[Pentaxor]

saw one for an acceptable price not long ago. could had bought it but resisted LBA. thing is I would want Pentax to do something of similar optical floating design with auto-setting (aperture and focus), an AF 28/2. the FA31 is great and is the closest to have come to the K28/2. I would still prefer something at the 28mm end though.

[cyberjunkie]

Just install an *istD screen and it will meter just fine.

I am just curious about those cheap chinese focusing screens sold on Ebay.
I have a K10D and a K200D, and from the text of the auctions i get that the screens for one model are not good for the other. I tought that the focusing screen was the same... and that those kind of screens are good for MF lenses, because it's easier to focus.
Now i read that installing a *ist screen on a later model is a way to cure the metering problems with manual focus lenses.
Coming back to the thread subject, i confess that i've never used the 2/28 K with a digital body, so i can't confirm the exposure problems. I mostly use the DSRL bodies with AF zooms (originally made for film) or a Tamron 2.5/90 macro (MF), and the only metering problems i experienced were related to some malfunctioning of the Tamron KA Adaptall/2 adapter.

I have very little experience with digital cameras, and i am very fond of my Pentax prime lenses, so any advice about possible metering problems with my old lenses would be very welcomed.

have fun

CJ

[Lowell Goudge]

Ciberjunkie

There are several screens available and most cameras have their own screen. The *istD, DS , K10D and K20D are the exception. They all have screens that are the same size

As for metering I can't attach it at the moment, but do a search on metering and my name and you should find a plot comparing exposure accuracy of my *istD. K10D and K7D all with their native screens and the K10 with the *isrD s teen and a sit image screen

Draw your on conclusions but the *iatD a sewn fixes the K10/20 metering issue and a split screen solves from F1.4 to about f5.6

Pz sorry for the typos but this is from an ipod

The split screen is well worth it for a fast manual focus lens. But if you don't use it much my offer to buy still standa

[stevebrot]

...But if you don't use it much my offer to buy still standa

If you don't want to sell to Lowell, ping me

I have a couple of K-mount film cameras that would love to mount to that lens.


Steve

[Blue]

If you don't want to sell to Lowell, ping me

I have a couple of K-mount film cameras that would love to mount to that lens.


Steve

I clearly need a "whack a mole" smiley!

[blende8]

I'd personally rank the F 28 above the FA 28 but the FA is still a good lens.

Yes, the F is better than the FA, due to better contrast wide open:
Comparison Pentax FA28 versus F28

Btw. you can still buy the K28/2 new:
Distagon T* 2/28

[DogLover]

Btw. you can still buy the K28/2 new:
Distagon T* 2/28

Yep, I just did. I had no idea about the connection to Pentax when I bought it, but now it seems a little clearer to me why I was so drawn to it. It was between the 35/2 and the 28/2 and though the 35 is considerably cheaper and universally praised, I just felt a "tractor beam" pulling me towards the 28. Perhaps it was the ghosts of Pentaxians past! Well, thanks guys, you were right, I love it.

(P.S. To be honest, there were some practical reasons why I went with the 28, but they're not as much fun as the ghosts thing)

[8540tomg]

Yep, I just did. I had no idea about the connection to Pentax when I bought it, but now it seems a little clearer to me why I was so drawn to it. It was between the 35/2 and the 28/2 and though the 35 is considerably cheaper and universally praised, I just felt a "tractor beam" pulling me towards the 28. Perhaps it was the ghosts of Pentaxians past! Well, thanks guys, you were right, I love it.

(P.S. To be honest, there were some practical reasons why I went with the 28, but they're not as much fun as the ghosts thing)

Doglover,

I think what you are describing here is quality. Many of the old Pentax lenses just scream quality. I felt the same way when I first saw the Pentax K 200/2.5. The heft, the feel, the build and the glacial blue lake of the front element were hypnotic. I had to have one.

So many of the things we buy today are designed to fall apart in a few year's time so we can be sold more of the same. Is it any wonder our landfills are overflowing? Not so with these fine old manual focus lenses. They were built to last a lifetime or longer. Enjoy it and pass it on to the next generation.

Tom G

[blende8]

Yep, I just did. I had no idea about the connection to Pentax when I bought it, but now it seems a little clearer to me why I was so drawn to it. It was between the 35/2 and the 28/2 and though the 35 is considerably cheaper and universally praised, I just felt a "tractor beam" pulling me towards the 28. Perhaps it was the ghosts of Pentaxians past! Well, thanks guys, you were right, I love it.

I am sure you will love the lens.
Let us know about your experiences!

I want it, too, but couldn't justify it so far. I already have too many 28mm lenses.

Btw. could you please measure your lens, the total length?
I am curious, because the K28 (6,9 cm from Bojidar's list) seems to be about 2 cm shorter compared to the Zeiss (about 9,5 cm). I had the K28 for a while but forgot to measure it. Anyone?

[DogLover]

I am sure you will love the lens.
Let us know about your experiences!

I want it, too, but couldn't justify it so far. I already have too many 28mm lenses.

Btw. could you please measure your lens, the total length?
I am curious, because the K28 (6,9 cm from Bojidar's list) seems to be about 2 cm shorter compared to the Zeiss (about 9,5 cm). I had the K28 for a while but forgot to measure it. Anyone?

Sorry, just realized you asked for some info. Do you want it measured as mounted on the camera or off, with or without the caps?

[blende8]

If I understand Bojidar's list correctly he is measuring mounted on camera, lens set to infinity.
He is giving 6,9 cm for the K28/2.

[DogLover]

Well, on the camera I get 7.1 cm, 7.7 with the cap. Off-camera, I get 9.2cm with both caps. It's actually almost exactly the same size as a FA31, though quite a bit heavier. Hope this helps.

[blende8]

So, they are almost the same size.
Thank you very much!

[SteveM]

I'm afraid I've lost the link from where this info came from, but I pulled together some of the results from lenses that I was interested in (higher the value, the sharper the image). From the data, the K28/2 should shine at f16...

------- ... f2.0 ... f2.8 ... f5.6 . f16.... f22
28/2.0 ... 69 ..... 69 .... 78 .... 98 .... 78
28/3.5 ... --- ..... 69 .... 87 .... 78 .... 62
30/2.8 ... --- ..... 69 .... 87 .... 87 .... 69 (98 f8 f11)
35/2.0 ... 55 ..... 78 .... 87 .... 78 .... 69
35/3.5 ... --- ..... 78 .... 98 .... 87 .... 69 (98 f8 f11)
43/1.9 ... 55 ..... 69 .... 98 .... 87 .... 87
50/1.2 ... 62 ..... 78 .... 87 .... 78 .... 78
M50/1.7.. 69 ..... 78 .... 87 .... 87 .... 69
55/1.8 ... 62 ..... 69 .... 87 .... 87 .... 69

[Kingman]

The Pentax K28/2.0 (1976-1981) and Pentax K15/3.5 (1975-1984) were made in conjunction with Zeiss. They are identical except for the mount. As mentioned earlier, the Zeiss 28/2.0 and 35/3.5 are still readily available for Contax/Yashica and Nikon and other mounts. I have the Pentax K28/2.0 and use it occasionally on my K-1. It is a rare lens for being a Pentax and was often called the "Hollywood" lens due to color rendition. Admittedly, I have not tested it comprehensively against some of the other prime Pentax 28mm lenses. I've made some preliminary comparisons with the K28/2.0 and the D FA24-70/2.8 and did not see anything that pops out at me. I probably should test the bokeh of each of these dramatically difference lenses. The K28/2.0 and the K15/3.5 are collector's items and will retain their values due to their very limited availabilities. I probably should better utilize the K28/2.0 to get its fullest potential.