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Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

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Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

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Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

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Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

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Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

CCD Resurgence: Image making with a legacy 40mm equivalent SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, on the 10MP APS-C CCD Pentax K-m (K2000) digital SLR camera.

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Pentax, the Japanese camera and lens maker, introduced the electronic aperture control system for its cameras with the launch of the Pentax KA-mount system in 1983, and the SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8 in 1984, after an earlier shift from the M42 screw-mount Takumar lenses to the SMC K-bayonet mount in 1971. The KA mount, also known as the 'PK-mount,' maintains the manual focus feature of the original lens design while adding full aperture- and shutter-priority, program, and manual exposure modes on compatible cameras.

The mount system, featured on the Pentax Super A (known as the Super Program in the USA), incorporates electronic contacts on the K-mount flange that allow the camera to control the aperture from the lens when the ring is set to 'A' and to read the focal length for in-body shake reduction features.

Interpreted in terms of camera capabilities, all KA-mount SLR/DSLR cameras, manufactured from 1983 onward, can use SMC Pentax-A lenses in all exposure modes, including manual focus mode. This mode remains available when the lens is set away from the 'A' button position to one of its aperture settings.

Designed for full-frame K-mount film cameras, the SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8 is a compact, all-metal wide-angle prime recognized for its robust build, pleasing color rendition, and strong center sharpness. A favorite with film shooters and digital adaptors, the lens is a 7-element in 7 groups construction, with 5 aperture blades.

The lens measures approximately 57 mm in diameter × 42 mm in length, weighs 170 grams, and accepts 49mm filters. It shares the same optical formula as the second version of the Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 but adds an 'A' setting on the aperture ring, enabling full program and shutter-priority automation on compatible Pentax bodies.

On the 10MP CCD Pentax K-m (K2000 in the US), introduced by Pentax in 2008, the lens is equivalent to a 40mm prime (42mm to be exact) on a 35mm full-frame camera. The focal length is still considered to be within the standard normal range, capable of capturing images that mimic what the eye sees, in natural perspective. The lens sits between the wider 35mm and the standard 50mm, a versatile choice for various photography genres, including street and portrait photography, city and urban scenes, as well as documentaries and photo journalism. 

Pentax K-m, SMC Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8

The Pentax K-m is a compact entry-level digital SLR camera fitted with a Pentax KAF2 lens mount, which adds auto-focus features to the lens mount system. The camera, well vetted for its capabilities and CCD image captures, makes for a very compact and highly recommended digital SLR camera with a legacy lens setup for CCD image enthusiasts.

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Pentax K-m, KA-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

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Photo of the Day

Pentax K-m, KA-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

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Photo of the Day

Pentax K-m, KA-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

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Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

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Photo of the Day

Pentax K-m, KA-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

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Pentax K-m, Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

CCD Resurgence: Image making with a legacy Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8 prime mounted on a CCD Pentax K-m digital SLR camera.

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I am a vintage digital photography enthusiast, and a sucker for Sigma Super- and Mini-Wide legacy lenses. After starting off with a couple of Mini-Wides that were unusable due to their coating failure, I went through a couple with FD Mounts: a Sigma 24mm 1:2.8 FD-Mount Super-Wide and a Sigma 28mm f/2.8 nFD Mount Mini-Wide II, a K-mount Sigma 28mm f/2.8 Mini-Wide, and an OM-mount Sigma 28mm f/2.8 Mini-Wide II, before ending up with what is hopefully the last: a K_A-mount Sigma 28mm f/2.8 Mini-Wide II.

The lens series, which began with the 24mm Super-Wide and the more compact 28mm Mini-Wide in the late 1980s, stands out for Sigma Corporation's design and innovation capabilities, optical performance, and the cult influence these products have had on amateur and professional photographers alike. The Mark II iterations of the lenses were first seen around 1988.

The 28mm f/2.8 K_A-mount Mini-Wide II, the draw card, is fitted with an 'A' button, which, when set, allows the lens's aperture to be set by the camera. Aside from being used only in Fully Manual and Aperture-Priority with other legacy lenses, this makes it possible for the camera to be used in Shutter-Priority and Programmed Auto Exposure modes. The K_A-mount was introduced in 1983 with the launch of Pentax A and later, Pentax P series 35mm SLR cameras. The lenses are completely backward-compatible with the original K-mount system bodies.

On the 10MP Pentax K-m with the 1.5x CCD crop sensor, the Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8 is equivalent to a 42mm prime on a 35mm full frame camera, close enough to the 43.3mm diagonal of the film frame. Though the focal length is slightly wider than a standard normal 50mm, yet tighter than a wide-angle 35mm (or when a 24mm is used in the same context), the focal length is often described as a 'sweet spot' for capturing a balanced view, allowing for some context while still isolating the subject. This focal length is also considered close to what the eye sees with natural and realistic perspective.

The 40mm focal length, just as well-suited for other photographic genres, including portraits, environmental portraits, and aside from street photography, mimics what the eye sees with a perspective that is natural and realistic. The normally compact and lightweight lens is also easy on the go, and is a natural choice for many photographers who find it comfortable to work with for images that create a sense of realism, where the viewer feels like they are right there in the scene.

The Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8, acknowledged for its portability, versatility, and good image quality, enjoys a rating of Sharpness (8.6), Aberrations (7.4), Bokeh (7.7), Handling (8.7), and Value (9.2) on PentaxForums. The K_A iteration has a plastic focus ring with rectangular pattern, is a 6-element, 6-group optical design with 6 blades, an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/22, a closest focusing distance of 0.22 meters (great for macros), a length of 43mm (50mm extended), takes 52mm filters, and weighs 210 grams.

Pentax K-m, K_A-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

The advantage of the K_A Mount, when coupled to the Pentax K-m (and other Pentax bodies), is the versatility of a camera that can be used with all its exposure (PASM) and other custom shooting modes, and a lens with a focal length that will let you right into the context of a scene, with the ability still, to pick and single out the main subjects.

Pentax K-m, K_A-mount Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8

p.s. Something to watch out for, when you bidding, is that while the Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm f/2.8 may be listed (in 2025) from as low as US$ 20 on the auction market, not many sellers specify what camera mount the lens is fitted with, neither do they show an image of the mount or the letters denoting the mount, which are often engraved or silk-screened on the lens barrel. Pentax K-m's, often available from as low as US$80, will normally require you to provide the 4x AA batteries and an SDHC card to get the camera up and running on your own.

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Pentax K-m, Pentacon 30mm f/3.5

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Pentax K-m, Pentacon 30mm f/3.5

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Pentax K-m, 30mm f/3.5

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Pentax K-m, Pentacon 30mm f/3.5

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Pentax K-m, Pentacon 30mm f/3.5

CCD Resurgence: A look at vintage primes and legacy lenses equivalent to the standard normal primes on 4/3 mirrorless or APS-C digital SLR cameras.

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Another legacy lens I have in my collection, one which does not seem able to get to infinity focus (thus the close-ups) when mounted on the 10MP CCD Pentax K-m, is the Pentacon 30mm f/3.5. On the K-m, the Pentacon 30mm f/3.5 is the perfect equivalent to a 45mm prime on a full-frame camera, considered a versatile 'standard' focal length that provides a field of view close to what the human eye sees - natural perspective with minimal distortion.

The focal length, with a view slightly wider than standard normal 50mm lenses, is ideal for portraits, street photography, travel, architecture imaging, environmental portraits, and just as well as a daily-use lens. With its typically shallow depth of field, the focal length is effective for capturing images with a blurred background effect.

The Pentacon 30mm f/3.5, a follow-up of the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5, carries the Pentacon brand after the integration of VEB Feinoptisches Werk Görlitz (Meyer Optik Görlitz) into VEB Pentacon in 1968. It has a similar design to the 5-elements in 5-groups retro-focus Lydith, and, with the Pentacon brand, is seen over a couple of iterations.

The earlier version of the lens had the letters 'MADE IN G.D.R.' silk-screened on the front trim plate, while the Imperial distance scale is in Red. The latter (latest?) has non-colored 'Germany Democratic Republic' letters engraved externally on the lower part of the lens mount, and its Imperial distance scale is Green.

While reviews were not often seen on the Net, the lens has been referred to, on occasion, as a hidden gem from East Germany. The lens comes with an optical performance that enjoys a shared rating (with the Meyer Optik Lydith 30mm f/3.5) of Sharpness (8.3), Aberrations (8.6), Bokeh (8.3), Handling (8.4), and Value (9.3) on PentaxForums. As mentioned, compared to other lenses that carry the Pentacon brand, the 30mm f/3.5 stands out as a capable performer with a quality build, typical of lenses from the era.

The all-metal barrelled lens measures 45mm long, weighs 195 grams, and takes 45mm filters on its non-rotating front element. The focus ring, located aft the aperture ring, is smooth and easy to work with. The aperture ring, though click-less and without detents, features a useful preset function for pre-set aperture control, a convenient way to switch between maximum aperture for focusing and your preferred aperture setting for shooting.

To get the pre-set system working, first turn the aperture ring to the desired lens opening, then pull the aperture ring out towards the front element, and turn it anti-clockwise until it stops; that's it. With the camera conveniently cupped in your hand, you can now rotate the aperture ring freely from its widest to your setting with your thumb and index finger.

Pentax K-m, Pentacon 30mm f/3.5

Working with the lens mounted on the 10MP CCD Pentax K-m (and on other Pentax camera models as well), aided by the focus confirmation dot displayed on the lower LCD display bar of the viewfinder, is fast and convenient. The feature, set via the camera's 'Catch-in focus' feature on its Customization (Item 18) menu, is best used with the lens aperture wide open, with a soft touch of the shutter release button (keep it light) while focusing.

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Pentax K-m, Meyer Optik Görlitz Lydith 30mm f/3.5

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