Sears 28mm f2.8 – M42 screwmount – Photography, Images and Cameras

Red Milk Churns (I think)

I came across this lens in a Goodwill store. I’d already developed an interest in older Pentax cameras as well as a yen to try out M42 mount lenses, many of which seem to be good value for money. It was selling for $7.99 (with a nice leather case) so I figured that there was nothing to lose and I bought it. I also bought a nice looking black Spotmatic on ebay and an adaptor so I could use the lens on my NEX 5N.

The adapter came yesterday and I had a chance to try the lens. How do I like it? Frankly I’m astonished! I didn’t expect it to be ask good as it is. Maybe a little soft at f2.8 it’s extremely sharp from f4 onwards. There’s a little barrel distortion but nothing that isn’t easily correctible in post processing. I took a few shots into the sun and didn’t notice much flare. All things considered an extremely nice lens, particularly for what I paid for it.

The Spotmatic is another story. It looks great, but the mirror sticks every few shots and I can’t open the battery compartment (although I haven’t tried very hard yet). Neither of these seem to be insurmountable problems though. It didn’t cost much so I’m not too concerned. I’d like to get it work though.