low cost 28/2.8 lenses ... which to keep?

[hk300]

I have a bunch of 28/2.8 lenses, and no time to test.

So ... which should i keep and which should i get rid off? How is the quality of these compared to the established Pentax/ Nikon?

- vivitar 28/2.5
- vivitar 28/2.8
- Yashica DSB 28/2.8
- Paragon 28/2.8 ( not sure about its optical quality, but the build is superior above the others)


However, i also have a Pentax 28/2.8 and a Rollei 28/2.8 in good condition.
Perhaps sell all of the above 4 lenses?

[LucisPictor]

Of your lenses I know these:
- Vivitar 28/2.5
- Vivitar 28/2.8
- Pentax 28/2.8

And this would be my performance ranking:
1. Pentax 28/2.8
2. Vivitar 28/2.8
3. Vivitar 28/2.5

The handling ranking looks different:
1. Vivitar 28/2.5
2. Pentax 28/2.8
3. Vivitar 28/2.8

I have given the Vivitar 28/2.8 to my dad and sold the Pentax 28/2.8 and have kept the Vivitar 28/2.5 as my only M42 28mm.

And I have heard good things about the Rollei 28/2.8.

My fav is a Vivitar 2.8/2.0. This is an amazing lens!

And the "best" 28mm lens is supposed to be the Leica Elmarit 2.8/28.

[Nesster]

There are a few versions of each Vivitar - my 2.5 is the Tx mount, different than the 2.5 that is the trumpet bell shape.

I have the Pentax KA 28/2.8 and two Takumar 28/3.5's. My Viv isn't as sharp but has better color/contrast, while the three Pentax lenses are very similar, with the KA having slightly better resolution (and of course max speed).

Of the rest, the Yashica is of interest, it is potentially a very nice balance of performance.

[Mal1905]

One of my colleagues has just taken delivery of the Yashica, and is using it with various Red Box adapters on a Sony DV camera. He's really over the moon with it, and will let me try it out on my DSLR at some stage.

I'm selling both Hanimex and JC Penney 2.8/28 lenses at the moment - very small money!

Personally I really like the Pentacon 2.8/29 and a CZJ 2.8/29 in this range.

[hk300]

hmmmmm ....

about the Yashica ... are you all aware that I was asking about the DSB 28/2.8 version ... not the ML 28 / 2.8 version?

I heard that the ML is quite nice, but how about the DSB one?

[Orio]

[bawang]

[Attila]

Sell all..

[koji]

I agree with Attila.


According to Yashica-Expert in japan,

DSB 28/2.8 is based on Yashica designed YASHICOR 28/2.8, not
Tomioka designed.

DSB 24/2.8 is Tokina made, Tokina one is RMS, but this one is mono-coat.

I have YUS 28/2.8, which is not the same as DSB 28/2.8, but it is
not great neither. ML 28/2.8 is better than YUS 28/2.8, which is flare-prone.

[ovim]

There's an interesting thread about Vivitar 28's on pentaxforums. Apparently there has been many versions of 28mm Vivitars with varying quality.

Komine made ones with "close focus" written on the name ring are apparently the best ones.

[yalcinaydin]

[F16SUNSHINE]

+1 to Atilla and Koji

Let them go.

The DS-M lenses are to my experience (with 1.4/50 2.8/28 and 2.8/24) the m42 equivalent of the ML Bayonet series that followed shortly after.

You will find excellent performers in the 50mm and shorter FL's and a excellent but nothing special 2.8/135 (rare).

The best Bargain in 28mm fl is the ML2.8/28 it is much cheaper and more common than the DS-M (m42) version.


I love my Zuiko 2/28. It has a floating element and performs excellent in close focus as well as infinity.
KEH has sometimes "bargain" Z2/28 for about $165.
Leica-esk rendering and colors with excellent contrast and distortion control.
Portraits can be done with this lens.
Take one and never worry again about this FL unless you want to take a CZO Hollywood 2/28.
Expect to pay 4 times this amount on a "bargain".
I consider the Z 2/28 to be a 2nd place to the Hollywood.

Just ask this guy he looks serious Zuiko 2/28 on 5D @f5.6

[koji]

[hk300]

As recommended by some others ... i will sell all of the above lenses ... including the pentax 28/2.8

After having the Yashica 24/2.8 ML and CZJ 35/2.4 i do not often use 28mm range.

[bawang]