Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 vs SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 new tests

[caspert79]

I did a quick (infinity) comparison earlier between these two lenses, although the weather was pretty bad that time, and I didn't take into account CA, flare and close focus performance.

So here is a new test. Let's start at (near) infinity. Focus is on the first line of trees. I searched in the image where I found the worst CA performance, and this is where I did the CA comparison.

nearinfinity comparisonwith CA by devoscasper, on Flickr

In general, we see a bit more saturated and contrasty image, but the Zuiko image does not look bad at all. There is some CA wide open with the Zuiko, but really nothing severe (remember this is on a 42+ mp sensor). CA performance of the Pentax however, is near perfect wide open. Both lenses do very good in this regard when stopped down to f/5.6 and smaller. The Pentax draws this area of extreme contrast a bit better. In my earlier test I found that the Zuiko reaches sharpness in the corners a bit faster than the Pentax. I think that is the case in this test as well, although the difference is minimal, and the Pentax shows better contrast it seems. The Pentax has multicoated optics, whereas the Zuiko hasn't so no surprise.

Then, a flare test. Light source is a Nanlite FS-150 with a snoot attached. I included two extra lenses as a reference. I made sure to use no UV-filters, because these negatively influenced flare performance.
flarecomparison by devoscasper, on Flickr

The Pentax did best, but the Zuiko is not too bad actually, as this is about the maximum I could provoke. There are creative possibilities with the Zuiko here as well.

Then, close focus test:
closefocuscomparison by devoscasper, on Flickr

You don't really buy these lenses for bokeh, but I didn't notice a significant difference between the two. Also, both lenses are very sharp at this close focusing distance @ f/3.5 and f/5.6, so nothing to complain.

Conclusion: the multi-coated Pentax did a bit better in most respects than the Zuiko, but the Zuiko did a very respectable job. The Zuiko is also a very sharp lens, both @ infinity and close distance. It is only single coated, but did a solid job when is comes to CA performance. Flare is present, when the Zuiko is pointed at a strong light source, but not in an image-ruining way. It certainly performs better than I anticipated. If you want to travel as light as possible, the Zuiko would also be a good option IMO, as it weights only 170 grams, whereas the Pentax weights 262 grams. The Pentax does more than a great job IMO for a vintage lens, and remains my favorite 28 for now.

[visualopsins]

For tests!

Nice to see the flower arrangement "in situ". https://forum.mflenses.com/flowers-with-mamiya-sekor-c-zoom-75-150mm-f-4-5-t85400.html

SMC Pentax K 1:3.5 / 28mm has the same optics as M42 Asahi Optical Co., Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:3.5 / 28.

[caspert79]

[visualopsins]

M42:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/S-M-C-Super-Takumar-28mm-F3.5.html


K:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-28mm-F3.5-Lens.html

[D1N0]

It is not for nothing that Leica shooters have also discovered the Pentax, on of mine even came with an Leica m-mount adapter (but that had haze or separation in the cemented element that blew out my corners, so I had to get another one)

[alex_d]

try fujica 28 / 3.5 on ax mount, they are very very good and quite cheap (or were) too.

in my book that leans beats diverse yashicas (even ml 2, canon fdn 28, konica 28/3.5 and what ever i have from older glass - i dont have rokkor / pentax.

[BrianSVP]

The formula's a bit different, but the S-M-C Tak version is still a great lens.

[caspert79]

[Doc Sharptail]

Thanks for running this.

The zuiko exhibits a bit of glow along the edges, but nothing major. I like it's contrast levels over the k-pentax- which in some cases can be a matter of personal taste.

I had a Zuiko 35 here for a while, with nothing to mount it on. Very well put together lens, and a smooth focus.

-D.S.

[alex_d]

[img]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffr.shopping.rakuten.com%2Fphoto%2Ffuji-fujica-objectif-fujinon-28-3-5-ebc-x-dm-1156329821_L.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=01ba8d074d195d1d4d15ebc4ceffec6434603b5cb83259a4025838e5fde05cb4&ipo=images[/img]

lens is this, DM mark is about Fujica auto-functions things incorporated in their last slr AX series camera.

As far as I know they are all EBC only.

Be aware, there is an 'X-kominar' in 28 / 2.8 sold together with an AX mount, but I believe that's a Cosina lens, which was widely made for various mounts in the '80s and '90s.
It's still a good lens, but you probably have it or have had it at some point.

[caspert79]

[alex_d]

I have that SW (m42) on fujica 801 and only just once on my fuji aps digi,

so cant comment soft corners, and I would not be upset what other write about it.

anyway, on an aps, SW was 'not so good..' (whatever that could means at the moment back then) as DM (AX mount) was.

In my book, DM is a 'better' lens. I cant comment if they are the same opti formula / same lens - ex mount.

an analog combo of any of fujica series 701/801/901 slr's with its lenses is a great investment and for analog and for hobby/enthusiast/creative/documentary/street/***/whatever digital photography.

some more lenses worth from that fuji great period (also medium G cameras and lenses);
- legendary 100/2.8, a wide one but I forgot **mm/1.9, 55/1.6, and one rare 'Tomioka' in 1.4 model and a wet dream 55/1.2.

[BrianSVP]

[alex_d]

[BrianSVP]

I ended up de facto trading one of these (35mm m42) with a friend for a Pentax 55/1.2. Basically, I had his lens, and he had mine, and we both ended up moving.

Now don't get me wrong; the Pentax is a great lens. Not cheap, either. But I honestly think my friend got the better end of the trade!


Never tried the 28 X version, but the examples in your linked thread look great.

[PBFACTS]

[BrianSVP]

Despite the similarity in name, Kominar lenses reputablr sources indicate they were made Nittoh, NOT Komine.

Nittoh used the mark for well-regarded lenses.as far back as the 1950s, decades before Komine even existed, and there is speculation that Komine chose its own name to dishonestly imply a connection to the Kominar lenses.

[alex_d]

Sure, but what i mean (I see I have to go into details every time...) ;

- I believe that the lens originally came from Cosina, and then other (if!) manufacturers started producing it under various brands. I have had the same lens branded with some very strange and funny names.

As far as I know from my reading, Komina had its own lenses and optical formulas a long time ago.
In 70-80 they made lenses that were established as opti formula but from others, as Cosina for example.

However, I suspect that much of this is part of an internet legend, much like many other stories about Japanese photo products.

Hello, Tomioka!