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Olympus PEN E-P5, Auto-Sankor 28mm f/2.8

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Auto-Sankor 28mm f/2.8, First Impression

Digital Moments: A first look at the Auto-Sankor 28mm f/2.8, a three-ring legacy wide-angle prime from the 1960s.

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A good start with what I might find as a keeper - a relatively obscure and low-priced three-ringed (Focus, A-M, Aperture) legacy wide-angle prime from Sankor (also known as Sankyo Seiki), a third-party Japanese lens maker active in the 1960s-1980s, the Auto-Sankor 28mm f/2.8.

The lens is said to be a model from a bigger range of lenses from the same maker, and is known to be rebadged and sold as other variants, such as Optomax, Unitor, Lumax Gold Star, Series E, Mayfair, and more.

The lens, a solid all-metal and glass most commonly found with a M42 mount, is a three-ring built, with the front-most being a very long throw (almost a complete 360°) focus ring, the middle an A-M (Auto/Manual) setting ring.

Typically located near the mount on other M42 lenses, the switch on the ring allows the lens to operate in either Automatic (A) or Manual (M) mode. The third (last) ring is the aperture control, with indented markings for its range from f/2.8 to f/16.

The comparatively bulky and relatively heavy fully manual wide-angle prime (when compared to later generations of wide-angle 28mm primes) is cited to have a 7 or 8 element optical formula, depending on the version, with 5 aperture blades, takes 62mm filters, and weighs approximately 200 grams on the kitchen scale.

While the lens is not regarded as a high-performance lens, its unique vintage render makes it a fun and characterful choice for vintage enthusiasts looking to experiment with vintage and legacy lenses compatible with their cameras. Images are pretty sharp when shot wide open, and will probably be a lot sharper when stopped down. 

The lens, which came with an FD mount and fitted to the 16MP CMOS Olympus PEN E-P5 via an FD-M4/3 lens adapter, equates to a 56mm normal lens on a full-frame camera. Focal lengths in the 40mm to 58mm range (on full-frame equivalent) are generally considered 'normal' because the lens provides a view close to the human eye's natural perspective.

The focal length, with its ability to compress and highlight subjects effectively, is an excellent choice for portraiture, with pleasing subject isolation and bokeh, and is also a versatile asset for street, product, food, and landscape photography. Its slight bulk, however, may not do too well if the lens is to be used as a 'one-lens' for enthusiasts who want to travel light.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Auto-Sankor 28mm f/2.8

Images for these first impression shots were taken wide open in Aperture Priority mode with the lens indexed in the PEN E-P5's lens register as a 28mm, with Peak Focusing aid.

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Konica KD-30M

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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.

Photo of the Day

Konica KD-30M

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

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.

Photo of the Day

Konica KD-30M

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

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.