SMC Pentax-A* 1:1.8 135mm sample thread

Asahiflex · 04-17-2011, 01:07 PM - **1 Like**

I think this lens deserves its own thread. I got one on loan for a few weeks, just to see if it lives up to the hype and my expectations. I know the lens has a reputation for showing PF easily and sure enough it does, but not nearly as much as I thought. I think it's on the same level as the 135mm f/2.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar with regards to PF.

And yes, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's insanely sharp and contrasty right from wide open. However, it does not focus as smooth as the K series and all Takumars. The A series definitely has a worse build. Also, I found it very hard to focus with the K-5's stock screen. I have many shots where I missed the focus entirely.

Please note: the camera registers the widest f/stop of the lens as f/1.7 and this is reflected in the EXIF.

Enjoy! There will be more to come in the next few weeks...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-17-2011, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

I found it very hard to focus with the K-5's stock screen. I have many shots where I missed the focus entirely

For this reason, I changed over to the Katzeye screens for this lens and other fast lenses that I use daily.

Certainly helped me to "nail it" on most occasions.

Asahiflex · 04-18-2011, 10:54 AM

A few more from today... #5 shows the CA.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

gnaztee · 04-18-2011, 11:07 AM

Wow, the purple fringing in pictures 7 and 8 of the first post is unbearable! It's all over the child's shirt and shoes. And those white flowers...

axl · 04-18-2011, 02:31 PM

Peter, all all these at f1.8?!?

jane7l · 04-18-2011, 02:41 PM

1.8-2.8 last set. check the exif.
the fly with f/1.8 is amazing!

deadwolfbones · 04-18-2011, 03:46 PM

Peter, try some on your 5D?

**dadipentak** · 04-25-2011, 03:38 AM

I hope you don't mind my adding a sample.

[1/500s, f7.1, ISO 250]

EXIF FL is wrong, btw: I forgot to tell the camera I'd switched lenses.

**Clinton** · 04-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Who did you convince to loan you this beauty?

**Clinton** · 04-25-2011, 02:40 PM

I've found live view to be critical in focusing with my 135/1.8. With it on, I usually hit what I'm looking for.

Asahiflex · 04-25-2011, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I hope you don't mind my adding a sample.

Of course not, please show us more like these!

Asahiflex · 04-25-2011, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by Clinton

Who did you convince to loan you this beauty?

I won't disclose any names of course

And indeed, focusing with this lens is much harder than I thought it was. I don't have problems focusing 135mm f/2.8's, but at f/1.8 it becomes nearly impossible to nail the focus.

**dadipentak** · 04-26-2011, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

at f/1.8 it becomes nearly impossible to nail the focus.

True. Fortunately, I don't often feel the need to shoot wide open.

Asahiflex · 04-26-2011, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

True. Fortunately, I don't often feel the need to shoot wide open.

It's nice that it's possible though...

**dadipentak** · 04-26-2011, 08:39 AM

Nice one!

04-17-2011, 01:07 PM - 1 Like	#1
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	*SMC Pentax-A 1:1.8 135mm sample thread** I think this lens deserves its own thread. I got one on loan for a few weeks, just to see if it lives up to the hype and my expectations. I know the lens has a reputation for showing PF easily and sure enough it does, but not nearly as much as I thought. I think it's on the same level as the 135mm f/2.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar with regards to PF. And yes, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's insanely sharp and contrasty right from wide open. However, it does not focus as smooth as the K series and all Takumars. The A series definitely has a worse build. Also, I found it very hard to focus with the K-5's stock screen. I have many shots where I missed the focus entirely. Please note: the camera registers the widest f/stop of the lens as f/1.7 and this is reflected in the EXIF. Enjoy! There will be more to come in the next few weeks... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

04-17-2011, 01:40 PM	#2
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by Asahiflex I found it very hard to focus with the K-5's stock screen. I have many shots where I missed the focus entirely For this reason, I changed over to the Katzeye screens for this lens and other fast lenses that I use daily. Certainly helped me to "nail it" on most occasions. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 04-18-2011 at 02:14 PM.

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04-18-2011, 10:54 AM	#3
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	A few more from today... #5 shows the CA. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

04-18-2011, 11:07 AM	#4
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	Wow, the purple fringing in pictures 7 and 8 of the first post is unbearable! It's all over the child's shirt and shoes. And those white flowers...

04-18-2011, 02:31 PM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Peter, all all these at f1.8?!?

04-18-2011, 02:41 PM	#6
jane7l Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: slovenia Posts: 57	1.8-2.8 last set. check the exif. the fly with f/1.8 is amazing!

04-18-2011, 03:46 PM	#7
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Peter, try some on your 5D?

04-25-2011, 03:38 AM	#8
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I hope you don't mind my adding a sample. [1/500s, f7.1, ISO 250] EXIF FL is wrong, btw: I forgot to tell the camera I'd switched lenses.

04-25-2011, 02:38 PM	#9
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	Who did you convince to loan you this beauty?

04-25-2011, 02:40 PM	#10
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	I've found live view to be critical in focusing with my 135/1.8. With it on, I usually hit what I'm looking for.

04-25-2011, 11:27 PM	#11
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Originally posted by dadipentak I hope you don't mind my adding a sample. Of course not, please show us more like these!

04-25-2011, 11:29 PM	#12
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Originally posted by Clinton Who did you convince to loan you this beauty? I won't disclose any names of course And indeed, focusing with this lens is much harder than I thought it was. I don't have problems focusing 135mm f/2.8's, but at f/1.8 it becomes nearly impossible to nail the focus.

04-26-2011, 04:29 AM	#13
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Asahiflex at f/1.8 it becomes nearly impossible to nail the focus. True. Fortunately, I don't often feel the need to shoot wide open.

04-26-2011, 06:16 AM	#14
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Originally posted by dadipentak True. Fortunately, I don't often feel the need to shoot wide open. It's nice that it's possible though...

04-26-2011, 08:39 AM	#15
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Nice one!