Pentacon Prakticar 2.8/24 MC

[Anu]

I got this baby today for a humane price of 30-40 euros. There is basicly nothing in the interwebs about this lens, so I was wondering if the good folks here know a bit about the lens. Is it some super rare prototype production item, or maybe rebadged Leitz or Lomo?

This lens is M42-screw mount lens. However, it may have been factory converted (or otherwise very professionally converted) from some other mount (B-bayonet?) as the distance scale has little to do with the actual focus distance - while the minimum focus is indicated properly (18 cm), infinity is reached at the 50 cm mark. Or maybe the gearing has been changed for whatever reason at some point.

The lens is... ops, was auto aperture only lens with no manual switch, so I had to destroy the lens to make it fully usable on a digital camera. So now it is fully manual lens.

Build quality is quite good and solid, only the aperture ring is slightly wobbly (a bit like CZJ-rings). And the lens is compact, which is a feature I like, though the filter ring is 52mm, which I don't like as most my lenses share 49mm ring.

Optically the lens is far better than I expected - I have the Pentax K20D, a high pixel density APS-C camera, so bear this in mind. I was expecting something similar to image quality of typical 'kit-lenses', but instead the lens proved to be capable of producing stunning quality. Already wide open most of the image is very sharp and it just gets better.

Bokeh wide open seems good, again better than expected. I took most of the test shots wide open as I didn't have proper screw driver earlier today to open the baby up and force those aperture blades to move, so can't reallly tell anything about bokeh on smaller apertures.

Contrast seems very strong, but haven't really tested it much - but some of my test shots showed much more contrast than my bare eyes do.

Distortions seem to be quite well controlled. There is little barrell distortion, but nothing to worry about.

There are a couple of flaws, when it comes to IQ, as well:

First, there are some chromatic aberrations - Lightroom took care of that easily, so not a big deal.

Second, flaring can be a problem. It was such a dull day out today that I couldn't really point the camera at the sun as I didn't see where the big fireball was, but still a couple of test shots did show surprising flaring issue. However, I must confess, that I did not use a hood (as it was not sunny at all, besides I don't have a 52mm hood).

If you can find this very rare lens and can live with the flare, I highly recommend buying it - I no longer have the thirst for the wide Flektogons as this lens is simply stunning (on APS-C), especially for the price.

It seems like my question of the lens turned into a small review. I will try to post samples someday, if I remember. Anyhow, here are to images of the lens - I hope someone can provide me with information regarding this lens.

[mflex-on]

I suppose it is a part from Japanese production - sigma alike.

[Attila]

I never seen any +1 this is Japanese lens. Nice to know it's quality is good. These kind of lenses quality is very mixed I found excellent ones and crappy ones too.
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Items on sale on Ebay

35mm: Konica A4, Konica IIIA, Konica FC-1
MF: Konica Pearl I,II,III 6x4,5 Konica Semi Pearl
Film: Foma,Kodak, Fuji DIY development C41, FOMA LQR
Scan: Epson V500, scanassist (http://www.scanassist.org)
Shutter tester: LCD tester from member vfmoto
Digital: Panasonic G1, Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX100
Lenses: Konica Hexanons,Carl Zeiss,Carl Zeiss Jena,Meyer-Optik,Minolta MD,Yashica ML,Nikon,Olympus OM
DIY E-6,C41 and B&W

[koji]

The last time (a couple of weeks ago) I peeked eBay, there was one
for a sale. No one took it.

This lens is made by Sigma (so people said), nothing other I know of.

If the photo made by this lens is "stunning" quality, I may get it too.
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[Anu]

Here are some crops of an image I took today.

First two crops are from the center - one is unprocessed, the other has some basic Lightroom processing (sharpening and CA-removal mainly).

The second set is crops from the edge.

The image was shot wide open ( f/2.8 ). Sorry, I don't have good test images for other apertures available today. Also, I must emphasise that the camera used was 14,6Mp APS-C.







I will try to post other samples (at smaller apertures) later this week.

[Anu]

This time full images, again wide open and processed.

[hk300]

i also believe it was sigma made.

In fact Sigma was one of the few makers of PrakticaB mounts.

I have this lens in 28/2.8 badges as Praktica ... it is a good performer, and i have a faulty Sigma version of this 24/2.8 super-wide.
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No longer member , please don't try to contact to him

[Anu]

The minimum focus distance and filter size are the same with Sigma and this lens, but I noticed that the focus ring rotates into the opposite direction!

There is also one funny detail about this lens: the aperture blades are (re)constrcuted in the opposite way to the norm, the ugly side to the front and the pretty side towards the camera - doesn't seem to cause any problems, so I'm not going to tear the lens part to fix it

[Anu]

I took some test shots today to get to know the lens better.

Here is a sample what happens when the sun is in the frame:



It was better than I expected, tough I will be buying a lens hood one of these days.

Here are some crops. First unprocessed center shots with f/2.8 and f/5.6:





Here are unprocessed edge crops, again 2.8 & 5.6





And finally a couple of crops at 5.6 with CA correction and sharpening:





Sorry, no f/8 crops, even though it seems to be the peak aperture

Very happy with the lens.

[Anu]

They are so cute, aren't they

[Attila]

Last shoot is superb! Lens so so I didn't find it to good.
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Attila - admin --- BUY FRESH FOMAPAN TO HELP KEEP THE FACTORY ALIVE ---
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Items on sale on Ebay

35mm: Konica A4, Konica IIIA, Konica FC-1
MF: Konica Pearl I,II,III 6x4,5 Konica Semi Pearl
Film: Foma,Kodak, Fuji DIY development C41, FOMA LQR
Scan: Epson V500, scanassist (http://www.scanassist.org)
Shutter tester: LCD tester from member vfmoto
Digital: Panasonic G1, Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX100
Lenses: Konica Hexanons,Carl Zeiss,Carl Zeiss Jena,Meyer-Optik,Minolta MD,Yashica ML,Nikon,Olympus OM
DIY E-6,C41 and B&W

[estudleon]

The last pics (and the others too) is excelent!

The photographer is better than the lens!!
_________________
Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.

RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar.

[Farside]

[DSG]

I'm supprised noone here has mentioned the Carl Zeiss Jena 29mm f2.8 MC yet...Its a bone fide East German Zeiss Jena. And while it cant match my Japanese Carl Zeiss 28mm f2.8 Distagon T* for sharpness, its pretty good for a cheap M42 lens.

Here is a 100% crop from the CZJ 29mm:



And here is one from the Distagon:



And just to show how good they are here is one from a Sirius 28mm f2.8 Macro:

[iangreenhalgh1]

This Prakticar 2.8/24 is a Sigma, I had one years ago.

It's an indifferent lens imho, can produce some nice shots but isn't anything great. For me it's strong point was the lack of linear distortion.

The best of the cheap 24mms is the Tokina one (also seen as a Hoya).
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'The question I would really consider (especially if an amateur and on a budget) is whether or not anyone (including yourself, of course) can tell the difference in any situation for which you will use the lens...and if they can, why are they burying their noses in your prints hard enough to tell the difference instead of responding to the prints emotionally and thinking about what they might mean?' - 2F/2F on apug.org

Digital: Sony NEX-3, Samsung NX100, Canon EOS 450d
35mm SLR: Konica FT-1, Konica FC-1, Konica Autoreflex T, Carena SRH760, Exakta RTL1000, Canon EOS 10qd
35mm VF: Olympus Stylus, Konica C35, Konica A4, Konica MG, Konica MT-9, Ricoh FF-9, Ricoh AF-80
35mm RF: Zorki 6, Kiev II, Kiev IV, Contax IIIa, CZJ Werra III,
Medium format: Franka Rolfix, Mess Ikonta 524/16, Voigtlander Bessa with Skopar 3.5/105, Voigtlander Bessa with Voigtar 3.5/105, Kiev 6C, Century Graphic 23, Ensign Selfix 820, Kershaw 450
MF lenses: Schneider Angulon 6.5/68, Componon-S 5.6/100, C-Claron 4.5/135, Xenar 3.5/105, Mamiya C 2.8/45, Mamiya 2.8/80, CZJ Flektogon 4/50, Biometar 2.8/80, Zodiac 3.5/30, Tominon 4.5/135, Pullin Pulnar 2.8/100
Large Format: Ernemann HEAG Series VII version II 9x12 with Kodak Anastigmat 6.3/170
Konica Hexanons 4/21, 2.8/24, 3.5/28, 2.8/35, 1.8/40, 1.4/50, 1.7/50, 1.8/50, 3.2/135, 3.5/135, 3.5/200, 4.5/300, 3.5-4.5/35-70, 4-4.6/28-135, 3.5/35-70, UC 3.5/45-100, 4/70-150, 4/65-135, UC 4/80-200. Hexars 3.5/28, 3.5/135, Konishiroku 2.8/35
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.8/35, Skoparex 3.4/35, Tessar 2.8/50, Sonnar 1.5/50, Biotar 2/58, Pancolar 1.8/50, Cardinar 4/100, Zeiss-Opton Biogon 2.8/35
Meyer/Pentacons 2.8/28, Primagon 4.5/35, Trioplan 2.9/50, 1.8/50, 2.4/50, Primotar 3.5/50, Primotar 3.5/135
Topcon RE Auto Topcors 1.8/58, 3.5/135, 5.6/200
Russians: OKC1-18-1 2.8/18, OKC1-28-1 2.8/28, Jupiter-12 2.8/35, Jupiter-8 2/50, Industar-50 3.5/50, Industar-26M 2.8/50, Industar-22 3.5/50, Zenitar M2S 2/50, Helios-44-2, Jupiter-9 2/85, Jupiter-11 4/135, Tair-3C 4.5/300
Tokina 3.5/17, Nikon Auto Nikkor-N 2.8/24, Nikon Micro-Nikkor-P 3.5/55, Ross Xpress 3.5/4in, Ross Xpress 4/5in, Ross Xpress 4.5/8.5in, Wollensak APO-Raptar 10/541