| Author: | | New Member Registered: December, 2019 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: February 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Astonishing sharpness, absolutely devastating in monochrome. | | Cons: | Get real. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony Nex-7
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Where do you even start with this gem?
I was looking for a decent manual 28mm (ok, on a crop sensor Sony Nex-7) to take some monochrome shots of buildings while on my travels. Having read all of the reviews, I was keeping a close eye out for a Pentax K 28mm and fully expected to pay somewhere in the region of $150-200 for the privilege of purchasing one.
Now, while monitoring ebay for said lens, I spotted a Rikenon XR 28 described as immaculate with original case and caps. It had sat on the auction site for a few days with a buy it now price of $20 and nobody had yet had a nibble. Having read a few of the reviews on here, I thought I'd take a punt. I am so glad I did.
As others have noted, this lens, especially from F4 upwards, is so sharp it will cut you. The contrast is incredible and it almost focuses itself - you barely need to even try, a guess is often enough. I'd have also included some colour files as it renders everything beautifully on that scale too. The only reason I haven't is that I can't be bothered to adjust the raw files to something smaller. Rest assured, it's good. Very good.
If you see one of these, get it and get it immediately. Under no circumstances think twice.
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 1,457 | | Review Date: November 12, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp , great build , looks good | | Cons: | Manual focus | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K20 , K30
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A great little lens ! Overlooked and underrated for sure.
This lens is very sharp at about f8-f11.
One of my favorites next to the SMC-K 35mm 3.5. for general use and Lanscape.
Bokeh is pleasing (to Me) but its best when used with a lens hood as flair can be noticeable.
Excellent overall..................
I paid much higher price for mine than listed , but it was worth it !
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,275 | | Review Date: December 12, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ridiculously sharp (even wide open), excellent color & contrast, good build quality | | Cons: | No "A" setting, manual focus | |
I recently picked this one up from another PF member, and it far exceeded my expectations. The sharpness of this lens is downright amazing, even wide open. Stop it down to f5.6 and you'll cut your eyeballs. It's at least as sharp as my Pentax-A 1.7/50, which is no slouch in the sharpness department.
Color is well-saturated and realistically balanced, and contrast is excellent. The build quality is good, too. The aperture ring moves smoothly with solid click-stops, and the focus ring moves with a smooth, well-damped action.
In short, nothing to complain about here... About the only "cons" (if you can call them that) are that there is no "A" setting, and it's strictly manual focus.
If you're looking for a great performing and cheap 28, and you don't mind an all-manual lens, you won't be disappointed with this one.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2008 Posts: 99 | | Review Date: November 5, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, smooth focus, affordable | | Cons: | all manual, if it is really a con | |
I like Rikenon lenses which I find of great quality for a great price. 28mm 2.8 is not an exception. Very sharp, very easy to focus (noticeably easier than Pentax), nice colors, decent built quality. Amazing lens for such a moderate price. I was able to get better pictures than with DA 40 2.8 Limited. BTW, no evil pin on this lens, comes off with no problem. Grab one before the prices go up. You won't regret.
I give it a 10 not because I am overexcitable but because, in my opinion, this lens deserves it even compared to some of the limiteds.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2014 Posts: 2 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2018 Posts: 42 | | Review Date: August 15, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp,inexpensive,nice build | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Q ,K-50,K2S
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Bought a kit with multiple lenses for 50 $. It came in the bunch. Had issues with the f ring but with a bit of heat from blow dryer everything was good. beautiful build. Nice sharp pics. Why pay more.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Oamaru Posts: 49 | | Review Date: April 24, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $18.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very Sharp, Well built | | Cons: | No Auto-aperture | |
This is a very good prime lens and has very good sharpness.
The built quality is also very sturdy and strong and you can get these for very cheap!
I don't mind using manual lenses but I do wish it had Auto-aperture. Still a great buy if you can find it!
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2009 Posts: 180 | | Review Date: July 15, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp at wide open, easy to carry | | Cons: | Ain't good in handling flare | |
Very nice lens. I got mine in near mint condition. Very sharp at wide open. Shots I took with this lens were very colorful and contrasty. I was very satisfied with the price I paid.... A rare lens indeed.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2014 Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | sharpness, price | | Cons: | flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-R
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a tiny and very cheap wide lens. it's not a large aperture but f2.8 is very good in my opinion. I love it's sharpness at wide open eventhoght i just use wide lens for landscape and sometimes for indoor picture.
This photo take at f2.8 in closest distance. I take this photo in RAW, then just use Camera Raw to convert it into JPG.
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2010 Posts: 47 | | Review Date: March 31, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | Hard to find, color/contrast better on Pentax M 2.8 and 3.5 | |
This is a good lens... I have tested many other third party 28mm lenses and this one only falls behind the Pentax M 2.8 and 3.5 (between those two I cannot tell a big difference, except the 3.5 has more contrast).
It is definitely sharp, and the color is not bad... just not as good as the aforementioned. I gave it to my brother since I have the 2.8 and 3.5.
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