28mm (old school slr)

[Photog9001]

hi all..

i know this is the rff, so i might be slightly ot posting this here. otoh, from what i've seen and read around here, this place is full of optics enthusiasts, so i wouldn't be surprised if i got just the information i'm after...

so here goes..
i'm looking for a cheap 28mm, and since i currently don't have any rf camera i'd like one in a mount i already have a camera for; canon fd, or konica ar (i'd prefer canon, since that body has a split focus screen).

i have one for the konica, it's quite good, fairly distortion free (which is an important quality for me though i realize i can't be picky about it), but it's an f3.5 lens and focusing it accurately with a prism screen that isn't much good is a pita. because of that, i would like one at least f2.8 bright, preferably faster, and in canon fd mount. i used to have a kiron f2, and the little i used it i was quite impressed, but in the more popular mounts it seems to fetch higher prices than most (otherwise i'd be scouting one in fd mount, in spite of its pronounced barrel distortion). as an alternative i'm wondering if some of the other maker's didn't produce some good ones, tokina, tamron, vivitar etc...

so, to those who know their 28's; which ones do i want, which ones to stay away from?

thanks for all input.
best - th

 

[ferider]

Hi there,

if you want fast and budget, how about adapting an older screw M42 or Pentax lens onto the Canon ?

Roland.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Tamron Adaptall II, 28mm f/2.5. A great lens (IMHO) and adaptable to any camera you like. I have adapters for mine for Canon FD, Nikon AI, Olympus and Leica R.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Why don't you just get a Canon FD 28/2.8 Its probably really cheap and very good.

 

[Livesteamer]

Even cheaper are the old T mount lenses. You have to put up with a preset aperature but there are many fine old lenses available for next to nothing. I used a preset Soligor 28mm f2.8 for many years on my Nikon F. I recently got a T mount in Leica screw and put the old lens on my M6. It was fun but it won't replace my Leica 28mm. Joe

 

[pagpow]

KEH has several FD 28 2.8 starting in the low $30s. Hard to beat for price and quality.

 

[Trius]

There's also the Vivitar 28/2.5. The one I have for my Konica is manufactured by Komine (serial number starts with 27), and is reported to be quite good. I say "reported" because I just got mine and haven't seen results yet. Should be available in FD mount. Which Konica do you have? T4 has split image screen.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

pagpow's right, who bother with off-brand lenses when Canon's excellent lenses are practically free? If it was for Nikon or Olympus, where lenses are still expensive, I'd say sure, go with Vivtar or whatever if money's an issue. Not with FD lenses. Canon lenses are dirt cheap, as cheap as Vivitar in this case.

 

[amateriat]

Canon FD 28 f/2.8 for around $30? Assuming it's at least in "okay" condition, I'd say it's a no-brainer. Flat-out fantastic lens for an SLR.


- Barrett

 

[andredossantos]

I was recently given a TON of FD gear and the glass is all really great. Definitely agree that you should go for a Canon lens and skip the off brand stuff.

One of the lenses I received was the 28mm f/2. While there is some distortion is isn't too bad for random street stuff. Don't know how much these go for but I can't imagine it being too expensive. If you don't need the extra stop Im sure the 2.8 version for $30 is an absolute steal in terms of value.

EDIT: Just remembered I had uploaded some of the test shots I did with the 28mm f/2 to my flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=28mm fd&w=9286123@N04

Sorry about the link but for some reason my iPhone won't paste into the field 🙁

 

[BillBingham2]

Best thing to do is pick it up and run some tests. If you are not happy, swap it at KEH for a different brand and run some tests. At $30 it's a no brainer. If you were looking Nikon I'd know where to point you for a couple of reviews but no idea with Canon glass.

B2 (;->

 

[petronius]

I´d look for the FD 28mm/2,8; another choice would be to get a split screen body for the Hexanon 3,5/28mm. I use this lens with the FS-1 and focusing is very easy.

 

[Photog9001]

thanks everyone for input.

to be honest, i didn't even think of canon. judging by that keh example, it does indeed sound like a no brainer.

i have an old version t3 konica. not looking for another body, though, any konica body might just be even cheaper than that f2.8 canon lens mentioned above.


thanks all for suggestions, or should i say, filling in my mind gaps.


best
th