Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**gofour3** · 08-27-2015, 11:14 AM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Originally posted by clackers

The Samyang is a FF lens.

Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review:

Cons:

too high vignetting on full frame.

My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF.

Phil.

ScooterMaxi Jim · 08-27-2015, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review:

Cons:

too high vignetting on full frame.

My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF.

Phil.

It's a completely fair criticism at 2.44 EV wide open on FF. One stop down at f/2.8, it's just over 1 stop which isn't all that bad. Something to weigh if anyone is planning to go FF. Even if you compensate in post / conversion, when you have that much fall off (2+ EV) the lighting and contrast ratios inevitably end up off.

**clackers** · 08-27-2015, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review:

Cons:

too high vignetting on full frame.

My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF.

Phil.

Agreed, then. I have several of their wide primes, but stopping down is normal for landscapes.

A 135 should be judged by wide open performance - portraits, flowers, etc where good bokeh is being sought.

pleo · 09-29-2015, 04:19 AM

I had the A* 1.8/135 for some years (sad enough that I sold all my 3 *-lenses due to financial reasons):
It's simply great optically - at 2.8 already near best performance.
One thing with the *-lenses is/was, that they have a FREE-construction (fixed rear element) so that you have great performance at close and far distances. Most lenses have only 1 point with really good /best performance. Nowadays often distances that are used for lens tests....

The A* can be used with great results with TC too!

pathdoc · 09-29-2015, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

because so many people are seeking the bokeh.

And soon models will be hired merely to provide a focal point and then move aside, leaving the entire picture full of that lush, creamy bokeh. Foreground? Subject? Pah!

Originally posted by zeitlos

is it mere nostalgia that is the driving force behind it?

Give Samyang a few more years and you will find the manual-focus crowd running in their direction. They certainly seem to be making a name for themselves as makers of good glass for people who aren't afraid to handle MF but still want K-A functionality. Can someone who owns one tell me if the Samyang lenses write their focal length to EXIF/talk to shake reduction, or do we have to do that manually still? If they talk, it would put them a cut above the Pentax A lenses for functionality.

northcoastgreg · 09-29-2015, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

Can someone who owns one tell me if the Samyang lenses write their focal length to EXIF/talk to shake reduction, or do we have to do that manually still?

No, they don't. You have to program the focal length in.

The Samyang's are nice lenses, particularly when the price is factored in. But they're not on the same level as any of my Pentax primes, whether old or new; nor would any of them be able to match the legendary A 135/1.8.

pinholecam · 10-01-2015, 07:05 PM - **1 Like**

My caution on the Samyang 135mm is this.
Most of the nice samples of the bokeh are ones where the subject is rather close up. (ie. head shots, head to chest shots, close up still life and objects)
Any fast 135mm in those close focus situation is not going to be bad.

What about full body shots (eg. Elena Shumilova style ) with foilage, braches or urban settings with linear OOF objects?

Not bluntly saying that its bad, but I've seen a few of such shots that makes me think over it.

The pro of this lens is of course the price and f2 and on limited budget but wanting a short tele that is f2, this will be it.
Or maybe just get a Pentax 135/2.5

The A135/1.8 is overpriced wrt what is readily available imo (I have access to one, though I don't own it)
Again, not that its bad, but when using a 135mm f2, f1.8 in the context of people shots, there are many options out there in Canikon that are no slouch and often have AF, and cheaper.
The A135/1.8 price now reflects its position as a very good 135/1.8 as well as a collector's item (emphasis on the latter).

What this lens offers.
Rich contrast and colors per a Pentax SMC lens.
The type of strong drawing style (esp if subject contrasts with bkgnd) typical of the good Pentax lenses.

A great lens if one does not mind current prices.

Last edited by pinholecam; 10-03-2015 at 06:59 AM.

**Kerrowdown** · 10-03-2015, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by zeitlos

Pentax A135/1.8 vs Samyang 135/2

My "Lady Luck” (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) is an everyday go to lens and has never failed to deliver what is required.

I have posted many images here on the forum with her, here's one from four days ago... while not wide open, still at F2.0 pretty near to it.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/284080d14...y-high-key.jpg

But what would be interesting to see... if a member here had both and could post back to back everyday images from both optics for a comparison to see the performance of both... anyone?

P.S. Found a couple at F1.7... now that's really wide open for F1.8 lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/282492d14...ss-fishing.jpg

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/229767d14...ng-watched.jpg

**jbondo** · 10-03-2015, 05:05 PM

My "Sparkle" (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) brings home the bacon again and again for clients. Seriously, I have a lot of winners from this one. Notably, my copy is damaged, with a chipped front element, and it still very sharp and contrasty starting at F2.2 and has a high keeper ratio. Are they overpriced? I think so. Do they deserve the reputation. Yes. Are they both challenging to shoot with near wide open without autofocus? Very. If you have a big budget, get the Pentax, if you don't get the Samyang. If you plan to shoot full frame, get the Pentax. Here's an example of it on full frame in some varying lighting conditions:
JB Media | 20141126 JLR Birds Sunset
JB Media | 20150119 Atoka Dark Sky and Comet Lovejoy
JB Media | 20150704 Tazmaniacs at RedRock

oops, correction - #2 was on crop sensor. Other two were FF.

skyclad666 · 10-04-2015, 05:49 AM

Dear All

Thanks for the informative post. This Samyang looks like a killer lens. The Lenstip review clearly states that its minor weakness is only vignetting.
There are also beautiful samples of the Pentax version on Pentaxians.de

I wanted to share this very low price of the Pentax version on Amazon UK.
Only £304 and free shipping to UK or 434€ including shipping to France !!!
A real bargain. OK, I ordered the last one today but a new batch is supposed to arrive at this price soon. Let's be patient now :-)

Hope it helps
JC

**Kerrowdown** · 10-04-2015, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by jbondo

My "Sparkle" (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8)

Not just me that names them then...

KDD · 10-04-2015, 09:49 AM

I have my own PENTAX A* 135 mm f1.8. Smile

**Kerrowdown** · 10-04-2015, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by KDD

I have my own PENTAX A* 135 mm f1.8.

Well your in good company, does yours have a name... as many do it would seem around here?

**dadipentak** · 10-04-2015, 10:17 AM

Silly boy! The A*135/1.8 is far superior because I own one.

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

does yours have a name.

It's The Jewel in the Crown.

**Kerrowdown** · 10-04-2015, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

because I own one

But you have most or all of A series, so it's not really a surprise that one.

Originally posted by dadipentak

The Jewel in the Crown

A bit cumbersome, doesn't quite roll off the tongue... but I can see where your coming from.

10-03-2015, 04:24 AM	#23
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by zeitlos Pentax A135/1.8 vs Samyang 135/2 My "Lady Luck” (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) is an everyday go to lens and has never failed to deliver what is required. I have posted many images here on the forum with her, here's one from four days ago... while not wide open, still at F2.0 pretty near to it. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/284080d14...y-high-key.jpg But what would be interesting to see... if a member here had both and could post back to back everyday images from both optics for a comparison to see the performance of both... anyone? P.S. Found a couple at F1.7... now that's really wide open for F1.8 lens. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/282492d14...ss-fishing.jpg https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/229767d14...ng-watched.jpg Last edited by Kerrowdown; 10-03-2015 at 04:51 AM.

10-03-2015, 05:05 PM	#24
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	My "Sparkle" (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) brings home the bacon again and again for clients. Seriously, I have a lot of winners from this one. Notably, my copy is damaged, with a chipped front element, and it still very sharp and contrasty starting at F2.2 and has a high keeper ratio. Are they overpriced? I think so. Do they deserve the reputation. Yes. Are they both challenging to shoot with near wide open without autofocus? Very. If you have a big budget, get the Pentax, if you don't get the Samyang. If you plan to shoot full frame, get the Pentax. Here's an example of it on full frame in some varying lighting conditions: JB Media \| 20141126 JLR Birds Sunset JB Media \| 20150119 Atoka Dark Sky and Comet Lovejoy JB Media \| 20150704 Tazmaniacs at RedRock oops, correction - #2 was on crop sensor. Other two were FF. Last edited by jbondo; 10-03-2015 at 05:13 PM. Reason: correction.

10-04-2015, 05:49 AM	#25
skyclad666 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Auvergne Photos: Gallery Posts: 52	Very interesting price on Amazon UK Dear All Thanks for the informative post. This Samyang looks like a killer lens. The Lenstip review clearly states that its minor weakness is only vignetting. There are also beautiful samples of the Pentax version on Pentaxians.de I wanted to share this very low price of the Pentax version on Amazon UK. Only £304 and free shipping to UK or 434€ including shipping to France !!! A real bargain. OK, I ordered the last one today but a new batch is supposed to arrive at this price soon. Let's be patient now :-) Hope it helps JC

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K85/1.8 vs Samyang 85/1.4 FF comparision	yusuf	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	04-13-2015 01:50 PM
For Sale - Sold: Great sale-Zeiss 25/2.8, 77/1.8, 43/1.9, 60-250/4, 50-135/2.8, 16-50/2.8 PRICE DROP	kindakaa	Sold Items	22	12-06-2014 01:46 AM
Experience with Pentax 15mm LTD vs Samyang 14mm 2.8?	Eyewanders	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	30	02-20-2014 11:06 AM
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 vs PENTAX smc 50mm f/1.8	makhzanji	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	41	01-14-2014 01:09 PM
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro vs Pentax 50-135	KAR200D	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	06-10-2011 09:50 AM

08-27-2015, 11:14 AM	#16
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by clackers The Samyang is a FF lens. Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review: Cons: too high vignetting on full frame. My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF. Phil.

08-27-2015, 11:51 AM	#17
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Originally posted by gofour3 Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review: Cons: too high vignetting on full frame. My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF. Phil. It's a completely fair criticism at 2.44 EV wide open on FF. One stop down at f/2.8, it's just over 1 stop which isn't all that bad. Something to weigh if anyone is planning to go FF. Even if you compensate in post / conversion, when you have that much fall off (2+ EV) the lighting and contrast ratios inevitably end up off.

08-27-2015, 02:36 PM	#18
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by gofour3 Yep correct, but in the Lenstip review: Cons: too high vignetting on full frame. My guess is the A135 would be a better lens on FF. Phil. Agreed, then. I have several of their wide primes, but stopping down is normal for landscapes. A 135 should be judged by wide open performance - portraits, flowers, etc where good bokeh is being sought.

09-29-2015, 04:19 AM	#19
pleo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamburg Posts: 116	I had the A* 1.8/135 for some years (sad enough that I sold all my 3 -lenses due to financial reasons): It's simply great optically - at 2.8 already near best performance. One thing with the -lenses is/was, that they have a FREE-construction (fixed rear element) so that you have great performance at close and far distances. Most lenses have only 1 point with really good /best performance. Nowadays often distances that are used for lens tests.... The A* can be used with great results with TC too!

09-29-2015, 04:44 AM	#20
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by Na Horuk because so many people are seeking the bokeh. And soon models will be hired merely to provide a focal point and then move aside, leaving the entire picture full of that lush, creamy bokeh. Foreground? Subject? Pah! Originally posted by zeitlos is it mere nostalgia that is the driving force behind it? Give Samyang a few more years and you will find the manual-focus crowd running in their direction. They certainly seem to be making a name for themselves as makers of good glass for people who aren't afraid to handle MF but still want K-A functionality. Can someone who owns one tell me if the Samyang lenses write their focal length to EXIF/talk to shake reduction, or do we have to do that manually still? If they talk, it would put them a cut above the Pentax A lenses for functionality.

09-29-2015, 09:26 AM	#21
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	Originally posted by pathdoc Can someone who owns one tell me if the Samyang lenses write their focal length to EXIF/talk to shake reduction, or do we have to do that manually still? No, they don't. You have to program the focal length in. The Samyang's are nice lenses, particularly when the price is factored in. But they're not on the same level as any of my Pentax primes, whether old or new; nor would any of them be able to match the legendary A 135/1.8.

10-01-2015, 07:05 PM - 1 Like	#22
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	My caution on the Samyang 135mm is this. Most of the nice samples of the bokeh are ones where the subject is rather close up. (ie. head shots, head to chest shots, close up still life and objects) Any fast 135mm in those close focus situation is not going to be bad. What about full body shots (eg. Elena Shumilova style ) with foilage, braches or urban settings with linear OOF objects? Not bluntly saying that its bad, but I've seen a few of such shots that makes me think over it. The pro of this lens is of course the price and f2 and on limited budget but wanting a short tele that is f2, this will be it. Or maybe just get a Pentax 135/2.5 The A135/1.8 is overpriced wrt what is readily available imo (I have access to one, though I don't own it) Again, not that its bad, but when using a 135mm f2, f1.8 in the context of people shots, there are many options out there in Canikon that are no slouch and often have AF, and cheaper. The A135/1.8 price now reflects its position as a very good 135/1.8 as well as a collector's item (emphasis on the latter). What this lens offers. Rich contrast and colors per a Pentax SMC lens. The type of strong drawing style (esp if subject contrasts with bkgnd) typical of the good Pentax lenses. A great lens if one does not mind current prices. Last edited by pinholecam; 10-03-2015 at 06:59 AM.

10-04-2015, 09:31 AM	#26
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by jbondo My "Sparkle" (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) Not just me that names them then...

10-04-2015, 09:49 AM	#27
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	I have my own PENTAX A* 135 mm f1.8. Smile

10-04-2015, 09:58 AM	#28
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by KDD I have my own PENTAX A* 135 mm f1.8. Well your in good company, does yours have a name... as many do it would seem around here?

10-04-2015, 10:17 AM	#29
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Silly boy! The A*135/1.8 is far superior because I own one. Originally posted by Kerrowdown does yours have a name. It's The Jewel in the Crown.

10-04-2015, 10:25 AM	#30
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by dadipentak because I own one But you have most or all of A series, so it's not really a surprise that one. Originally posted by dadipentak The Jewel in the Crown A bit cumbersome, doesn't quite roll off the tongue... but I can see where your coming from.