Kiron 28mm f2

We have 10 pointers to consider while going through our review:

1. Lens on camera, weight and feel.

2. Sharpness.

3. Landscape.

4. Portrait.

5. Close up.

6. Architecture.

7. Still life.

8. Bokeh.

9. Against the Sun.

10. Video use.

Let’s see how the Kiron behaves.

It’s compact. And worn. The aperture ring does not click and is really loose, so now and then I’ve accidentally changed the aperture without even noticing. You learn fast though, not a problem after using this lens a while. Focus is as it should.

It is about the same size as the Helios 44M, with two times wider focal length. It feels a bit more clunky and loose but robust nonetheless.

For viewing sharpness we have our, at least practical, “fence test” for testing center and edge comparison, focus drift and chromatic aberration. But not too closely 🙂

f2

f2,8

f4

f5,6

f8

f11

f16

You have to stop down to f4 to get sharp center. Corners never catch up, but in real life use, in my style of shooting, that doesn’t pose a problem. From f5,6 it is sharp as it gets. I usually keep it at f4-ish. The fence might have been moving in the wind, as the following photos reveal excellent iq.

Lens creates constant colors and reasonably sharp landscapes. It seems to behave well with whatever You point it at.

Looks at those clouds!

A couple of cruise ships from the Mediterranean.

Modern downtown as seen from our ship.

Mid-day shot.

Sharpness and fairly early design provide interesting options for portraits. The results, I’d say, are very nice for a vintage lens.

My babes 🙂

Look at the detail in her eyes!

Closest from lens is 20cm. Focusing is delightfully easy.

Focus nailed.

On closest distance the detail can be iffy.

For tough use.

Shooting architecture works pretty well, it is still not quite wide enough for actual house photos.

Old Town gates with birds in flight, super vintage.

Lovely shades.

Finding images for snaps is fun.

Car as in car

Excellent detail.

Bokeh. This lens does not have any tricks but out of focus is pleasing and colorful.

This is a keeper portrait. Sharp or not!?

Out of focus for the win.

Smooth transition to out of focus.

Against the sun. Sun rings are so and so but flares and vails work wonders.

Old town, old occupations.

Goodnight.

In video use the inherent sharpness takes work with NEX 6, lots of flicker with focus to infinity. When focused a bit closer, no problem. Check the video review here.

With f4 this lens is sharp and bright enough for daytime wonders. Colors are magnificent. The focal length in aps-c is good for just about anything. This lens has produced some of my most cherished images. Go for it.

All images copyright Hill & Spruce.