What Are Your Experiences with 28mm Lenses?

**AgentL** · 01-14-2021, 06:01 PM

I'm interested in getting an inexpensive 28mm lens for the KP, as I think that gets me closest to 40mm equivalent, which is a focal length I really like. I like small primes, but I'm willing to experiment with anything if it's inexpensive. Do you have experience with a 28mm that you like, and why?

stevebrot · 01-14-2021, 06:15 PM

Manual focus or AF?

Steve

**AgentL** · 01-14-2021, 06:23 PM

Either one! I know I'll have to pay more for AF, but I'm still interested in hearing about them.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-14-2021, 06:25 PM

For me AF only in zooms, primes I have 5 or 6. Favourite is an M42 version vivitar 28/2.5 with 67 mm filter., but note, I also have sigma super wide 2 in ka mount that suffers really bad lateral CA, a tamron . Adaptall 28/2.5, a vivitar 28/2.5 in K mount with 62 mm filter, a Kiron 28/2 in k mount ( note these lenses are subject to sticky aperture blades

**pepperberry farm** · 01-14-2021, 06:29 PM

the only 28 I ever enjoyed using was a Sigma 28/1.8 EX DG...

**MSL** · 01-14-2021, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

I have the A28/2.8. I don't use it much because I find it hard to nail the focus. It would not be my choice for a walk around lens, but that may as much be due to user limitations as anything inherent to the lens. It has a fairly narrow focus throw which also makes it challenging.

**UncleVanya** · 01-14-2021, 06:30 PM

The f and fa 28 aren’t bad. There’s debate about which is better. The fa is a new design comparatively. It has an aspheric lens, the f design is based on the old A series design. I’ve owned that A28 f2.8 lens long ago, and I thought it was good.

**RICHARD L.** · 01-14-2021, 06:53 PM - **1 Like**

This is one of the best lenses I have, be it on the K1 (2 wide-angle upper pictures) or on the K3 (three lower pictures as a short normal).

Paul the Sunman · 01-14-2021, 06:56 PM - **1 Like**

I don't own a 28mm prime, but the FL is useful on FF. The short end of my DFA 28-105 gets quite a workout.

**UncleVanya** · 01-14-2021, 07:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by AgentL

I'm interested in getting an inexpensive 28mm lens for the KP, as I think that gets me closest to 40mm equivalent, which is a focal length I really like. I like small primes, but I'm willing to experiment with anything if it's inexpensive. Do you have experience with a 28mm that you like, and why?

Ironically the only 28mm autofocus prime I’ve ever owned is the Sony FE 28 f2.

**Pentax Syntax** · 01-14-2021, 07:12 PM - **1 Like**

I had the M28 F2 which I used extensively on film. Nice lens....Sorry I sold it.
SMC Pentax-M 28mm F2 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

stevebrot · 01-14-2021, 07:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by AgentL

Either one! I know I'll have to pay more for AF, but I'm still interested in hearing about them.

Ok...here is a short list of considerations:

Being a component of the classic three lens kit (28mm, 50, 135mm), there are a ton of them out there from all of the major makers as well as a plethora of 3rd-party and house-branded examples
Most are acceptably good and many are very good, optically; few are exceptional.
Very few feature or need exotic optical designs and most are f/2.8 maximum aperture though f/2.0 and f/3.5 are also represented.
At least one has cult status (Pentax-K 28/2.0 "Hollywood") and a few others are considered more desirable; the Vivitar 28/2.0 MC Close Focus (Komine-made), Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine-made), XR Rikenon 28/2.8, and Pentax-K 28/3.5 come to mind.
Field curvature is a common, though not universal, fault.
With possible exceptions of the f/2.0 models, most should not command a premium price.

I own four in Pentax-K or M42 and have no difficulty recommending the Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) or Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focus (Komine-made).* Both the Tammy and the Viv feature close-focus and the Tammy was designed as a flat-field lens.

Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) on Rollei Retro 100 with Ricoh XR-2s

Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) on Fujichrome with Ricoh XR7

Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine, Palmar K02) with K10D

Good luck!

Steve

* The other two are an S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 and a Vivitar 28/2.5 (Kino Precision, Palmar M13). The SMC Tak is an excellent lens, but slow and the Viv is decent, but big and heavy.

vector · 01-14-2021, 07:18 PM - **1 Like**

I own the F 28mm and it is decent even out to the corners on my K1. It is better than any of my zooms at that length. That being said 28mm is not a focal length I shoot very often on FF or APSC so it doesn't see a lot of use. I much prefer 35mm as my wide on FF or normal on APSC.

Unregistered User · 01-14-2021, 07:50 PM

I've also got the Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine-made), it is a great lens, not quite up to modern standards, but very close. The close focus is something I use all the time. They usually are priced around $50, much cheaper than the f2.0

Kozlok · 01-14-2021, 08:14 PM - **1 Like**

I've got a really low-end 28mm f2.8 from the brand "Formula 5" that has terrible bokeh, not overly sharp, and for some reason I've always liked it.

01-14-2021, 06:01 PM	#1
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756	What Are Your Experiences with 28mm Lenses? I'm interested in getting an inexpensive 28mm lens for the KP, as I think that gets me closest to 40mm equivalent, which is a focal length I really like. I like small primes, but I'm willing to experiment with anything if it's inexpensive. Do you have experience with a 28mm that you like, and why?

01-14-2021, 06:53 PM - 1 Like	#8
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,575	FA 28 mm f/2.8 AL. This is one of the best lenses I have, be it on the K1 (2 wide-angle upper pictures) or on the K3 (three lower pictures as a short normal).

01-14-2021, 07:14 PM - 2 Likes	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by AgentL Either one! I know I'll have to pay more for AF, but I'm still interested in hearing about them. Ok...here is a short list of considerations: Being a component of the classic three lens kit (28mm, 50, 135mm), there are a ton of them out there from all of the major makers as well as a plethora of 3rd-party and house-branded examples Most are acceptably good and many are very good, optically; few are exceptional. Very few feature or need exotic optical designs and most are f/2.8 maximum aperture though f/2.0 and f/3.5 are also represented. At least one has cult status (Pentax-K 28/2.0 "Hollywood") and a few others are considered more desirable; the Vivitar 28/2.0 MC Close Focus (Komine-made), Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine-made), XR Rikenon 28/2.8, and Pentax-K 28/3.5 come to mind. Field curvature is a common, though not universal, fault. With possible exceptions of the f/2.0 models, most should not command a premium price. I own four in Pentax-K or M42 and have no difficulty recommending the Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) or Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focus (Komine-made).* Both the Tammy and the Viv feature close-focus and the Tammy was designed as a flat-field lens. Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) on Rollei Retro 100 with Ricoh XR-2s Tamron 28/2.5 (02B) on Fujichrome with Ricoh XR7 Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine, Palmar K02) with K10D Good luck! Steve * The other two are an S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5 and a Vivitar 28/2.5 (Kino Precision, Palmar M13). The SMC Tak is an excellent lens, but slow and the Viv is decent, but big and heavy. Last edited by stevebrot; 01-14-2021 at 10:57 PM. Reason: Completeness

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01-14-2021, 06:15 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Manual focus or AF? Steve

01-14-2021, 06:23 PM	#3
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756 Original Poster	Either one! I know I'll have to pay more for AF, but I'm still interested in hearing about them.

01-14-2021, 06:25 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	For me AF only in zooms, primes I have 5 or 6. Favourite is an M42 version vivitar 28/2.5 with 67 mm filter., but note, I also have sigma super wide 2 in ka mount that suffers really bad lateral CA, a tamron . Adaptall 28/2.5, a vivitar 28/2.5 in K mount with 62 mm filter, a Kiron 28/2 in k mount ( note these lenses are subject to sticky aperture blades

01-14-2021, 06:29 PM	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	the only 28 I ever enjoyed using was a Sigma 28/1.8 EX DG...

01-14-2021, 06:29 PM - 1 Like	#6
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	I have the A28/2.8. I don't use it much because I find it hard to nail the focus. It would not be my choice for a walk around lens, but that may as much be due to user limitations as anything inherent to the lens. It has a fairly narrow focus throw which also makes it challenging.

01-14-2021, 06:30 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	The f and fa 28 aren’t bad. There’s debate about which is better. The fa is a new design comparatively. It has an aspheric lens, the f design is based on the old A series design. I’ve owned that A28 f2.8 lens long ago, and I thought it was good.

01-14-2021, 06:56 PM - 1 Like	#9
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	I don't own a 28mm prime, but the FL is useful on FF. The short end of my DFA 28-105 gets quite a workout.

01-14-2021, 07:08 PM - 1 Like	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Originally posted by AgentL I'm interested in getting an inexpensive 28mm lens for the KP, as I think that gets me closest to 40mm equivalent, which is a focal length I really like. I like small primes, but I'm willing to experiment with anything if it's inexpensive. Do you have experience with a 28mm that you like, and why? Ironically the only 28mm autofocus prime I’ve ever owned is the Sony FE 28 f2.

01-14-2021, 07:12 PM - 1 Like	#11
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	I had the M28 F2 which I used extensively on film. Nice lens....Sorry I sold it. SMC Pentax-M 28mm F2 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

01-14-2021, 07:18 PM - 1 Like	#13
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	I own the F 28mm and it is decent even out to the corners on my K1. It is better than any of my zooms at that length. That being said 28mm is not a focal length I shoot very often on FF or APSC so it doesn't see a lot of use. I much prefer 35mm as my wide on FF or normal on APSC.

01-14-2021, 07:50 PM	#14
Unregistered User Guest	I've also got the Vivitar 28/2.8 MC Close Focus Wide Angle (Komine-made), it is a great lens, not quite up to modern standards, but very close. The close focus is something I use all the time. They usually are priced around $50, much cheaper than the f2.0

01-14-2021, 08:14 PM - 1 Like	#15
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	I've got a really low-end 28mm f2.8 from the brand "Formula 5" that has terrible bokeh, not overly sharp, and for some reason I've always liked it.