p.2 #2 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Juha Kannisto wrote:
II and III are supposed to have exactly same optics but just mechnical / build differences. III was advertised as having improved ergonomics but to me II is the one with better ergonomics (esp. aperture control). There are also some variations within version II as there are many special editions of that and it seems that the focus stick placement is a bit different between various different versions of II. The MTF curves on the data sheets of II and III look identical. Also version I should have same optical design but II and III are stated to improve sharpness and perhipheral resolution over version I.
The measured weight of my specific copies are 49g for II without any extras and 50g with hood, and 46g for III without any extras and 47g with hood.
Version II
A few editions of II can be seen here: https://www.japanexposures.com/shop/camera-lens/ms-apoqualia-g-28-f2-ii.html
My copy is Black Urushi 111 bought from here: https://www.mapcamera.com/item/3717013579436
Version II comes with a different shape of tiny hood (1g) that widens upwards and when screwed in, turning the hood turns the aperture mechanism, which is very nice and practical and makes aperture control easy. The focus stick on my version is angled upwards and in the middle of the lens body and perhaps this is the part where III is supposedly improved ergonomically as it's a bit easier to get fingers or part of the hand in front of the lens while turning the focus and that could show up in the photo if one is not careful. I've already learned to avoid that problem and I think it's much smaller issue than aperture control difficulty on version III. There seem to be also versions of II where the focus stick is placed more similarly to the side as in version III, perhaps it was a gradual development from II to III. The closest focus distance marked on the lens is 0.4m and the focus can go noticeably closer than that 0.4m mark. Some sources state that this version can focus down to 0.35m but official data sheet claims 0.75m. In my experience actual closest distance is around 0.4m, but there could be small variations between different editions of II as well.
Version III comes with a very small straight hood that is not linked to the aperture mechanism (instead the focus helicoid turns when hood is turned) and aperture can only be controlled by sticking something like a toothpick to a small hole and turning it at the inner area that is next to the hood. If hood is not used aperture can be changed by sliding with a finger but it doesn't feel very comfortable and one could easily touch the glass of the lens by accident. It is stated to focus to 0.55m at minimum and should be rangefinder coupled from 0.8m. The focus distance markings on my copy go to 0.5m but actual closest where the lens can physically focus is right between 0.5m and 0.6m markings so 0.55m should be accurate.
My version III is the red one 太陽 "Sun" that is shown here in the lower part of the page: https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2020/04/camera-geekery-ms-optics-apoqualia-g-28mm-f2-m-mount-urushii-special-edition/
See also: https://www.mkdirect51.com/product-page/apoqualia2-28
As for IQ between II and III I think it's just down to individual copy differences. My version II has a bit better performance on the edges and into the corners and only the extreme corners break apart a bit when shooting at infinity stopped down. My III on the other hand may have a little bit more center sharpness and it breaks apart a bit more towards the edges and corners.
Unfortunately both of these II and III are out of production and sold out in all the stores that I know of. MKDirect still had some stock of III until recently but about a month ago they also sold out. Then it's just 2nd hand market of used copies now. Version II is quite rare in 2nd hand market too but used copies of III may pop up at Map Camera occasionally (maybe once in 2-3 months) and could be sometimes found in Yahoo Japan Auctions. There is a rumor that MS-Optics is working on a new version of 28/2 (seen it mentioned in one of JCH's videos) so hopefully that might see the light of day sometime this year.
Nowadays the supply of MS-Optics lenses in general has become quite extinct in physical stores except for Map Camera still carrying Sonnetar 50/1.3. The best way in Japan too is to buy from MKDirect (https://www.mkdirect51.com/) and usually when I.C.S. Camera Fair happens twice a year there are some shops present there that get a package of MS-Optics lenses to be sold at the Fair (http://ics1972.jp/english.html). Map Camera also gets 2nd hand supply of various MS-Optics lenses every now and then, sometimes many show up in a short time and sometimes there's nothing new showing up for weeks. Yahoo Japan Auctions always have some supply of 2nd hand lenses too....Show more →
Juha,
I wanted to express my gratitude for providing such extensive information. Your collection of MS-Optics samples is undoubtedly the most comprehensive resource available. It's unfortunate that this lens is currently out of stock everywhere, but I'll be sure to monitor its availability closely. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the minimum focusing distance (MFD) were 0.7m or even longer, as I intend to use it exclusively on the M camera.
p.2 #3 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Cosmetically I think this lens looks great apart from the way too much text on it. It seems every surface has something written on it!
Clean it up by:
1. Get rid of the filter size description
2. Get rid of the 'xslim pro M' text.
3. Just have the serial number. No need for "No." and "BP"
4. Get rid of "Brightin Star"... ok, at least make the font match the rest.
5. Pick one set of focus distance scales.
p.2 #4 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Desmolicious wrote:
Cosmetically I think this lens looks great apart from the way too much text on it. It seems every surface has something written on it!
Clean it up by:
1. Get rid of the filter size description
2. Get rid of the 'xslim pro M' text.
3. Just have the serial number. No need for "No." and "BP"
4. Get rid of "Brightin Star"... ok, at least make the font match the rest.
5. Pick one set of focus distance scales.
Those are excellent suggestions, but I doubt they will be implemented. Take, for example, the Brightin Star 50mm F0.95 lens, which features their logo/name engraved on the built-in hood!
On another note, all the mentioned items could potentially be made less distracting by applying some acetone to make them black in color.
p.2 #5 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
Those are excellent suggestions, but I doubt they will be implemented. Take, for example, the Brightin Star 50mm F0.95 lens, which features their logo/name engraved on the built-in hood!
On another note, all the mentioned items could potentially be made less distracting by applying some acetone to make them black in color.
It's crazy how that logo ruins the look of the lens. it is actually a handsome design.
p.2 #8 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
A review of this lens in Chinese. She also compared the lens against Leica 28mm 2.8. English subtitle is available, probably just google auto translate.
p.2 #9 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
mak543 wrote:
A review of this lens in Chinese. She also compared the lens against Leica 28mm 2.8. English subtitle is available, probably just google auto translate.
I enjoyed reading this impartial review (Auto translate). Here are the key points I took away from it:
The lens has a filter thread size of 25.5mm, and while filters for this size do exist, they may be challenging to find.
The filter cap screws into the filter thread. (instead of clip-on)
There is no threaded hood included.
While the lens resembles the MS Optics APOQUALIA 28/2, the reviewer prefers that Chinese manufacturers would develop their own style. But when you take a closer look at their optical designs, they actually look pretty different.
The lens is very thin at only 9.9mm in thickness. The Leica 28 Elmarit is 18mm in comparison.
Focuses down to 0.7m with rangefinder coupling on the M10 and M11 bodies.
Sharpness is good at the center when wide open, but corners are slightly blurry. The cause could be decentering, astigmatism, field curvature, etc.. (The reviewer didn't specified)
Axial chromatic aberration is noticeable at f/2.8.
Rangefinder coupling doesn't work on M9 bodies from 0.7 to 1m, although this might be specific to the reviewer's copy.
Corner sharpness improves when stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8, but it's still not optimal.
Compared to the Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit (v1), the latter is slightly sharper at the center and significantly sharper at the corners. (Somewhat expected results)
The Brightin Star lens has a cooler color temperature compared to the Leica.
Some barrel distortion (+4 adjustment in LR to fix it)
The focusing ring is smooth, and the lens has an overall great appearance.
The packaging is nicely done, but it lacks consistency in design and style compared to previous Brightin Star lenses.
p.2 #10 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Looks to have a bit of barrel distortion. But how can I complain? I use the Lomo Minitar which has pincouch distortion.
After I get my Sharpie out to cover up most of the text, this lens will look great on my BP MP w .58 finder.
Actually Fred what was that brand of permanent marker that someone had mentioned for 6bit coding? That would work better.
p.2 #17 · Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm not sure. Maybe @BastianK@ was able to talk to them?
Couldn't reach my contact there, hope he is simply on vacation or they are just looking for a new VPN.
