Comparing my M28/2.8 v1 and Vivitar 28/2.8 k06

Schmidlapper · 01-07-2013, 05:52 PM

Question which of my two manual 28/2.8s do I want to carry? I have both a M28/2.8 version 1, and a Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focus SMS k06 variety considered to be one of the good Vivitar 28s. As I have not seen these two directly compared I decided to test them. I did not have liberty to go out and shot in a controlled fashion so I set up an indoor controlled shot. My test methodology; I chose to shoot both lenses at f2.8, f5.6 and f11 @ iso 80, all from same tripod focusing on same subject (the sign letters) using live view at 10x. I shot with the mirror locked up using a wireless remote, the flash used same settings for both lenses, and no post processing was done. I was surprised at how equally the two lenses actually performed when viewed at 100%. In fact I found only two issues and one preference that I used in order to make a choice. So come on and see.

M28/2.8 target @f5.6 (I uploaded TIFFs but they were converted to JPG by photobucket)

Vivitar 28/2.8 target @f5.6 (I uploaded TIFFs but they were converted to JPG by photobucket)

The Lesser of Two Evils:
M28/2.8 @2.8 purple fringe example

Vivitar 28/2.8 @2.8 purple fringe example

Corner Sharpness Comparison:
M28/2.8 @f11 upper right corner sharpness of barcode number

Vivitar 28/2.8 @f11 upper right corner sharpness of barcode number

I Love a Good Star Burst:
M28/2.8 @f11 star burst

Vivitar 28/2.8 @f11 star burst

Drum Roll:
I picked the M28/2.8, but your milage may vary.

Last edited by Schmidlapper; 01-07-2013 at 06:11 PM. Reason: 100% crop examples added

Docrwm · 01-07-2013, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the direct head-to-head comparison of these two 28mm lenses. The one aspect that you did not mention is color. The pink sweetner packets are the only thing in the photo that I have a clear reference for myself and color on the Viv28 seems to be spot on with the color of the actual packet as I see it with my eyes.

Schmidlapper · 01-07-2013, 06:17 PM

Docrwm while you were looking at it I was editing in 100% crops of my examples so they would be easier to see.

Docrwm · 01-07-2013, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Schmidlapper

Docrwm while you were looking at it I was editing in 100% crops of my examples so they would be easier to see.

I believe you. All I can go on is the image I see and the Viv color seems more true on my screen (which has been adjusted). Glad you like them both.

vonBaloney · 01-07-2013, 09:44 PM

Don't forget the bokeh test! Need a foreground and background...

Schmidlapper · 01-08-2013, 02:43 AM

As soon as I can get outside and not freeze, I will try and set something up.

stevebrot · 01-08-2013, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Schmidlapper

Drum Roll:
I picked the M28/2.8, but your milage may vary.

And vary it might. The M 28/2.8 was actually less expensive than the Vivitar back in the day and neither was an expensive lens. The Vivitar was about $49 USD and the Pentax about $35 USD (street price). The Tamron 28/2.5, on the other hand, was about $100 without the required Adaptall-2 mount!

Steve

stevebrot · 01-08-2013, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Don't forget the bokeh test! Need a foreground and background...

Also, don't forget to check the purple fringe with different focus points. It may well be axial (Lo) CA that may completely disappear if the chrome is in focus.

Steve

Marc Sabatella · 01-12-2013, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

All I can go on is the image I see and the Viv color seems more true on my screen

I see no reason to assign any differences in color have anything to do with lens - it's much more likely a simple matter of the camera picking a slightly different WB.

01-07-2013, 05:52 PM	#1
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534	Comparing my M28/2.8 v1 and Vivitar 28/2.8 k06 Question which of my two manual 28/2.8s do I want to carry? I have both a M28/2.8 version 1, and a Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focus SMS k06 variety considered to be one of the good Vivitar 28s. As I have not seen these two directly compared I decided to test them. I did not have liberty to go out and shot in a controlled fashion so I set up an indoor controlled shot. My test methodology; I chose to shoot both lenses at f2.8, f5.6 and f11 @ iso 80, all from same tripod focusing on same subject (the sign letters) using live view at 10x. I shot with the mirror locked up using a wireless remote, the flash used same settings for both lenses, and no post processing was done. I was surprised at how equally the two lenses actually performed when viewed at 100%. In fact I found only two issues and one preference that I used in order to make a choice. So come on and see. M28/2.8 target @f5.6 (I uploaded TIFFs but they were converted to JPG by photobucket) Vivitar 28/2.8 target @f5.6 (I uploaded TIFFs but they were converted to JPG by photobucket) The Lesser of Two Evils: M28/2.8 @2.8 purple fringe example Vivitar 28/2.8 @2.8 purple fringe example Corner Sharpness Comparison: M28/2.8 @f11 upper right corner sharpness of barcode number Vivitar 28/2.8 @f11 upper right corner sharpness of barcode number I Love a Good Star Burst: M28/2.8 @f11 star burst Vivitar 28/2.8 @f11 star burst Drum Roll: I picked the M28/2.8, but your milage may vary. Last edited by Schmidlapper; 01-07-2013 at 06:11 PM. Reason: 100% crop examples added

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01-07-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Thanks for the direct head-to-head comparison of these two 28mm lenses. The one aspect that you did not mention is color. The pink sweetner packets are the only thing in the photo that I have a clear reference for myself and color on the Viv28 seems to be spot on with the color of the actual packet as I see it with my eyes.

01-07-2013, 06:17 PM	#3
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534 Original Poster	Docrwm while you were looking at it I was editing in 100% crops of my examples so they would be easier to see.

01-07-2013, 06:25 PM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Schmidlapper Docrwm while you were looking at it I was editing in 100% crops of my examples so they would be easier to see. I believe you. All I can go on is the image I see and the Viv color seems more true on my screen (which has been adjusted). Glad you like them both.

01-07-2013, 09:44 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Don't forget the bokeh test! Need a foreground and background...

01-08-2013, 02:43 AM	#6
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534 Original Poster	As soon as I can get outside and not freeze, I will try and set something up.

01-08-2013, 10:07 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Schmidlapper Drum Roll: I picked the M28/2.8, but your milage may vary. And vary it might. The M 28/2.8 was actually less expensive than the Vivitar back in the day and neither was an expensive lens. The Vivitar was about $49 USD and the Pentax about $35 USD (street price). The Tamron 28/2.5, on the other hand, was about $100 without the required Adaptall-2 mount! Steve

01-08-2013, 10:09 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by vonBaloney Don't forget the bokeh test! Need a foreground and background... Also, don't forget to check the purple fringe with different focus points. It may well be axial (Lo) CA that may completely disappear if the chrome is in focus. Steve

01-12-2013, 04:35 PM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Docrwm All I can go on is the image I see and the Viv color seems more true on my screen I see no reason to assign any differences in color have anything to do with lens - it's much more likely a simple matter of the camera picking a slightly different WB.