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Archive 2015 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

timballic
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p.5 #1 · p.5 #1 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

tsdevine wrote:
You could always buy the lenses with SIC from B&H...they still sell both the 24/2.8 AIS and 28/2.8 AIS as new.

-Tim

I would only search out a SIC one, if the Ai comes out as my favourite in the comparisons. ;o)

Jan 29, 2015 at 05:42 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #2 · p.5 #2 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Yes, I do find it pretty neat that there is still new stock out there for these lenses.

-Tim

timballic wrote:
I would only search out a SIC one, if the Ai comes out as my favourite in the comparisons. ;o)

Jan 29, 2015 at 08:30 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #3 · p.5 #3 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Thanks Tariq, looking at the f/11 shots it seems like the 28 holds it's own....at least considering it's a lens made in the mid 70's. Can't argue with the quality of the 31 though.

I think I can keep temptation at bay. Considering that the 28 is noticeably wider, and it's like roulette when you buy these lenses....you never know if you're going to get a dud or a rock star. (And I only paid $85 for my 28.)

Also, my FE 16-35 has more of a flat field at 28....so it would be good at infinity shots with everything in the frame at a large distance (which I don't shoot much being an East coaster.)

The 28/3.5 has the DoF to cover most of what I normally shoot, something that I can't say about a lot of the other 28's I've tested.

Bottom line is that both lenses look like winners for landscape shooting.

-Tim

Tariq Gibran wrote:
I did another comparative test today using a different adapter with the 28/3.5K. I do believe it made a positive difference. Particularly for medium to close distances like you shoot, that Pentax 28 is damn good. Here again in this scene, the 28 offers an extended foreground dof/ sharpness compared to the 31, particularly noticeable in the f5.6 and F8 shots. Focus point for both lenses was the center small tree in the medium distance zone (image center). I also believe I'm seeing that the 31 may somehow be showing diffraction effects at F11 more so than the 28....Show more →

Jan 29, 2015 at 08:34 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.5 #4 · p.5 #4 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

tsdevine wrote:
Thanks Tariq, looking at the f/11 shots it seems like the 28 holds it's own....at least considering it's a lens made in the mid 70's. Can't argue with the quality of the 31 though.

I think I can keep temptation at bay. Considering that the 28 is noticeably wider, and it's like roulette when you buy these lenses....you never know if you're going to get a dud or a rock star. (And I only paid $85 for my 28.)

Also, my FE 16-35 has more of a flat field at 28....so it would be good at infinity shots with everything in the...Show more →

Certainly, given that the 28K is a fraction of the cost of a 31, it's a winner.

The actual difference in focal length is not that great at all in use. To get the exact frame as the 28 with the 31 requires backing up 3.5 feet.

Jan 29, 2015 at 08:47 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #5 · p.5 #5 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Yes, mentally though 28 seems to fit between my ZE 21 and FE 35 better (even if the 35 is a little longer than 35.) And doing waterfall photography, which is something I really enjoy, it's not always easy to foot zoom. Makes shooting primes a challenge sometimes, but I guess that's part of the fun.

In any case if I had the 31, I'd be using it.

-Tim

Tariq Gibran wrote:
Certainly, given that the 28K is a fraction of the cost of a 31, it's a winner.

The actual difference in focal length is not that great at all in use. To get the exact frame as the 28 with the 31 requires backing up 3.5 feet.

Jan 29, 2015 at 10:07 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.5 #6 · p.5 #6 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

tsdevine wrote:
Yes, mentally though 28 seems to fit between my ZE 21 and FE 35 better (even if the 35 is a little longer than 35.) And doing waterfall photography, which is something I really enjoy, it's not always easy to foot zoom. Makes shooting primes a challenge sometimes, but I guess that's part of the fun.

In any case if I had the 31, I'd be using it. ;-)

-Tim

The 31 will basically satisfy my need for a seperate 28 and 35, which works out with my current kit as I also shoot with a CV 40/1.4. I don't often shoot wider but will add a 24 at some point (probably pick up another OM 24/2.8 as I loved that lens on the 5D). If I had found a 35 I was very happy with, I'm sure I would have never considered the 31.

Jan 29, 2015 at 10:14 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #7 · p.5 #7 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Makes perfect sense with that line up Tariq.

-Tim

Tariq Gibran wrote:
The 31 will basically satisfy my need for a seperate 28 and 35, which works out with my current kit as I also shoot with a CV 40/1.4. I don't often shoot wider but will add a 24 at some point (probably pick up another OM 24/2.8 as I loved that lens on the 5D). If I had found a 35 I was very happy with, I'm sure I would have never considered the 31.

Jan 29, 2015 at 10:47 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #8 · p.5 #8 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

BTW, what adapter did you use for the K 28/3.5 shots?

-Tim

Tariq Gibran wrote:
I did another comparative test today using a different adapter with the 28/3.5K. I do believe it made a positive difference. Particularly for medium to close distances like you shoot, that Pentax 28 is damn good. Here again in this scene, the 28 offers an extended foreground dof/ sharpness compared to the 31, particularly noticeable in the f5.6 and F8 shots. Focus point for both lenses was the center small tree in the medium distance zone (image center). I also believe I'm seeing that the 31 may somehow be showing diffraction effects at F11 more so than the 28....Show more →

Jan 29, 2015 at 12:56 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.5 #9 · p.5 #9 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

tsdevine wrote:
BTW, what adapter did you use for the K 28/3.5 shots?

-Tim

It is a cheap Fotasy adapter I picked up on Amazon. I have a few of these Fotasy branded adapters and overall they work well. This particular Pentax adapter though has a bit of play with the camera mount. Not sure if it's due to the adapter or the Fotodiox Tough Mount since I don't remember that play previously with the stock mount (oddly though, the Raqual has no play). The Rayqual was used for the 31Ltd.

Jan 29, 2015 at 01:59 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #10 · p.5 #10 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

So I picked up another SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5, and this one appears to be as sharp as my first. BUT, it doesn't exhibit the extreme depth of field, especially in the corners. I haven't exactly figured out how that could be, but it is very noticeable. Still just as sharp though.

A real "head scratcher."

-Tim

Feb 11, 2015 at 07:12 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #11 · p.5 #11 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Next round. The SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 vs the Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 on a Sony a7R. The battle of the slow lenses... All processed via Photo Ninja with sharpening, contrast, and CA removal matching across shots with the same aperture. Not sure if anyone really cares....but someone might find it useful. Focus was on the junction box at the light towards the center of the barn.

SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 @ f/3.5


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s12/v187/p1093113372-6.jpg

Full Size

Olympus 28mm f/3.5 @ f/3.5


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s7/v163/p1093114317-6.jpg

Full Size

-Tim

Edited on Apr 03, 2015 at 09:42 PM · View previous versions

Apr 03, 2015 at 08:53 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #12 · p.5 #12 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 @ f/5.6


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s1/v56/p1093113413-6.jpg

Full Size

Olympus 28mm f/3.5 @ f/5.6


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s7/v158/p1093115113-6.jpg

Full Size

-Tim

Apr 03, 2015 at 08:58 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #13 · p.5 #13 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 @ f/8


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s7/v156/p1093113417-6.jpg

Full Size

Olympus 28mm f/3.5 @ f/8


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s1/v54/p1093115232-6.jpg

Full Size

-Tim

Apr 03, 2015 at 09:00 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #14 · p.5 #14 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 @ f/11


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s12/v170/p1093114041-6.jpg

Full Size

Olympus 28mm f/3.5 @ f/11


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s12/v173/p1093115331-6.jpg

Full Size

-Tim

Apr 03, 2015 at 09:02 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #15 · p.5 #15 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 @ f/16


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s12/v178/p1093114297-6.jpg

Full Size

Olympus 28mm f/3.5 @ f/16


	http://www.devine.photography/img/s7/v158/p1093115960-6.jpg

Full Size

-Tim

Apr 03, 2015 at 09:04 PM

tsdevine
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p.5 #16 · p.5 #16 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

The Pentax used in the test above is a different copy than the other tests. The other copy had some decentering at wider apertures, although it was mostly gone by f/11.

-Tim

Apr 03, 2015 at 09:06 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.5 #17 · p.5 #17 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Hey Tim. Just had a chance to check out the F5.6 and F8 examples and it looks like there is something going on with the Pentax in the top left corner. The Olympus looks noticeably sharper in that corner. It might be worthwhile to shoot a different subject with detail in the top right corner just to see if it's similarly soft (and rule out any adapter/ specific lens issue). I have not shot with my Pentax 28 in a while but I don't believe it's that soft at F8.

Apr 03, 2015 at 10:17 PM

sebboh
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p.5 #18 · p.5 #18 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

Tariq Gibran wrote:
Hey Tim. Just had a chance to check out the F5.6 and F8 examples and it looks like there is something going on with the Pentax in the top left corner. The Olympus looks noticeably sharper in that corner. It might be worthwhile to shoot a different subject with detail in the top right corner just to see if it's similarly soft (and rule out any adapter/ specific lens issue). I have not shot with my Pentax 28 in a while but I don't believe it's that soft at F8.

the olympus looks sharper in all the corners and softer over the rest of the frame.

Apr 04, 2015 at 12:42 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #19 · p.5 #19 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

I've tried about 6 different adapters and 4 different Pentax 28's....while there may have been slight differences in the upper left corner, this adapter gives the best performance across the frame. The "better" adapters seem too thick. The cheaper ones seem to perform better, but then there's probably less adherence to tolerances so I can't rule that out. So far this is the best of the lenses and adapters.

One thing I will say is that I was focused a little short of infinity, and that may be aggravating that upper left corner. I will say that in other shots it's close in performance to the upper right. Although if there was any corner I've thought might be a little worse, that's the one.

-Tim

Tariq Gibran wrote:
Hey Tim. Just had a chance to check out the F5.6 and F8 examples and it looks like there is something going on with the Pentax in the top left corner. The Olympus looks noticeably sharper in that corner. It might be worthwhile to shoot a different subject with detail in the top right corner just to see if it's similarly soft (and rule out any adapter/ specific lens issue). I have not shot with my Pentax 28 in a while but I don't believe it's that soft at F8.

Apr 04, 2015 at 06:36 AM

tsdevine
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p.5 #20 · p.5 #20 · Sony a7R 28mm Lens Shootout

The Pentax doesn't give perfect corners.....but it delivers over so much of the frame I don't care. As you note, the Olympus does well in the corners but doesn't impress as much everywhere else. Could be my copy of the lens, or the adapter I'm using. The lens is a later serial number lens in mint condition, so it could be the adapter. (Or maybe it's just how it performs on the a7r.)

-Tim

sebboh wrote:
the olympus looks sharper in all the corners and softer over the rest of the frame.

Apr 04, 2015 at 06:39 AM

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