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Which 28mm for M42?
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:09 pm    Post subject: Which 28mm for M42? Reply with quote
This is the question.

Which 28mm for M42?

I'd like you to tell me which are the best options for this mount.
I'm thinking of offering one, so your help would be extremely help and would fit in the Christmas Spirit we live nowadays Very Happy Very Happy


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Maybe Takumar 28/3.5?... I did some testes with mine and I liked it very much.

Smile


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I thought of that at first. But I'm not Takumar's biggest fan. Is there any more options? (Thanks Lazzaros Wink)


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tokina Vivitar Series 1 VMC 28/1.9 is very sharp, but produces a lot of CA. Komine Vivitar 28/2.8 is a bit less sharp under f/8 (still much sharper than majority of 28mm lenses in this price segment) and its CA is lower. Both have better edge sharpness, than the Takumar. Takumar is very well corrected for distorsion. Best optical performace for the money from these 3 offers the Komine Vivitar 28/2.8.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank You Smile


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't forget the Vivitar 28mm F2 (either Komine or Kino versions). Soft wide open (what fast lens isn't) but much better by F4 ...Yashica 28 2.8 is nice as well & is cheaper..


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Here are some samples from my earlier test...





PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I suggest also Vivitar Series 1 28mm f1.9 , problem only very rare.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
as for 28/1.9 Series 1: CA can be corrected, but I have experienced lower contrast, than on any other 28mm lens. I checked the lens for fungus, condensed vapour, haze..., but even using flash-light, I haven't find any deffect, which could cause it. Is it normal? I use RAW for shooting, so the lower contrast sometimes helps, but sometimes not...


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/vivitar/vivitar_series_1_28mm_f1_9/


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What camera is it for?
If it is for crop DSLR there are lots of good options, perhaps the most common and thus cheapest would be the Tamron Adaptall f2.5 28mm.
If however it is for FF digital then you need to look for really hard and try a few.
On film for many years I used the Takumar f3.5 28mm (Always found it sharper than f2.8 examples?) with Pentax and on Nikon the Tamron f2.4 28mm. I also like the early f2.8 28mm Adaptall 1 lens but this is a personal preference, some may find it a bit softer.
Now on Pentax crop DSLR I always use my SMC-A f2.8 28mm. I use it all the time pretty much as a standard lens and find my example on my cameras gives really sharp high resolution results from wide open, just slightly better than the Tam f2.4 up to f5.6 were as you would expect they are about equal.
I have tried a few other 28mm lenses (A lot of them) as they are very common and can be found at boot sales etc. But I have never kept them and some well known ones I have found to be very disapointing.
If your new to all this I would have a look round and you should have no problem finding plenty of choice. Even High St dealers have many good 28 mm lenses for little money and a good dealer wil let you shoot a few frames and examine the results before you buy. Mine lets me take a lens out for a couple of hours!


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Those m42 are more expensive than a Yashica ML 28mm + Adapter.. So I'm already considering this option. I have one and I think it produces amazing results. I'll search at ebay to see what I can find.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why did you asked M42 ? If you can use many others ?

If you not narrow your question to M42 only you should get many others like Nikkor 28mm etc.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I didn't want to buy another adapter for EOS.. But I see I'll probably have to do it.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rodrigo wrote:
I didn't want to buy another adapter for EOS.. But I see I'll probably have to do it.


Always cheaper and better solution to buy different adapters than collect only one type of lenses , because you have an adapter already. Good example of this your Yashica pickup.


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tamron 2,5/28mm Adaptall mount . Less saturated colors than S-tak 3,5 , but contrast and sharpness very good , better than Viv/kiron 2,5 . Another : Chinon 2,8/28 , very underrated.


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Olympus Zuiko 3.5/28 is a little gem!


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lazzaros wrote:
Maybe Takumar 28/3.5?... I did some testes with mine and I liked it very much.

Smile

Ahumm... 'tests', not 'testes'. Smile
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/testes#dict_header


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yashica ML 28 is probably a good choice, wish I had that one, love the others (like the 35 ad 50).

Just as a reminder, if getting a Super-Takumar 28/3.5 get one from late in production. It's sharper. If anyone need I can check my serial, but I don't have the list of serials though. Heres pictures from mine, which I think is sharp and nice.


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
Rodrigo wrote:
I didn't want to buy another adapter for EOS.. But I see I'll probably have to do it.


Always cheaper and better solution to buy different adapters than collect only one type of lenses , because you have an adapter already. Good example of this your Yashica pickup.


Have to agree with that 100%.
With Pentax I am limited to choice of lenses, which I don’t mind too much as PK, M42 and Tamron can usually offer a good choice, but I see no hardship or problem with having as many different choices as possible.
What can be the disadvantage?
Cost. They cost next to nothing compared to lenses and the job they perform.
Weight/size. No comment.
Inconvenience. I can’t see any inconvenience to attaching an adaptor to a lens or camera body.
They cost little they take up no space and weigh little.
There we are, that’s it, the only inconvenience is you can’t remember where you put them!
I wonder if anybody only has one filter for some obscure reason!


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LucisPictor wrote:
The Olympus Zuiko 3.5/28 is a little gem!


I gotta agree with that, it's little and it's a gem indeed.

Right now, from personal experience and use, I would suggest either this little gem or Yashica ML 28 more than Vivitar/Kiron 2.5/28 and S-M-C Takumar 3.5/28.

I like the cooler colors of the Zuiko compared to Yashica ML, which is more like the CZ Distagon (from observation of samples on the web, don't have one). If you like higher saturation, go for the S-M-C Takumar.

In terms of sharpness, I would go for Zuiko again. It can be very sharp corner to corner. The Yashica is also very sharp, but a tad less than Zuiko at the corners. The other two are generally sharp all around but nothing like Zuiko and maybe the Yashica ML.

If you decide on the Zuiko, find one with MC coating (can be determined by serial number, search the web), ie. get later production copy. Mine is single coating which makes it more prone to flare. If you have money to burn, and like the Zuiko, I would suggest get the 2.0/28, based on pictures and comments on the web. Andy has posted some amazing samples on this forum. The 3D is fantastic on this one. I have read comments that some even thought that it was the CZ 2/28 (Hollywood?) This Zuiko is harder to find and costly.

Whichever you choose, good hood is a required accessory Smile

Last edited by bawang on Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:48 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Farside wrote:
Lazzaros wrote:
Maybe Takumar 28/3.5?... I did some testes with mine and I liked it very much.

Smile

Ahumm... 'tests', not 'testes'. Smile
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/testes#dict_header



sorry, not my mother language and I was distracted. Smile


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well if your looking for a monster and a close-focus wide, I'll recommend the Mir 10A. There are numerous posts concerning this one.

~Marc


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Sorry, my bad. Should have read the thread title better...you are looking for M42.

Hmmmm.....

I guess, my experience would inclined me to suggest the S-M-C Takumar with a good hood. I don't have the Viv S1 1.9 or tammy to objectively suggest them. The Kiron made Vivitar 2.5 is also not bad but the front element is big and makes a hood a mandatory accessory. Personally, I like it too, but don't use as much as the Zuiko's and Yashica.

Good luck.

Last edited by bawang on Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:48 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
bawang wrote:
Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed Sorry, my bad. Should have read the thread title better...you are looking for M42.

Hmmmm.....

I guess, my experience would inclined me to suggest the S-M-C Takumar with a good hood. I don't have the Viv S1 1.9 or tammy to objectively suggest them. The Kiron made Vivitar 2.5 is also not bad but the front element is big and make a hood a mandatory accessory. Personally, I like it too, but don't use as much as the Zuiko's and Yashica.

Good luck.


Nothing wrong, Rodrigo asked for M42 and after all he changed his mind , because he can use other lenses too.
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