The Rokkor MC 28mm f/2.8 was my dad’s second lens for his Minolta SRT-101, paired with the original Rokkor 58mm f/1.4. When I brought the SRT-101 over to Canada, it became my only film photography lens for a while, since my brother kept the more recent 50mm for the Minolta XG-2.

That is basically how I learned to use and love the 28mm focal length, and why I now have one available for each camera system I use.

It is a practical wide lens for travel, landscapes, documentary, and environmental scenes, but it also has that Rokkor character: the colour, the look, the rainbow flares, and the slightly unpredictable behaviour in backlit situations. It is not something I would fight too much. With Rokkor lenses, I think part of the fun is embracing those imperfections.

The Good:

• 28mm is useful for travel, landscapes, documentary, and environmental scenes.

• Compact and easy to carry with Minolta bodies.

• f/2.8 is practical for daylight and stopped-down field work.

• Solid MC-era mechanical feel.

• Very affordable and easy to find.

• Unique rainbow lens flares and bokeh character proper to Rokkor lenses.

The Bad:

• Edge performance and flare control depend on version and condition, but overall it needs to be embraced when using Rokkor lenses in backlit situations.

• 55mm filters can be harder to find, so it is often easier to use 58mm filters with a step-up ring.

• Get it if you want a straightforward wide lens for Minolta film bodies.

• Get it if you want a fun legacy lens to adapt on a digital camera.

• Pass if you shoot often facing the sun and want control lens flares.