I respectfully disgree - The Rikenon XR 135/2.8 fits this category well. It is sharp and contrasty from F2.8 on and extremely well built. It even has a built in hood. These can be found for less than $50. I ran some lens tests against some other 135s (not the Vivitar) and found it to be by far the sharpest lens. It also displays almost no CA even wide open. I have seen APO lenses with more CA. A very high quality prime.
Originally Posted by Igilligan 
Lets go back a few pages, all the way back to the 2nd comment. Steve had it absolutely right
The Vivitar 135 2.8 with a 28xxxx serial number is the ticket. I paid $25 for mine. It rules over my Pentax M135 3.5 - Super Takumar 135 3.5 and my S-M-C Tak 135 3.5.... And they all cost more than the Vivitar.
The only 135 even close to 50 bucks that beats the Vivitar is the Tair 135 and it is huge by comparison and costs between 60 & 100...
I know this 'Pentax Forums" and the folks here are very loyal to the brand... but reality is what it is and if the OP wants to spend $50 or less... well listen to Steve, he is wise beyond his years.
Actually they are all right... most of the 135s are pretty darn good. And many can be had for 50 bucks, but the vivitar is pretty darn special IMHO
But if you stumble on a cheap Tair 11A it is as the russians say... Лучше, чем секс
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...rite-lens.html http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...-f4-macro.html