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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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Photo of the Day

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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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), First Impression

CCD Resurgence - First impression images with the highly acknowledged Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 (RS) mounted on a 14.2MP CCD Sony Alpha DSLR-A350.

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First impression images with the Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), a legend of its time, a classic known for its excellent sharpness and 1:1 magnification capability. Despite its production run that ended more than 30 years ago, the lens is still a hot spot today with digital photo enthusiasts enamored of its dual-purpose design as the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, and a portrait/short-telephoto lens with beautiful subject separation.

The lens, introduced in 1993, is the second of the series, with the original AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, launched in 1986, the RS, and follow-up Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro D (with ADI metering) in 2000, and the Sony AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro in 2006.

The RS (re-Styled) version is a refresh of the original, with a new barrel design featuring an enlarged rubber focus ring, a focus range limiter (to reduce excessive focus hunting), and a focus hold button (to lock focus on a subject), useful when using continuous autofocus (AF-C). ADI metering allows the lens aperture to be automatically adjusted by the camera based on the lighting conditions.

Designed with an 8-element, 8-group floating element with rounded blades which was maintained throughout the production series, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.352 meters, measures 71mm in diameter and 98mm in length (approximately 119mm fully extended), accepts 55mm filters, and packs a rather hefty (compared to current lightweights) weight between 505 and 519 grams across the series.

The lens is highly acknowledged for its excellent sharpness, even when shot wide open at f/2.8, and is said to be capable of maintaining excellent sharpness across the aperture range. Ideal applications for the lens include life-size close-ups or used as a short telephoto lens for heads and shoulder portraits, wildlife, landscape elements, sports, and candid street photography from non-intrusive distances.

On the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, the AF 100mm f/2.8 is equivalent to a 150mm medium telephoto lens on a 35mm full frame camera, a versatile focal length excellent for capturing images with a shallow depth of field and subject isolation. At 150mm, a macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio is perfect for detailed close-up shots of insects, flowers, and other small subjects.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

A snug fit, though a bit heady at 1.2+ kg combined weight, the camera/lens kit is a pleasure to use. For handheld manual focus close-ups with the lens at its closest focusing distance, the camera can be cupped in the hand with the thumb and index finger conveniently distanced over the focus ring. At the other end, shooting with the camera held at arm's length, with the camera set to Live View, is equally fun and exciting.

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Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

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Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

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Photo of the Day

Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

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Photo of the Day

Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

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Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

Digital Moments: Image making with a super compact mirrorless setup, a vintage Olympus Pen E-PM2, and a legacy Olympus F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8.

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While the 'Compact Comeback' resurgence refers to a recent trend in the interest of smaller and more portable digital cameras, or digicams, with young enthusiasts looking for a nostalgic appeal in retro looks and simple point-and-shoot photography, senior vintage veterans, on the other hand, can equally look at the concept through a more elaborate setup with a small and compact vintage mirrorless digital mounted with an equally small and petite legacy manual focus lens.

As reviewed, an example of the setup is the mirrorless Olympus Pen E-PM2, the smallest and lightest compact system camera on the market when it was launched in 2012, coupled with a legacy manual focus Olympus F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8, a product manufactured for the PenF half-frame SRL camera from the 1960s.

Though designed with a focus on being small, minimalist, and easy to use, with a body dimension of approximately 109.8 x 64.2 x 33.8mm and 223 grams in weight, the Pen E-PM2 is a highly functional mirrorless digital with flagship features including a 16.1MP sensor and TruePic VI image processor (as seen on the E-PL5 and OM-D E-M5), a 3-inch touchscreen, two-axis image stabilization, and a customizable interface that allows the camera to be set up to users preferences.

The accompanying F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8, which should be well past 60 years old by now, is part of the Olympus PenF series of half-frame SLR system cameras, which were in production from 1963 to 1972. The solidly built lens features a classic double Gauss design with 6 elements in 5 groups, 5 aperture blades, measures approximately 50mm x 35mm in size, accepts 43mm filters, and weighs 138 grams.

The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.35 meters, and at 38mm on the half-frame, is equivalent to a standard normal 50mm on a 35mm full-frame camera. Designed specifically for the Pen F system with a fast f/1.8 aperture, the lens is known for its good image quality, particularly when stopped down, with minimal distortion or chromatic aberration.

On the 2x crop sensor E-PM2, the F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8 is equivalent to a 76mm short telephoto lens on a 35mm full-frame. For good use, a 75mm short telephoto lens is an excellent choice for portrait photography, with a flattering perspective, good background separation, and compression. The focal length is also versatile enough for street photography (which I will try on another session), especially when you want to isolate subjects or create tighter compositions from a mid-to-long distance.

Olympus E-PM2, F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8

With its short telephoto mode, wide aperture, and close focusing distance, the lens is equally suitable for use in close-ups and macro shots. Though thoughtfully disadvantageous without the help of a 'peak focusing' feature, the E-PM2 can be fitted, optionally, with an external EVF (electronic view finder) to enhance focusing accuracy.

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Sony DSLR A-350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Sony DSLR A-350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR A-350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.