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SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8

Sharpness 
 8.6
Aberrations 
 8.1
Bokeh 
 7.6
Handling 
 9.2
Value 
 9.3
Reviews Views Date of last review
63 317,617 Sat October 29, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
97% of reviewers $80.69 8.41
SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8

SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8
supersize
SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8
supersize

Description:
This lens is similar to the second version of the smc Pentax-M 28mm F2.8 lens.

SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 5 blades
Optics
7 elements, 7 groups
Mount Variant
KA
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.8
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
30 cm
Max. Magnification
0.13x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 55 ° / 46 °
Full frame: 75 ° / 65 °
Hood
PH-S49 (28/35mm)
Case
Hard case HA-90B
Lens Cap
Plastic clip-on
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 36.5 mm
Weight
170 g
Production Years
1984 to 1988
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-A 1:2.8 28mm
Product Code
22997
Reviews
User reviews
Notes
Lens hood was not included with lens
Features:
Manual FocusAperture RingAutomatic ApertureFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 16-30 of 63
New Member

Registered: February, 2012
Posts: 2

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 25, 2014 Recommended | Price: $82.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: IQ, size, built quality
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K5   

A great standard lens for APS-C – if you can cope without autofocus.
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2013
Posts: 2

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 3, 2013 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: well built, compact size, A mode
Cons: sharpness
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-r   

This lens is compact, lightweight and well built. It produces accurate images with good contrast and nice colours from wide open. Bokeh can be pretty nice for close portraits shots. Not very good sharpness for landscape work.
Can be used as an inexpensive standard walk around lens on aps-c.
   
Inactive Account

Registered: September, 2011
Posts: 6

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 17, 2012 Recommended | Price: $170.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: superb sharpness, contrast, color rendition
Cons: no longer manufactured
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5   

Same optics as M28 ver.2 and F 28. Very sharp lens with excellent contrast, no distortions.

This lens produce sharper images than my short F2.8 zoom.
The short 17-50mm'ish F2.8 zooms also pale in comparison when it comes to contrast.
It works well on new DSLRs like K-5 to take advantage of the added dynamic range ability of the new sensors to achieve images rich in color with great details.
   
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2011
Posts: 118

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 22, 2011 Recommended | Price: $185.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: contrasty, sharp wide open
Cons: none
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 9   

Very sharp lens, one of the sharpest Pentax 28mm.
Same optical formula as late-model M28 and auto-focus F28.

Some reviews rate this sharper than the early M28, some vice versa.
I find it to be sharper wide open than the early-model M28. Some of the differences reported may have been just a matter of sample variations.

It was hard to find a mint copy for sure.
This is to be one of the most-used work-house lens, right next to M50 1.7.

Produces very contrasty pictures even wide open, this is more visible on digital than film.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2010
Posts: 16

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 12, 2011 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros:
Cons:
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10   

I bought this lens in a small shop in Tokyo for 9000 yen. I bought because I was curious. I dinīt own any A lens, and I wanted a manual 28mm prime for street photography and general purpose because I like the 42mm perspective on APSC. I wanted it manual for using it with hyperfocals and focusing zones. My main lens is the DA 35 Limited, which is no very practical for that purpose. I didnīt find many information about this lens, so I decided to risk and just try what it offers. But, at first, I didnīt expect a lot from it... But it surprised me gratefully, and surprises every day. Itīs very sharp at any apertures, specially at f8, have very little aberrations (I didnīt find them significant), very slight distortion (I canīt appreciate) and itīs very compact, light and beautiful. The construction is very good, made almost os metal, the focus ring is surprisingly smooth, I find it very close to a Takumarīs one. The aperture ring is also nice, but I use it on A mode, so this is no relevant for me. Maybe it suffers from some flare, but I didnīt notice, maybe because when the light is too strong I use a metal hood. In normal conditions whiteout hood I downīt notice flare yet. I find the bokeh and sharpness is really pleasant at full aperture, but maybe when you stop it down the bokeh can be harsh because of the 5 aperture blades. I donīt know, because I donīt want it for its bokeh or close-up capabilities. I think this lens takes some colors without saturation, more "realistic", but I think this is not necessary bad, and you can always add saturation on your PC.

I think itīs a very nice lens, very beautiful, with nice design, compact, lightweight, and very useful and versatile. Itīs manual focus, but in my case this was irrelevant. Itīs very sharp and it gives a very nice image quality. It fits very well on my K-5 and I love it. I highly recommend it, because itīs very good and very cheap.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2013
Posts: 14

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 29, 2022 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: very sharp lens
Cons: nothing (besides some few flare wide open against the light)
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 7    Value: 10    Camera Used: pentax k-5 k-x k200 k-s1 Fuji x-t100 x-e1   

I've got two copies of PENTAX 2.8/28 lenses, the M- and the A-version.

+++/++ extremely sharp with f5.6-11

++/+ CAs well corrected

++ no distorsion

++ neutral color rendition

++ nice macro abilities in retro poistion

o/+ some few flare wide open

My digital cameras are all fitted to highest constrast, sharpness, and color saturation.

************************************************************************************************

With 24 MP (fujifim X-T100) my personal measurements of sharpness reach 95 LP/mm = 190 black and white lines per mm - this is an abolutely professional value (the sharpest lens until now) at f 8 and 100 ISO.

************************************************************************************************
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2017
Location: Ronneburg
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: February 17, 2022 Recommended | Price: $102.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: A-Setting lens, easy handling,
Cons: CA wide open
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-3,K-30;MX,MZ-5n   

This is a well, compact lens. I'd have no problem making very good images with it.

If you need the corners very sharp, stop down a little.

Used properly, it's sharp! /5.6: Sharp all over. to f/8: Optimum; very sharp

Focus is easy. I can do it with one firm finger.

CA: There's some coma at f/2.8 and f/4. Its gone by f/5.6.

Satisfactory and useful on digital cameras, better on analogue that's what it's built for.
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2020
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 3

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 21, 2021 Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 4 

 
Pros: Fantastic barrel design, easy focus
Cons: Flat rendition, very uninspiring, poor corner definition, instantly forgettable.
Sharpness: 4    Aberrations: 4    Bokeh: 4    Handling: 9    Camera Used: MZ5n/MX   

Note - I used this lens only with film, NOT digital.

Compared to the any Nikkor 28mm lens I have used, plus also the Zuiko 2.8, this Pentax is just.............well, it's hard to drum up any enthusiasm about it. It was just pedestrian to me.

The form factor was great - good looking, easy to use (the A range to me at least handle better than any M lens - I have large hands). But that's all. Oh - and the 'A' setting meant that I could use it on my MZ5n to get that fantastic, infallible 6 segment meter.

Some have said that Pentax uses the same optics in its F AF version. Really? No way.

All I remember getting is flat looking prints and slides even if I used hyperfocal focussing.

No - I'd advise you to miss this one unless you are really on a budget.
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 4, 2021 Recommended | Price: $56.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: tack sharp images, v.nice Bokeh, low price, great build quality
Cons: nothing to complain about if you get a good example
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K1 1   

I have just acquired a K1-1 FF body and started using my 35mm DA and 50mm DA Prime lenses in FF mode but wanted a 28mm mainly for close-up work and had a tight budget so started looking for an old Pentax "film" camera lens. The Forum members gave the Pentax A f/2.8 28mm pretty good reviews and the example I bought was in "as new" condition. Popping it onto the body and setting in A mode this works a treat. Manual Focus is eased with the K1's red flash in the viewfinder markings when you have hit the focus correctly and Auto or Av mode (so far) give tack sharp images with great soft Bokeh in close-up use. It seems sharper than the DA 50 and equivalent or better than the DA 35 with great realistic colour rendition and little visible CA. I have seen no evidence of the quoted vignetting but have probably not needed to fully open up the F-stop with the test images I have taken to-date. Overall this seems to be excellent VFM, great IQ, very little CA and lovely soft Bokeh.

Build quality of these older lenses seem much higher than current "kit lenses" and semi-pro lenses with metal bodies and lovely damped focusing, though must admit the cheap plastic bodied DA 35 and DA 50's actually work fine and are also good VFM.

My old SLR favourite as a walk around lens was a 28 or 35mm - latterly mainly a lovely 35mm Prime (on a Minolta X700), but on my K5 DSLR this would obviously be x 1.5 so the DA 35mm is actually a 47,5mm equivalent. so almost a 50mm. I have not tried this 28mm back onto the APS-C K5 retrospectively to use as an effectively 35mm prime (like my old Minolta) , but will give it a go. I do have a Pentax M SMC 50mm f/1.4 that used to be fine on my partner's MX and my K1000, but seems rather poor CA on the K5 or K1, but the Pentax A 28mm seems MUCH better in terms of sharpness of image and CA.

So, this lens is, for me, "a keeper" and a great extra FF lens at remarkably low cost.
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2019
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 18, 2020 Recommended | Price: $15.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Centre sharpness, colours, contrast
Cons: Field curvature, corner aberrations
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 8    Camera Used: Sony a7   

A special, if somewhat flawed lens. I usually find using a 28mm boring but theres something about this one....... The colours and contrast are fantastic throughout the aperature range and the centre is impressively sharp wide open too. Its nice and light too, fairly compact but not as much so as some other A lenses. It also resists flare pretty well even without a hood. It is however rather let down but the field curvature which makes it almost impossible to take totally sharp landscapes, the CA can also be quite bad in the corners.

Dont know what it is about this lens but the results are more than the sum of its parts. A special 28mm for me.


   
New Member

Registered: June, 2017
Posts: 2

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 2, 2017 Recommended | Price: $95.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: build quality,sharp
Cons: NON
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 9    Camera Used: K3-2   

I love it!
I think I can shoot a wonderful sight.








https://www.flickr.com/photos/139049399@N07/shares/m15rV4

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139049399@N07/shares/GP59NY

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139049399@N07/shares/ZUM1sp

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139049399@N07/shares/8629K0

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1LCdhf
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2014
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 890

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 19, 2014 Recommended | Price: $85.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Compact. Pretty Sharp. Relatively fast. A setting
Cons: Focus ring is a tiny bit loose feeling
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9    Camera Used: K500   

Needed a little bit wider FOV than my 35 or 50 could give me and I didn't want to reach for my DA 18-55 zoom. This lens certainly fits the bill. Over-all very nice contrast and good sharpness across almost all stops. Provides a nice and aesthetic softness but it is not at the expense of color, contrast or sharpness. Contradictory, I know, but it is something you have to see to understand. It's a good thing. Color rendition is like most Pentax -- excellent. The Focus ring seems a tiny bit loosey/goosey but it still instills the feeling of a well built lens. There are some pretty good 28/2.8 lenses out there from Sigma and Vivitar, etc.; however, the Pentax-A 28/2.8 should be on your list if you are looking for a a quality lens to give you a bit more FOV.

IMGP0726 by Ripper2860, on Flickr
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2013
Posts: 62

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 26, 2013 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: solid body, clear image. just good lens
Cons: not detected
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: LX, K-30   

wide angle at FF, slightly wide (EFL 42mm) at crop (K-30)
has an A-setting of aperture dial ring, so fully compatible with DSLR.

using it for indoor or open-space outdoor.

overall not complaints. images has very good quality, sharpness and nice-enough bokeh.
i think from K-KA manual 28mm lens it is one of the best.

using it often, with no doubt.
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2013
Posts: 2

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 23, 2013 Recommended | Price: $125.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Small, sharp, easy focus, controlled flare
Cons:
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 9    Camera Used: Pentax 35mm   

I really liked this lens - lost it on a mountainside in the Canadian Rockies in the late '80s. As I recall, it handled really well, easy to focus, good sharpness. Good scenic lens in the film era. It seemed to handle flare really well - winter skiing shots pointed into the sun produced nice results. Very disappointed when I lost it - should have bought another one.

The only real drawback I remember is that f2.8 was slow for indoor use, and I ended up using my 50mm 1.7 more often for that. Oh, the limitations of film....
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2012
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 16, 2013 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: small, build quality, A
Cons:
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5   

An inexpensive wide lens. Applicable Terms of use for regular lighting with very good results. Someone might not mind the lack of AF, but no problem for me. The lens is very sharp from f4 to f22 are visible defects in the form of image aberrations. This lens I would recommend it to everyone that does not require professional results in low light conditions

Some pictures:

Lagoon
Water Slide
Butterfly
Add Review of SMC Pentax-A 28mm F2.8



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