Some "fun" with Sears 135mm f/2.8

Duh_Vinci · 04-23-2007, 05:59 PM

While back, I purchased a Sears "multicoated" lens from ebay, I belive $12 or so, had "A" for KR but looked like someone instead of removing the pin, removed the entire electronic plug (little that it was)...

I've used it with extension tubes on K10D while back, and it produced some reasonable results:

But because it was completely manual, and would not stop down, I barely used it. Well today, I picked up a beater "Prospec", KEH would rate it UGLY, but, the bayonet is flawless, and also "A" KR, lens almost looks identical to Sears (but not macro feature), so I removed the bayonet from Prospect, removed the KR pin, mounted onto the Sears and what do you know - it works as an "A" lens on K10D

Anywho, played with it a little this eve, I'm finding this lens to be a fairly sharp - don't mind the compositions, but here are few shots (RAW/DNG to JPEG in Pentax software) f/2.8:

But this is what I noticed - shots above are all straight conversion in "non-macro" mode. Once the macro mode, unless its stopped down to F11+, it is very soft, almost dreamy like effect.

Also straight conversion f/2.8 "macro mode":

So again, don't mind the composition, but took a snap at Dad in macro mode, converted as above and "smart sharpen" at 100% 0.3 pixels:

Its like getting three lenses in one:

Sharp in non-macro
Sharp in macro (small apertures f/11+)
Soft focus in macro (large apertures)

All for the price of soft focus screw-on filter, and all for $12

Never had so much fun experimenting, taking lenses apart and exploring various potentials of one lens on Pentax DSLR

Regards,
D

little laker · 04-23-2007, 09:33 PM

cool pic's, and you really scored.

bc_the_path · 04-24-2007, 12:19 AM

Now I see why you call yourself Duh Vinci; a well-deserved name!

rfortson · 04-24-2007, 11:55 AM

I paid $5 for mine and it (obviously) was a great bargain. I took some nice shots with it, but since I had two other 135's, I sold it to a local student. I've yet to see/buy a 135mm that wasn't worth the money. They're very handy for a lot of the shooting I like to do.

**roentarre** · 04-24-2007, 12:45 PM

Beautiful shots as usual. Seems like a performer!

Palu Guimaraes · 04-24-2007, 01:26 PM

Hi.

Great buy... Nice pictures , but the first two are fantastic...

Regards,
Palu

Duh_Vinci · 04-24-2007, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the comments all! Fun lens indeed, and $5 - dude, score! Budget lenses can be fun and useful!

Regards,
D

cmv · 04-25-2007, 12:09 PM

Wow! Do you have a photo of this lens? The macro soft look is very nice.

guillermovilas · 05-17-2007, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by Duh_Vinci

While back, I purchased a Sears "multicoated" lens from ebay, I belive $12 or so, had "A" for KR but looked like someone instead of removing the pin, removed the entire electronic plug (little that it was)...

I've used it with extension tubes on K10D while back, and it produced some reasonable results:

D

Tell me Duh_Vinci , is this the lens you are talking about ? i see a few for
sale , maybe i shoud get one , this one seems to be Auto & Manual focus , is this possible ?
"Sears Telephoto Lens 135mm f:2.8 Pentax "K" Mount"

egordon99 · 05-17-2007, 06:32 AM

Auto EXPOSURE (if it has the 'A' on the aperture ring), but manual FOCUS....

This is pretty much the lens I have, and it's really nice! Too bad I stink at manual focusing

Still, not bad for $12!

Originally Posted by guillermovilas

Tell me Duh_Vinci , is this the lens you are talking about ? i see a few for
sale , maybe i shoud get one , this one seems to be Auto & Manual focus , is this possible ?
"Sears Telephoto Lens 135mm f:2.8 Pentax "K" Mount"

Stratman · 05-17-2007, 07:47 AM

I'm expecting a Chinar 135 mm f2.8 very soon. I hope it is half as good as this sears !! great shots

Alvin · 05-17-2007, 08:11 PM

A Sears 2.8 with Macro?!? Where'd you find that? I have an old Sears with no macro for which I paid $10 CDN. You have a great find!

egordon99 · 05-18-2007, 07:27 AM

Don't know if you're talking to me, but I found that lens on eBay. It was in immaculate condition and I was the only person to bid on it, so I got for 12USD (plus shipping)

Never really used the Macro feature as I have a Sigma 105mm EX DG macro lens.

Originally Posted by Alvin

A Sears 2.8 with Macro?!? Where'd you find that? I have an old Sears with no macro for which I paid $10 CDN. You have a great find!

*NaClH2O* · 05-18-2007, 09:07 AM

Looks like you got a 4X score D!
A sharp medium tele
A soft macro, (and I lurve that macro shot... b u ti full! )
A sharp macro
and you got to mess around with the mechanics of it! (it's always fun if there's no risk involved)

NaCl(and now you know a bit about the mechanics of the K-mount)H2O