Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
04-21-2013, 11:14 PM   #16
Veteran Member
yorik's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Scotts Valley, CA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 991
How small of a consideration is the price? You can periodically find F 135 and FA 135 (both f/2.8) both here in the market place and elsewhere for prices that run between $300ish and $400ish. I bought my F 135 last year on ebay for $350, and I am very happy with it.

04-21-2013, 11:42 PM   #17
Veteran Member
TOUGEFC's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brisbane
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,561
I once had a K 135mm f/2.5..... its over-rated.
04-22-2013, 01:53 AM   #18
Senior Member




Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 105
I have a JC Penney 135mm f2.8. Sharpness wide open could be better, but it can be picked up for peanuts.
04-22-2013, 04:48 AM   #19
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,350
QuoteOriginally posted by Jean Poitiers Quote
What about a SMC M 135/3.5
Probably the most bang for your buck, really nice lens, inexpensive, usually about 50$.

QuoteOriginally posted by dms Quote
K 135mm f2.5
Much larger, faster, extremely sharp, but much more expensive.

QuoteOriginally posted by dms Quote
the SMC K 135mm f/2.5 likely goes for about $200. it's quality makes it (relatively) inexpensive.
See, we have different definitions of "inexpensive".

QuoteOriginally posted by RKKS08 Quote
The Takumar 2.8/135 [Bayonet]
That one is fine, indeed, I used it for a time. Bokeh is great, sharpness pretty good, contrast a bit on the low side but there's nothing wrong with it.

04-22-2013, 07:03 AM   #20
Site Supporter
innivus's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Bronx NY
Posts: 340
Original Poster
Thanks for the suggestions so far, everyone; this has been very helpful.

As for price, it isn't a huge deal. I'm just looking for a 135 that's decent enough to figure out what I might use a 135 for - its obviously a popular length, I just never have found myself reaching for any I might have had… possibly because I never really got great results from them. And I don't want to burn $500 on a lens only to find out it isn't my cup of tea.

The 135/3.5 zeiss jena seems to test well, and the m42 mount doesn't bother me. Anyone have any experience with this lens?
04-22-2013, 07:13 AM   #21
Pentaxian




Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,704
I have a S.Takumar 135/3.5 and 135/2.5 (early version); K135/2.5 and FA135/2.8
Between them, I'd just settle for the FA.
Reasons, AF, sharp and nice contrast, colors and focuses a bit closer than the others.

I do like the S.Takumar 135/2.5 on FF though.
I'm often surprised how well it handles OOF linear objects (which can be a mess with some lenses) with pretty nice bokeh.

A135/1.8, amazing as it is (my bro has it), is overpriced in today's market compared to v.good modern offerings on Canon/Nikon (ie. 135/2).
04-22-2013, 07:27 AM   #22
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bronx NY
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,631
Get the pentax K 135 F/2.5. It is probably my favorite K lens.


More examples can be found here

NaCl(slightly heavier than a modern lens but smaller considering it's F/2.5 aperture)H2O

04-22-2013, 08:11 AM   #23
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,350
QuoteOriginally posted by innivus Quote
As for price, it isn't a huge deal. I'm just looking for a 135 that's decent enough to figure out what I might use a 135 for - its obviously a popular length, I just never have found myself reaching for any I might have had… possibly because I never really got great results from them. And I don't want to burn $500 on a lens only to find out it isn't my cup of tea.
In that case, you might cosnider enlarging your choices a bit. I presonally have had 3 135mm lenses , the M120mm and the M150 (very similar fields of view compared to a 135mm) and now I'm using the DFA100 macro WR as a short tele (when not using the 60-250, that is). I previously had the K135 and the FA50 macro, and decided to sell both and get the 100 macro instead. Having a F50 also f1,7, I felt I was duplicating focal lengths. For a short and compact tele the 100 macro is fantastic, plus it's WR. I've never missed the extra 135mm , actually I think 100mm is more versatile.

Food for thought. If it's just for experimenting, comparable focal lengths could serve you well also.
04-22-2013, 08:41 AM   #24
Pentaxian
Jean Poitiers's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Lost in translation ...
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 18,076
QuoteOriginally posted by innivus Quote
... The 135/3.5 zeiss jena seems to test well, and the m42 mount doesn't bother me. Anyone have any experience with this lens?
Yes, it's quite nice ... i should it more often ... J


Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 04-22-2013 at 12:01 PM.
04-22-2013, 08:51 AM   #25
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
monochrome's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Working From Home
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 26,276
I have the K135/2.5 and the hood. I have had but sold the K135/3.5 (though that's also a wonderful lens) and the M135/3.5 because I thought the K/2.5 was the best of the three. With a hood it is an outstanding lens and at f/5.6 yields beautiful, 3D floral portraits and produces sharp, vibrant general purpose photos.

I just got a pristine M75~150/4 ZOOM for $57. It could easily equal almost every 135 mentioned (not the A*135) - possibly even the K - in sharpness and resolution, though f/4 is limiting. Hoods are important.

Last edited by monochrome; 04-22-2013 at 11:48 AM.
04-22-2013, 11:41 AM   #26
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: vigo
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 134
I assume that you prefer bayonet and manual rather than M42 thread ( SMC Takumar 135 f/3,5 or CZJ 135 f/3,5 ) . Therefore , I would give another vote for the K 135 f/2,5 . A really very good lens , beautifully made. The only minus , is that you have to find the hood for it . This is the advantage of the M 135 f/3,5 , since it has built in hood .
The FA 135 f/2,8 seems to be also very good .

Regards
04-22-2013, 04:42 PM   #27
Pentaxian
jcdoss's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,681
Is there a 135mm lens in production?
04-22-2013, 10:31 PM   #28
Veteran Member
Erd§'s Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SEQ
Posts: 323
QuoteOriginally posted by innivus Quote
The 135/3.5 zeiss jena seems to test well, and the m42 mount doesn't bother me. Anyone have any experience with this lens?
I have one of the more recent m42 CZJ's...the "electric" version...and absolutely love it.


It is tremendously sharp wide open:


04-22-2013, 10:36 PM   #29
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by jcdoss Quote
Is there a 135mm lens in production?
Yes...
  • Canon 135/2 (!!)
  • Nikkor 135/2 (!!)
  • Zeiss Apo Sonnar 135/2 (!!!)
  • Sony/Zeiss 135/1.8 (!!!!!)
...and perhaps others, though none in Pentax-K.


Steve
04-22-2013, 10:37 PM   #30
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
...and my personal value favorite...

Vivitar (Komine-made) 135/2.8. Generally available for less than $35.


Steve
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
k-mount, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best Value Pentax Lens BendingPhotography Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 87 11-12-2014 07:41 AM
Best value Zoom Cloapex Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 18 09-17-2013 02:56 AM
Best value used Pentax DSLR for catalog photography? Hamster Pentax DSLR Discussion 9 10-13-2012 09:24 PM
Indoor portraits of 2+ people, best aperture/F value? Dr Meerkat Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11 10-13-2012 08:15 AM
Best value way to get extreme reach with reasonable IQ? Unsinkable II Pentax Q 9 06-27-2012 04:24 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:36 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top