Lens Tournament: DA* 50-135mm F2.4 vs K 135mm F2.5

Adam · 10-23-2014, 11:16 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results.

In this telephoto knockout match, the SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 factes the SMC Pentax 135mm F2.8.

Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account.
Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours.

Lens Info:

Adam
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Sandy Hancock · 10-23-2014, 11:22 PM

This one is tougher. I am very happy with my DA*50-135, but the results I have seen from the 135/2.5 are simply incredible. I have no personal experience with it, but I would actually give it the nod.

**luftfluss** · 10-23-2014, 11:24 PM

I don't have either lens, and never scrutinized images from them, so I'm not going to vote. But I do know that some people bought into Pentax specifically for the 50-135.

**Rondec** · 10-24-2014, 02:52 AM

I don't know. I think I would pick the 50-135 in this match up. The lens that I would give a clear win over the 50-135 would be the A* 135mm f1.8. Now that's an amazing lens.

Stavri · 10-24-2014, 04:32 AM

No check box for the F/FA 135mm f2.8? DA* 50-135mm f2.8 it is then. (it's a amazing lens)

utak · 10-24-2014, 04:49 AM - **1 Like**

Having recently acquired the K135/2.5 and used it on the Single in challenge this month, I think its a fabulous lens - as sharp as a 50/1.7 and wonderful rendering. So it gets my vote.

Here are my challenge photos from the K135/2.5 this October if anyone's interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/sets/72157648186385386/

vrrattko · 10-24-2014, 05:13 AM

Had both .....and both are good lenses, but if I had to choose one I will go with 50-135/2.8. At the end I decided to buy FA135/2.8, but out of three DA* is perhaps the best lens,,,,

**RobA_Oz** · 10-24-2014, 06:08 AM

I have the SMC Takumar 135/2.5, which I've had from new. It's a great lens, and I believe it's optically identical to the K 135/2.5. However, the DA*50-135/2.8, which I also have, wins on versatility and ease of use. I haven't actually put the two of them together for comparative purposes, but I've had good IQ from both. If I recall correctly, someone here did a comparison that included these two lenses, and there wasn't much in it.

sinjin · 10-24-2014, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by utak

Having recently acquired the K135/2.5 and used it on the Single in challenge this month, I think its a fabulous lens - as sharp as a 50/1.7 and wonderful rendering. So it gets my vote.

Here are my challenge photos from the K135/2.5 this October if anyone's interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/sets/72157648186385386/

Very nice set of photos, well done.

**monochrome** · 10-24-2014, 06:27 AM

I'm very happy I have never owned the 50~135 so that I can (IMHO) deny myself the right to vote in this playoff round rather than submit to common logic and vote against the venerable medium telephoto I nominated.. That is, of course, because I covet and pursue SMC K lenses to the ends of the earth. I've had the K135 three times now. Every time I sell it I'm drawn to buying it back.

I've learned my lesson.

OWTH -K135!!

infra4801 · 10-24-2014, 07:15 AM

I have not handled or used the 50-135 2.8, but I do own the K135 2.5, and even though I still have not played enough with it to discover the whole focus throw range, I LOVE the pictures I have gotten. Of my favorites I have taken, the majority are from this lens.
Vote for K135mm f/2.5

siamthai · 10-24-2014, 09:13 AM

K 135mm F2.5

PiotrKrochmal · 10-24-2014, 09:15 AM

I vote for K135 2.5 as I have it and it is sharp from wide open.

**gofour3** · 10-24-2014, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I'm very happy I have never owned the 50~135 so that I can (IMHO) deny myself the right to vote in this playoff round rather than submit to common logic and vote against the venerable medium telephoto I nominated.. That is, of course, because I covet and pursue SMC K lenses to the ends of the earth. I've had the K135 three times now. Every time I sell it I'm drawn to buying it back.

I've learned my lesson.

OWTH -K135!!

I'm sure you can guess which one I voted for!

Phil.

hoanpham · 10-24-2014, 10:07 AM

I have both, and voted for the K 135/2.5.
The DA* still needed for it's purpose, but the joy is K135/2.5.
It is simply incredible lens, so nice that I also got the smc tak version to use on canon FF.
and on a FF body (like a7r/5d/5dm2) even more awesome...

View Poll Results: Which lens should advance to the next round?
DA* 50-135mm F2.8	79	71.17%
K 135mm F2.5	32	28.83%
Voters: 111. You may not vote on this poll

10-23-2014, 11:16 PM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	*Lens Tournament: DA 50-135mm F2.4 vs K 135mm F2.5** Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results. In this telephoto knockout match, the SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 factes the SMC Pentax 135mm F2.8. Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account. Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours. Lens Info: SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax 135mm F2.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-24-2014, 06:27 AM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I'm very happy I have never owned the 50~135 so that I can (IMHO) deny myself the right to vote in this playoff round rather than submit to common logic and vote against the venerable medium telephoto I nominated.. That is, of course, because I covet and pursue SMC K lenses to the ends of the earth. I've had the K135 three times now. Every time I sell it I'm drawn to buying it back. I've learned my lesson. OWTH -K135!! Last edited by monochrome; 10-24-2014 at 07:25 AM.

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10-23-2014, 11:22 PM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	This one is tougher. I am very happy with my DA*50-135, but the results I have seen from the 135/2.5 are simply incredible. I have no personal experience with it, but I would actually give it the nod.

10-23-2014, 11:24 PM	#3
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	I don't have either lens, and never scrutinized images from them, so I'm not going to vote. But I do know that some people bought into Pentax specifically for the 50-135.

10-24-2014, 02:52 AM	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,651	I don't know. I think I would pick the 50-135 in this match up. The lens that I would give a clear win over the 50-135 would be the A* 135mm f1.8. Now that's an amazing lens.

10-24-2014, 04:32 AM	#5
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	No check box for the F/FA 135mm f2.8? DA* 50-135mm f2.8 it is then. (it's a amazing lens)

10-24-2014, 04:49 AM - 1 Like	#6
utak Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 928	Having recently acquired the K135/2.5 and used it on the Single in challenge this month, I think its a fabulous lens - as sharp as a 50/1.7 and wonderful rendering. So it gets my vote. Here are my challenge photos from the K135/2.5 this October if anyone's interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/sets/72157648186385386/

10-24-2014, 05:13 AM	#7
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Had both .....and both are good lenses, but if I had to choose one I will go with 50-135/2.8. At the end I decided to buy FA135/2.8, but out of three DA* is perhaps the best lens,,,,

10-24-2014, 06:08 AM	#8
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,196	I have the SMC Takumar 135/2.5, which I've had from new. It's a great lens, and I believe it's optically identical to the K 135/2.5. However, the DA*50-135/2.8, which I also have, wins on versatility and ease of use. I haven't actually put the two of them together for comparative purposes, but I've had good IQ from both. If I recall correctly, someone here did a comparison that included these two lenses, and there wasn't much in it.

10-24-2014, 06:13 AM	#9
sinjin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 242	Originally posted by utak Having recently acquired the K135/2.5 and used it on the Single in challenge this month, I think its a fabulous lens - as sharp as a 50/1.7 and wonderful rendering. So it gets my vote. Here are my challenge photos from the K135/2.5 this October if anyone's interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/sets/72157648186385386/ Very nice set of photos, well done.

10-24-2014, 07:15 AM	#11
infra4801 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 55	I have not handled or used the 50-135 2.8, but I do own the K135 2.5, and even though I still have not played enough with it to discover the whole focus throw range, I LOVE the pictures I have gotten. Of my favorites I have taken, the majority are from this lens. Vote for K135mm f/2.5

10-24-2014, 09:13 AM	#12
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	K 135mm F2.5

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10-24-2014, 09:15 AM	#13
PiotrKrochmal Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Poland -> Kraków Posts: 199	I vote for K135 2.5 as I have it and it is sharp from wide open.

10-24-2014, 09:48 AM	#14
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by monochrome I'm very happy I have never owned the 50~135 so that I can (IMHO) deny myself the right to vote in this playoff round rather than submit to common logic and vote against the venerable medium telephoto I nominated.. That is, of course, because I covet and pursue SMC K lenses to the ends of the earth. I've had the K135 three times now. Every time I sell it I'm drawn to buying it back. I've learned my lesson. OWTH -K135!! I'm sure you can guess which one I voted for! Phil.

10-24-2014, 10:07 AM	#15
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	I have both, and voted for the K 135/2.5. The DA* still needed for it's purpose, but the joy is K135/2.5. It is simply incredible lens, so nice that I also got the smc tak version to use on canon FF. and on a FF body (like a7r/5d/5dm2) even more awesome...