Forum Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 94 | | Review Date: November 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | UPDATED REVIEW | | Cons: | None at the price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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UPDATE
Below is the original review. Turns out my lens had loose screws in the focus element holder (sorry don't know the technical term!) I tightened them up and the difference is huge - now it is sharp enough for me. CA and other aberrations are certainly evident away from the centre in contrasty light but not a big problem.
It still makes a good paperweight - build quality is superb and I think the 'mushy' aperture ring is down to too much grease, as was evident on opening it up. I was too quick to condemn this lens and although it isn't the most useful (28mm is a funny sort of length on a APS-C sensor) and images at f/2.8 can have some strange bokeh, it is certainly worth the purchase price and it actually looks and feels like a 'proper' lens. Hence I am now recommending it - if you can get it under $10 it's a bargain.
See also: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/242669-hani...ml#post2580964
Original review:
I have the K Mount version and I have no idea if it's the same - I assume it is. Maybe I got a bad one or maybe I haven't found a use for this lens yet (apart from as a paper weight) but I have to say it's one of the worstt lenses I've ever used. Wide open it isn't just soft, it's mushy. Like looking through the bottom of a pint glass after you've had a few. Stopped down to f/8 or f/11 it's acceptably sharp, but I want to use a f/2.8 wide open, otherwise why bother?
I tried this lens inside and out, in low light and bright sun, at every conceivable aperture/speed/distance I could. Outside, anything more than a few feet away is impossible to get in focus. Maybe I'm too obsessed with focus and sharpness but there are so many cheap lenses that are better in that respect.
I picked the best of my test shots and I know it doesn't scream 'cheap lens' and to be fair the lack of distortion, colours and contrast are very good, however there is no option to rate them. I'd give it 10 for colour and contrast as I have not altered this photo, except to crop, resize and use a little unsharp mask.Yes it looks good pretty much across the frame, but I had to put it on my Canon and use Live View to get anywhere near being in focus.
I paid about £7 for it but I'd have been happier at £3. I will persevere with it and hopefully find some use for it.
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New Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: coventry Posts: 11 | | Review Date: August 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | price build picture quality bokek | | Cons: | manual only | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 6
Value: 10
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i picked this up on ebay for a steal. mine is an all black version and pk mount but basically the same.
a true bargain.
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Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: The North of England Posts: 494 | | Review Date: December 25, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $16.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | All metal, f2.8, cheap, nice focus action | | Cons: | All manual | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 6
Value: 8
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I bought this because it was cheap, and because I was intrigued by it. The listing on the auction site said it was a k-mount, but it is actually m42. Mine just had a k adaptor on it so tightly that it took some determination and gentle persuasion to get it off.
The lens is not compact, but it quite pleasingly sized, and has a smooth focus action. I find it very hard to confirm focus using the standard focussing screen in my k-7, but that may not be the fault of the lens.
Mine mounts with a 90 degree offset (the bit that should be at 12 o'clock is at 3 o'clock) but again, that is almost certainly not the fault of the lens. I don't have any other m42 lenses to try the adapter on.
The performance is reasonable considering how old the lens is, and that mine is showing definite signs of use.
Here are some samples - the 'scene' is my sideboard as that was what was in front of me  I'll add better tests later. These are at f5.6
and some 100% crops
bottom corner
centre
For the price I paid I couldn't complain even if it was awful, but actually it's fairly decent, so at this price I have to recommend it if you see one, but it's not worth seeking one out.
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