Playing With Lenses: October 2017

Sunday, 22 October 2017

A better Focal MC Auto 1:2.8 135mm

Cost: 19.99$ (average market price $32.50)

What a coincidence! At a recent trip to the local thrift store, I saw the other mentioned version of the Focal MC Auto 1:2.8 135mm that I reviewed last year. The previous lens was a different model, and had some parts missing... but was not a bad lens at all. So worthwhile to take a look at this model also. And I was not disappointed.

I prefer to looks and solid feel of this version. All metal, painted mat black, and a nice build-in hood. Operation is very smooth, almost to a Pentax level (and that says a lot!). The lens was easy to focus due to a wide range on the focus barrel, working great together with the peak focus feature of my Sony.

Good but not exceptional sharpness that improves when getting closer to infinity. As noticed on the sample with the geese, it was very well able to resolve the details. Nice colors, but a little washed out when taking pictures against the sun, even with the hood.

As conclusion, a pretty nice lens that provides good fun to do a walk-around. A second good experience with Focal, so if you see one, and the price is right, scoop it up. It will not disappoint!

MC or Multi Coating: A multiple of chemical coatings for lens surfaces with minimum light loss. The result is a dramatic improvement in both color fidelity and brightness and the elimination of flare and ghost images."

Auto: The ability to pass on aperture information to the camera via a mechanical lever.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 135mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: ?
Blades: 6
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 150cm
Filter Size: 58mm
Weight: 515g
Length: 87-101mm
Production: 1980's?
Serial Number: 831834
Made in: Japan

More information on Focal

Samples:

Pictures taken with Mitakon PK to Sony E Turbo Adapter Mark II

1/250s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/500s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/100s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/320s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/200s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/40s - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:
Camera Wiki: Kmart
Pentaxforums

Friday, 13 October 2017

Truely a gem amongst many: Vivitar 28mm 1: 2.5 Auto Wide-Angle

Cost: $14 (average market price unknown)

As you can find on the The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary, there have been many different 28mm Vivitar's. Over 30 to be specific, made by different manufacturers, with different designs and aperture ranges. Some are true gems, and other are duds. This is a true gem...

Sure looks nice, with a cone at the front. Smooth handling of both the aperture and the focus rings. Reasonable compact and all metal, making the lens a bit heavy for such a small focal length.

But my, o my, what a pleasure to use! Focus is so easy that you hardly even need the peak focus feature. It just falls right into focus. Just click away, and it will all be fine. I had almost no waste due to lack of sharpness. The only mark against this lens is the strong tendency for flares, especially when direct sun light falls on the front element. A hood would likely be no luxury.

This lens will likely take a good, well used, spot in my ever growing lens collection. A keeper for sure, and I can fully recommend this lens to anyone, and again at a super low budget for such a special lens.

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 28mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: ?
Blades: 6
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 20cm
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 348g
Length: 60-66mm
Production:
Serial Number: 22805762
Made in: Japan

More information on: Vivitar Corporation
More info on: Kino Precision Industries Limited

Samples:

All pictures taken with the Lens Turbo II adapter

1/50s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/60s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/320s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/250s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/4000s - ISO100 - Handheld - Cropped

1/60s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/50s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/125s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/13s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/200s - ISO100 - Handheld

1/35s - ISO100 - Handheld

Sources:
The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

The good side of an OM (Original Manufacturer): Kino Precision Kiron 28-105 1:4 Macro MC

Cost: 24.99$ (average market price $76.25)

Kino Precision was mainly known as the manufacturer of various high quality lenses for various resellers, and even camera manufacturers. As prime example, many of the famous and highly regarded Vivitar "Series 1" lenses were made by Kino Precision. So when they finally decided they should put their own line of lenses on the market, you expect something special.

And no disappointment there... although this specific lens was not that well known, it's a pretty decent lens, able to compete with any similar brand lens out there. It's a push-pull type of zoom lens with no zoom-creep as you can often find of this type and age of lenses. Operation is smooth, with the aperture ring being a little sharp (not Pentax smooth). The lens itself does look a little cheap, with a glossy shine and the lettering printed-on instead of embossed. But despite the looks, it's made of solid metal and well constructed.

Image quality is great! Sharp, rich colours and little color aberration. Easy to focus, easy to zoom, and a constant aperture over the focal range. A keeper! The Macro capability of 1:4 is nothing to brag about, but a nice bonus for a great lens.

Kiron lenses are loved by more then a few persons. Enough to have a Kiron Club.

And I was also so lucky to find a digital copy of the original manual.

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 28-105mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.2
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: 16 elements in 12 groups
Blades: 6
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 30cm
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 700g
Length: 112-172mm
Production: 1983
Serial Number: 36805213
Made in: Japan

MC
Multi Coated stands for a multiple of chemical coatings for lens surfaces with minimum light loss. The result is a dramatic improvement in both color fidelity and brightness and the elimination of flare and ghost images.

Samples: