Makinon 28mm f2.8

One of the lesser known underdogs of the vintage world, this lens cost 12€. That’s not much. The look is quite modern, in a hip seventies kind of way, but being a m42 mount, adds a bit of bulk. Hefty and solid like most older lenses, it feels good in the hand.

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All photos shot with the Sony NEX6, an aps-c camera, giving a 42mm equivalent focal length, which I quite like. Using this lens is easy and relaxing. At f5.6 the center is sharp but the corners never catch up. Boohoo. I was drawn to wide/wide-ish composition and I think the sharpness, or lack of, works very well.

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Quite surprising is the lack of color fringing, a pleasant surprise at that! Can’t find any? Don’t look too hard. Pixel peepers should not bother.

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Color comes out modest and is easy to edit in post. Images are presented with a slight orange-brownish color cast. As easy as it is to get rid of, I usually leave it. I like it.

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Bokeh is pleasing, soft and buttery. If butter would be a thing in photography. This also benefits from the center-oriented sharpness factor 🙂

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Closest focusing distance is 25cm. For a wide lens that’s quite close.

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This lens loses in almost every technical or quality based objective to the Kiron 28mm. On the other hand it’s not about that. It’s about the image. And the images are great.

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Not as sharp as the Kiron, this Makinon works wonders for video. Moiré begone! Or other magic word of Your choice. Check out the review in video form, with video!

If You find one for reasonable price, I would not hesitate. This lens will remain on my shelf.