Focal 28mm f/2.8 MC Auto. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Barrel
Metal.

Weight
8.9 oz (253g)

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus
1.0 feet (0.3 meters).

Filter Threads
52mm, Metal.

Aperture Ring
Metal.

Diaphragm
8 blades stopping down to f/16.

Mount
Mine came in a Pentax Metal Mount.

Made in
Japan

 

 

Sharpness
f/2.8: Fairly soft with lower contrast, a little chromatic aberration and coma and a fair bit of spherical aberration.
f/3.5: Sharpens up with a little better contrast and less chromatic aberration but still a fair bit of spherical aberration.
f/4: Nicely sharpens up with better contrast and almost no spherical aberrations.
f/8: Sharper yet with great contrast.

Vignetting
There is quite a bit of vignetting at f/2.8 which takes a while to clean and almost gone by f/4.

Distortion

Quite a bit of Barrel Distortion.

Recommendations
On MF Camera
Optics:          ★ ★ ★
Mechanics:   ★ ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:   ★ ★ ★
Availability:    ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★
Out of 5

This is a fine little lens and when stopped down performs very well. It is built like a tank and is a little narrower then most 28mm lenses. It feels ok in the hands and is simple to use. To me the barrel looks a little funny in design and sort of looks cheap but who cares. The focus grip is a little small and has multiple squares but is still not too hard to grip.

Optically the lens is a little soft wide open with and has a fair bit of spherical aberrations which hazes the image until f/4 when it starts to perform very well. If you are using this for landscape with smaller apertures then the lens doesn’t take on diffusion until around f/11 and f/16 which is great for a landscape lens.
There is a typical amount of hefty barrel distortion.

If you find a good deal this lens is definitely worth picking up. It is a good landscape lens stopped down.

 

Did this review help?
My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd