Pentax 135mm 3.5 vs Focal 135mm 2.8

SammyLeopold · 01-01-2015, 07:26 PM

Forgive the noob question or if it has even been covered here before, I searched and couldn't find a thread so here I am...
I am a hobbyist and am enjoying playing around with prime lenses now. However I don't want to spend too much on something I don't often do (shoot). So here is my question which would you purchase...

Pentax SMC 135mm f/3.5 $29

or

Focal MC 135mm f/2.8 $25.00

I would imagine the Pentax would be a better lens, but the Focal is faster, hence my dilemma. Thank you very much!

antipattern · 01-01-2015, 08:22 PM

What would you be using the lens for? The Focal is only half a stop faster, it's unlikely going to make a very big difference in bokeh and light gathered. Even if there may not be direct comparisons between the two lenses out there, individual reviews should be quite helpful already, for example on Eklekticystems or mflenses on the Focal, or on Pentaxforums on the Pentax.

I own a couple of 135mm lenses, and my experience has been a mixed bag. Some are really nice, e.g. the Carl Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 and the Pentax M 135mm/3.5. However, I also owned a Japanese-made Practicar 135mm/2.8 and it's been the worst lens I ever had. I passed it on to a friend for free, as it was better than no lens, but many other lenses would have been better than this. It seems that the Focal might be slightly better, but that the Pentax would still have a considerable edge in terms of sharpness and contrast.

Kendigitize · 01-02-2015, 08:08 AM

I would think the Pentax lens is going to have better coatings on the lens for flair and such. You can also pick up a Sears 135mm 2.8 in Kmount for about $25 or less too.

kh1234567890 · 01-02-2015, 09:52 AM

The Pentax M135/3.5 may be slower but it is perfectly usable wide open, which the Focal may not be. Get the M135/3.5. It is a nice little lens.

reeftool · 01-02-2015, 09:17 PM

My M 135/3.5 is one of my favorite lenses. It's tack sharp and very compact and light. While I don't own the Focal (an old Kmart brand), I doubt the the IQ will be anywhere near the quality of the Pentax. I have a JC Penny 135/2.8 which I rarely use because the Pentax is so much better. At those prices, you could buy them both but I would pass on the Focal. The JC Penny lens I own came in a bundle with several lenses and flashes at a garage sale for $10. It's nothing I would have bought by itself although it's not a bad lens. Also in that bundle was a Takumar 28/3.5, a Pentax A 50/2, and a Pentax M42-K mount adapter so I don't mind having a couple of off brand lenses I don't often use. My M135/3.5 is usually in my bag.

01-01-2015, 07:26 PM	#1
SammyLeopold New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4	Pentax 135mm 3.5 vs Focal 135mm 2.8 Forgive the noob question or if it has even been covered here before, I searched and couldn't find a thread so here I am... I am a hobbyist and am enjoying playing around with prime lenses now. However I don't want to spend too much on something I don't often do (shoot). So here is my question which would you purchase... Pentax SMC 135mm f/3.5 $29 or Focal MC 135mm f/2.8 $25.00 I would imagine the Pentax would be a better lens, but the Focal is faster, hence my dilemma. Thank you very much!

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01-01-2015, 08:22 PM	#2
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	What would you be using the lens for? The Focal is only half a stop faster, it's unlikely going to make a very big difference in bokeh and light gathered. Even if there may not be direct comparisons between the two lenses out there, individual reviews should be quite helpful already, for example on Eklekticystems or mflenses on the Focal, or on Pentaxforums on the Pentax. I own a couple of 135mm lenses, and my experience has been a mixed bag. Some are really nice, e.g. the Carl Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 and the Pentax M 135mm/3.5. However, I also owned a Japanese-made Practicar 135mm/2.8 and it's been the worst lens I ever had. I passed it on to a friend for free, as it was better than no lens, but many other lenses would have been better than this. It seems that the Focal might be slightly better, but that the Pentax would still have a considerable edge in terms of sharpness and contrast.

01-02-2015, 08:08 AM	#3
Kendigitize Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 324	I would think the Pentax lens is going to have better coatings on the lens for flair and such. You can also pick up a Sears 135mm 2.8 in Kmount for about $25 or less too.

01-02-2015, 09:52 AM	#4
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	The Pentax M135/3.5 may be slower but it is perfectly usable wide open, which the Focal may not be. Get the M135/3.5. It is a nice little lens.

01-02-2015, 09:17 PM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	My M 135/3.5 is one of my favorite lenses. It's tack sharp and very compact and light. While I don't own the Focal (an old Kmart brand), I doubt the the IQ will be anywhere near the quality of the Pentax. I have a JC Penny 135/2.8 which I rarely use because the Pentax is so much better. At those prices, you could buy them both but I would pass on the Focal. The JC Penny lens I own came in a bundle with several lenses and flashes at a garage sale for $10. It's nothing I would have bought by itself although it's not a bad lens. Also in that bundle was a Takumar 28/3.5, a Pentax A 50/2, and a Pentax M42-K mount adapter so I don't mind having a couple of off brand lenses I don't often use. My M135/3.5 is usually in my bag.