| Author: | | 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
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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.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 134 | | Review Date: February 23, 2007 | Not Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 4 |
| Pros: | manual focusing and build | | Cons: | lacks contrast, image quality is blah | |
Bought this lens quite cheap and in excellent condition.
Manual focusing is a treat but I never warmed up to this lens.
Image-wise, I find it a bit bland and definitely nothing special in comparison to the FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5 zoom, which is only marginally slower at the same focal length and a lot more versatile. (but has a crappy focusing ring)
Maybe my copy is defective, but I would say unless you have a manual focusing fetish, or are on a tight budget, there are better alternatives out there.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2018 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: August 16, 2018 | Not Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | compact and good build, cheapü | | Cons: | not good enough on digital | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 9
Value: 7
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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I was rather disappointed with this lens. Got it cheap in a good condition and compared it with the 18-55 WR (tested it with F8). The good thing is, that I now appreciate much more my 18-55 because it is so much better, especially in the centre. In the corners there was a small advantage for the full frame 28mm but that doesn't justify using it.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 15
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 5, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Small, light, does what it does | | Cons: | Tends to attract dust and haze. Plas-sticky | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 7
Camera Used: Film
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I've had one through the years on film cameras, so I'm not getting confused between the actual lens performance and a digital processor plus sensor then a heap of on-camera picture quality adjustment software systems, followed by an online editing software suite to get my images.
It's a really nice lens, but it tends to lack the solid metal feel of the "M" series version. Quite a few "A" series lenses have plastic parts inside and outside. They also wear out faster, developing wobbles and wear in most of the moving parts. That's kind of acceptable when you realise they are decades old. What you also have to keep in mind is that servicing an old "A" Series lens can be risky as some parts can break more easily than the better-built "M" lenses.
I think a lot of people have good and bad views on this lens because they are not realising that a lens can look internally clean, while being a mess inside when it comes to wide angle designs. A lot of people assume they can simply "look into" a lens and see haze and dust; you cannot, especially with a wide angle that tends to have small diameter and highly magnifying optics. You need to carefully shine an LED light through it - never looking directly at the light beam - to see the real muck and haze inside. As with most sub-50mm lenses, it's not the easiest of lenses to clean out. And Pentax seem to have made these with glass that tends to fog and that is hard to clean up. Get a dirty one and you will have bad images, so seek guarantees from your seller and make sure you can return it if it's full of blue foggy haze or masses of dust. Dust tends to cluster on the lens system around the aperture blades; caused by wear on their movement through the decades. Get a clean one and it will be 8, 9 or 10/10 for image quality.
As with all lenses it is sharpest for most of the images across the centre-to-corners at f5.6 to f11. And it performs very similar to the "M" Series version in most situations. Outside of that range this lens stays sharp with only minor softening; pretty much what any sane mind would find 100% acceptable.
Easy to work (yep, you simply turn the rings) this is a great lens. It's such a pity so many sellers force buyers to fork out a small fortune on auction sites, and it's more of a pity some buyers fork out that much cash. $40-ish is a reasonable price. Over that and you are clearly rolling in cash and may as well save a bit more and buy a Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 83
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 2, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Not very expensive, well built, small, A mode | | Cons: | Not as sharp as expected | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 8
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A few shots
Pentax K-5 - 1/80sec - F4.0 - ISO 100 - Auto white balance - spot meter - tripod
Now a few pics with 1, 2, 3 extension tubes with different settings. The lens was not reverse mounted. The quality may not be the best since I have not a macro rail to fine focus . The full size pics are on flickr.
In the next pic the lens was reverse mounted on 2 extension tubes. The subject it's a Dionaea Muscipula sensor more or less the size of a Human hair.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xz1pics/sets/72157634903950036/
Enjoy
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2011 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 20, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | 42mm on DSLR, A-setting, nice when stopped down, small | | Cons: | overall build, loose focus ring, bit hard to focus accurately | |
I have bought this lens due to two reasons. Firstly I wanted to try A lens (after two M lenses I already had). Secondly I wanted to get as close to 50mm on DSLD (K20D) as I can without buying more expensive and harder to get 35mm lens.
I was already spoiled with M50/1.7 and M75-150/4 so when it arrived I was less than thrilled with overall quality of A28/2.8. It doesn't feel as sturdy as M50/1.7. Moreover focusing ring works in some uneven manner (bit loose at 0.7m, at least my one) and it just breaks loose while I press the shutter so it is possible to accidentally turn it then. Also it is not as sharp as my both M lenses... In fact due to loose focusing ring and not-so-sharp images at first I thought that I have got damaged lens.
I am overall pleased with performance I got however. It's small. It is 42mm on DSLR, which renders really nice view. It gives nice colors and details (if you won't miss focus) too. The A-setting (along with exposure compensation) allows to get accurate exposition in vast majority of shots which really makes quite a difference from "slower to operate" M lenses. Additionally at f2.8 you can take some hand-held photos in dim light quite easily. And it has not so bad bokeh too.
All in all this is my choice for general walk-around lens for now.
evening:
low light, high iso:
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 1,910 | | Review Date: July 30, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | compact, sharp, useful for reverse macro | | Cons: | plastic build elements, focus ring can come loose | |
This really is a nice little lens for budget shooting. it's sharp, it's snappy, it's compact. It's color rendition is fine, and 28mm is a useful focal length, being somewhat wide on APS-C. It's also a full frame lens.
It's lack of auto focus means that I'm unlikely to put this in the camera bag, let alone on the camera, and will shoot with my DA* 16-50 instead.
I picked up my copy to reverse mount for macro, and for that, it's focal length is great.
If you're looking for a budget way to try out faster glass, this is a great start. They're common and cheap.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,851
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 4, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color rendition, auto-diaphragm | | Cons: | construction - CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: MZ7 - K5IIs
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I got a "faulty" version of this lens. The diaphragm ring is stuck in A; which seems to be a common fault.
That is not a problem with the MZ or the Digital cameras but is a problem in manual cameras.
Works great in every mode in the DSLR
Lens is well built, with the colorful distance scale and the hyperfocal marked in orange.
Focusing is silky smooth and precise
Image quality is similar to the M-28mm/2.8
Pictures are sharp, especially at F/5.6 - 11, with some difraction after F/16
Colors are nicely rendered. Bokeh is neutral.
There is some coma wide open, and corners can be soft in 35mm but not on APS-C
Not much purple fringing even wide open.
PS in the K3-III the purple and red fringing is very noticeable, I changed the rate of the lens based on that
Excellent lens!
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 2, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Small, good build quality, sharp from f/4, excellent (very modern) rendering | | Cons: | Soft wide open, over-exposes | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K3, 35mm film SLRs
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I got this lens as part of a bundle that I bought mostly for the A 50mm f/2.8 macro and didn't expect much of it, as I've read that the M series 28mm f/2.8 mark II has the same optics and I was never really impressed with that lens, despite reviews.
However, I gave it a chance and have been pleasantly surprised by the photos it's capable of producing. I like lenses that are f/2.8 max aperture to be sharp at that setting as it's not that fast in the scheme of things, and that's really the only major disappointing aspect of this lens. Wide open it's pretty soft so I never use it there. However, stop down just one to f/4 and it's very sharp indeed, so I regard it as an f/4 lens and use it as such.
Ignoring the wide open softness this lens has superb IQ characterised by great sharpness and a very modern rendering, by which I mean very strong contrast and bold, saturated colours, and produces results which look like those from the best modern glass (such as DA limiteds).
Bokeh is quite poor, but 28mm f/2.8 lenses usually are.
The lens is well constructed (much better than the more common A 50mm f/1.7) with smooth aperture and focus rings and is pleasant to use. In the A setting it tends to over-expose (by about 2/3 of a stop) and I suspect it's doing so also on the film cameras I've used it with (mainly an MX). Easy to compensate for once you're aware of it.
This is very good lens which is handy to have around, especially when travelling as it makes a good small, normal-ish prime on an APS-C DSLR and a good wide-angle on film, and I've had it with for my last couple of major trips. It's let down by it's performance wide open and little else.
Some sample images.
Florence by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP9580a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP3737a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP0270a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Osaka by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP0074a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP3754a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2017 Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 22, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, A setting for aperture | | Cons: | Not super sharp. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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I've owned this lens since the mid 80's. Although I don't consider it to be particularly sharp I used it regularly in the film era and since it's my favourite focal length for aps-c, I use it even more now.
It has good contrast and pleasant colour and if I don't go overboard cropping images the sharpness is acceptable.
I've adjusted infinity focus on it and I'm satisfied with the results I'm getting. Quite often there are Pentax-M, Tokina and Rikenon versions available on CL from $20 to $70C but I'm not tempted because I don't feel there's a chance of much improvement.
I've included four sample images in the review.
The first is of an through-arch bridge over the Fraser River. Even though it's taken through a window it shows infinity sharpness at f5.6.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135991508@N02/30713312553/
The second is of an elderly gentleman standing at a community bookshare station. It shows sharpness at f2.8.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135991508@N02/31402699105/
The third is an overhead shot at an ocean pier showing some people in the process of leaving after a public baptism ceremony while others are still engaged in conversation. The person of focus is a young man on the left side of the frame looking across the gathering to the horizon. It's shot at f6.3 and has good sharpness edge to edge.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135991508@N02/30162970264/
The fourth illustrates its close focus and bokeh capability. Here the subject is of a small figure in an display case outside a local toy store.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135991508@N02/32311652305/ | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: December, 2016 Location: Silverstone Posts: 331
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 26, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, cheap to buy, lightweight | | Cons: | Low saturation, low contrast, flare | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-S2
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My copy of this lens was found on eBay for £45. It has turned out to be quite a good performer, well worth the modest outlay, but it needs more "work" in PP than my modern lenses..
Sharpness is good at f/4, very good after f/5.6. It's a bit soft wide open, as others have commented.
It cannot handle flare like a modern lens, so never leaves the bag without a hood. I use the hood for a 50mm FF lens, reflecting the standard FOV that this lens has on APS-C.
This lens naturally delivers RAW files with lowish contrast and saturation, by modern standards.
I find that the easiest way to overcome this is to switch to one of the reversal film profiles in Silkypix. I generally use Film Colour V1 or V2, tweak up the saturation a little and enhance the contrast one notch.
Here's a sample shot, processed as above, without any distortion correction but with Silkypix's default sharpening, etc. The location is Stowe House, near Buckingham in the UK. Go visit...
It is very light, coming from the days when Pentax strove to be the smallest and lightest. I really like that in a lens.
I may keep it, I may not. It's chief rival in my hiking bag is an A24/2.8...
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $68.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Decent build, speed, optics and handling. | | Cons: | Not as good as any “K” Series 28mm to 30mm lens. | | Camera Used: Pentax film bodies (K1000, KM, KX, K2, K2DMD, MX, LX, Super A, P50)
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The A28/2.8 was released in 1984 and remained in production until 1988. It was a direct replacement for the M28/2.8 V2. The similar Auto focus F28/2.8 was available alongside the A28/2.8 from 1987 onwards. All three lenses have the same optical design.
Optics:
Decent optics and the A28/2.8 is the sharpest from f/8 to f/11. The A28/2.8 is a bit soft wide open and in the corners, there is also noticeable distortion which is typical of a wide angle lens with no “AL” element.
Focal Length:
Back in the film days this was the most popular wide angle focal length for anyone starting photography. Very useful for landscape/street shooting. On APS-C you get the FOV of what the FA43/1.9 is like on FF, more of a “normal” lens.
Build:
Better built than my newer FA series lenses, but not as good as any K/M Series lens I own. There are no issues with the aperture ring on this “A” Series lens, like there is with the 50/1.7.
Usage/Handling:
The A28/2.8 is a nicely sized well balanced lens that is easy to handle. I have no issues manually focusing the A28/2.8 or using the aperture ring. The A28/2.8 also has an excellent distance scale for hyper focal focusing and size wise is a great lens to travel with.
The A28/2.8 has a 49mm filter ring, which is common for any “M” or ”A” Series lens in the wide to short telephoto focal range.
The A28/2.8 uses the 49mm square plastic clip-on lens hood that also works with any “M” or “A” Series wide angle 28mm or 35mm lens. This hood also comes with a leather case. The A28/2.8 uses the HA-90B hard or the S70-70 soft lens case.
Speed:
F/2.8 is average for a wide angle lens, so no issues here. There were also faster f2.0 28mm lenses and slower f3.5, so f2.8 is a good compromise at a reasonable price.
The A28/2.8 vs my other similar FL wide angle primes:
I also own the K28/2.0, K28/3.5 and the K30/2.8.
- The K28/2.0 is better than the A28/2.8 in all aspects, other than if you want a smaller 28mm lens at a cheaper price.
- The K28/3.5 has slightly better overall optics and is better built, with a nicer “meaty” feel to it. (Though some may find the K28/3.5 too big) The A28/2.8 however is 2/3 of a stop faster, so it’s better for lower light shooting.
- The K30/2.8 has better optics and is better built compared to the A28/2.8. Both are about the same size, with the K30/2.8 being a bit heavier.
I would rank/rate them in this order: 1) K28/2.0 - 10, 2) K30/2.8 – 9.5, 3) K28/3.5 - 9 and 4) A28/2.8 – 8.5.
Summary:
I bought the A28/2.8 as I’m building a 49mm filter thread lens kit for travelling and was missing a wide angle. (I now have a wide angle companion for my FA43/1.9 & FA77/1.8) This cuts down on the number of filters I need to carry when I shoot both colour and b+w film on the same trip.
Even though I rank the A28/2.8 last amongst my 28mm to 30mm lenses, it’s still a good small wide angle lens for travelling that you can find at a reasonable price.
Overall I rate the A28/2.8 an 8.5 out of 10.
Price:
I bought my A28/2.8 from a local camera stores used section and paid $90 CDN. It was in excellent + condition.
Sample shots taken with the A28/2.8. Photos are medium resolution scans from original negatives and slides. The first shot was taken in Vancouver and the second in Brooklyn, NY.
Camera: ME Film: Ilford FP4+ ISO: 125
Camera: K2DMD Film: Fuji Provia 100F ISO: 100
 | | | | | PEG Moderator Registered: August, 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Posts: 57,815
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 23, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Ideal "Street Photography" length lens on FF | | Cons: | Perhaps not the sharpest tool in the box, but good enough when stopped down a bit | |
The FF K1 made me buy it, ideal focal length for "Street" work". 
A wee example taken recently... 
 | | | | | 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
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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.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2013 Location: Lima-Peru Posts: 118
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, Good IQ | | Cons: | non for the proce | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: pentax k.30
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This is a great lense for the price, i just try it today, and well an image is worth a thousand words.
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;)
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