Best affordable 28 2.0?

[nickthetasmaniac]

I really, really like my SMC-M 28/f2 - depending on the day of the week it's probably my all time favourite lens.

Compared to a lot of the Pentax M series stuff it's not tiny (significantly bigger than the M f2.8 version), and if you stick it on a K series body you will be handling a decent chunk of metal and glass...

'Affordable' is relative... Mine was one of my more expensive Pentax lenses (second to the K50/f1.2), but much cheaper than any of my M-mount glass. Either way I've seen them come up for a lot less than 400€ (mine was 250usd). They're not common, but shop around and they certainly come up.

 

[kuuan]

How about a Kiron? As it happens, mine is a Pentax K mount, and here's a couple samples shot on a Pentax K2...

just as you sample shows, sharpness until corners of the Kiron ( also of my Vivitar made by Kiron ) is quite impressive

 

[Fixcinater]

+1 for the Vivitar 28/2. Cleaning the aperture blades of oil is an easy task so could be found very cheap if you aren't afraid of some simple work. The 24/2 is also very good.

I have an Canon FD 24/2, zero issues and a better lens than the Vivitar. Not that my sample size means anything but your fear may be a bit overblown compared to reality.

 

[Flat Twin]

I really like my old Nikkor-N 28/2, it didn't cost very much, it's beautifully made and the images always please... I always wanted the Pentax 28mm f2.0 but haven't got there yet!

Nikon F2SB - Nikkor-N 28mm f2.0 (Non Ai) - Kodak TMY2 400


Le Pont du Gard. Nimes, France. by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[eric4]

I like my Pentax SMC-A 28mm f2 as well as my 31mm 1.8 Limited. They both feel nice in the hand, and deliver solid IQ on my K-1. If you do find the SMC-A, make sure there are clear photos of the glass, as I've seen copies with white bubbles forming.

A lens that is an excellent bang for your buck is the Kiron 28 f2. I've seen them sell for ~$30 on the big auction site

 

[Flat Twin]

Hand held at full aperture. About 1/15th sec at f2.0

Nikon F3P - Nikkor-N 28mm f2.0


Saint Seine L'Abbaye. France, April 2017 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[Flat Twin]

Nikon F2SB - Nikkor-N 28mm f2.0 - Kodak TMY2 400


Le Pont du Garde, Nimes, France. by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[ptpdprinter]

The advantage of the Olympus 28mm f2.0 lens is that you could use the single digit OM cameras. The OM1/2 viewfinders are large and bright and the OM3/4 with the 2-4/2-13 screens are exceptionally bright.

 

[raid]

+1 for the Vivitar 28/2. Cleaning the aperture blades of oil is an easy task so could be found very cheap if you aren't afraid of some simple work. The 24/2 is also very good.

I have an Canon FD 24/2, zero issues and a better lens than the Vivitar. Not that my sample size means anything but your fear may be a bit overblown compared to reality.

I have used Canon FD lenses for over 20 years without any issues at all. If you want to use the 28/2 on a Leica camera, the Canon is most useful.

 

[retinax]

Thank you all!
The Canon ltm adapter is a good point, Raid. But although I would love a 28 on RF and and am as of late quite confident in my scale focusing abilities, with a wide lens I feel the close focus/framing ability of an SLR is more important for me.
Seems that all the different lenses are recommended, too bad, I was hoping to eliminate some possibilities

.
In earnest though, this makes me lean towards the systems that I already have bits of: perhaps Pentax K, with aforementioned reservations, or Minolta or M42. For the latter two I have 50 1.4s, I haven't really tested them, but think I like the Minolta a little better, and I would like to try both the Minolta 100 2.5 and the Jupiter 9. The samples from the Vivitar 28/1.9 even seem to have a character that would go well with the Jupiter 9, a bit glowy wide open and with somewhat melty, if busy, OOF. And I like Spotmatics a lot except for the hard to find diopter eyepieces. Ha I think I've made my decision. Almost. This isn't urgent anyway.

 

[Sumarongi]

Ha I think I've made my decision. Almost. This isn't urgent anyway.

Now, after half a year, is there a final decision? 🙂

 

[retinax]

Now, after half a year, is there a final decision? 🙂

Yes, Minolta it is. I've finally found a working XD-7 body (which needs repair and adjustment of the mirror stop, as I've posted in the repair forum) which is ergonomically close to perfect for me, a 35/1.8 has found me, as has a 28 2.8, and a deal on a Voigtländer Ultron 28/1.9 came along so that fills that spot for now, because I the last version Minolta 28 2.0 that I want never shows up on ebay or anywhere. No hurry.
Trouble is I can't seem to let go the Pentax MX and Spotmactic after all...

 

[narsuitus]

Trouble is I can't seem to let go the Pentax MX and Spotmactic after all...

Holding onto Pentax MX and Spotmatic cameras is no trouble at all. I primarily shoot Leica and Nikon but hold onto my Pentax ME and Spotmatic cameras because they are so darn good and useful.


Small 35mm film Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[retinax]

Holding onto Pentax MX and Spotmatic cameras is no trouble at all. I primarily shoot Leica and Nikon but hold onto my Pentax ME and Spotmatic cameras because they are so darn good and useful.


Small 35mm film Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

You're right, what I meant is that I've come to the same conclusion, I like having them, handling them, thinking I'll use them at some point... however I don't see myself as a collector so having unused gear is also annoying in a way, a bit of cognitive dissonance I guess.