Focal 28mm f/2.8 MC Auto

Focal 28mm 2.8 MC Auto M42-1

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

Focal 28mm 2.8 MC Auto M42-2

Barrel
Metal.

Weight
7.2 oz (203g)

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus

1.0 feet (0.3 meters).

Filter Threads

52mm, Metal.

Aperture Ring

Metal.

Diaphragm

6 blades stopping down to f/16.

Mount

Mine came in a M42 Metal Mount.

Made in

Japan

 

100% Crop

f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/8

 

Corner

Corner


Sharpness

f/2.8: Fairly soft with lower contrast, a little chromatic aberration and coma and a little bit of spherical aberration. A little of everything ha ha!
f/3.5: Sharpens up with a little better contrast and spherical aberration and less chromatic aberration.
f/4: Nicely sharpens up with good contrast and no 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 up, though it is 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 great little lens and performs surprisingly well stopped down. It is built like a tank and is a little narrower then most 28mm lenses, 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 very little aberrations. It sharpens up reasonably well around f/4. If you are using this for landscape ,the lens doesn’t take on diffusion until around f/11 and f/16 which is great for a landscape lens.
The distortion is the downfall of the lens but it’s pretty typical for a 28mm.

If you find a good deal this lens is definitely worth picking up. This 28mm is a good low light wide lens.

 

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