[Lowell Goudge]

Ok, a while back I asked the forum members a question

Do I have LBA or have I simply lost my mind?

I decided to look at building an M42 Kit, and happened onto a really nice takumar 200mm F3.5 to go with the supertakumar 85mm F1.9.

I had already most of the low focal lengths (24 F2.5, 28 F2.5 and 35 F2) but the real hole in the kit now that I havbe a 200 is something between 85 and 200, i.e. a 135.

I do not want an SMC takumar F2.5 because I feel that will be too similar to my SMC Pentax 135 F2.5 so I am looking for another high quality 135, that may be something a little different.

Let's here the ideas

Edit note added as people have responded:

In no particular order here are the options so far to post 33:

- Auto Chinon f2.8/135 6 blade 1.5 m min focus
- Contax Sonnar 135/2.8,
- Sonnar - Carl Zeiss Jana DDR 135/F3.5 MC
- Jena 3.5
- CZ Super-Dynarex 135 f4
- Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar 135mm f/4.0-22.0
- Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8
- Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8
- Focal MC Auto 135 F2.8
- HANIMEX Auto 2.8/135
- Jupiter 11A 135mm F4
- Jupiter 37 (A, AM)
- Leica 135/2.8,
- tele-lentar 135/2.8
- Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)
- Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8
- OPTICAM 2.8/135 preset
- Pentacon 135 2.8 preset 15 blade
- Pentacon 2.8/135, any version
- Auto Reikenon 135mm F2.8
- schneider kodak retina tele xenar 135mm f4 DKL
- Sears 135mm F2.8
- SEARS AUTO EE 135MM F/2.8
- Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8
- Soligor 135mm f1.8
- Soligor Soligor 135mm f/2.0-22.0
- ASAHI KOGAKU TELE-TAKUMAR 135mm f3.5
- S-M-C Takumar 135mm f/3.5.
- S-M-C Takumar 6-element 135mm f/2.5. It can't possibly get any better than this.
- Takumar, pre-set 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Auto-Takumar 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Super-Takumar, first version of 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Super-Takumar, 2.5/135,
- Tair-11a 133mm F2.8
- Tair-11-2 135mm f/2.8 (rare black version).
- Vivitar Series 1 135 F2.3
- Vivitar auto 3.5/135 6 (SN 41)
- Vivitar 2.8/135 chrome and black (sn 10)
- Vivitar auto telephoto 2.8/135 6 blade(Komine),


Other options/focal lengths
Meyer Trioplan V 100/2.8?
Tele-Takumar 5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 6.3/300
S-M-C Takumar 2.8/105
S-M-C Takumar 2.8/120
S-M-C Takumar 4/150

[jezza323]

check out the russian Tair-11a

best one ive tried (not that ive tried many...). probably 70% of my shots in the last month have been with it (i got it 1 month ago!)

only time i take it off is when i want to go wide

[Just1MoreDave]

I suggested the Vivitar/Komine, based on this test.

135mm Lens test: Six primes and a zoom

If you look for a while, you can find these for under $25 shipped, certainly less than $50 from a better-documented auction. The Tair sounds interesting, and there's a Carl Zeiss Jena that always sounded interesting.

[Douglas_of_Sweden]

What about a Zeiss Sonar (aus Jena)?

[jimH]

You have LBA, but what the heck, if you can afford it and you are not depriving your family of food and housing, so what?

[georgweb]

Just1moreDave, great write-up in your test, much appreciated !

I gotta sing the tune of that Jena 3.5 as I haven't found any 2.8 that comes close (haven't tried the Tair nor the 2.5 Pentax though).

Really good quality at f/3.5 incl. colors and outstanding smooth bokeh. I really trust this lens. There is an older zebra version which is similar (blue glass) but I'd strongly recommend the all-black MC version with the sliding hood. The Jupiter 37 (A, AM) is the same lens scheme but multiple aperture blades. OTOH it does not have the sliding hood so I would stay with the Sonnar.


M42 MC Sonnar 3.5/135 Carl Zeiss Jena on K100D @f/3.5

BTW be cautious with the aperture, it can be gummed up so either tinkering or pass.
Georg

[awo425]

My Vivitar Series 1 135 F2.3 stopped down half a stop is quite good.

[raymeedc]

How about the early Takumar Pre-set 135? Smaller than later Takumars, with the advantage (on DSLRs), of the dual aperture rings for quick wide open focus to shooting aperture transfer. I love mine.

[jezza323]

here is an example from my Tair wide open (f2.8)

the shot


and a 100% crop - no sharpening applied

[Blue]

I second the preset Tak or even the auto-tak.

However, I would strongly consider these:

Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8

Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8

[FONT=Arial][/FONT]Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8

Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)

[sajah]

How about Pentacon 135 2.8 preset. Some people call it Bokeh Monster (try googling bokeh monster, you'll find lots of info). I have it but I haven't had any chance to use the lens extensively. It's not because the lens is bad, it's just I'm not comfortable with 135mm focal length (on APS-C), maybe not yet.


Some sample pics, between wide open to F4 (since it's a preset aperture)




EDIT: Just noticed Blue's post above, IIRC this is the same lens as Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8

[Asahiflex]

As you may have realized, there is no such thing as the "best" 135mm m42 lens. I have tried many (I still have many) and apart from the Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8, each and every lens I tested was at least very good. This is no surprise as the 135mm's were quite easy to make, and every brand at least had one in their catalogs.

I do have a few favorite lenses though...

1) The 6-element 135mm f/2.5 S-M-C Takumar. It can't possibly get any better than this.
2) The 135mm f/3.5 pre-set Takumar.
3) The 135mm f/2.8 Tair-11-2 (rare black version).

The 135mm f/3.5 Sonnar (Carl Zeiss Jena or Aus Jena, both are the same) is optically very nice, but as always with CZJ lenses the mechanical part is really a letdown. Inoperative diaphragms are common and dry/stiff focusing rings are not rare either. Only buy one with the intent to have it CLA'd.

[estudleon]

I second the preset Tak or even the auto-tak.

However, I would strongly consider these:

Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8

Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8

[FONT=Arial][/FONT]Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8

Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)

HI.

I agree with you.

My only doubt is about the enna lens, not 'cos a so-so lens, but the quality build a lot of plastic.

Very nice option the steinheil (a friend of my give me the macro version, and it's wanderfull).

I have now the mamiya sekor no SX (TL black version) and it's impressive lens. Excelent colors (oldest leica M cold colors). It's so good that I sold my CZJ, 'cos I like more the mamiya.

And the super cream, monster bokeh pentacon. I think that no matter what 135 you have, must buy that pentacon too. I will do it when I find a cheap one.

Rino.

[estudleon]

As you may have realized, there is no such thing as the "best" 135mm m42 lens. I have tried many (I still have many) and apart from the Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8, each and every lens I tested was at least very good. This is no surprise as the 135mm's were quite easy to make, and every brand at least had one in their catalogs.

I do have a few favorite lenses though...

1) The 6-element 135mm f/2.5 S-M-C Takumar. It can't possibly get any better than this.
2) The 135mm f/3.5 pre-set Takumar.
3) The 135mm f/2.8 Tair-11-2 (rare black version).

The 135mm f/3.5 Sonnar (Carl Zeiss Jena or Aus Jena, both are the same) is optically very nice, but as always with CZJ lenses the mechanical part is really a letdown. Inoperative diaphragms are common and dry/stiff focusing rings are not rare either. Only buy one with the intent to have it CLA'd.

Hi Asahiflex.

I never like so much the pentax lenses, but since I have the S-M-C 1,4/50 when someone says anything in favor of Takumar's lenses, I must agree.

I have to sold my CZJ 3,5/135 because the problems with blades, not well built to me. The IQ is good, of course, but if I have to buy one, I prefer the zebra version, so far. The zebra is an inexpensive lens, very good built, with more resolution power and less yellowish images than the MC.

Regards, Rino.

[Lowell Goudge]

You have LBA, but what the heck, if you can afford it and you are not depriving your family of food and housing, so what?

thanks, I kinda figgured that