Pentax FA135 2.8 vs. F135 2.8

**jatrax** · 03-17-2015, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

They clearly dropped the ball on the -F 17-28 though, the black sheep of the series. Some intern must have designed the shell of that one. (optically is a great lens)

Agree, but as Marktax noted I think it was a transition design. And several of the other F zooms look different such as the 35-80, 80-200 and 100-300. I'm not sure if those were just early FA zooms that later got renamed or if they are different lenses. But I don't like the look as much so I don't have them.

The F 250-600 also looks different but I would force myself to live with it if someone wants to donate one to my collection

Nicolas06 · 03-18-2015, 04:39 PM

Having now the F135 at home, I didn't manage to really use it that much because I received it 2 days agos. But if the build quality of FA135 is like of FA50, I can say that the F135 then is a much better choice in build quality.

The lense is made of metal, but it also have a bundled hood like ltd (for example FA77). A hood you are sure to never loose and that never take space in the bag. That's really great.

From initial testing the lense look quite sharp closed down, it is pleasure through the viewfinder. f/2.8 look great but has chromatic aberation typical of FA lenses. But as I understood FA & F version are similar optically.

So you choose better build/finish, bundled hood or MTF information communicated to the body in MTF mode.

Stavri · 03-18-2015, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

Having now the F135 at home, I didn't manage to really use it that much because I received it 2 days agos. But if the build quality of FA135 is like of FA50, I can say that the F135 then is a much better choice in build quality.

The lense is made of metal, but it also have a bundled hood like ltd (for example FA77). A hood you are sure to never loose and that never take space in the bag. That's really great.

From initial testing the lense look quite sharp closed down, it is pleasure through the viewfinder. f/2.8 look great but has chromatic aberation typical of FA lenses. But as I understood FA & F version are similar optically.

So you choose better build/finish, bundled hood or MTF information communicated to the body in MTF mode.

I just want to reiterate what Nicholas said on build quality and make a small correction. Both lenses have a built in hood. Also the -F doesn't communicate MTF values to the lens, (none of the -F series lenses do) It was a feature that was introduced with the FA series.

Nicolas06 · 03-19-2015, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by Stavri

I just want to reiterate what Nicholas said on build quality and make a small correction. Both lenses have a built in hood. Also the -F doesn't communicate MTF values to the lens, (none of the -F series lenses do) It was a feature that was introduced with the FA series.

Ah interresting !

angerdan · 05-27-2018, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

FA and F are the same lens except for cosmetics.
Also very fast AF (really fast)

Who can do an AF speed comparision between F(A)135 and DA 55-300 PLM?
I'm curious about the time needed focussing from close distance until infinity.

03-18-2015, 04:43 PM	#33
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Nicolas06 Having now the F135 at home, I didn't manage to really use it that much because I received it 2 days agos. But if the build quality of FA135 is like of FA50, I can say that the F135 then is a much better choice in build quality. The lense is made of metal, but it also have a bundled hood like ltd (for example FA77). A hood you are sure to never loose and that never take space in the bag. That's really great. From initial testing the lense look quite sharp closed down, it is pleasure through the viewfinder. f/2.8 look great but has chromatic aberation typical of FA lenses. But as I understood FA & F version are similar optically. So you choose better build/finish, bundled hood or MTF information communicated to the body in MTF mode. I just want to reiterate what Nicholas said on build quality and make a small correction. Both lenses have a built in hood. Also the -F doesn't communicate MTF values to the lens, (none of the -F series lenses do) It was a feature that was introduced with the FA series. Last edited by Stavri; 03-18-2015 at 04:51 PM.

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03-17-2015, 02:21 PM	#31
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Stavri They clearly dropped the ball on the -F 17-28 though, the black sheep of the series. Some intern must have designed the shell of that one. (optically is a great lens) Agree, but as Marktax noted I think it was a transition design. And several of the other F zooms look different such as the 35-80, 80-200 and 100-300. I'm not sure if those were just early FA zooms that later got renamed or if they are different lenses. But I don't like the look as much so I don't have them. The F 250-600 also looks different but I would force myself to live with it if someone wants to donate one to my collection

03-18-2015, 04:39 PM	#32
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Having now the F135 at home, I didn't manage to really use it that much because I received it 2 days agos. But if the build quality of FA135 is like of FA50, I can say that the F135 then is a much better choice in build quality. The lense is made of metal, but it also have a bundled hood like ltd (for example FA77). A hood you are sure to never loose and that never take space in the bag. That's really great. From initial testing the lense look quite sharp closed down, it is pleasure through the viewfinder. f/2.8 look great but has chromatic aberation typical of FA lenses. But as I understood FA & F version are similar optically. So you choose better build/finish, bundled hood or MTF information communicated to the body in MTF mode.

03-19-2015, 12:11 AM	#34
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by Stavri I just want to reiterate what Nicholas said on build quality and make a small correction. Both lenses have a built in hood. Also the -F doesn't communicate MTF values to the lens, (none of the -F series lenses do) It was a feature that was introduced with the FA series. Ah interresting !

05-27-2018, 12:40 PM	#35
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by pinholecam FA and F are the same lens except for cosmetics. Also very fast AF (really fast) Who can do an AF speed comparision between F(A)135 and DA 55-300 PLM? I'm curious about the time needed focussing from close distance until infinity.