Best value 135?

innivus · 04-21-2013, 12:17 PM

I'm looking into picking up a 135 prime. What is your suggestion for me, given that price is a small consideration (otherwise I'd just get the A*135, like most of us would). AF and A ring are nice but not necessary.

Jean Poitiers · 04-21-2013, 12:23 PM

What about a SMC M 135/3.5 ... good and won't break the bank ... J

**dms** · 04-21-2013, 12:28 PM

K 135mm f2.5. IMO it and the M 50mm f1.7 are the (most) outstanding and inexpensive lenses in K mount.

mickey · 04-21-2013, 12:35 PM

I own the M135/3.5 and can say it is a quality piece of kit.

**dms** · 04-21-2013, 12:36 PM

I meant the SMC (not bayonet takumar). Although the SMC K 135mm f/2.5 likely goes for about $200. it's quality makes it (relatively) inexpensive.

Jean Poitiers · 04-21-2013, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by mickey

I own the M135/3.5 and can say it is a quality piece of kit.

I just acquired one (thus my suggestion) and I really like what I'm getting out of this lens ... J

jimr-pdx · 04-21-2013, 12:53 PM

I paid about $15 for a Rikenon XR 135/2.8 - quite heavy but quite talented also.

I also second/third the SMC-M 135/3.5 especially if 'small' is a factor to you. I needed one click down from f/3.5 on my copy, wide open wasn't very crisp; by 5.6 it was impressive.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-21-2013, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by innivus

otherwise I'd just get the A*135, like most of us would

I'll just sit quiet on this thread then.

Docrwm · 04-21-2013, 01:14 PM

Another vote for the M135/3.5 - small, sharp, built in hood, inexpensive.

lguckert79 · 04-21-2013, 01:26 PM

I picked up a cheapo 135 on fleabay u could try there, I think I paid 30 bucks for it with shipping. Its an asanuma 135 f2.8 and I got to say its a great lens really sharp even at 2.8

**RKKS08** · 04-21-2013, 01:43 PM

The Takumar 2.8/135 [Bayonet] is not less sharp than SMC-M 2.8 and the older M42-Takumars.
And you won't miss the SMC (at least I don't with my copy).
I heard the Takumar 2.5 is not on par.

Guakala · 04-21-2013, 01:43 PM

I got a Takumar 135/2.5 at a thrift shop for $2.99 with original caps... Best $2.99 I've ever spent.

mushin · 04-21-2013, 01:51 PM

I would second the SMC K135/2.5. This is a truly outstanding lens for a relatively low price. It is very sharp and is one of those lenses that can make the subject pop out of the background, much like my FA77 does. If you can find one, get it!

Rob22315 · 04-21-2013, 02:23 PM

I too love my M 135/3.5.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-21-2013, 04:02 PM

This test shows the M135/3.5 along with some of the other lenses mentioned here. The Vivitar/Komine would be very competitive and cheaper if you already had an M42 adapter. It is too bad I didn't have the Sears 135/2.8 when I did this.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/68032-135mm-le...imes-zoom.html

04-21-2013, 12:17 PM	#1
innivus Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bronx NY Posts: 340	Best value 135? I'm looking into picking up a 135 prime. What is your suggestion for me, given that price is a small consideration (otherwise I'd just get the A*135, like most of us would). AF and A ring are nice but not necessary.

04-21-2013, 12:23 PM	#2
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	What about a SMC M 135/3.5 ... good and won't break the bank ... J Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 04-21-2013 at 12:31 PM.

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04-21-2013, 12:28 PM	#3
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	K 135mm f2.5. IMO it and the M 50mm f1.7 are the (most) outstanding and inexpensive lenses in K mount.

04-21-2013, 12:35 PM	#4
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	I own the M135/3.5 and can say it is a quality piece of kit.

04-21-2013, 12:36 PM	#5
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	I meant the SMC (not bayonet takumar). Although the SMC K 135mm f/2.5 likely goes for about $200. it's quality makes it (relatively) inexpensive.

04-21-2013, 12:39 PM	#6
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by mickey I own the M135/3.5 and can say it is a quality piece of kit. I just acquired one (thus my suggestion) and I really like what I'm getting out of this lens ... J

04-21-2013, 12:53 PM	#7
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I paid about $15 for a Rikenon XR 135/2.8 - quite heavy but quite talented also. I also second/third the SMC-M 135/3.5 especially if 'small' is a factor to you. I needed one click down from f/3.5 on my copy, wide open wasn't very crisp; by 5.6 it was impressive.

04-21-2013, 01:08 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860	Originally posted by innivus otherwise I'd just get the A*135, like most of us would I'll just sit quiet on this thread then.

04-21-2013, 01:14 PM	#9
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Another vote for the M135/3.5 - small, sharp, built in hood, inexpensive.

04-21-2013, 01:26 PM	#10
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601	I picked up a cheapo 135 on fleabay u could try there, I think I paid 30 bucks for it with shipping. Its an asanuma 135 f2.8 and I got to say its a great lens really sharp even at 2.8

04-21-2013, 01:43 PM	#11
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	The Takumar 2.8/135 [Bayonet] is not less sharp than SMC-M 2.8 and the older M42-Takumars. And you won't miss the SMC (at least I don't with my copy). I heard the Takumar 2.5 is not on par.

04-21-2013, 01:43 PM	#12
Guakala Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 158	I got a Takumar 135/2.5 at a thrift shop for $2.99 with original caps... Best $2.99 I've ever spent.

04-21-2013, 02:23 PM	#14
Rob22315 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria VA USA Posts: 315	I too love my M 135/3.5.

04-21-2013, 01:51 PM	#13
mushin Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 36	I would second the SMC K135/2.5. This is a truly outstanding lens for a relatively low price. It is very sharp and is one of those lenses that can make the subject pop out of the background, much like my FA77 does. If you can find one, get it!

04-21-2013, 04:02 PM	#15
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	This test shows the M135/3.5 along with some of the other lenses mentioned here. The Vivitar/Komine would be very competitive and cheaper if you already had an M42 adapter. It is too bad I didn't have the Sears 135/2.8 when I did this. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/68032-135mm-le...imes-zoom.html