So, I have an off-brand 28mm lens - how to evaluate character?

[eli griggs]

Speaking of Vivitar, I recall their 2.5 28mm (I believe in Canon FD, at least) garnered a good reputation amongst some shooters, so you might keep an eye out for one in your mount.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Shoot a series of colour AND b&w films, with several different frames of closest focus, the medium distances that are your average rangefinder setting and at infinity.

Then sit down with prints from each, 8"x10" should be ideal quality and, if you can afford to, 11"x14" or 20"x30" prints of the two best images.

Look at the details, grains, colour depth and rendering and see if they please you.

If so, use the lens and let it make the best images it is capable of.

If no, keep looking for your keeper 28, but also keep in mind, some lenses render their best work in either colour or b&w, and give cool and warm images differently, so you may end up with two lenses, or more.

Godspeed

Also look at the lens contrast. Before Vivitar came out with the Series I lenses, I bought a Vivitar 70mm to 205mm zoom lens and its contrast was greatly inferior to all my other lenses which were Minolta Rokkor lenses. I have been very careful since then when buying off brand lenses, although I am pleased with the three Tamron lenses and 2X extender that I have now.

 

[jay moussy]

Also look at the lens contrast.

Hmm, OK, reading about lens contrast right now (ability to define boundaries, or "contrasty" contrast?).

Practical ways to evaluate contrast, for the commoner?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hmm, OK, reading about lens contrast right now (ability to define boundaries, or "contrasty" contrast?).

Practical ways to evaluate contrast, the commoner?

Look through the viewfinder, rangefinders need not apply. There was a big difference when compare, but normally they are not compared. Looking at a subject and changing lenses, I could see a big difference which always bothered me.

 

[Pieter12]

Take some pictures. See if you like them.