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**pepperberry farm** · 03-10-2022, 04:39 PM - **3 Likes**

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Originally posted by gofour3

My choice would be the k28/2 or the fa31/1.8

Phil.

the FA 31/1.8 Limited: it is what all 28mm lenses want to be....

**c.a.m** · 03-10-2022, 04:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

the FA 31/1.8 Limited: it is what all 28mm lenses want to be....

I think I heard my K 30/2.8 whimpering something like that the other day. Poor little thing.

Actually, the SMC Pentax K 30mm f/2.8 is a fine lens in its own right.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-30mm-F2.8-Lens.html

- Craig

jgnfld · 03-10-2022, 05:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bob 256

I have this one and it's pretty sharp. I've made some serious crops with mine and they hold up well. I don't know if you need the full-frame capability, but it's there if you do.

*Optical Mint* SMC Pentax FA 28mm F/2.8 AL Wide Angle AF Lens For K PK Mount JPN | eBay

Here's the forum review: SMC Pentax-FA 28mm F2.8 AL Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I have it as well and it is a fine lens. Film era, but I have no problems with that and you obviously would not!. Think mine was about $175 Cdn in 2015. DO read the reviews linked in the linked post above. Haven't used mine in years but here are some shots from my old k-50 days...

Any Republic of Doyle fans (CBC show a few years ago) will recognize this one!

I really can't say why but this one is actually one of my favorite DSLR pics of that era...

Could do better with the lens and default PP now, probably, as I've learned a lot since then. Esp. with saturation levels. Maybe I'll take it for an outing again!

This last is at a high upward angle with perspective fixed in PP. That said, in order to correct the perspective it meant the resolution near the top is about half that at the bottom as the angle was extreme--the mural starts on the second story and there is only one vacant lot of space in this direction...

**pepperberry farm** · 03-10-2022, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by c.a.m

I think I heard my K 30/2.8 whimpering something like that the other day. Poor little thing.

Actually, the SMC Pentax K 30mm f/2.8 is a fine lens in its own right.

SMC Pentax 30mm F2.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

- Craig

aye - it is....

**UncleVanya** · 03-10-2022, 06:30 PM

FA 31 - not quite as wide but lovely.

Gene D · 03-10-2022, 10:03 PM

From my experience with it, the K 28mm f3.5 is a great lens, its going to be about 1/4 to 1/5 the price of the Hollywood but its an excellent lens, vivid colors and very sharp. Thumbs up from me.

**jopenmx** · 03-11-2022, 09:57 AM

No doubt about the quality of FA 31 ltd. as AF faster alternative . Beside this, I´ve found some reviews of the K 28 f/3,5 in the net , and two different guys have the same oppinion in comparison with different 28 mm. lenses , one from Sony , 28f/2 and other one is Distagon 28 f/2,8. According to these tests , K 28 f/3,5 outperforms the other two lenses concerning its exceptional flare resistance and CA correction. I think it´s amazing for a lens produced only for two years ( 1976 and 1977 ) ¡

https://www.apalapse.org/blog/review-pentax-k-smc-28mm-f35
Review: Pentax K SMC 28mm 1:3.5 - phillipreeve.net

**UncleVanya** · 03-11-2022, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by jopenmx

No doubt about the quality of FA 31 ltd. as AF faster alternative . Beside this, I´ve found some reviews of the K 28 f/3,5 in the net , and two different guys have the same oppinion in comparison with different 28 mm. lenses , one from Sony , 28f/2 and other one is Distagon 28 f/2,8. According to these tests , K 28 f/3,5 outperforms the other two lenses concerning its exceptional flare resistance and CA correction. I think it´s amazing for a lens produced only for two years ( 1976 and 1977 ) ¡

https://www.apalapse.org/blog/review-pentax-k-smc-28mm-f35
Review: Pentax K SMC 28mm 1:3.5 - phillipreeve.net

The Sony is not the best lens in the world but it is better than some give it credit for; and the 28/3.5 is not a bad lens at all.

jgnfld · 03-11-2022, 04:47 PM - **1 Like**

Further to the 28mm FA...Took mine out today for the first time in years for a downtown walkaround. Not the best day for light and none of the pics show anything I haven't already shown you above Except that on the way home I went up to Signal Hill (where Marconi received the first transAtlantic signal) and lo' and behold here is a fox in the parking lot looking for handouts (HIGHLY frowned upon in a national park!). As I was there to take some coastal shots, the 28mm wasn't really appropriate, but I did take fox's pic, anyway. This is a 1920x1276 crop of the original 6000x4000 KP RAW then reduced to PF defaults. Even at this magnification, the lens performs just fine, IMO.

Added: Met a Pentaxian on the street here for the first time in my life!!! Had a KP though he said he has also recently bought a K3-III and owns a small closet full of other pentax bodies--K5, K20, and even some film bodies. Had a 70mm Ltd. red band mounted (I have the older green model). He said he used to post here under Saltwater Images or something close to that but now posts mostly in local Newfoundland Facebook groups (Camera35 and the Newfoundland Photography Club). He says he knows 1 other KP owner in the area! Also said he's looked for the FA-28 but has never located one at a reasonable price.

**JensE** · 03-11-2022, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

fa31/1.8

In that price range, I would likely prefer a (lightly used) Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 ZK for a manual camera, even though the 31LTD is very good in terms of manual focus for an AF lens.

Spock · 03-15-2022, 07:49 PM

SMC Pentax-A 28mm is an excellent lens rated here at 9.15/10
SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Jonathan Mac · 03-23-2022, 10:48 AM

The K series 28mm f/2 is probably the cream of the crop but hard to find and very expensive (plus big and heavy). It's a superb lens.

The K series 28mm f/3.5 is optically better than the M version though also relatively big and heavy and no faster than the M.

Ignore the two M 28mm f/2.8 versions - neither is very good.

The M or A series 28mm f/2 lenses are reputed to be very good but not to the standard of the K. Also very hard to find and quite expensive (but again, not as much as the K).

I have both versions of the Vivitar, Komine and Kiron, 28mm f/2 lenses and I like them a lot. Their optical performance is very similar and while they're not as sharp as the K wide open, at f/2.8 they're very good indeed and on film even wide open I think they'd be fine unless you're doing very fine scans or big enlargements. They're not too hard to find and can usually be had for a much better price than any of the Pentax ones. For the price they go for compared to the quality they give these would certainly be the best options. In fact, I know of one for sale in the UK at the moment - PM me and I'll check if it's still available.

03-10-2022, 05:02 PM - 1 Like	#18
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,798	Originally posted by Bob 256 I have this one and it's pretty sharp. I've made some serious crops with mine and they hold up well. I don't know if you need the full-frame capability, but it's there if you do. Optical Mint SMC Pentax FA 28mm F/2.8 AL Wide Angle AF Lens For K PK Mount JPN \| eBay Here's the forum review: SMC Pentax-FA 28mm F2.8 AL Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I have it as well and it is a fine lens. Film era, but I have no problems with that and you obviously would not!. Think mine was about $175 Cdn in 2015. DO read the reviews linked in the linked post above. Haven't used mine in years but here are some shots from my old k-50 days... Any Republic of Doyle fans (CBC show a few years ago) will recognize this one! I really can't say why but this one is actually one of my favorite DSLR pics of that era... Could do better with the lens and default PP now, probably, as I've learned a lot since then. Esp. with saturation levels. Maybe I'll take it for an outing again! This last is at a high upward angle with perspective fixed in PP. That said, in order to correct the perspective it meant the resolution near the top is about half that at the bottom as the angle was extreme--the mural starts on the second story and there is only one vacant lot of space in this direction... Last edited by jgnfld; 03-10-2022 at 08:18 PM.

03-11-2022, 12:44 PM	#23
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Originally posted by jopenmx No doubt about the quality of FA 31 ltd. as AF faster alternative . Beside this, I´ve found some reviews of the K 28 f/3,5 in the net , and two different guys have the same oppinion in comparison with different 28 mm. lenses , one from Sony , 28f/2 and other one is Distagon 28 f/2,8. According to these tests , K 28 f/3,5 outperforms the other two lenses concerning its exceptional flare resistance and CA correction. I think it´s amazing for a lens produced only for two years ( 1976 and 1977 ) ¡ https://www.apalapse.org/blog/review-pentax-k-smc-28mm-f35 Review: Pentax K SMC 28mm 1:3.5 - phillipreeve.net The Sony is not the best lens in the world but it is better than some give it credit for; and the 28/3.5 is not a bad lens at all. Last edited by UncleVanya; 03-11-2022 at 12:51 PM.

03-11-2022, 04:47 PM - 1 Like	#24
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,798	Further to the 28mm FA...Took mine out today for the first time in years for a downtown walkaround. Not the best day for light and none of the pics show anything I haven't already shown you above Except that on the way home I went up to Signal Hill (where Marconi received the first transAtlantic signal) and lo' and behold here is a fox in the parking lot looking for handouts (HIGHLY frowned upon in a national park!). As I was there to take some coastal shots, the 28mm wasn't really appropriate, but I did take fox's pic, anyway. This is a 1920x1276 crop of the original 6000x4000 KP RAW then reduced to PF defaults. Even at this magnification, the lens performs just fine, IMO. Added: Met a Pentaxian on the street here for the first time in my life!!! Had a KP though he said he has also recently bought a K3-III and owns a small closet full of other pentax bodies--K5, K20, and even some film bodies. Had a 70mm Ltd. red band mounted (I have the older green model). He said he used to post here under Saltwater Images or something close to that but now posts mostly in local Newfoundland Facebook groups (Camera35 and the Newfoundland Photography Club). He says he knows 1 other KP owner in the area! Also said he's looked for the FA-28 but has never located one at a reasonable price. Last edited by jgnfld; 03-11-2022 at 04:59 PM.

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03-10-2022, 04:39 PM - 3 Likes	#16
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by gofour3 My choice would be the k28/2 or the fa31/1.8 Phil. the FA 31/1.8 Limited: it is what all 28mm lenses want to be....

03-10-2022, 04:52 PM - 1 Like	#17
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,193	Originally posted by pepperberry farm the FA 31/1.8 Limited: it is what all 28mm lenses want to be.... I think I heard my K 30/2.8 whimpering something like that the other day. Poor little thing. Actually, the SMC Pentax K 30mm f/2.8 is a fine lens in its own right. https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-30mm-F2.8-Lens.html - Craig

03-10-2022, 06:04 PM	#19
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Originally posted by c.a.m I think I heard my K 30/2.8 whimpering something like that the other day. Poor little thing. Actually, the SMC Pentax K 30mm f/2.8 is a fine lens in its own right. SMC Pentax 30mm F2.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database - Craig aye - it is....

03-10-2022, 06:30 PM	#20
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	FA 31 - not quite as wide but lovely.

03-10-2022, 10:03 PM	#21
Gene D Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61	From my experience with it, the K 28mm f3.5 is a great lens, its going to be about 1/4 to 1/5 the price of the Hollywood but its an excellent lens, vivid colors and very sharp. Thumbs up from me.

03-11-2022, 09:57 AM	#22
jopenmx Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: vigo Photos: Gallery Posts: 137	No doubt about the quality of FA 31 ltd. as AF faster alternative . Beside this, I´ve found some reviews of the K 28 f/3,5 in the net , and two different guys have the same oppinion in comparison with different 28 mm. lenses , one from Sony , 28f/2 and other one is Distagon 28 f/2,8. According to these tests , K 28 f/3,5 outperforms the other two lenses concerning its exceptional flare resistance and CA correction. I think it´s amazing for a lens produced only for two years ( 1976 and 1977 ) ¡ https://www.apalapse.org/blog/review-pentax-k-smc-28mm-f35 Review: Pentax K SMC 28mm 1:3.5 - phillipreeve.net

03-11-2022, 05:02 PM	#25
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,975	Originally posted by gofour3 fa31/1.8 In that price range, I would likely prefer a (lightly used) Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 ZK for a manual camera, even though the 31LTD is very good in terms of manual focus for an AF lens.

03-15-2022, 07:49 PM	#26
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	SMC Pentax-A 28mm is an excellent lens rated here at 9.15/10 SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

03-23-2022, 10:48 AM	#27
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	The K series 28mm f/2 is probably the cream of the crop but hard to find and very expensive (plus big and heavy). It's a superb lens. The K series 28mm f/3.5 is optically better than the M version though also relatively big and heavy and no faster than the M. Ignore the two M 28mm f/2.8 versions - neither is very good. The M or A series 28mm f/2 lenses are reputed to be very good but not to the standard of the K. Also very hard to find and quite expensive (but again, not as much as the K). I have both versions of the Vivitar, Komine and Kiron, 28mm f/2 lenses and I like them a lot. Their optical performance is very similar and while they're not as sharp as the K wide open, at f/2.8 they're very good indeed and on film even wide open I think they'd be fine unless you're doing very fine scans or big enlargements. They're not too hard to find and can usually be had for a much better price than any of the Pentax ones. For the price they go for compared to the quality they give these would certainly be the best options. In fact, I know of one for sale in the UK at the moment - PM me and I'll check if it's still available.

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