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danmdan · 11-04-2015, 12:25 PM - **2 Likes**

I'm currently buying a few Pentax K series manual lenses to attach, via an adapter, to my mirrorless Fuji body - I've just taken delivery of a 135mm f/2.8 - and finding real depth-of-field and bokeh for the first time --

Last edited by danmdan; 01-07-2016 at 04:59 PM.

bertwert · 11-04-2015, 12:42 PM - **1 Like**

Yes it is fun to play with old lenses.
Last night I was playing with a Takumar 55mm f1.8 which is a screw mount lens.

**Quartermaster James** · 11-04-2015, 03:31 PM

I love playing with these vintage lenses. I don't have the 135/2.8, but much enjoy my 3.5 version.
I do have a copy of the Sears 135/2.8 with "magic glow". Now, that is a fun little lens!

mikeSF · 11-04-2015, 03:34 PM

there are many goodies out there for sure. Have fun shopping!

jkomp316 · 11-04-2015, 07:20 PM

all i use is legacy glass. 28, 50 and 135 have had their designs worked out 40yrs ago.

debakarma · 11-04-2015, 07:50 PM

I love old Takumars - cant help admire vintage glass.

drypenn · 11-04-2015, 08:34 PM

I've managed to snatch a $94 M 28 F/2.0. Yes, it's not the fabled "K" 28/2, it has some very minor abrasion in the front element and some dust inside. No fungus though, and everything's clear. The imperfections does not seem to affect the IQ.

I've added a hood, and the contrast boost is noticeable. I'm so happy with this catch, and suffice to say, that indeed, there are a lot of surprises that can be found in manual lenses. The rendition is unique, and contrary to some reviews, the bokeh is good in my opinion.

danmdan · 11-05-2015, 02:57 AM

I see I have fellow users of fine old glass ! For me I have 2 reasons for using it , cost - (one 70-210mm lens cost me all of £7 with a sticker for over £200 on the box) - and construction - (solid and metal not plastic). I am not a lover of largely plastic optics, and that horror of horrors, plastic mounts. And (for me) the 50% gain in effective focal length also helps. I still have auto exposure, and I have been manually focussing lenses for the last 50 years.

**clackers** · 11-05-2015, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by danmdan

And (for me) the 50% gain in effective focal length also helps.

I don't understand, Dan.

How does an old manual lens gain anything there over its modern equivalent?

danmdan · 11-06-2015, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by clackers

I don't understand, Dan.

How does an old manual lens gain anything there over its modern equivalent?

I agree that it does not - modern, probably computer designed, lenses will/should be better - but they are SO expensive, hundreds of pounds each - so I economise - and it gives me a lot of fun experimenting with the older glass.

DM

rjm007 · 11-06-2015, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by danmdan

I'm currently buying a few Pentax K series manual lenses to attach, via an adapter, to my mirrorless Fuji body - I've just taken delivery of a 135mm f/2.8 - and finding real depth-of-field and bokeh for the first time --

Start making space. There is a lot of old glass out there beckoning your credit card.

In the past month I've bought

SMC M 28/ 2.0
SMC M 50 / 1.7
SMC M 135 / 3.5
SMC M 200 / 4.0

Currently waiting for delivery of

Helios 44-7 (which I suspect might be a fake 44-x)
Volna 9 55mm Macro

Currently pondering what to do about UWA - go for something new or possibly a Zenitar

ScooterMaxi Jim · 11-06-2015, 03:32 PM

I'm also a fan of the better, old primes that can yield more pleasant outcomes than the harsher (but sharp) optics found on many newer lenses.

However, UWA is generally the exception. Design has improved considerably, as have coatings; it shows when going wider than 28mm - and even at 28mm you aren't going to find great sharpness on the older lenses. The various Samyang offerings (prime, MF) and the Sigma zooms yield excellent results. Need compact? DA 15 or 21 are the best options, IMHO.

jkomp316 · 11-06-2015, 11:09 PM

pentax made an excellent K 28 3.5. only to change it again immediately. seems they were all over the place on the 28...

rjm007 · 11-07-2015, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim

However, UWA is generally the exception. Design has improved considerably, as have coatings; it shows when going wider than 28mm - and even at 28mm you aren't going to find great sharpness on the older lenses. The various Samyang offerings (prime, MF) and the Sigma zooms yield excellent results.

I'm inclined to agree. These lenses are going on a Sony A6000 so I may go semi-native on there with a modern Samyang or Sigma UWA prime.

**onlineflyer** · 11-07-2015, 01:28 PM

There is just something special about shooting manual. For me, it's more relaxing since it forces me to slow down. I've been shooting manual for decades and accumulated a number of primes, ranging from 30mm to 200mm and several zooms, the latest being the M 35-70 f2.8-3.5 that I absolutely love.

Let the masses continue to buy AF lenses and leave the under appreciated manual gems to the small group of individuals who recognize their pure joy.

11-04-2015, 12:25 PM - 2 Likes	#1
danmdan Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: East Anglia, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 53	Use of manual lenses I'm currently buying a few Pentax K series manual lenses to attach, via an adapter, to my mirrorless Fuji body - I've just taken delivery of a 135mm f/2.8 - and finding real depth-of-field and bokeh for the first time -- Last edited by danmdan; 01-07-2016 at 04:59 PM.

11-05-2015, 02:57 AM	#8
danmdan Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: East Anglia, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 53 Original Poster	I see I have fellow users of fine old glass ! For me I have 2 reasons for using it , cost - (one 70-210mm lens cost me all of £7 with a sticker for over £200 on the box) - and construction - (solid and metal not plastic). I am not a lover of largely plastic optics, and that horror of horrors, plastic mounts. And (for me) the 50% gain in effective focal length also helps. I still have auto exposure, and I have been manually focussing lenses for the last 50 years. Last edited by danmdan; 11-08-2015 at 03:20 AM.

11-05-2015, 05:48 AM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by danmdan And (for me) the 50% gain in effective focal length also helps. I don't understand, Dan. How does an old manual lens gain anything there over its modern equivalent? Last edited by clackers; 11-05-2015 at 06:09 AM.

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11-04-2015, 12:42 PM - 1 Like	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Yes it is fun to play with old lenses. Last night I was playing with a Takumar 55mm f1.8 which is a screw mount lens.

11-04-2015, 03:31 PM	#3
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	I love playing with these vintage lenses. I don't have the 135/2.8, but much enjoy my 3.5 version. I do have a copy of the Sears 135/2.8 with "magic glow". Now, that is a fun little lens!

11-04-2015, 03:34 PM	#4
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	there are many goodies out there for sure. Have fun shopping!

11-04-2015, 07:20 PM	#5
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	all i use is legacy glass. 28, 50 and 135 have had their designs worked out 40yrs ago.

11-04-2015, 07:50 PM	#6
debakarma Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	I love old Takumars - cant help admire vintage glass.

11-04-2015, 08:34 PM	#7
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	I've managed to snatch a $94 M 28 F/2.0. Yes, it's not the fabled "K" 28/2, it has some very minor abrasion in the front element and some dust inside. No fungus though, and everything's clear. The imperfections does not seem to affect the IQ. I've added a hood, and the contrast boost is noticeable. I'm so happy with this catch, and suffice to say, that indeed, there are a lot of surprises that can be found in manual lenses. The rendition is unique, and contrary to some reviews, the bokeh is good in my opinion.

11-06-2015, 07:41 AM	#10
danmdan Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: East Anglia, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 53 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers I don't understand, Dan. How does an old manual lens gain anything there over its modern equivalent? I agree that it does not - modern, probably computer designed, lenses will/should be better - but they are SO expensive, hundreds of pounds each - so I economise - and it gives me a lot of fun experimenting with the older glass. DM

11-06-2015, 02:08 PM	#11
rjm007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Uxbridge UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	Originally posted by danmdan I'm currently buying a few Pentax K series manual lenses to attach, via an adapter, to my mirrorless Fuji body - I've just taken delivery of a 135mm f/2.8 - and finding real depth-of-field and bokeh for the first time -- Start making space. There is a lot of old glass out there beckoning your credit card. In the past month I've bought SMC M 28/ 2.0 SMC M 50 / 1.7 SMC M 135 / 3.5 SMC M 200 / 4.0 Currently waiting for delivery of Helios 44-7 (which I suspect might be a fake 44-x) Volna 9 55mm Macro Currently pondering what to do about UWA - go for something new or possibly a Zenitar

11-06-2015, 03:32 PM	#12
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	I'm also a fan of the better, old primes that can yield more pleasant outcomes than the harsher (but sharp) optics found on many newer lenses. However, UWA is generally the exception. Design has improved considerably, as have coatings; it shows when going wider than 28mm - and even at 28mm you aren't going to find great sharpness on the older lenses. The various Samyang offerings (prime, MF) and the Sigma zooms yield excellent results. Need compact? DA 15 or 21 are the best options, IMHO.

11-06-2015, 11:09 PM	#13
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	pentax made an excellent K 28 3.5. only to change it again immediately. seems they were all over the place on the 28...

11-07-2015, 08:24 AM	#14
rjm007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Uxbridge UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim However, UWA is generally the exception. Design has improved considerably, as have coatings; it shows when going wider than 28mm - and even at 28mm you aren't going to find great sharpness on the older lenses. The various Samyang offerings (prime, MF) and the Sigma zooms yield excellent results. I'm inclined to agree. These lenses are going on a Sony A6000 so I may go semi-native on there with a modern Samyang or Sigma UWA prime.

11-07-2015, 01:28 PM	#15
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,094	There is just something special about shooting manual. For me, it's more relaxing since it forces me to slow down. I've been shooting manual for decades and accumulated a number of primes, ranging from 30mm to 200mm and several zooms, the latest being the M 35-70 f2.8-3.5 that I absolutely love. Let the masses continue to buy AF lenses and leave the under appreciated manual gems to the small group of individuals who recognize their pure joy.

Use of manual lenses

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!