| Author: | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 9 | | Review Date: November 26, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Takes the "Oscar" for my best lens in my collection | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5. K10D
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Takes prize place in my vast collection of manual vintage pentax lenses
I have 3 of these beauties .
Even the one I have that has some scratches on the lens pushes out stonkinly good sharp images.
So so so sharp after f8
Don't expect bokeh with this lens it just does "sharp"
Better than the 28mm Super Takumar
Need to be a little careful with metering for best results .
Seems to be better on the older sensor of the K10 for crisp landscapes than the CMOS sensor on the K5
I LOVE THIS LENS and worth the extra pennies second hand. I picked mine up for £70
For some strange reason I slapped this on my Canon 30D it hits the sweet spot so good that I have one on the canon all the time . better than any canon lens I have seen even the L lenses .
A MUST have buy. Don't hesitate to buy one if you want sharp images this wins hands down.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: August 5, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $106.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, incredible sharp, build quality, colors | | Cons: | slow | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K20d and K5
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I bought this Lens from a seller on ebay. I must admit it wasn't cheap, but boy it is worth every penny. I use it mainly on my K5 as a small and leight Lens (almost like a limited) for landscape work, which produces astonishing sharp results even wide open.
Other than the majority of reviews, my copy of the SMC M 28 3.5 is all up to my K 28 3.5 and even outperforms it from f3.5 to f5.6.
Even more astonishing is the fact that it beats the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 in all aperture settings! (both focused via Live-View). The only strange thing is its color rendition. During day it produces rich colors full of contrast, but somehow during night or dawn, everything gets a strange blueish rendering which can hardly be compensated by post processing.
Distortion is quite low in its sweet spot (APS-C). It might be an issue on full-frame or film, but i never tested it.
Lens flare seems to be well controlled, however with open aperture contrast is strongly reduced when taking pictures directed towards the sun. Stopped down to f8 the problem is gone.
In terms of Bokeh i say its a 9, simply because you can not expect a f3.5 Lens produce creamy background like a 50 1.2. On the otherhand, for f3.5 it is not nervous.
All in all: comparing its size and sharpness it is the perfect carry-around lens during day time, when more than f3.5 isn't needed anyway. Said that, I will never sell this lens, that's for sure!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2012 Posts: 963 | | Review Date: June 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great Pentax colors, light and small | | Cons: | Slow | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: KX
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I got a mint copy of this lens.
Unfortunately, initially, it wouldn't focus to infinity. A thread here in this forum taught me how to correct the lens.
This lens has also taught me that basic axiom to never judge a lens without a tripod.
I knew that the FOV is good, but at first, I was very disappointed with its resolution and its general softness. Then I tried mounting it on a tripod, and presto! this lens, I discovered, is a keeper.
It's a slow lens, handheld, it will be difficult to get a sharp image especially under artificial lighting, but give it enough light, and it shows its true Pentax colors.
I just love this quirky little beast.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 33 | | Review Date: March 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build quality, saturated colours(!) | | Cons: | Resolution, sharpness | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-30
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This is the kind of lens that you either love or hate. I love it despite it's very serious flaws.
Things I love about it:- As others have mentioned the colours are crazy! It just wants to paint the world bluish purple! It loves the sky and clouds, and just pops them out of the picture
- It's built like a tank. My lens has seen its share of abuse but still works flawlessly.
- Field of view on APS-C. It's pretty much a normal lens on digital
Things that drive me nuts about it- The resolution is simply not good enough for hi res shots. In particular items on the horizon become smudgy and treetops become grass. This is a real shame since otherwise this would be the perfect landscape lens. As it is, you're better of using it for shots taken at 1-15 meter distance.
- No A-mode. Ok, ok, I knew this when I got it, but still it's pretty "slow" to use unless you know how to set the correct exposure everytime (I can't be bothered). I prefer the A-series lenses.
Would I recommend it? Without a question, yes. It's cheap, it makes for some seriously interesting shots and is very usable when you take its "special features" into account. That said, I ended up selling this gem and got the A-series 28mm F2.8 as a replacement, simply because of it's much superior resolution.
Some examples here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apaasi/sets/72157632950500879/ | | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: August, 2011 Posts: 59
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 8, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Unique color rendering (see review) | | Cons: | Depends on user's subjective preferences (see review) | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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First of all, I should say that this lens is not for everyone. If you are looking for a lens which excels in 'normal' areas such as resolution and sharpness, this lens is probably not what you want. In all the standard aspects of lens performance, this lens is solid, but not outstanding.
Instead, the main attraction of this lens is its unique rendering characteristics. Whether it is pleasing to you depends very much on subjective taste. With this note firmly in mind, let's get into the details:
I bought this lens a month ago. I intended it to be my main "wide-normal" lens on the K-5, pairing it with my 21 Limited as my streetscape lenses. My initial observations were:
-Build quality is excellent. It is made completely of metal, just like the other M series lenses. There is no palpable slop or looseness anywhere. The focus ring is as smooth as oiled silk, and well damped. I thought my A 35-105 f/3.5 was well built, but these M series lenses are on another level of quality entirely.
-The lens is very compact, about the same size and weight as a 21 Limited.
-Sharp at all apertures, including wide open. Slight corner softness wide open, disappears by f/4. I have no hesitation at all in using this lens wide open.
-Resolution slightly lower but contrast somewhat higher than the A 50mm f/1.7. This lens cannot compete in resolution with any of the 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7 lenses, neither can it compete with the Limiteds. But it is good enough. If you don't pixel-peep, however, the lens has enough contrast to give a subjective 'feel' of sharpness.
-It seems this lens was corrected for focus distances closer than infinity, because resolution at infinity (in landscape photos, for instance) is not great. At closer ranges (in street photography, for instance), resolution is visibly better. If you are primarily a landscape photographer, this might not be the best lens for you.
-Hardly visible CA in the corners, will not be a problem in prints up to 20" wide. I actually thought it had no CA at all, until I pixel peeped in the extreme corners.
-Very slight barrel distortion, not bothersome in daily use, unless you are an architectural photographer. It has less barrel distortion than the 21 Limited.
-Bokeh tends to be busy and does not much improve on stopping down.
So far, it would seem like this lens is middle-of-the-road, neither excellent nor bad.
But this lens truly grabbed my attention in one way: its very distinctive color rendering. The lens seems to have an affinity for blue/purple colors, and renders them with a luminous richness and depth I have not seen with any other lens. Also, in "tree branches against the sky" situations, this lens has a strong tendency towards blue replacement. This is not purple fringing, it looks very different from purple fringing or CA. What happens is that thin objects contrasted against a bright background ("branches against the sky") appear to take on a subtle bluish tint. Blue replacement is normally undesirable, but with this lens, I found that I liked it. It enhances the rendering of blue tones and imparts what I felt was a filmlike look to images.
Incidentally, the landscape photographer Greg Nyquist has observed that the predecessor of this lens, the "K" 28mm f/3.5, has the same gorgeous rendering of blue tones:
(Non working link removed)
Granted, the "M" version, which I have, is not quite at the same level as the "K" in resolution or contrast. But it shares the same distinctive rendering characteristics. (I actually wanted the "K" version, but could not find one within my budget, at least, not yet. The "M“ is good enough though.)
The color rendering of this lens instantly distinguishes its images from those made with my other lenses. Because of this, I consider it an asset and one of my favorite lenses. However, this is very much a subjective preference.
Thus, my ultimate advice to anyone considering this lens is: try it, you might like it. If you don't, you can always sell it. The adventure of trying is half the fun!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: 14er Country Posts: 323 | | Review Date: October 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $65.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, Light, Optically Very Good | | Cons: | A Little Slow, 5 blade aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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I've thought about this one for awhile before penning my review. There are really only three things I can fault about the M 28mm f3.5.
The first is that the bokeh has a tendency to get nervous, sometimes to the point of being downright ugly. Since I didn't use the lens wide open very much, this wasn't a problem for me. Be advised to watch your backgrounds if you plan to shoot wide open or close to it, though.
The second is probably related to the first, too. The aperture only has five blades, so the bokeh doesn't really improve when stopping down. Additionally, OOF specular highlights turn into pentagons with this lens. It's not my favorite look ever, though some people may appreciate it.
The final complaint is that it's only an f3.5 lens. This is kind of a silly complaint because I bought it knowing full well that it was an f3.5 lens. Still, it surprised me a little bit just how dark it was and how difficult manual focusing became with a slow 28mm lens. Live view can certainly be your friend with this lens.
Beyond those complaints, it's a great, small and light little lens that just makes sharp images. Several of my best photos have been taken with this lens. This is probably my favorite:
Flickr Link | | | | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2009 Posts: 43
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 18, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, extreme macro capabilities when reverse mounted | | Cons: | F3.5 | |
I purchased a used copy of this lens on eBay with the specific intention of using it for extreme macrophotography (i.e. >1:1 magnification ratio) and my review is a direct account of using this lens for macro shots.
Until I purchased this lens, I had been using a SMC-M 50mm F1.7 on a Vivitar 2x macro focusing teleconverter (MFTC) which allowed me to have variable magnification when zooming with the MFTC. The TC has always reduced the sharpness/image quality of the 50mm F1.7 which I finally stopped using this setup because the magnification and sharpness just weren't good enough after a while (see my review of the Vivitar 2x MFTC for sample photos).
After doing some research, I decided to try reverse mounting this 28mm lenses with a cheap 49mm reverse mount adapter ($6) and a set of extension tubes ($9).
The sharpness was instantly noticeable (because of the absence of the extra glass from the MFTC), but the extreme depth of field (DOF) with extreme magnifications is extremely challenging to work with. In particular, the viewfinder is very dark when trying to maximize DOF by stopping down but also from the increased magnification when using the extension tubes. However, this is my new go to macro setup - I use it along with a offcamera flash+sync cord and DIY diffuser to get incredible results.
Here is an example of a ~4:1 macro with the reverse mounted 28mm with ~60mm of extension tubes and an off camera flash.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/5641384889/
And here is a comparison of my old setup (50mm SMC-M F1.7 with a Vivitar 2x macro focusing teleconverter) and my new setup (reverse mounted 28mm SMC-M F3.5 with 60mm of extension tubes):
A 1:1 macro of a 2 cm long nudibranch (sea slug) using the old setup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/3538019378/
In contrast, a ~4:1 macro photo of the same species of nudibranch shot with the new setup.
head: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/5671039191/
back: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/5671605634/
The sharpness of this lens when mounted normally is also something to mention. Doing some rough tests, the centre sharpness at F3.5 is on par with my SMC-M 50mm F1.7 at F4. The obvious disadvantage is that, at its widest (F3.5), it is relatively slower than a lot of the 28mm F2.8 lenses out there. This lens was also slightly rarer and more expensive than their Pentax 28mm F2.8 counterparts when I was in the market to buy one.
Jan.22, 2015 UPDATE:
I recently revisited the potential of this lens in Pet Photography. Opposite to my above comments for macrophotography, a slightly smaller depth-of-field might be more ideal for portraiture, but the results are excellent!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/16131782058/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/16148213149/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwfchu/16156008337/ | | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 109 | | Review Date: April 25, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Size, price, colour rendition, sharpness. | | Cons: | Speed. | |
I had very low expectations for this lens when I picked it up on ebay and boy did it surprise me! As with all M lenses its very solidly built with a nice long throw to the focus ring and when stopped down a little was a great performer. That said I eventually ended up selling the lens a combination of lack of room in my bag and a lack of uses for a slow lens like this meant I hardly ended up using it.
Its worth noting that the max aparture of f3.5 makes for a darker than average image in the viewfinder and can make focusing in low light a bit of a pain.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 | | Review Date: April 12, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Greatest landscape lens | | Cons: | Lack of AF or A | |
I like the sharpness of this lens at all apertures. No CA or vignetting,. Great lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 417 | | Review Date: November 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp | | Cons: | slow-but who shoots wider than the optimum of f5.6? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 7
Value: 10
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Update: I realised I hadn't corrected a review I placed here a while ago. Now I am more systematic with my photography I am really starting to appreciate the capabilities of the M 28/3.5. It is substantially sharper than the 28/2.8, and is one of the sharpest lenses I own, including the likes of a Tamron SP 90/2.5 52B and the Pentax M 50/1.4.
Simply for the price, this is the hugest bargain in the M lens line up. But, you dont really buy lenses because they are cheap. Forgetting about price, just considering sharpness, this lens is truly excellent. The next step is for me to get the SMC Pentax 24/2.8 again (a lens I regret selling) and running a comparison test of the two side by side.
Its difficult to recommend the M 28/3.5 for digital. The reason for saying this is the combination of f3.5 widest aperture with focal length being the equivalent of a normal lens focal length on the APS-C format.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,667
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 27, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $13.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | decent bokeh, nice contrast good colour | | Cons: | none yet | |
pretty much all the reviews above sum this lens up, I just picked it up so these are preliminary impressions from a few test shots, but after reading the others i'm happy. I found it in a junk shop on the walk home and paid $15 cdn no tax, lens is clear, no fungus dust etc, blades are snappy. considering the horrible shape the rest of his lenses were in this was a lucky score. I'll take it to europe thursday and post some pics after the trip.
Edit
I've been using this lens now since September and it is a great little performer. at f8-11 it is incredibly sharp (it's been my lens for Single in January and has not disappointed me) I wouldn't look to it for bokeh shots (i wouldn't really look to this focal length for that anyway) but for wide normal shots of scenery or walk around street shooting it's a great performer I miss the faster speed sometimes but all in all a great performer
some samples
(Non working link removed)
IMGP3020.jpg by Eddie Smith, on Flickr
(Non working link removed)
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2010 Posts: 59 | | Review Date: September 1, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Colors, contrast, sharp, low distortion, flare resistant | | Cons: | Manual focus and aperture, slow | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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I have bought a few SMC M primes over the past months and like this one most (M 135/3.5, M 50/4 macro and M 28/3.5). I use it on a digital body (K-7) mainly with a tripod. Most of the time I stop it down to f5.6 - f8.
The 28/3.5 produces very sharp images even wide open. The colors are excellent and contrast is very good. The colors produced by the 28/3.5 are much more vivid than those produced by the other M lenses I have. It is similar to the DA 15/4 limited in this regard. Contrast and flare resistance are also better. Distortion is very low. The lens is compact and well built except for the lens cap which does its job but is quite cheap. From the lenses I have in my bag this one stays most of the time on my camera (DA 15/4, M28/3.5, M 50/4 macro, M 135/3.5).
Manual focus on this lens is not a problem. Relying on the electronic focus indicator of the K-7 gives good results. With the M 135/3.5 I feel that I have to use live view with magnification often.
Manual aperture has some negative side effect: I don't like the lack of aperture display. When I use the modern DA 15/4 I press the green button instead of the AF button just because I am used to it in M mode with the manual lenses.
I would give it a rating more of 9.5 than 9.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2010 Location: The Black Hills Posts: 1,109 | | Review Date: July 22, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp with nice contrast edge to edge | | Cons: | None, if you don't mind MF and manual exposure | |
I consider this lens to be a very good performer at a very low price. I shoot mostly lanscape type work, and it is fast enough for me. I have found that the next steps up in this focal range gets very expensive. I am thinking of renting a 31mm LTD and do some side by side testing.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Posts: 3,948 | | Review Date: May 9, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Nice weight and balance, very sharp, great colours | | Cons: | Average bokeh | |
This is a gem of a manual focus lens with good build and solid feel. On the newer Pentax smaller DSLR's it is very well balanced. Great focal range for the 1.5 crop APS-C sensor as well. While not a 2.8, realistically, the 3.5 is good enough and this lens is sharp throughout. Terrific walkaround lens. Just a great design.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2007 Location: Cambridge, United States Posts: 57 | | |
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