Playing With Lenses: A Versatile Workhorse: Kiron 28-210 f/4-5.6 Macro MC

Cost: $24.00 (average cost around $30)

The Kiron 28-210 f/4-5.6 Macro MC lens is a versatile one-touch (Push-Pull) lens and was one of the first uni-lenses (one lens to cover a wide range with good quality). This lens offers a wide focal range, macro capabilities, and a compact design that makes it a great addition to any camera bag.

The build quality of this lens is decent considering its original price point. The lens feels sturdy in hand, has no lens creep (and common problem for one-touch lenses with a large range) and the metal construction adds to its durability. The zoom and focus rings are smooth, making it easy to adjust settings while shooting. The lens is relatively lightweight, for it's size and range, which is a plus for photographers who prefer to travel light.

One of the standout features of the Kiron 28-210 lens is its impressive focal range. With a 28mm wide-angle perspective to a 210mm telephoto reach, it covers a broad spectrum of shooting situations. Whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or wildlife, this lens has you covered. The versatility of the zoom range makes it an excellent all-in-one solution for photographers who don't want to carry multiple lenses.

What made the lens very special, and easy to use when shooting very wide, was that the lens was almost always sharp, regardless of the position of the focus ring. I don't think I have ever seen this before with any other lens. Fool proof sharpness in the wide range.

The lens also offers limited macro capabilities, allowing you to get up close and personal with your subjects, making it suitable for close-up photography of flowers, insects, or other small subjects. While it may not compete with dedicated macro lenses in terms of magnification, it offers good flexibility for general macro work.

The image quality of the Kiron 28-210 f/4-5.6 Macro MC lens is generally acceptable. In good lighting conditions, it produces sharp and contrasty images. However, as you approach the longer end of the zoom range and use wider apertures, you may notice some softness, and distortion at the edges of the frame. Chromatic aberration and lens flares can also be an issue in high-contrast situations.

This lens may struggle in low-light conditions due to its variable aperture (f/4-5.6). When shooting at the telephoto end in dimly lit environments, you'll likely need to use a higher ISO setting, which can introduce noise into your images. A tripod or image stabilization (if available on your camera) can help mitigate this issue. And de-noise tools like Topaz Denoise work like a miracle. Some of the samples below had a high ISO, but you would not notice.

The Kiron 28-210 f/4-5.6 Macro MC lens is a budget-friendly, all-in-one solution that offers a wide focal range and macro capabilities. It's a versatile lens that can handle various shooting situations, making it a good choice for amateur photographers wanting to shoot manual or those on a tight budget that want some extended range beyond their kit lens. While it may not deliver the optical quality of more expensive lenses, it provides a valuable tool for photographers looking to expand their creative options without breaking the bank.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28-210mm
Maximum Aperture: F4-5.6
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: MD
Optics: 14 elements, 11 groups
Blades: 6
Focus: Manual
Minimum Focus: 110cm
Filter Size: 72mm
Weight: 840g
Length: 130-186mm
Production: 1984 - Discontinued
Serial Number: 57618571
Made in: Japan

MC: Multi-layer Coating for minimizing ghosting and flares.

More information on Kino Precision Industries, Limited

Samples: