| Author: | | New Member Registered: June, 2008 Location: Pireaus, Greece Posts: 18 | | Review Date: October 30, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $56.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Size, Costruction, Very good Portaits | | Cons: | Little soft wide open | |
Very good construction, all metal. Maybe a little soft wide open adding a dreamy look at portraits.
Fast enough for low light situations. For the money a very good piece of lens. Recommended
All photos are at f/2
added 6 December 2009:
The results at f/2.8 are EXCELLENT!!!! Sharp and great colors!
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 9,830
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Nice construction, easy to focus, very good sharpness | | Cons: | Heavy, Manual focus only | |
I have owned this lens for more than 20 years on film and digital, and it has been an excellent performer. My version has an "A" setting, so metering works in all modes on a digital body. Great, all metal feel and focus feel is a joy. The large maximum aperture makes it easy to focus, and its sharpness is more than acceptable wide open. Stopped down, sharpness is excellent. Color rendition is very natural and snappier in digital than, say, the FA35. It was my go-to low light lens for APS/C, before I picked up the lighter, AF FA35, but I suspect its time will return.
It does a nice job up close and on digital, as well
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,978 | | Review Date: June 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | f2, small size, price, lack of CA/PF | | Cons: | somewhat soft wideopen (but check images below), PK lens needing manual exposure. | |
Well, this lens is an f2 lens at 28mm and there aren't too many fast 28mm lenses that can be had for cheap. Impressive CA/PF control for an old lens.
I have many FA, DA limteds and FA*, so relatively this has to be a 8....rating is all realtive anyways.
The following samples were all take at f2, BUT ALL OF THEM POST-PROCESSED INCLUDING SHARPNESS....I did that, as only care what I can get out of the lens at the end after all post processing.
Included some comparison shots with the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Pentax FA* 28/70/2.8 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/148943-kiron-2...ml#post1557567
More images in this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/148943-kiron-2...-precsion.html | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Paris, France Posts: 3,217
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 30, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | fast, fully metal, sharp @f2, bokeh, "A" version | | Cons: | none so far | |
I got the "A" version of this lense  , so i use it on Av mod almost all the time.
Paid it 30€ (or 40$ or 25£) because the filter area got a choc, so i can't use any filter on it.
A good normal prime for a DSLR.
Optically (tested on a K-x) :
It's good, very good in fact ! i did some "stress test" to look for CA and it has almost none (except if you start doing pixel peeping ...)
It has a 6 blades and so make a hexagonal bokeh if you stop down. fully open, it produce some bokeh in circle, like if you have some dizziness (like the Helios 44 58mm f2 series : https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/KMZ-Helios-44-2-58mm-F-2-for-Pentax.html#review1671 )
Other thing :
Exist in A version (which i own)
The lense is fully metal 
but it's light (250gr. the 18-55 kit lense is about 220gr)
focusing ring and aperture ring are smooth.
55mm is the filter size.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2011 Location: Near Sydney, NSW Posts: 331 | | Review Date: November 21, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $185.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Handles beautifully, well made, sharp at f2, makes things look gorgeous | | Cons: | I actually can't think of what I'd change? If it we f1.4 it'd be great but that'd make it twice the size | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| |
I didn't start the review of this lens thinking I'd rave about it, but now I think about it, I really don't have a complaint? OK mine is not auto aperture so I have to use manual (or always use it wide open) but this is not the lens's fault. Also I was thinking maybe I'd want wider or tighter, but like... It is what it is. Besides 28 is quite nice on dSLR because it equals almost 43 in the old money, and we all know about the FA 43! Also, on that subject, I took some product shots of my 43 with this lens, and they were just perfect. Beautiful bokeh since I was nice and close to the subject, fantastic colours and just the crispness was fantastic. On high contrast (like white lettering on a black lens), f2.0 sort of 'shines' a bit giving the appearance of lack of sharpness, but it's just a CA thing, the sharpness is absolutely there and then at f2.8 that goes away and the sharpness smacks you in the face.
In summary, for ANY lens, but especially an older, small & light FAST lens at this price, it is outstanding, and I'd need to be getting something special to sell it.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 17,291
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 1, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Focuses to Infinity just past 2 meters | | Cons: | Manual focus, no A setting | |
I have had this lens for just a few months and just completed a month of using it in a "Single in Month" challenge, so I have gotten to know it. This is a fine lens. The sharpness of this lens is incredible, I first noticed when I took a night photo with it and zoomed in on some distant objects. So many lenses are sharp on close objects but lose detail on distant objects, with this lens those details are there along with the color. The lens' color rendition is excellent. I've taken quite a few night pictures with this lens and it produces excellent starbursts. Too bright of lights will cause flare, it doesn't have the coating of a modern lens, I have not found that as a problem that I can't work around, I do use a screw on rubber hood with mine.
I have never been very good with manual focusing. But with a K-30 and focus peaking this works great. But even without focus peaking I can use this lens because infinity focus is very short and the focus ring doesn't go past infinity.
I list Manual focus, no A setting as cons, because if this had an A setting it would be better, and if it were autofocus, it would be perfect. But without them it is still a great lens.
I did not list a price because I got this lens at an estate sale with other items, so the price is not representative of it's worth.
Morning Burn Off by ramseybuckeye, on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2013 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 2,444
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness in the center, fast | | Cons: | Sharpness in corners, flare | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 8
| |
I heard many praises about this lens before buying it.
At pixel peeping level I found it perfectly sharp in the center right from f/2.8, but in the corners it never catch up with center, and it's always softer. but that's in Pixel Peeping level! when you look at the photo Normally, it's nice and sharp with good rendering.
It's not flare resistance at all.
Also I didn't like it's Bokeh.
And I found the 28mm focal length an easy and normal FL.
Some photos with this lens:
f/2.8
Breakfast by mtux, on Flickr
f/8, it's flare
The Bench by mtux, on Flickr
An HDR sunset
Sunset by mtux, on Flickr
And a 4 shots pano
Buildings under sunset by mtux, on Flickr
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Posts: 3,882
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 2, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp enough wide open. Very sharp stopped down. | | Cons: | Slightly cooler than natural colour rendering. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I picked the Kiron 28mm up for a very reasonable price in an online auction, hoping that it would serve as a slightly wider f/2.0 alternative to my Super Takumar 35mm/2.0. And the fact that the Kiron can hold its head high in the company of my Takumars is a testament to just how good this lens really is.
It's useably sharp wide open and extremely sharp stopped down, with negligible chromatic aberration that's easily correctable. Out of focus areas aren't rendered with quite the smoothness of the very best (and much more expensive) lenses, but there's nothing objectionable about the bokeh for the price.
The colour rendering on my copy seems slightly on the cool side of natural, but that's easy to tweak in post processing. Contrast is handled quite naturally, without any excessive exaggeration of edge contrast -- at least at wider apertures. Stopped right down there can be a slight over-emphasis along high contrast edges, but that's really nit-picking. And the chances are that you'll mostly be using this lens at wider apertures anyway, where it will give you naturally rendered raw files without any unpleasant exaggeration of contrast or saturation to cope with in post-processing.
I can highly recommend this as a low-light special, at a focal length that works wonderfully well as a fast "normal" on APS-C.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 10, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fine and well built lens in the K mount, colors, sharp | | Cons: | K mount, it needs stop down with green button | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k3
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Jan. 15, 2015 Update:
I got this same lens in PKA, so I will be posting photos of it. I will also describe the difference it makes not having to use the green button for stopping down.
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I have had this lens for more than three years. This is a great lens, I bought it when I could not find the Pentax K28/2.8. Finally, i found the Pentax K, but after few months, I sold it and kept this nice lens. Not because it is shaper than the Pentax K28/2, but because I like the result better. I also have it in the M42 mount under Vivitar. I will be posting photos soon.
 Kiron28mmf2-AfternonLight1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Hall by Palenquero, on Flickr
 The View by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Pupuseria by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Mercado by Palenquero, on Flickr
These samples was taken with the Vivitar version:
 Coconut Oil by Palenquero, on Flickr
 The flower and the bee by Palenquero, on Flickr
 The white flower by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Markers by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Canada Dry by Palenquero, on Flickr
Some more recent photos:
WIDE OPEN f2:
 Watercolorist1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
f4
 Friendly Information by Palenquero, on Flickr
WIDE OPEN f2
 Otra Muerte by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2011 Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 7, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness | | Cons: | non | |
I got a rare PKA version of this lens and it is in near mint condition. It blows away all my other 28mm lens even the M28 f2.
It s just superb sharp as a tack even wide open with great colours and contrast one of my better purchases | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2016 Posts: 41 | | Review Date: April 24, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality f/2 | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3ii and LX etc.
| |
Nice fast wide good for careful compositions and close ups,
bokeh is what it is and the colour rendition a little retro but it's generally superb.
Mine has slightly oily blades but still works ok, might clean it sometime.
Buy one.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2015 Posts: 1 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 27 | | Review Date: May 19, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | sharp stopped down | | Cons: | construction | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 5
Camera Used: Minolta XG-M, Pentax MX
| |
Had a few copies of this lens and all I can conclude is to stay away from it!
If the diaphragm isn`t sticky yet, it will be, but in at least half of the copies the diaphragm is already stuck at full open. Cleaning isn`t such a problem, but the construction simply sucks.
Full open the lens is practically unusable, there is a lot of `blooming` of highlights so stopping down to f2.8 is needed. The results are much better at f2.8 and at f5.6 it might be one of the sharpest 28mm. However it makes no sense to get a f2 lens in case you`re not really using it at f2… all the copies I used were clean, no haze or dust inside.
If you`re interested in getting a Vivitar 28mm f2, try to find the Komine close focusing version since they don`t have the problem with sticky blades, and the close focus distance is a nice bonus. They are much more rare though. Or simply get the Pentax K 28/3.5.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Warsaw Posts: 32 | | Review Date: June 8, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Colors, sharpness, build. | | Cons: | 55mm filter... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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Not to bad, not to best. Generaly well build, small distortion. Some minus point - CA, some lenses is sharpness. But Kino series have a lots of fans ... Because this have a "soul". Is a my beloved 28mm, but they must fight with SMC-K 28mm f/3.5
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2016 Posts: 23
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 11, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $198.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp wide open, fantastic sharp stopped down, excellent contrast, good colours | | Cons: | none for PKA version, manual version blades can be stuck | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-S1, K-3
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This is a review for the PK-A version I have. Not the manual version. I had 2 very nice samples of the manual version but the blades of both stuck.
My information is that Kiron used different oil in the later version with A contacts.
It is a very useful lens, sharpness is sometimes little soft near corners wide open but this makes nice
composition. Stopped down to 2.8 is already super sharp.
Sharpness is one thing but contrast and micro-contrast is for me more important. This is strong ability of this lens, really good contrast.
No problem with chrom. aberation really.
Very strong colours, life like alive, very fresh. A bit like Zeiss Distagon 28mm. Not so much Pentax colours like FA31. Some can find it more cool. But is just different.
built quality is similar to old K-lenses. Smooth focus.
Bokeh: 6 blades make wide open typical hectagonal but round when stopped down which works very well.
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