Who would bite? DA*135mm F1.8

ma-ledezma · 12-09-2015, 03:29 PM

I have been waiting for a 135 lens for a while. I'm sure it would be expensive, if it was an f: 2.8 I will be one of the first ones to jump into it.

**Digitalis** · 12-09-2015, 04:22 PM

...only if it was apochromatic. At f/1.8 LoCa is bad enough, even with most f/2.8 telephoto lenses.

pathdoc · 12-09-2015, 06:01 PM

I could have done with the extra stop-and-a-half tonight, but given what it's likely to cost I'll happily stick with the FA135/2.8. Mine did well tonight, even if I did have to let the ISO drift significantly north of where I'd have preferred it. Made me wish for a 200/2.8 at one point, but I suspect the extra mass and focal length would have caused more headaches than it cured.

Billk · 12-10-2015, 12:32 AM

If they start producing FA 135s again, I'd be in for that.

Nicolas06 · 12-10-2015, 12:28 PM

An modernized f/2.8 version, with no CA, great sharpness wide open, I'am all for it.

Something faster that going to be huge/heavy, I'll never buy it. I'll 10 time prefer an ltd f/2.8 than a DFA f/1.8 or f/2.

pathdoc · 12-10-2015, 12:52 PM

I think given the small size of the others, 135mm might not fit in too well as a limited prime. I'd almost defend a plastic bodied version a la the DA35 and DA50, but something that substantial really deserves a metal mount.

zapp · 12-10-2015, 01:31 PM

Pentax will need to deliver a bunch of other lense before making a 2/135 - the old A1.8/135 design is not suitable for digital. (Even) Samyang is better today. Give it 5 years. Before we will see many FF zooms, new 50, new 85, new 2.8/300, new large apeture wide angle. I would buy one next year, but I am also ready to buy a 70-200 2.8 right now.

Wired · 12-11-2015, 02:20 PM

a 135mm f2.0 is really not all that big or heavy. In fact I'd argue that its the smallest lens in my Nikon kit bag... (compared to 50mm Sigma Art, 24-70mm f2.8, and 70-200mm f2.8 VRII) It was also the cheapest ($900 new, compared to $999 for the Sigma and around $2k each for the two zooms)

I know you guys like fast, but really... f2.0 is PAPER thin for depth of field on that lens. We're talking if you get the iris in focus on one eye, the eye lid is already starting to show major focus drop off. It's incredibly, stupidly, awesomely sharp and amazing rendering and compression... but it requires pinpoint accuracy. I usually shoot mine at f4-5.6

Wild Mark · 12-11-2015, 08:26 PM

I would definitely line up - lusted after the A*135 for a long time now - just can't afford $3K+

stevebrot · 12-11-2015, 11:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Nicolas06

An modernized f/2.8 version, with no CA, great sharpness wide open, I'am all for it.

I agree. f/2.8 provides considerable DOF control, but most 135/2.8 lenses from the past suffer from a fair amount of LoCA.

Originally posted by Wired

I know you guys like fast, but really... f2.0 is PAPER thin for depth of field on that lens.

What they said. Even 85mm at f/2 is difficult critical focus with.

Steve

wkraus · 12-12-2015, 12:08 PM

I'd wish for a f/2.0 or f/2.4 135mm -- slightly less expensive, slightly more compact, with Apo correction and a MFD like the FA 135. That would be one of my dream lenses. My current approximation (MF only) is the Voigtlander f/2.5 125mm Macro. Not exactly compact and lightweight though.

**Des** · 12-12-2015, 05:07 PM

I asked a question about 135mm primes on APS-C a while back, and got some very interesting responses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/276646-how-...ime-aps-c.html

Sandy Hancock · 12-12-2015, 06:55 PM

Update a year later: I sold the K135/2.5 a while back and replaced it recently with the FA135/2.8, which is relatively tiny and much closer focussing, with the added bonus of extremely fast autofocus.
On the down side, it is certainly prone to CA, and it's no beauty, but I think I have a keeper until a DFA version is released.

vaper · 12-12-2015, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by wkraus

I'd wish for a f/2.0 or f/2.4 135mm -- slightly less expensive, slightly more compact, with Apo correction and a MFD like the FA 135. That would be one of my dream lenses. My current approximation (MF only) is the Voigtlander f/2.5 125mm Macro. Not exactly compact and lightweight though.

Have you considered the Samyang f/2.0 135mm?

wkraus · 12-14-2015, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by vaper

Have you considered the Samyang f/2.0 135mm?

Yes of course, since I am extremly fond of my Samyang f/2.0 16mm. I'll see what Pentax is going to announce next year before going any further (it's easy for me to wait anyway since I can't really afford it right now).

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12-09-2015, 03:29 PM	#16
ma-ledezma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 108	I have been waiting for a 135 lens for a while. I'm sure it would be expensive, if it was an f: 2.8 I will be one of the first ones to jump into it.

12-09-2015, 04:22 PM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	...only if it was apochromatic. At f/1.8 LoCa is bad enough, even with most f/2.8 telephoto lenses.

12-09-2015, 06:01 PM	#18
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I could have done with the extra stop-and-a-half tonight, but given what it's likely to cost I'll happily stick with the FA135/2.8. Mine did well tonight, even if I did have to let the ISO drift significantly north of where I'd have preferred it. Made me wish for a 200/2.8 at one point, but I suspect the extra mass and focal length would have caused more headaches than it cured.

12-10-2015, 12:32 AM	#19
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	If they start producing FA 135s again, I'd be in for that.

12-10-2015, 12:28 PM	#20
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	An modernized f/2.8 version, with no CA, great sharpness wide open, I'am all for it. Something faster that going to be huge/heavy, I'll never buy it. I'll 10 time prefer an ltd f/2.8 than a DFA f/1.8 or f/2.

12-10-2015, 12:52 PM	#21
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I think given the small size of the others, 135mm might not fit in too well as a limited prime. I'd almost defend a plastic bodied version a la the DA35 and DA50, but something that substantial really deserves a metal mount.

12-10-2015, 01:31 PM	#22
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	Pentax will need to deliver a bunch of other lense before making a 2/135 - the old A1.8/135 design is not suitable for digital. (Even) Samyang is better today. Give it 5 years. Before we will see many FF zooms, new 50, new 85, new 2.8/300, new large apeture wide angle. I would buy one next year, but I am also ready to buy a 70-200 2.8 right now.

12-11-2015, 02:20 PM	#23
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	a 135mm f2.0 is really not all that big or heavy. In fact I'd argue that its the smallest lens in my Nikon kit bag... (compared to 50mm Sigma Art, 24-70mm f2.8, and 70-200mm f2.8 VRII) It was also the cheapest ($900 new, compared to $999 for the Sigma and around $2k each for the two zooms) I know you guys like fast, but really... f2.0 is PAPER thin for depth of field on that lens. We're talking if you get the iris in focus on one eye, the eye lid is already starting to show major focus drop off. It's incredibly, stupidly, awesomely sharp and amazing rendering and compression... but it requires pinpoint accuracy. I usually shoot mine at f4-5.6

12-11-2015, 08:26 PM	#24
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	I would definitely line up - lusted after the A*135 for a long time now - just can't afford $3K+

12-11-2015, 11:29 PM - 1 Like	#25
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Nicolas06 An modernized f/2.8 version, with no CA, great sharpness wide open, I'am all for it. I agree. f/2.8 provides considerable DOF control, but most 135/2.8 lenses from the past suffer from a fair amount of LoCA. Originally posted by Wired I know you guys like fast, but really... f2.0 is PAPER thin for depth of field on that lens. What they said. Even 85mm at f/2 is difficult critical focus with. Steve

12-12-2015, 12:08 PM	#26
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,065	I'd wish for a f/2.0 or f/2.4 135mm -- slightly less expensive, slightly more compact, with Apo correction and a MFD like the FA 135. That would be one of my dream lenses. My current approximation (MF only) is the Voigtlander f/2.5 125mm Macro. Not exactly compact and lightweight though.

12-12-2015, 05:07 PM	#27
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	I asked a question about 135mm primes on APS-C a while back, and got some very interesting responses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/276646-how-...ime-aps-c.html

12-12-2015, 06:55 PM	#28
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Update a year later: I sold the K135/2.5 a while back and replaced it recently with the FA135/2.8, which is relatively tiny and much closer focussing, with the added bonus of extremely fast autofocus. On the down side, it is certainly prone to CA, and it's no beauty, but I think I have a keeper until a DFA version is released.

12-12-2015, 08:04 PM	#29
vaper Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 32	Originally posted by wkraus I'd wish for a f/2.0 or f/2.4 135mm -- slightly less expensive, slightly more compact, with Apo correction and a MFD like the FA 135. That would be one of my dream lenses. My current approximation (MF only) is the Voigtlander f/2.5 125mm Macro. Not exactly compact and lightweight though. Have you considered the Samyang f/2.0 135mm?

12-14-2015, 01:01 AM	#30
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,065	Originally posted by vaper Have you considered the Samyang f/2.0 135mm? Yes of course, since I am extremly fond of my Samyang f/2.0 16mm. I'll see what Pentax is going to announce next year before going any further (it's easy for me to wait anyway since I can't really afford it right now).