preset lens experience?

cyclone3d · 11-23-2010, 11:37 PM

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I picked up an old (60's) Sigma t-mount 135mm f/2.5 preset lens off of Ebay for $9 + shipping.

I couldn't find any info whatsoever about this specific lens. The closest I could find was of the f/2.8 version of the lens.

I mostly got it because of the massive amout of aperature blades that the preset lenses have.

I was wondering if anybody here had any photos that were taken with a preset lens.

cyclone3d · 11-24-2010, 12:21 AM

I found a few pages with pictures from 135mm f/2.8 preset lenses.... no f/2.5s to be found though... hrmmm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/102973-135mm-t...5mm-3-5-a.html

Pentacon (Meyer) 135mm F/2.8 - a set on Flickr

Flickr: Discussing Lens Review: Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8 in EOS Cameras and Manual Lenses

Flickr: Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 (M42)

Peter Anson · 11-24-2010, 12:25 AM

Have a look at the Soviet lens club. Most of them are preset.

Nesster · 11-24-2010, 04:33 AM

Take pictures of the lens & post them, often there's a similar lens with another brand name. And, if curious, join mflenses.com where the real experts live

For the price you paid you can't go too wrong, and as you say the bokeh ought to be great... these older lenses were designed in a way that modern, sharpness above all, across the entire frame, tastes just don't get...

Also, that reminds me: take a look here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...tml#post888073

Last edited by Nesster; 11-24-2010 at 04:38 AM.

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-24-2010, 05:50 AM

I have 3 presets

200mmf3.5 tak, 135mmF2.8Tele-Lentar and 105mmF2.8Vernon-Edonar.

I like the presets because in many cases the ease of use, you can meter at the shooting aperture in manual mode, have the lens wide open to focus, and then stop down easily to shoot with no risk of going past the preset. They also work in Av mode as any M42 lens does.

One thing to look for is the stiffness of the preset action vs a light touch of the stop down ring. I prefer this, and also look out for stop down rings that are too close to the focusing collar that you in-advertantly hit the focus and shift it when stopping down.

What I find with the presets, aside from more pleasing bokeh, which I suspect is a function not only of round apertures, but also the impression that at any aperture they seem to give better foreground vs background separation than later lens designs where the aperture is closer to the rear element.

BTW, I started the Definitely not the flat earth society to discuss presets and other lenses with round apertures.

Also check out the 135mm club, I did side by side comparison of the 135 tele lentar with an XR Rikenon 135 and a SMC Tak 135F3.5

One interesting side note on the side by side comparison, I found te XR Rikenon lens 1 stop slower (shutter speed at any aperture) than the tele lentar or takumar. Side by side comparisons are very interesting.

cyclone3d · 11-24-2010, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the info.... found pics of a different brand 135mm 2.5 lens in the Definitely not the flat earth society thread.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...ml#post1106752

JeffJS · 11-24-2010, 02:46 PM

For 9 bucks you probably can't go wrong. My only experience with preset was with a Helios 40 (the silver one). Hated it. Not because of the lens itself but because I kept forgetting to stop the aperture down before taking the photo.

Nesster · 11-24-2010, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by cyclone3d

Thanks for the info.... found pics of a different brand 135mm 2.5 lens in the Definitely not the flat earth society thread.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...ml#post1106752

Heh heh, but that's f/2.3 and a rare item, the Komura.

Does the Sigma resemble this Vivitar?
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-Mount Lens::Manual Focus Lenses

cyclone3d · 11-24-2010, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

Heh heh, but that's f/2.3 and a rare item, the Komura.

Does the Sigma resemble this Vivitar?
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-Mount Lens::Manual Focus Lenses

Hrmmm... thought it said 2.5.

In any case, that vivitar looks newer. Here is the pic that the seller posted on Ebay.

For all I know it might not be a Sigma lens... but that is what the seller said it was.

edit: found what looks like the same lens but m42 mount. It is on the uk Ebay site and has the name "Photopia" on it.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLLECTABLE-PHOTOPIA-f2-5-135mm-LENS-M42-SCREW-FIT-/27...item3f050588f2

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Photopia information:
http://www.photomemorabilia.co.uk/Photopia_history.html

stover98074 · 11-25-2010, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by cyclone3d

I picked up an old (60's) Sigma t-mount 135mm f/2.5 preset lens off of Ebay for $9 + shipping.

I couldn't find any info whatsoever about this specific lens. The closest I could find was of the f/2.8 version of the lens.

I mostly got it because of the massive amout of aperature blades that the preset lenses have.

I was wondering if anybody here had any photos that were taken with a preset lens.

I have four preset lenses and very much enjoy working with them. Three of the lenses are a Jupiter9 85 f2 in an M39 mount (slr lens) from 1964, a Jupiter 11A from 1974 and my favorite is a Takumar 135 3.5 from the early 1960's.

They are not highly coated and I try to use a hood as much as possible. The contrast is not as high as newer lenses. Part of the charm of using these older lenses.

The photos below were taken over the past few months in our backyard.

This is a shot from the Takumar.

This is a shot from the Jupiter 11A detailing the many aperture blades.

This is a shot from the Jupiter 9

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-25-2010, 08:54 AM

just to show the quality that you can get from these antiques

here is a shot using my takumar 200F3.5 on my K10D

note I use a split image focusing screen. I forget the aperture I shot this at.

Note you can see the liongitudinal CA as evidenced by the purple frinve in the OFF branches in front of the plane of focus, I prefer this to lateral CA where the OFF is green on one side and purple on the other

Nesster · 11-25-2010, 08:54 AM

Looks like the lens reads PHOTOPIA - a rebranded Sigma... here's some info on Photopia
Photopia History

Actually, I have a Photopia branded auxiliary rangefinder

Nick Siebers · 11-25-2010, 10:21 PM

I love preset lenses. I like how they operate. Currently I have 4: A Takumar 135/3.5, Takumar 200/5.6, Macro-Takumar 50/4 and a Tele-Vivitar 85/1.8. The last lens was a T mount but I put a K mount on it. It is sharp stopped down, but crazy soft wide open with wild bokeh. Here's one example where I missed the focus:

It would have been a better shot stopped down, but I was practicing wide open. I do like the bokeh (swirly?). Post a shot with your lens when you get the chance!

cyclone3d · 11-26-2010, 12:38 PM

This lens arrived this morning.

Here are pics of the lens. It has 12 blades.
It does have a couple big dust particles in it and the aperature ring is not catching most of the time. It kinda feels like there is a loose screw and this problem was mentioned by the Ebay seller.

Other than that, the lens looks to be in excellent shape.

francestotandoc_0234 · 12-21-2010, 02:44 AM

I have just won from Ebay a photopia 135mm f2.5 lens.It will arrive next month, is your copy good or bad?

11-23-2010, 11:37 PM	#1
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 511	preset lens experience? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I picked up an old (60's) Sigma t-mount 135mm f/2.5 preset lens off of Ebay for $9 + shipping. I couldn't find any info whatsoever about this specific lens. The closest I could find was of the f/2.8 version of the lens. I mostly got it because of the massive amout of aperature blades that the preset lenses have. I was wondering if anybody here had any photos that were taken with a preset lens.

11-24-2010, 07:55 PM	#9
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 511 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster Heh heh, but that's f/2.3 and a rare item, the Komura. Does the Sigma resemble this Vivitar? Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-Mount Lens::Manual Focus Lenses Hrmmm... thought it said 2.5. In any case, that vivitar looks newer. Here is the pic that the seller posted on Ebay. For all I know it might not be a Sigma lens... but that is what the seller said it was. edit: found what looks like the same lens but m42 mount. It is on the uk Ebay site and has the name "Photopia" on it. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLLECTABLE-PHOTOPIA-f2-5-135mm-LENS-M42-SCREW-FIT-/27...item3f050588f2 Uploaded with ImageShack.us Photopia information: http://www.photomemorabilia.co.uk/Photopia_history.html Last edited by cyclone3d; 11-24-2010 at 09:32 PM. Reason: add info

11-25-2010, 08:54 AM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	takumar 200F3.5 just to show the quality that you can get from these antiques here is a shot using my takumar 200F3.5 on my K10D note I use a split image focusing screen. I forget the aperture I shot this at. Note you can see the liongitudinal CA as evidenced by the purple frinve in the OFF branches in front of the plane of focus, I prefer this to lateral CA where the OFF is green on one side and purple on the other

12-21-2010, 02:44 AM	#15
francestotandoc_0234 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 4	photopia lens I have just won from Ebay a photopia 135mm f2.5 lens.It will arrive next month, is your copy good or bad?

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11-24-2010, 12:21 AM	#2
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 511 Original Poster	I found a few pages with pictures from 135mm f/2.8 preset lenses.... no f/2.5s to be found though... hrmmm https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/102973-135mm-t...5mm-3-5-a.html Pentacon (Meyer) 135mm F/2.8 - a set on Flickr Flickr: Discussing Lens Review: Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8 in EOS Cameras and Manual Lenses Flickr: Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 (M42)

11-24-2010, 12:25 AM	#3
Peter Anson Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 211	Have a look at the Soviet lens club. Most of them are preset.

11-24-2010, 04:33 AM	#4
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Take pictures of the lens & post them, often there's a similar lens with another brand name. And, if curious, join mflenses.com where the real experts live For the price you paid you can't go too wrong, and as you say the bokeh ought to be great... these older lenses were designed in a way that modern, sharpness above all, across the entire frame, tastes just don't get... Also, that reminds me: take a look here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...tml#post888073 Last edited by Nesster; 11-24-2010 at 04:38 AM.

11-24-2010, 05:50 AM	#5
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	I have 3 presets 200mmf3.5 tak, 135mmF2.8Tele-Lentar and 105mmF2.8Vernon-Edonar. I like the presets because in many cases the ease of use, you can meter at the shooting aperture in manual mode, have the lens wide open to focus, and then stop down easily to shoot with no risk of going past the preset. They also work in Av mode as any M42 lens does. One thing to look for is the stiffness of the preset action vs a light touch of the stop down ring. I prefer this, and also look out for stop down rings that are too close to the focusing collar that you in-advertantly hit the focus and shift it when stopping down. What I find with the presets, aside from more pleasing bokeh, which I suspect is a function not only of round apertures, but also the impression that at any aperture they seem to give better foreground vs background separation than later lens designs where the aperture is closer to the rear element. BTW, I started the *Definitely not the flat earth society* to discuss presets and other lenses with round apertures. Also check out the 135mm club, I did side by side comparison of the 135 tele lentar with an XR Rikenon 135 and a SMC Tak 135F3.5 One interesting side note on the side by side comparison, I found te XR Rikenon lens 1 stop slower (shutter speed at any aperture) than the tele lentar or takumar. Side by side comparisons are very interesting.

11-24-2010, 07:32 AM	#6
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 511 Original Poster	Thanks for the info.... found pics of a different brand 135mm 2.5 lens in the Definitely not the flat earth society thread. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...ml#post1106752

11-24-2010, 02:46 PM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	For 9 bucks you probably can't go wrong. My only experience with preset was with a Helios 40 (the silver one). Hated it. Not because of the lens itself but because I kept forgetting to stop the aperture down before taking the photo.

11-24-2010, 06:37 PM	#8
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Originally posted by cyclone3d Thanks for the info.... found pics of a different brand 135mm 2.5 lens in the Definitely not the flat earth society thread. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/87425-definite...ml#post1106752 Heh heh, but that's f/2.3 and a rare item, the Komura. Does the Sigma resemble this Vivitar? Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Preset T-Mount Lens::Manual Focus Lenses

11-25-2010, 08:19 AM	#10
stover98074 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Originally posted by cyclone3d I picked up an old (60's) Sigma t-mount 135mm f/2.5 preset lens off of Ebay for $9 + shipping. I couldn't find any info whatsoever about this specific lens. The closest I could find was of the f/2.8 version of the lens. I mostly got it because of the massive amout of aperature blades that the preset lenses have. I was wondering if anybody here had any photos that were taken with a preset lens. I have four preset lenses and very much enjoy working with them. Three of the lenses are a Jupiter9 85 f2 in an M39 mount (slr lens) from 1964, a Jupiter 11A from 1974 and my favorite is a Takumar 135 3.5 from the early 1960's. They are not highly coated and I try to use a hood as much as possible. The contrast is not as high as newer lenses. Part of the charm of using these older lenses. The photos below were taken over the past few months in our backyard. This is a shot from the Takumar. This is a shot from the Jupiter 11A detailing the many aperture blades. This is a shot from the Jupiter 9

11-25-2010, 08:54 AM	#12
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Looks like the lens reads PHOTOPIA - a rebranded Sigma... here's some info on Photopia Photopia History Actually, I have a Photopia branded auxiliary rangefinder

11-25-2010, 10:21 PM	#13
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I love preset lenses. I like how they operate. Currently I have 4: A Takumar 135/3.5, Takumar 200/5.6, Macro-Takumar 50/4 and a Tele-Vivitar 85/1.8. The last lens was a T mount but I put a K mount on it. It is sharp stopped down, but crazy soft wide open with wild bokeh. Here's one example where I missed the focus: It would have been a better shot stopped down, but I was practicing wide open. I do like the bokeh (swirly?). Post a shot with your lens when you get the chance!

11-26-2010, 12:38 PM	#14
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 511 Original Poster	This lens arrived this morning. Here are pics of the lens. It has 12 blades. It does have a couple big dust particles in it and the aperature ring is not catching most of the time. It kinda feels like there is a loose screw and this problem was mentioned by the Ebay seller. Other than that, the lens looks to be in excellent shape.