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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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 Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:44 pm Post subject: Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 Ai-s vs Pentax K 28mm f/3.5 |
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caspert79 wrote:
Camera used: Sony A7rii (42,4 mp) on a tripod with self timer.
Note: the Nikkor is the famous 8-element Ai-s version; the Pentax is the rather rare 8-element K-series version.
First an overview of the close focus pictures taken (about 30cm). I did an exposure correction in RAW to make the pictures more comparible.
The differences are not too obvious yet, let's look at the 100% center crops.
The Nikkor is actually quite soft @f/2.8. The Pentax shows more detail up until f/5.6. At f/8 the pictures are quite comparable. I cannot 100% guarantee that the focus of the Nikkor was spot on; a small deviation may result in a different image, but I don't think this cannot account fully for the difference found between the two lenses.
Now the infinity focus pictures:
From a distance, the images from both lenses look pretty similar.
Now, 100% center crops:
The Nikkor shows a pretty solid performance already at f/2.8. When stopped down, the Pentax is a little bit sharper than the Nikkor.
Now look at the corners:
Here is where the Pentax clearly beats the Nikkor. Less purple fringing and more sharpness.
Conclusion:
The legendary Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 Ai-s is known to be a pretty awesome performer, but the K-series Pentax 28mm f/3.5 seems to be even better. A little more sharpness, a little more detail, and significantly better corner performance. Which makes it a great lens for high resolution full frame camera's. The Nikkor is a great lens as well, and has 20cm minimum focus, which allows for great artistic compositions. |
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Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013
Posts: 6005
Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Oldhand wrote:
Thank you Casper for this comparison.
Both are great lenses, but the Pentax is just wonderful.
Fabulous landscape lens.
Tom |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| Oldhand wrote: |
Thank you Casper for this comparison.
Both are great lenses, but the Pentax is just wonderful.
Fabulous landscape lens.
Tom |
Yes indeed. I didn't expect it to be so good as close distances as well! |
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lumens pixel
Joined: 27 Feb 2019
Posts: 895
Expire: 2021-06-25
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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lumens pixel wrote:
Very interesting, have you corrected for field curvature, if any, when coming to the corners?
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Lumens Pixel
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Minolta SR mount: 16 2,8; Sigma SuperWide 24 2,8; 28 2,5; 28 2,8; 28 3,5; 35 2,8; 45 2,0; 50 1,4; 50 1,7; 50 2,0; 58 1,4; 85 2,0; 100 2,5; 100 4 Macro; 135 3,5; 135 2,8; 200 4; RF 250 5,6; 24-35 3,5; 35-70 3,5; 75-150 4; 70-210 4
Canon FD mount: Tokina RMC 17 3,5; 28 2,8; 35 2,8; 50 1,8; 50 3,5 Macro; 55 1,2; 135 3,5; 135 2,5; 200 4,0; 300 5,6; 28-55 3,5 4,5; Tokina SZ-X SD 270; 70-150 4,5; 70-210 f4; 80-200 4L; Tokina SZ-X 845
Tamron Adaptall: 28-80 3,5-4,2 (27A); 70-210 3,8-4 (46A); 60-300 (23A); 90 2,5 (52B); 35-135 3,5-4,5 (40A)
Tamron SP: 20-40 2,7-3,5 (266D) |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| lumens pixel wrote: |
| Very interesting, have you corrected for field curvature, if any, when coming to the corners? |
No, no corrections were made. |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11061
Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
I think he asks if focus/dof is placed identical. Corners can be oof if not included in dof due to field curvature.
Thanks very much for the comparison! I will attribute the difference to lens coatings, more transmission less noise on PK.
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☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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cbass
Joined: 27 Jul 2019
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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cbass wrote:
I have been looking at the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens and I don't understand the great reputation it has from the research I have done. The lens is well praised and almost never criticized. However, I have looked at flickr albums and often see soft corners and nothing special about the rendering. It's possible that pictures are making it into those albums that are not from the 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens but the AI version or even the E-series. However, you also see plenty people saying they must of had a bad copy because it had soft corners.
Does anyone own this lens that can provide some perspective on what it does special other than it's close focus ability?
I have heard it's very sharp but again I haven't seen impressively sharp sample photos. That doesn't mean they were soft but nothing that stood out. |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| cbass wrote: |
I have been looking at the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens and I don't understand the great reputation it has from the research I have done. The lens is well praised and almost never criticized. However, I have looked at flickr albums and often see soft corners and nothing special about the rendering. It's possible that pictures are making it into those albums that are not from the 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens but the AI version or even the E-series. However, you also see plenty people saying they must of had a bad copy because it had soft corners.
Does anyone own this lens that can provide some perspective on what it does special other than it's close focus ability?
I have heard it's very sharp but again I haven't seen impressively sharp sample photos. That doesn't mean they were soft but nothing that stood out. |
I think it is a pretty good lens actually. It may not be perfect in the extreme corners, but it is quite sharp, even on a 42 mp+ sensor, contrasty and performs good at wider apertures and in difficult lighting conditions. It's not as good as this particular Pentax lens maybe, which quite stunned me after i made the first pictures with it. The way it renders skies sometimes is very special; it doesn't quite show in this particular test. |
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Alsatian2017
Joined: 05 Mar 2018
Posts: 243
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Alsatian2017 wrote:
| caspert79 wrote: |
| cbass wrote: |
I have been looking at the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens and I don't understand the great reputation it has from the research I have done. The lens is well praised and almost never criticized. However, I have looked at flickr albums and often see soft corners and nothing special about the rendering. It's possible that pictures are making it into those albums that are not from the 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens but the AI version or even the E-series. However, you also see plenty people saying they must of had a bad copy because it had soft corners.
Does anyone own this lens that can provide some perspective on what it does special other than it's close focus ability?
I have heard it's very sharp but again I haven't seen impressively sharp sample photos. That doesn't mean they were soft but nothing that stood out. |
I think it is a pretty good lens actually. It may not be perfect in the extreme corners, but it is quite sharp, even on a 42 mp+ sensor, contrasty and performs good at wider apertures and in difficult lighting conditions. It's not as good as this particular Pentax lens maybe, which quite stunned me after i made the first pictures with it. The way it renders skies sometimes is very special; it doesn't quite show in this particular test. |
Thank you very much for this interesting comparison.  .
I've seen several reviews of the Nikkor Ai-S and in each of them, the lens distinguished itself with very even performance between the center and the corners, thanks to the "close range correction" (CRC). Seeing your results, i wonder if you use an adapter which doesn't have the right length or a damaged lens with badly aligned floating elements. |
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papasito
Joined: 09 Jan 2015
Posts: 1663
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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papasito wrote:
I have an Ais 28/2,8.
I agree with IT's not a special lens.
The Hollywood is a very good 28 mm lens but it's a lot of bucks. |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| papasito wrote: |
I have an Ais 28/2,8.
I agree with IT's not a special lens.
The Hollywood is a very good 28 mm lens but it's a lot of bucks. |
Found this on Phillip Reeve's website about the smc Pentax 28/3.5:
"Unquestioned, the Distagon 2.0/28 is a better alround lens but this could be a better alternative if you look for a landscape lens. It has high contrast, less field curvature, less loCA and great flare resistance."
As I use the Pentax mainly as a landscape lens, there's probably no need for me to upgrade. I remember paying only very little for it. |
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papasito
Joined: 09 Jan 2015
Posts: 1663
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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papasito wrote:
| caspert79 wrote: |
| papasito wrote: |
I have an Ais 28/2,8.
I agree with IT's not a special lens.
The Hollywood is a very good 28 mm lens but it's a lot of bucks. |
Found this on Phillip Reeve's website about the smc Pentax 28/3.5:
"Unquestioned, the Distagon 2.0/28 is a better alround lens but this could be a better alternative if you look for a landscape lens. It has high contrast, less field curvature, less loCA and great flare resistance."
As I use the Pentax mainly as a landscape lens, there's probably no need for me to upgrade. I remember paying only very little for it. |
Yes. The Pentax is a very nice lens.
I can see in the pics that IT's really good. |
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hasenbein
Joined: 15 May 2020
Posts: 93
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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hasenbein wrote:
The Pentax is a great lens and much fun to use.
Got mine for 100 euros, it looks and works like new.
Unfortunately I now use it rarely because my Tamron 17-28 is simply more versatile.
And there is one thing I don't like so much in the Pentax: The images are TOO contrasty. Problematic to work with in postprocessing. |
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012
Posts: 2537
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:25 am Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
The SMC K 28mm 1:3.5 has become pretty hard to find. Currently can't find any on eBay. Not even from Japan.
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pentaxian |
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Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013
Posts: 6005
Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:31 am Post subject: |
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Oldhand wrote:
| D1N0 wrote: |
| The SMC K 28mm 1:3.5 has become pretty hard to find. Currently can't find any on eBay. Not even from Japan. |
I think that its reputation is becoming known.
But it might only be a sign of the times that it is not up for sale.
There is little that can leave Japan and most other countries at the moment, so I have the feeling that sellers are waiting for restrictions to ease so that parcels can be delivered in a timely manner before listing again.
Delays at the moment are being treated as non delivery by buyers, and they are requesting refunds for things that have already shipped but are stuck at borders. Ebay will always support buyers and refunds are generally given, but sellers are losing out.
If I was a seller I would not list anything at the moment
Tom |
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D1N0
Joined: 07 Aug 2012
Posts: 2537
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:56 am Post subject: |
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D1N0 wrote:
| Oldhand wrote: |
| D1N0 wrote: |
| The SMC K 28mm 1:3.5 has become pretty hard to find. Currently can't find any on eBay. Not even from Japan. |
I think that its reputation is becoming known.
But it might only be a sign of the times that it is not up for sale.
There is little that can leave Japan and most other countries at the moment, so I have the feeling that sellers are waiting for restrictions to ease so that parcels can be delivered in a timely manner before listing again.
Delays at the moment are being treated as non delivery by buyers, and they are requesting refunds for things that have already shipped but are stuck at borders. Ebay will always support buyers and refunds are generally given, but sellers are losing out.
If I was a seller I would not list anything at the moment
Tom |
I remembered Buyee.com (Yahoo japan and Yahoo auction). There are still a number on auction/for sale there.
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stevemark
Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Posts: 4087
Location: Switzerland
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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stevemark wrote:
Just saw one of those at a local photo store yesterday 
Here it is:
Not tried / tested yet since my Pentax gear incl adapters currently is locked away in the attic - but probably I'll take it for a ride to the local mountains soon. Curious about it's perfomance, especially compared to the Minolta MD-III 2/28mm (which actually seems to be slightly smaller and lighter than the huge & heavy Pentax K 3.5/28mm).
S
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| stevemark wrote: |
Just saw one of those at a local photo store yesterday
Here it is:
Not tried / tested yet since my Pentax gear incl adapters currently is locked away in the attic - but probably I'll take it for a ride to the local mountains soon. Curious about it's perfomance, especially compared to the Minolta MD-III 2/28mm (which actually seems to be slightly smaller and lighter than the huge & heavy Pentax K 3.5/28mm).
S |
Definitely one of the better vintage 28’s in my opinion. Check out Phillip Reeves’ website, he has a review about it. But true, it’s heavy. |
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kiddo
Joined: 29 Jun 2018
Posts: 1275
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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kiddo wrote:
| stevemark wrote: |
Just saw one of those at a local photo store yesterday
Here it is:
Not tried / tested yet since my Pentax gear incl adapters currently is locked away in the attic - but probably I'll take it for a ride to the local mountains soon. Curious about it's perfomance, especially compared to the Minolta MD-III 2/28mm (which actually seems to be slightly smaller and lighter than the huge & heavy Pentax K 3.5/28mm).
S |
almost impossible to find one of those nowadays, in the same league as c/y distagon 2.8 and sony 28mm f2 |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11061
Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
| kiddo wrote: |
| ...almost impossible to find one of those nowadays, in the same league as c/y distagon 2.8 and sony 28mm f2 |
? Really? There are plenty on ebay...
_________________
☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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stevemark
Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Posts: 4087
Location: Switzerland
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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stevemark wrote:
| visualopsins wrote: |
| kiddo wrote: |
| ...almost impossible to find one of those nowadays, in the same league as c/y distagon 2.8 and sony 28mm f2 |
? Really? There are plenty on ebay... |
I can see quite a few of them on ebay (mostly from Japan), but at around 100.-- plus 30.- shipping plus about 15.-- VAT (here in Switzerland) that would make about 150.-- in total - too much for "another" slow 28mm lens ...
I got this one for CHF 59.--; not exactly cheap, but acceptable. Plus I could look at it before buying (like new in fact), and three months of guarantee, just in case ...
S
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kiddo
Joined: 29 Jun 2018
Posts: 1275
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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kiddo wrote:
| visualopsins wrote: |
| kiddo wrote: |
| ...almost impossible to find one of those nowadays, in the same league as c/y distagon 2.8 and sony 28mm f2 |
? Really? There are plenty on ebay... |
impossible to find one cheap in europe, from Japan, with taxes and customs , i am not interested , way too much |
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caspert79
Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 3225
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2024 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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caspert79 wrote:
| kiddo wrote: |
| visualopsins wrote: |
| kiddo wrote: |
| ...almost impossible to find one of those nowadays, in the same league as c/y distagon 2.8 and sony 28mm f2 |
? Really? There are plenty on ebay... |
impossible to find one cheap in europe, from Japan, with taxes and customs , i am not interested , way too much |
I found several at good prices in the past (in the Netherlands), but always as part of a camera set. People who sell this lens alone are usually aware of its value. |
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