PentaxForums.com - View Single Post - What's a good cheap 135mm to look out for?

*Duck Dodgers* · 07-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by GeneV

On a slightly off-topic note, I think that all of these off-brand but decently performing 135mm lenses are getting more popular (and costly) with the smaller digital sensor. I may be in the minority, but I never had much use for a 135mm on film. However, on aps-c, its FOV is close to the 200mm I used for 30+ years on film. It's like I have the fast 200 I could never afford.

To the original topic, the M-series 135mm at under $200 and the SMC Tak at a bit more are still a screaming bargain to me, even if they cost more than the dirt cheap Sears or other off-brand 135s. The M-series 200mm/f4 is a ridiculous bargain at the $50-100 you find on Ebay.

I've been holding back on picking up any M lenses, since I use a K10D and its metering on those lenses is somewhat "variable."

But I recently picked up a cheapo Chinese split-prism screen, so perhaps that's changed; I'll have to check (may have to go with the LL-60).

07-02-2009, 09:11 AM	#36
Duck Dodgers Site Supporter Location: in the 24½th Century! Gallery Photos: 14 Posts: 438	Originally Posted by GeneV On a slightly off-topic note, I think that all of these off-brand but decently performing 135mm lenses are getting more popular (and costly) with the smaller digital sensor. I may be in the minority, but I never had much use for a 135mm on film. However, on aps-c, its FOV is close to the 200mm I used for 30+ years on film. It's like I have the fast 200 I could never afford. To the original topic, the M-series 135mm at under $200 and the SMC Tak at a bit more are still a screaming bargain to me, even if they cost more than the dirt cheap Sears or other off-brand 135s. The M-series 200mm/f4 is a ridiculous bargain at the $50-100 you find on Ebay. I've been holding back on picking up any M lenses, since I use a K10D and its metering on those lenses is somewhat "variable." But I recently picked up a cheapo Chinese split-prism screen, so perhaps that's changed; I'll have to check (may have to go with the LL-60).