135/1.4 Mitakon for Pentax? What to do ?

**Clinton** · 03-13-2016, 02:12 PM

Hi Friends,

(Pre-Order@ Deposit $500) Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4 - Mitakon - ZY Optics (Shenyang Zhongyi Optics )

I've been chatting with the Mitakon people about this 135/1.4 lens they are going to produce in extremely small numbers.

It would seem that they are willing to produce one for me for a Pentax K. It's still going to be $3000 for a manual focus, likely manual aperture lens.

Since none are in production yet, it's not like we can test the results other than the images on their site.

What do you think? Take the plunge or run away screaming?

---------- Post added 03-13-2016 at 03:27 PM ----------

Some samples fro a pre-production version: Master of one: Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm F1.4 pre-production sample gallery: Digital Photography Review

**boriscleto** · 03-13-2016, 02:27 PM

Do the Chinese have a proverb about fools and money?

**Clinton** · 03-13-2016, 02:32 PM

Na Horuk · 03-13-2016, 02:34 PM

If you won the lottery recently, go for it. I know Id love to see some results, but I wouldn't put down any money myself.
Maybe you should contact some of the photographers on this forum who are part of big photo business? I doubt any amateur will spend that kind of money in that way, but a company might see it as an investment of sorts.

Edit: Oh, that said - great initiative! Hope things pan out

Last edited by Na Horuk; 03-13-2016 at 02:42 PM.

elementdtlop · 03-13-2016, 02:41 PM

can i have some of this money you apparently have to throw around on an absurd lens collection? what are u getting from it you arent getting from your A135/1.8 or your dfa 100 macro or 200 macro or 50 1.2 or 85 1.4 or 55 1.4 or the multitude of fast zooms covering that focal length other than the ability to put one more lens in your signature and the ability to tell ppl youve got it. make a lens and some friends out of all the money and youll have something u dont already have.

Nick Siebers · 03-13-2016, 02:44 PM

I'm no expert, but I don't see anything in the samples that would tempt me to spend $3,000. I suspect you value the thrill of ownership more than I do, but I can only comment from my perspective. If you do get one, please share sample shots!

tvdtvdtvd · 03-13-2016, 02:46 PM

Well, it would be a rarity among rarities. Will it become a collectible of interest and value to others down the road?
Too early to tell.

Can you envision a need for this lens? Can you envision actually using it, considering its massive bulk? Or might
you prefer that lovely A* 135/1.8, at a third the weight, and even, >gulp<, set your camera to ISO 200 should you
really need that extra stop?

Looking at your equipment list in your signature would suggest you could afford the lens. If the novelty is worth that
much to you, I say go for it!

pathdoc · 03-13-2016, 02:51 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by elementdtlop

can i have some of this money you apparently have to throw around on an absurd lens collection? what are u getting from it you arent getting from your A135/1.8 or your dfa 100 macro or 200 macro or 50 1.2 or 85 1.4 or 55 1.4 or the multitude of fast zooms covering that focal length other than the ability to put one more lens in your signature and the ability to tell ppl youve got it. make a lens and some friends out of all the money and youll have something u dont already have.

1) It's his money to spend as he d**n well pleases.

2) He isn't obliged to give any of it to you.

3) His wealth does not necessarily correlate either with how many friends he has or how genuine they are.

stevebrot · 03-13-2016, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

Or might
you prefer that lovely A* 135/1.8

Those were my first thoughts as soon as I saw the thread title.

Steve

(...big $$$ and Mitakon in the same sentence...shakes head...)

SteveM · 03-13-2016, 02:57 PM

Hey Clinton,

I'd be curious to see how it performs and wonder if it would end up being the only copy in PK mount.

I use a Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar all the time (in Nikon mount) for low light work.....but sadly can't get one in PK mount. (nor could I afford/justify having one in both mounts).

I'd love to know how much of a difference F1.4 would make for this work since I am already pushing ISO way way up...

Let us know what you decide....

Paul the Sunman · 03-13-2016, 03:00 PM

Hmm, I'm struggling to think what I'd shoot at 135mm f/1.4. Concerts? But then the questions are: is it actually usable at f/1.4 or even f/1.8 anyway, and what's the bokeh like?

elementdtlop · 03-13-2016, 03:01 PM

it must be nice.

KDD · 03-13-2016, 03:04 PM

Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm F1.4, world's fastest 135mm lens, is up for pre-order: Digital Photography Review

tvdtvdtvd · 03-13-2016, 03:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by elementdtlop

it must be nice.

Again, no correlation.

Be happy with what you have, not what others have.

virusn3t · 03-13-2016, 03:17 PM

When you think about it maybe is one of a kind lens for Pentax... But that amount of money is for me a K1 and maybe the three amigos (maybe second hand) or the *70-200 even maybe the Samyangs 14, 135 or the Laowas 15 and 135, but again, the way you spend your money is only your desicion

03-13-2016, 02:12 PM	#1
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912	135/1.4 Mitakon for Pentax? What to do ? Hi Friends, (Pre-Order@ Deposit $500) Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4 - Mitakon - ZY Optics (Shenyang Zhongyi Optics ) I've been chatting with the Mitakon people about this 135/1.4 lens they are going to produce in extremely small numbers. It would seem that they are willing to produce one for me for a Pentax K. It's still going to be $3000 for a manual focus, likely manual aperture lens. Since none are in production yet, it's not like we can test the results other than the images on their site. What do you think? Take the plunge or run away screaming? ---------- Post added 03-13-2016 at 03:27 PM ---------- Some samples fro a pre-production version: Master of one: Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm F1.4 pre-production sample gallery: Digital Photography Review

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03-13-2016, 02:27 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Do the Chinese have a proverb about fools and money?

03-13-2016, 02:32 PM	#3
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912 Original Poster

03-13-2016, 02:34 PM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	If you won the lottery recently, go for it. I know Id love to see some results, but I wouldn't put down any money myself. Maybe you should contact some of the photographers on this forum who are part of big photo business? I doubt any amateur will spend that kind of money in that way, but a company might see it as an investment of sorts. Edit: Oh, that said - great initiative! Hope things pan out Last edited by Na Horuk; 03-13-2016 at 02:42 PM.

03-13-2016, 02:41 PM	#5
elementdtlop Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 97	can i have some of this money you apparently have to throw around on an absurd lens collection? what are u getting from it you arent getting from your A135/1.8 or your dfa 100 macro or 200 macro or 50 1.2 or 85 1.4 or 55 1.4 or the multitude of fast zooms covering that focal length other than the ability to put one more lens in your signature and the ability to tell ppl youve got it. make a lens and some friends out of all the money and youll have something u dont already have.

03-13-2016, 02:44 PM	#6
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I'm no expert, but I don't see anything in the samples that would tempt me to spend $3,000. I suspect you value the thrill of ownership more than I do, but I can only comment from my perspective. If you do get one, please share sample shots!

03-13-2016, 02:46 PM	#7
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Well, it would be a rarity among rarities. Will it become a collectible of interest and value to others down the road? Too early to tell. Can you envision a need for this lens? Can you envision actually using it, considering its massive bulk? Or might you prefer that lovely A* 135/1.8, at a third the weight, and even, >gulp<, set your camera to ISO 200 should you really need that extra stop? Looking at your equipment list in your signature would suggest you could afford the lens. If the novelty is worth that much to you, I say go for it!

03-13-2016, 02:51 PM - 5 Likes	#8
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by elementdtlop can i have some of this money you apparently have to throw around on an absurd lens collection? what are u getting from it you arent getting from your A135/1.8 or your dfa 100 macro or 200 macro or 50 1.2 or 85 1.4 or 55 1.4 or the multitude of fast zooms covering that focal length other than the ability to put one more lens in your signature and the ability to tell ppl youve got it. make a lens and some friends out of all the money and youll have something u dont already have. 1) It's his money to spend as he d**n well pleases. 2) He isn't obliged to give any of it to you. 3) His wealth does not necessarily correlate either with how many friends he has or how genuine they are.

03-13-2016, 02:57 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd Or might you prefer that lovely A* 135/1.8 Those were my first thoughts as soon as I saw the thread title. Steve (...big $$$ and Mitakon in the same sentence...shakes head...)

03-13-2016, 02:57 PM	#10
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	Hey Clinton, I'd be curious to see how it performs and wonder if it would end up being the only copy in PK mount. I use a Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar all the time (in Nikon mount) for low light work.....but sadly can't get one in PK mount. (nor could I afford/justify having one in both mounts). I'd love to know how much of a difference F1.4 would make for this work since I am already pushing ISO way way up... Let us know what you decide....

03-13-2016, 03:00 PM	#11
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	Hmm, I'm struggling to think what I'd shoot at 135mm f/1.4. Concerts? But then the questions are: is it actually usable at f/1.4 or even f/1.8 anyway, and what's the bokeh like?

03-13-2016, 03:01 PM	#12
elementdtlop Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 97	it must be nice.

03-13-2016, 03:04 PM	#13
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm F1.4, world's fastest 135mm lens, is up for pre-order: Digital Photography Review

03-13-2016, 03:11 PM - 1 Like	#14
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by elementdtlop it must be nice. Again, no correlation. Be happy with what you have, not what others have.

03-13-2016, 03:17 PM	#15
virusn3t Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 676	When you think about it maybe is one of a kind lens for Pentax... But that amount of money is for me a K1 and maybe the three amigos (maybe second hand) or the *70-200 even maybe the Samyangs 14, 135 or the Laowas 15 and 135, but again, the way you spend your money is only your desicion