MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Review

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 is a telephoto lens for medium format cameras. The Russian name “МС Вега-28 2.8/120”. Produced at the Kyiv factory "Arsenal" and Uman factory "Vega," Ukraine, USSR. Since from the mid-80s through the early 90s.

There are two versions with bayonet "B" for cameras Kiev-6/60 (Pentacon Six) and bayonet "V" for "Kiev-88", "Salute" (Hasselblad). 

It can be mounted on any digital camera with an appropriate adapter. This review, a version for bayonet "V," is mounted on a Nikon D3100 via an adapter KP88/H.

The lens is especially interesting for its character, plastic, and beautiful bokeh. Some have compared it with the lens Carl Zeiss Biometar 2.8/120, but Vega 28 differs from it as optical design (it has one more lens), and a picture from in Vega 28 bokeh is considered more proper.

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Specs

Focal length: 120mm

Aperture: f/ 2.8–22

Weight (gr): 480

Length (mm): 61

Filter Ø (mm.): 62

Aperture blades: 8

Min. focus distance (m.): 1.2

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Handling and Mechanics

Lens has small dimensions. Because of what the camera is pleasant to hold in hand and easy to use.

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Focusing

The lens has a rubberized focusing ring that rotates 270 degrees, while the lens is extended by 13mm. The front lens is not rotating. MFD is 1.2m, which is pretty good for such a focal length. 

F/ 2.8 MFD You can shoot the flowers and other small fauna and blur the background.  

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Example Photos

I took all photos with a Nikon D3100 camera. RAW export without postprocessing.

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Sharpness

At aperture f/2.8 at close focusing lens has little soft, portrait sharpness. But at far, focusing sharpness is excellent. 

f/ 2.8

100% crop of the previous image When close, the lens aperture becomes sharper, but only slightly. I have no complaints about the sharpness. 

f/ 2.8

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Character and Bokeh

The lens has beautiful bokeh. A maximum aperture and focal length make it convenient for portrait photography. 

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

 f/ 2.8

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 Contrast and Color Reproduction

The lens has good contrast, but still, despite multicoating afraid backlight and illumination. This applies to almost all Soviet lenses. 

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

Another disadvantage is the metal aperture blades are not blackened (my copy made in 1986), which reduces the already not perfect contrast. 

f/ 4

Using a lens hood recommended.

Personal experience

I use the lens for more than a year, saying that it is convenient to shoot. Mainly used for portraits. 

f/ 2.8

I did not often close the aperture to a value greater than f/4, mainly rented either on f/2.9 or f/3.5 for a little more sharpness. 

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

Its compactness is not strongly evident and good for shooting on the street without attracting a lot of attention and even lead a hidden photo. 

f/ 2.8

Summary

MC Vega-28 2.8/120 is an excellent Soviet portrait lens.

f/ 2.8