28mm for ease of use; it is very sharp stopped down to f3.5, the A setting means that it exposes properly with the onboard or other p-ttl flashes, and I don't have to worry about adapters when I'm switching to other K mount lenses.

The M42 28mm is also a very good lens and would likely be cheaper, though on the used market you never know what deals you might run into.

Wouldn't either lens be a bit redundant considering the Sigma 28mm f1.8 in your signature? Not that I'm in any position to judge, I have four 50mm lenses. From that point of view, an M42 28mm is one step closer to completing your Takumar collection.

séamuis · 09-15-2008, 12:25 AM

what is a Takuma?

Nesster · 09-15-2008, 02:43 AM

Being that I've 2 Tak's and the SMC-A, let me say this: Get both

The A is more convenient and ultimately resolves more than the Takumars... and it's got that extra speed.

The Takumars are extremely well put together, and though they improve with the first half stop, they are excellent from 3.5.

If I was forced to give up two of them, I'd keep the SMC-A.

Mechan1k · 09-15-2008, 07:52 AM

If using the screw mount adaptor all the time with your other Taks ... it'd just be easier to get the 28mm Tak (it is a little gem of a lens).

Nesster · 09-15-2008, 10:19 AM

True... unless there's a great price on a lens in really good shape, the M lenses are presently the least useful, taking digital cameras into account. Between the Taks and the A, based on my samples of each, there really isn't much to choose. I rate them equivalent, though the A is faster.

Marc Sabatella · 09-15-2008, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

The Pentax 28/3.5 is a gem, as the review scores you posted suggest. It came in Takumar screw mount (get the Super Multi Coated / S-M-C / S.M.C. / SMC version. It helps with sky flare. I have/had an M 28/3.5 that constantly amazed me.

As far as I know, the "M" version is actually different from the Takumar version or the "K" version (Pentax SMC, no "M"). The reviews and the measured resolution numbers I've seen suggest the "M" is definitely a notch or two below the Takumar / K version. Although the reviews suggests that between the "M" versions, the f/3.5 beats the f/2.8 handily, the resolution numbers I've seen make it look like a toss-up, and the direct comparison I tried when I borrowed an M28/3.5.

For reviews:
Stan's Pentax Photography

For resolution data:
http://www.takinami.com/yoshihiko/photo/lens_test/index.html

Those are the only two I've tried. I'm perfectly happy with the M28/2.8. I'm used to M lenses, and don't mind it not being an "A".

Mike Cash · 09-16-2008, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

what is a Takuma?

The actual first name of the guy they named the Takumar series after (seriously).

In answer to the OP's question: I'd get the Takumar for the simple reason that I shoot Takumars almost exclusively and it would better fit in with my kit. I see no reason to tote around two different lens mounts. And for me that generally means the K-mounts stay home.

My posted photos from the S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 on both film and digital.

kev.pride · 09-16-2008, 06:20 AM

Mike & the many others for yours thoughts on the best lens - think I will wait to get a very good S-M-C Tak 28/ 3.5.

Mike, my 15 year old son leaves for 16 days in Japan with a School Trip this coming Sunday. Is staying with a Host family in Asaguchi for 4 days near the end of the trip. I've bought him a Pentax P&S and hopefully will get some good photos of his trip.

regards

09-14-2008, 08:20 PM	#1
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Which lens A/ M/ Tak 28MM If you had a choice - or have all 3 which would you have: SMC PENTAX M28 MM 2.8 (ave reviews 7.6/10, 8 reviews) SMC PENTAX A-28 MM 2.8 (ave review is 8/10, 7 reviews) PENTAX SUPER TAKUMAR M42 MOUNT, 28MM, f1:3.5 (ave review 8.6/10, 7 reviews) As I have started getting Takuma lenses and have not ventured into A or M lenses I would like some opinions. Ta

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09-14-2008, 09:20 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by kev.pride If you had a choice - or have all 3 which would you have: SMC PENTAX M28 MM 2.8 (ave reviews 7.6/10, 8 reviews) SMC PENTAX A-28 MM 2.8 (ave review is 8/10, 7 reviews) PENTAX SUPER TAKUMAR M42 MOUNT, 28MM, f1:3.5 (ave review 8.6/10, 7 reviews) As I have started getting Takuma lenses and have not ventured into A or M lenses I would like some opinions. Ta The Pentax 28/3.5 is a gem, as the review scores you posted suggest. It came in Takumar screw mount (get the Super Multi Coated / S-M-C / S.M.C. / SMC version. It helps with sky flare. I have/had an M 28/3.5 that constantly amazed me. My daughter in law is using it, mostly reversed as a 2 X macro lens. It's pretty spiffy there as well. I was very pleased wth the low distortion levels on a lens that cost $110 brand new.

09-15-2008, 12:14 AM	#3
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I have an A-28mm f2.8 and have used my father's S-M-C Takumar 28mm f3.5 on my K10d. Of those two I would take the A-28mm for ease of use; it is very sharp stopped down to f3.5, the A setting means that it exposes properly with the onboard or other p-ttl flashes, and I don't have to worry about adapters when I'm switching to other K mount lenses. The M42 28mm is also a very good lens and would likely be cheaper, though on the used market you never know what deals you might run into. Wouldn't either lens be a bit redundant considering the Sigma 28mm f1.8 in your signature? Not that I'm in any position to judge, I have four 50mm lenses. From that point of view, an M42 28mm is one step closer to completing your Takumar collection.

09-15-2008, 12:25 AM	#4
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	what is a Takuma?

09-15-2008, 02:43 AM	#5
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Being that I've 2 Tak's and the SMC-A, let me say this: Get both The A is more convenient and ultimately resolves more than the Takumars... and it's got that extra speed. The Takumars are extremely well put together, and though they improve with the first half stop, they are excellent from 3.5. If I was forced to give up two of them, I'd keep the SMC-A.

09-15-2008, 07:52 AM	#6
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	If using the screw mount adaptor all the time with your other Taks ... it'd just be easier to get the 28mm Tak (it is a little gem of a lens).

09-15-2008, 10:19 AM	#7
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	True... unless there's a great price on a lens in really good shape, the M lenses are presently the least useful, taking digital cameras into account. Between the Taks and the A, based on my samples of each, there really isn't much to choose. I rate them equivalent, though the A is faster.

09-15-2008, 03:16 PM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies The Pentax 28/3.5 is a gem, as the review scores you posted suggest. It came in Takumar screw mount (get the Super Multi Coated / S-M-C / S.M.C. / SMC version. It helps with sky flare. I have/had an M 28/3.5 that constantly amazed me. As far as I know, the "M" version is actually different from the Takumar version or the "K" version (Pentax SMC, no "M"). The reviews and the measured resolution numbers I've seen suggest the "M" is definitely a notch or two below the Takumar / K version. Although the reviews suggests that between the "M" versions, the f/3.5 beats the f/2.8 handily, the resolution numbers I've seen make it look like a toss-up, and the direct comparison I tried when I borrowed an M28/3.5. For reviews: Stan's Pentax Photography For resolution data: http://www.takinami.com/yoshihiko/photo/lens_test/index.html Those are the only two I've tried. I'm perfectly happy with the M28/2.8. I'm used to M lenses, and don't mind it not being an "A".

09-16-2008, 05:07 AM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by séamuis what is a Takuma? The actual first name of the guy they named the Takumar series after (seriously). In answer to the OP's question: I'd get the Takumar for the simple reason that I shoot Takumars almost exclusively and it would better fit in with my kit. I see no reason to tote around two different lens mounts. And for me that generally means the K-mounts stay home. My posted photos from the S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 on both film and digital.

09-16-2008, 06:20 AM	#10
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351 Original Poster	Mike & the many others for yours thoughts on the best lens - think I will wait to get a very good S-M-C Tak 28/ 3.5. Mike, my 15 year old son leaves for 16 days in Japan with a School Trip this coming Sunday. Is staying with a Host family in Asaguchi for 4 days near the end of the trip. I've bought him a Pentax P&S and hopefully will get some good photos of his trip. regards