What Are Your Experiences with 28mm Lenses?

Lhorn · 01-26-2021, 11:20 AM

Maybe it’s been covered but is there a “hidden gem” (ie cheap) 28mm lens out there, perhaps third party? Manual focus would be fine. I have a Rokinon and an M 28mm and am not blown away by either. It might also be that I’m not a great photographer.

**wtlwdwgn** · 01-26-2021, 11:34 AM

I have had good experiences with 28mm lenses. I used a Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 on a Nikon D700 that made really good images. I've also had the A 28mm f/2.8, and the gem of the bunch, the A 28mm f/2. You should be able to find a good Super Takumar or SMC Takumar for not a lot of money. Just my ¢¢.

**MSL** · 01-26-2021, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

You should be able to find a good Super Takumar or SMC Takumar for not a lot of money

That used to be possible, and you can still find things now and then (depending on what you call not a lot of money). Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens!

**wtlwdwgn** · 01-26-2021, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by MSL

That used to be possible, and you can still find things now and then (depending on what you call not a lot of money). Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens!

Yep, I was looking on eBay and it seems they are running between $150 and $200 now.

**AgentL** · 01-26-2021, 06:58 PM

I decided to give the M 28 a try, likely it will verify the so-so reactions of many here, but it'll at least whet my appetite for pursuing something a little better - or confirm that I don't need to spend a lot of time grasping after old SLR lenses. Or... Both?

stevebrot · 01-26-2021, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by MSL

Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens!

I have the S-M-C Tak 28/3.5 AND the hood and I paid dearly for both. Prices have been drifting upwards.

Steve

ZombieArmy · 01-27-2021, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by AgentL

I decided to give the M 28 a try, likely it will verify the so-so reactions of many here, but it'll at least whet my appetite for pursuing something a little better - or confirm that I don't need to spend a lot of time grasping after old SLR lenses. Or... Both?

I once found a cheap M 28 2.8 in mint condition for cheap. It promptly went on ebay

Most 28s I've used just kinda suck on APSC, I think the fov is kind of boring and most don't have anything fun to make up for it. The M series one makes it worse by kinda sucking too.

---------- Post added 01-27-21 at 08:54 AM ----------

Originally posted by gaweidert

My old Vivitar 28mm screw mount lens is great close up but is soft at a distance.

Not to change the subject completely but I have a Petri 50mm 1.8 that is the complete opposite. Real bad at closer distances but stellar infinity focus. Kind of odd design if you ask me, but I guess weird quirks like that add utility to otherwise uninteresting lenses.

Last edited by ZombieArmy; 01-27-2021 at 06:55 AM.

**UncleVanya** · 01-27-2021, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

Most 28s I've used just kinda suck on APSC, I think the fov is kind of boring and most don't have anything fun to make up for it. The M series one makes it worse by kinda sucking too.

That field of view is roughly similar to a 42mm on a 35mm rangefinder. The street/reportage shooter will be well served by it.

ZombieArmy · 01-27-2021, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That field of view is roughly similar to a 42mm on a 35mm rangefinder. The street/reportage shooter will be well served by it.

I've used around that FL on film quite a bit when I owned the 43mm for a short while and I liked it a lot more. I think something just doesn't translate quite right in the projection. Or perhaps just the characteristics of 40-50mm lenses in general are better.

Just for the record on 35mm film 50mm is by far my favorite FL.

**UncleVanya** · 01-27-2021, 07:15 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I've used around that FL on film quite a bit when I owned the 43mm for a short while and I liked it a lot more. I think something just doesn't translate quite right in the projection. Or perhaps just the characteristics of 40-50mm lenses in general are better.

Just for the record on 35mm film 50mm is by far my favorite FL.

That’s fair. I shot with a fifty so long that I can see why. I love 40mm on APSC myself even though 60mm wasn’t ever a focal length I used on film.

Jonathan Mac · 01-27-2021, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by Lhorn

Maybe it’s been covered but is there a “hidden gem” (ie cheap) 28mm lens out there, perhaps third party? Manual focus would be fine. I have a Rokinon and an M 28mm and am not blown away by either. It might also be that I’m not a great photographer.

I'm not aware of anything I'd exactly term "hidden gem". The closest I'm aware of and have used are the Vivitar f/2s. I have both options and they are both very good and perform very similarly: just usable wide open but much better from f/2.8, nice and sharp, decent bokeh (for a 28mm), lovely and solid so pleasant to use. They're not super common but can be found without too much difficulty. Expect to pay at least double what you would for an f/2.8, though I was lucky with both of mine, I think I paid 35GBP each. Make sure you check the aperture is not oily and/or slow, a commonly report problem requiring disassembly and a good clean to fix.

**AgentL** · 01-27-2021, 09:24 AM

If the performance of the M 28 disappoints me, it'll probably go on eBay as well. One thing I like about a mount which has a deep back catalogue is sifting through and trying them out. So if I can do it affordably, all the better.

Jonathan Mac · 01-28-2021, 09:39 AM

28mm is probably the most common focal length for vintage lenses. Yes, there were plenty of 50mm lenses made but there was lots of third-party competition for the wide-angle and telephoto (usually 135mm) lenses to add to the kit 50mm that came with the camera.

Wasp · 01-28-2021, 11:19 AM

Before the world changed, I did some street photography with a Samsung NX100. Two of my favorite lenses for this was the SMC Pentax 20mm M f/4 and the SMC Pentax M 28mm f/2.8, Both worked well. I kinda stopped using the 20mm - not because of any shortcoming but because they are becoming quite valuable. So that makes the 28mm my favorite prime for street photography on a crop frame on a budget.

jgnfld · 01-28-2021, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

SMC Pentax 28 FA AL is not my most used lens by any means, but it is very sharp and can often be picked up fairly cheaply.

2 examples from my K-50 days:

01-28-2021, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#105
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	SMC Pentax 28 FA AL is not my most used lens by any means, but it is very sharp and can often be picked up fairly cheaply. 2 examples from my K-50 days: Last edited by jgnfld; 01-28-2021 at 11:57 AM.

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01-26-2021, 11:20 AM	#91
Lhorn Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 554	Maybe it’s been covered but is there a “hidden gem” (ie cheap) 28mm lens out there, perhaps third party? Manual focus would be fine. I have a Rokinon and an M 28mm and am not blown away by either. It might also be that I’m not a great photographer.

01-26-2021, 11:34 AM	#92
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838	I have had good experiences with 28mm lenses. I used a Super Takumar 28mm f/3.5 on a Nikon D700 that made really good images. I've also had the A 28mm f/2.8, and the gem of the bunch, the A 28mm f/2. You should be able to find a good Super Takumar or SMC Takumar for not a lot of money. Just my ¢¢.

01-26-2021, 11:54 AM	#93
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn You should be able to find a good Super Takumar or SMC Takumar for not a lot of money That used to be possible, and you can still find things now and then (depending on what you call not a lot of money). Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens!

01-26-2021, 12:06 PM	#94
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838	Originally posted by MSL That used to be possible, and you can still find things now and then (depending on what you call not a lot of money). Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens! Yep, I was looking on eBay and it seems they are running between $150 and $200 now.

01-26-2021, 06:58 PM	#95
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756 Original Poster	I decided to give the M 28 a try, likely it will verify the so-so reactions of many here, but it'll at least whet my appetite for pursuing something a little better - or confirm that I don't need to spend a lot of time grasping after old SLR lenses. Or... Both?

01-26-2021, 11:31 PM	#96
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MSL Now the lens hood for a SuperTak 28 - that can command more than the lens! I have the S-M-C Tak 28/3.5 AND the hood and I paid dearly for both. Prices have been drifting upwards. Steve

01-27-2021, 06:48 AM	#97
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Originally posted by AgentL I decided to give the M 28 a try, likely it will verify the so-so reactions of many here, but it'll at least whet my appetite for pursuing something a little better - or confirm that I don't need to spend a lot of time grasping after old SLR lenses. Or... Both? I once found a cheap M 28 2.8 in mint condition for cheap. It promptly went on ebay Most 28s I've used just kinda suck on APSC, I think the fov is kind of boring and most don't have anything fun to make up for it. The M series one makes it worse by kinda sucking too. ---------- Post added 01-27-21 at 08:54 AM ---------- Originally posted by gaweidert My old Vivitar 28mm screw mount lens is great close up but is soft at a distance. Not to change the subject completely but I have a Petri 50mm 1.8 that is the complete opposite. Real bad at closer distances but stellar infinity focus. Kind of odd design if you ask me, but I guess weird quirks like that add utility to otherwise uninteresting lenses. Last edited by ZombieArmy; 01-27-2021 at 06:55 AM.

01-27-2021, 07:02 AM	#98
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by ZombieArmy Most 28s I've used just kinda suck on APSC, I think the fov is kind of boring and most don't have anything fun to make up for it. The M series one makes it worse by kinda sucking too. That field of view is roughly similar to a 42mm on a 35mm rangefinder. The street/reportage shooter will be well served by it.

01-27-2021, 07:06 AM	#99
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Originally posted by UncleVanya That field of view is roughly similar to a 42mm on a 35mm rangefinder. The street/reportage shooter will be well served by it. I've used around that FL on film quite a bit when I owned the 43mm for a short while and I liked it a lot more. I think something just doesn't translate quite right in the projection. Or perhaps just the characteristics of 40-50mm lenses in general are better. Just for the record on 35mm film 50mm is by far my favorite FL.

01-27-2021, 07:15 AM	#100
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I've used around that FL on film quite a bit when I owned the 43mm for a short while and I liked it a lot more. I think something just doesn't translate quite right in the projection. Or perhaps just the characteristics of 40-50mm lenses in general are better. Just for the record on 35mm film 50mm is by far my favorite FL. That’s fair. I shot with a fifty so long that I can see why. I love 40mm on APSC myself even though 60mm wasn’t ever a focal length I used on film.

01-27-2021, 08:28 AM	#101
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	Originally posted by Lhorn Maybe it’s been covered but is there a “hidden gem” (ie cheap) 28mm lens out there, perhaps third party? Manual focus would be fine. I have a Rokinon and an M 28mm and am not blown away by either. It might also be that I’m not a great photographer. I'm not aware of anything I'd exactly term "hidden gem". The closest I'm aware of and have used are the Vivitar f/2s. I have both options and they are both very good and perform very similarly: just usable wide open but much better from f/2.8, nice and sharp, decent bokeh (for a 28mm), lovely and solid so pleasant to use. They're not super common but can be found without too much difficulty. Expect to pay at least double what you would for an f/2.8, though I was lucky with both of mine, I think I paid 35GBP each. Make sure you check the aperture is not oily and/or slow, a commonly report problem requiring disassembly and a good clean to fix.

01-27-2021, 09:24 AM	#102
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756 Original Poster	If the performance of the M 28 disappoints me, it'll probably go on eBay as well. One thing I like about a mount which has a deep back catalogue is sifting through and trying them out. So if I can do it affordably, all the better.

01-28-2021, 09:39 AM	#103
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	28mm is probably the most common focal length for vintage lenses. Yes, there were plenty of 50mm lenses made but there was lots of third-party competition for the wide-angle and telephoto (usually 135mm) lenses to add to the kit 50mm that came with the camera.

01-28-2021, 11:19 AM	#104
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,660	Before the world changed, I did some street photography with a Samsung NX100. Two of my favorite lenses for this was the SMC Pentax 20mm M f/4 and the SMC Pentax M 28mm f/2.8, Both worked well. I kinda stopped using the 20mm - not because of any shortcoming but because they are becoming quite valuable. So that makes the 28mm my favorite prime for street photography on a crop frame on a budget.