Looking for a 135mm Prime

Buddha Jones · 11-07-2007, 10:28 PM

Hey everyone. I am going to a concert in a few weeks and I want to take pictures of the show while I am there, and from where I am going to be I think a fast 135mm will be my best options for getting good shots as I don't want to use a flash. I will be taking one of my 50mm's as well in case I score a super sweet location but I don't want to get in people's way as I am trying to shoot so I think a 135mm will be my best bet.

With that being said I am on the hunt for a nice piece of glass. I have seen the Sears 135 and the Pentax 135 that are both f/2.8. Of the two which is better and what are my other options that I should be exploring. I thought that there was a f/1.9 that was made.

And yes I know about the DA* 50-135mm, well that ain't gonna happen so don't even bother.

and · 11-07-2007, 10:35 PM

Voigtlander 125mm f2.5 :P I dont know anything that would beat that in the range

10mm too short though, but also a liiittle bit faster

dantuyhoa · 11-07-2007, 11:02 PM

Don't forget the Pentax 135/2.5 . Also at last resort you can use your VS1 70-210 . I don't have it but my guess is at 135mm , it can't be that slow ! Do a few test shots just to be sure . Is that 70-210 an "A" lens ? If so you might be better off with it . Hope this helps !

ccallana · 11-07-2007, 11:14 PM

I just picked up a Sears manual 135 for exactly the same reason... check out my gallery of a few shots from that show Chapman Concert - Quick Develop - a photoset on Flickr We were 6th row center. The 50 worked as well for full stage shots...

little laker · 11-07-2007, 11:19 PM

I got a Soligor 135 f2.8 last week, and I agree with you.
It is a good size for concerts, and what not.

I got mine partly for the weddings I'm photographing in the spring.

Gimbal · 11-08-2007, 12:14 AM

I’ve got the Soligor 135/2.8 as well, and it feels very solid, even the front lens cap is in metal. However, it does have a problem with a blue blooming effect at f2.8 and 3.5, nice resolution though. But I guess the blooming, if it’s not only my lens, could be a problem at a weeding with all that white and black going on.

axl · 11-08-2007, 12:30 AM

If you don't mind manual: Hoya HMC 135 f2.8
I can only recommend it...

little laker · 11-08-2007, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Gimbal

I’ve got the Soligor 135/2.8 as well, and it feels very solid, even the front lens cap is in metal. However, it does have a problem with a blue blooming effect at f2.8 and 3.5, nice resolution though. But I guess the blooming, if it’s not only my lens, could be a problem at a weeding with all that white and black going on.

I haven't noticed that blue blooming effect yet, although I haven't taken all that many pictures with mine yet.

I do have some sticking aperture blades, so I probably won't be using the lens until I have the time to take it apart and fix the problem

Other than that I like it so far. I probably paid too much though

After I fix the blades I'll try making a lens review on it, even though it appears to be pretty rare.

**David** · 11-08-2007, 02:05 AM

I have the Pentax 135 f2.5 manual and love it on the K10D. It got a pretty good review from Photozone Pentax SMC-K 135mm f/2.5 - Photozone Review / Quick Test Report

Regards

David

mingdie · 11-08-2007, 02:20 AM

As an alternative if you don't find the Pentax. I got hold of a Tokina 135/2.8 manual quite cheap. I was not expecting much but it have been good for a lot of lowlight shots. All the dancing and performing photos on this page was taken with the Tokina. Click twice to see full size.
mingdie1/forum photos - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Cheers
Eddie

incitatus · 11-08-2007, 03:55 AM

I have the k 135 2.5 its big bulky and friggin' awesome, very sharp

kjao · 11-08-2007, 04:52 AM

There is a A* 135/1.8 but I have never seen it for sale in my 4 years of using Pentax cameras! I do have K135/2.5 and FA135/2.8 and both are excellent lenses.

cheers
Kenny

Buddha Jones · 11-08-2007, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the inputs guys, if I dont find anything online I may hit the pawn shops and see if I get lucky.

11-07-2007, 10:28 PM	#1
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Looking for a 135mm Prime Hey everyone. I am going to a concert in a few weeks and I want to take pictures of the show while I am there, and from where I am going to be I think a fast 135mm will be my best options for getting good shots as I don't want to use a flash. I will be taking one of my 50mm's as well in case I score a super sweet location but I don't want to get in people's way as I am trying to shoot so I think a 135mm will be my best bet. With that being said I am on the hunt for a nice piece of glass. I have seen the Sears 135 and the Pentax 135 that are both f/2.8. Of the two which is better and what are my other options that I should be exploring. I thought that there was a f/1.9 that was made. And yes I know about the DA* 50-135mm, well that ain't gonna happen so don't even bother.

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11-07-2007, 10:35 PM	#2
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Voigtlander 125mm f2.5 :P I dont know anything that would beat that in the range 10mm too short though, but also a liiittle bit faster

11-07-2007, 11:02 PM	#3
dantuyhoa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,245	Don't forget the Pentax 135/2.5 . Also at last resort you can use your VS1 70-210 . I don't have it but my guess is at 135mm , it can't be that slow ! Do a few test shots just to be sure . Is that 70-210 an "A" lens ? If so you might be better off with it . Hope this helps !

11-07-2007, 11:14 PM	#4
ccallana Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Folsom, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 321	I just picked up a Sears manual 135 for exactly the same reason... check out my gallery of a few shots from that show Chapman Concert - Quick Develop - a photoset on Flickr We were 6th row center. The 50 worked as well for full stage shots...

11-07-2007, 11:19 PM	#5
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I got a Soligor 135 f2.8 last week, and I agree with you. It is a good size for concerts, and what not. I got mine partly for the weddings I'm photographing in the spring.

11-08-2007, 12:14 AM	#6
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	I’ve got the Soligor 135/2.8 as well, and it feels very solid, even the front lens cap is in metal. However, it does have a problem with a blue blooming effect at f2.8 and 3.5, nice resolution though. But I guess the blooming, if it’s not only my lens, could be a problem at a weeding with all that white and black going on.

11-08-2007, 12:30 AM	#7
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	If you don't mind manual: Hoya HMC 135 f2.8 I can only recommend it...

11-08-2007, 01:23 AM	#8
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by Gimbal I’ve got the Soligor 135/2.8 as well, and it feels very solid, even the front lens cap is in metal. However, it does have a problem with a blue blooming effect at f2.8 and 3.5, nice resolution though. But I guess the blooming, if it’s not only my lens, could be a problem at a weeding with all that white and black going on. I haven't noticed that blue blooming effect yet, although I haven't taken all that many pictures with mine yet. I do have some sticking aperture blades, so I probably won't be using the lens until I have the time to take it apart and fix the problem Other than that I like it so far. I probably paid too much though After I fix the blades I'll try making a lens review on it, even though it appears to be pretty rare.

11-08-2007, 02:05 AM	#9
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347	I have the Pentax 135 f2.5 manual and love it on the K10D. It got a pretty good review from Photozone Pentax SMC-K 135mm f/2.5 - Photozone Review / Quick Test Report Regards David

11-08-2007, 02:20 AM	#10
mingdie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 630	As an alternative if you don't find the Pentax. I got hold of a Tokina 135/2.8 manual quite cheap. I was not expecting much but it have been good for a lot of lowlight shots. All the dancing and performing photos on this page was taken with the Tokina. Click twice to see full size. mingdie1/forum photos - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Cheers Eddie

11-08-2007, 03:55 AM	#11
incitatus Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 47	I have the k 135 2.5 its big bulky and friggin' awesome, very sharp

11-08-2007, 04:52 AM	#12
kjao Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 423	There is a A* 135/1.8 but I have never seen it for sale in my 4 years of using Pentax cameras! I do have K135/2.5 and FA135/2.8 and both are excellent lenses. cheers Kenny

11-08-2007, 07:16 AM	#13
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587 Original Poster	Thanks for the inputs guys, if I dont find anything online I may hit the pawn shops and see if I get lucky.