k 135 f2,5. It's worth the money (waiting for FF to come)?

bm75 · 05-30-2016, 03:19 AM

Hi all.
I've found a good K135 f/2,5 at a local photo store at the price of 200 Euro. I'm thinking of buying it because it could fill the gap in my primes between k55 f/2 and A200 . I've planned to buy the K1 so my question is: it's worth the money? I've seen the lens reviews here and they're quite convincing. Anyone have tryied it with FF. My doubts are:
1. CA and FF (I suppose they're much more visible with 36mpx of the K1 -which I don't actually have...so on my k5 would perform OK) .
2. On APSc 135 is long and perhaps 85-100 mm (thought of DA 100 or samyang 85 1.4 ) would be a reasonable choice to fill the gap
3. I need a good tele for apsc to upgrade my DA50-200 WR and found DA 50-135 on the used market for about 600 Euro (I find that lens perfect for my purposes).
Any help appreciated and thanks in advance for your attention.
Matteo

pathdoc · 05-30-2016, 04:00 AM

Originally posted by bm75

thought of DA 100 or samyang 85 1.4

I think you mean D-FA 100, and probably the current WR version, yes?

I have this lens. I love it for macro of slugs and bugs, and I have occasionally used it as a short tele (150mm FOV equiv.) in the rain or when I had nothing else. I would caution you against buying it as a general purpose short-tele lens on the K-5 - it hunts focus terribly, because it has a very long focus throw, much of which is in the close to macro zone. The best thing to do when not using it as a macro lens is get it close with Quick Shift and then let the AF finish the job. Make absolutely sure the focus point is RIGHT ON the subject before you half-press or back-button AF, otherwise it will hunt right through all its focal range, and it is very noisy when doing this.

I have heard that putting it on the K-1 practically makes a new lens out of it - it hunts less and snaps to focus a lot better - but it is still NOT as good a choice as many others for a general-purpose short tele prime. It is EXCELLENT at its design purpose, optically beautiful, but for practical reasons not connected with image quality it is suboptimal for everything else.

bm75 · 05-30-2016, 04:59 AM

Thanks pathdoc.
I'll do some researches in the Internet for people' experiences with K 135 ... It's long but seems really sharp.

bdery · 05-30-2016, 05:02 AM

The K135 mm F2.5 is a superb lens. I liked it a lot. However it seems expensive at the price you mention. I did replace it with the DFA 100 mm macro WR and I like the macro better : smaller, lighter, AF, WR, and a tad better optically.

**stubyles** · 05-30-2016, 05:03 AM

The K135/2.5 is probably my favourite lens, super sharp, great bokeh and so easy to use.
On the K-1 it comes alive as you get to see how it was supposed to be.
It's a superb portrait lens but equally good at everything else, you won't regret buying it and it won't lose value either.

D1N0 · 05-30-2016, 05:27 AM

It's the best legacy 135mm pentax made (together with it's s-m-c Takumar predecessor(take care:6 elements version).

CA is the same on full frame as on aps-c, but your frame is larger so if you don't crop it's relatively smaller. 135mm is a bit longish on aps-c but a very good length for shooting people without them noticing so you get more natural portraits. On the K-1 it will be about the equivalent of 90mm on aps-c. The 50-135 is a very good lens for portraiture. Sadly not full frame compatible. For more reach consider the DA* 60-250 F4.

zzeitg · 05-30-2016, 05:42 AM - **1 Like**

Should you travel to Prague in near future, you could get this lens a little cheaper, see here (the shop is in the center of Prague): https://bazar.fotoskoda.cz/b960048409-cz-asahi-pentax-13525-smc-13525

3900 CZK equals to approx. 144 EUR.

(Funny that I got this lens from Japan myself and paid much more (plus transport, VAT and customs)). C'est la vie...

**UncleVanya** · 05-30-2016, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by bm75

3. I need a good tele for apsc to upgrade my DA50-200 WR and found DA 50-135 on the used market for about 600 Euro (I find that lens perfect for my purposes).
Any help appreciated and thanks in advance for your attention.
Matteo

How does the 50-135 fail to match your purpose? That might hello us advise you. If it is perfect (which it is - I love it) I wouldn't buy the k 135 I would save up for it. Although it is not full frame capable.

fwcetus · 05-30-2016, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by bm75

I've found a good K135 f/2,5 at a local photo store at the price of 200 Euro.

1. That seems too high, even if it's in superb condition. The K 135/2.5 is not cheap, but it's not exactly rare, either.

2. However, it is definitely worth looking for one, either for APS-C (where it "seems" or "acts" sort of like a "200/2.5" lens) or for FF (which is what it was made for).

[I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method.

]

EDIT: Back in Ye Olde Film Days of Yore, when I was an active member of the PDML, I championed the K 135/2.5 as being "The Poor man's A* 135/1.8" (and I owned both lenses back then, although I no longer have the A* 135/1.8, having had to sell it years ago for financial reasons). Anyhoo, now that I guess I ~am~ that Poor Man, I ~still~ think that the K 135/2.5 is "The Poor man's A* 135/1.8".

pathdoc · 05-30-2016, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by fwcetus

I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method.

Now you need to find one that's been dropped and broken, or ravaged by fungus, so you can scavenge the mount for the aperture lever!

fwcetus · 05-30-2016, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

Now you need to find one that's been dropped and broken, or ravaged by fungus, so you can scavenge the mount for the aperture lever!

Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it.

More seriously, though, it's kinda fun using the "crippled" K 135/2.5 for "green-button-free" stop-down metering.

**UncleVanya** · 05-30-2016, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by fwcetus

Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it.

More seriously, though, it's kinda fun using the "crippled" K 135/2.5 for "green-button-free" stop-down metering.

The K 2.5 has 6 elements and the Takumar 2.5 has only 4 so that might be a tall order!

pathdoc · 05-30-2016, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by fwcetus

Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it.

And use it on a Spotmatic F.

fwcetus · 05-30-2016, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

The K 2.5 has 6 elements and the Takumar 2.5 has only 4 so that might be a tall order!

Well, I ~did~ say "SMC Takumar" 135/2.5, and I believe that "model 2" of such a critter had the same optical formula as the K...

Originally posted by pathdoc

And use it on a Spotmatic F.

fwcetus · 05-30-2016, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by fwcetus

[I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method.

]

Here's my "matched" (not) K 135/2.5's (and where the "crippled" one came from) -

05-30-2016, 03:19 AM	#1
bm75 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italia Photos: Albums Posts: 354	k 135 f2,5. It's worth the money (waiting for FF to come)? Hi all. I've found a good K135 f/2,5 at a local photo store at the price of 200 Euro. I'm thinking of buying it because it could fill the gap in my primes between k55 f/2 and A200 . I've planned to buy the K1 so my question is: it's worth the money? I've seen the lens reviews here and they're quite convincing. Anyone have tryied it with FF. My doubts are: 1. CA and FF (I suppose they're much more visible with 36mpx of the K1 -which I don't actually have...so on my k5 would perform OK) . 2. On APSc 135 is long and perhaps 85-100 mm (thought of DA 100 or samyang 85 1.4 ) would be a reasonable choice to fill the gap 3. I need a good tele for apsc to upgrade my DA50-200 WR and found DA 50-135 on the used market for about 600 Euro (I find that lens perfect for my purposes). Any help appreciated and thanks in advance for your attention. Matteo

05-30-2016, 06:08 AM	#9
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by bm75 I've found a good K135 f/2,5 at a local photo store at the price of 200 Euro. 1. That seems too high, even if it's in superb condition. The K 135/2.5 is not cheap, but it's not exactly rare, either. 2. However, it is definitely worth looking for one, either for APS-C (where it "seems" or "acts" sort of like a "200/2.5" lens) or for FF (which is what it was made for). [I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method. ] EDIT: Back in Ye Olde Film Days of Yore, when I was an active member of the PDML, I championed the K 135/2.5 as being "The Poor man's A* 135/1.8" (and I owned both lenses back then, although I no longer have the A* 135/1.8, having had to sell it years ago for financial reasons). Anyhoo, now that I guess I ~am~ that Poor Man, I ~still~ think that the K 135/2.5 is "The Poor man's A* 135/1.8". Last edited by fwcetus; 05-30-2016 at 06:55 AM.

05-30-2016, 07:47 AM	#15
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by fwcetus [I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method. ] Here's my "matched" (not) K 135/2.5's (and where the "crippled" one came from) - Last edited by fwcetus; 05-30-2016 at 04:23 PM.

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05-30-2016, 04:00 AM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by bm75 thought of DA 100 or samyang 85 1.4 I think you mean D-FA 100, and probably the current WR version, yes? I have this lens. I love it for macro of slugs and bugs, and I have occasionally used it as a short tele (150mm FOV equiv.) in the rain or when I had nothing else. I would caution you against buying it as a general purpose short-tele lens on the K-5 - it hunts focus terribly, because it has a very long focus throw, much of which is in the close to macro zone. The best thing to do when not using it as a macro lens is get it close with Quick Shift and then let the AF finish the job. Make absolutely sure the focus point is RIGHT ON the subject before you half-press or back-button AF, otherwise it will hunt right through all its focal range, and it is very noisy when doing this. I have heard that putting it on the K-1 practically makes a new lens out of it - it hunts less and snaps to focus a lot better - but it is still NOT as good a choice as many others for a general-purpose short tele prime. It is EXCELLENT at its design purpose, optically beautiful, but for practical reasons not connected with image quality it is suboptimal for everything else.

05-30-2016, 04:59 AM	#3
bm75 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italia Photos: Albums Posts: 354 Original Poster	Thanks pathdoc. I'll do some researches in the Internet for people' experiences with K 135 ... It's long but seems really sharp.

05-30-2016, 05:02 AM	#4
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The K135 mm F2.5 is a superb lens. I liked it a lot. However it seems expensive at the price you mention. I did replace it with the DFA 100 mm macro WR and I like the macro better : smaller, lighter, AF, WR, and a tad better optically.

05-30-2016, 05:03 AM	#5
stubyles Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 824	The K135/2.5 is probably my favourite lens, super sharp, great bokeh and so easy to use. On the K-1 it comes alive as you get to see how it was supposed to be. It's a superb portrait lens but equally good at everything else, you won't regret buying it and it won't lose value either.

05-30-2016, 05:27 AM	#6
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It's the best legacy 135mm pentax made (together with it's s-m-c Takumar predecessor(take care:6 elements version). CA is the same on full frame as on aps-c, but your frame is larger so if you don't crop it's relatively smaller. 135mm is a bit longish on aps-c but a very good length for shooting people without them noticing so you get more natural portraits. On the K-1 it will be about the equivalent of 90mm on aps-c. The 50-135 is a very good lens for portraiture. Sadly not full frame compatible. For more reach consider the DA* 60-250 F4.

05-30-2016, 05:42 AM - 1 Like	#7
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Should you travel to Prague in near future, you could get this lens a little cheaper, see here (the shop is in the center of Prague): https://bazar.fotoskoda.cz/b960048409-cz-asahi-pentax-13525-smc-13525 3900 CZK equals to approx. 144 EUR. (Funny that I got this lens from Japan myself and paid much more (plus transport, VAT and customs)). C'est la vie...

05-30-2016, 05:58 AM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by bm75 3. I need a good tele for apsc to upgrade my DA50-200 WR and found DA 50-135 on the used market for about 600 Euro (I find that lens perfect for my purposes). Any help appreciated and thanks in advance for your attention. Matteo How does the 50-135 fail to match your purpose? That might hello us advise you. If it is perfect (which it is - I love it) I wouldn't buy the k 135 I would save up for it. Although it is not full frame capable.

05-30-2016, 07:10 AM	#10
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by fwcetus I happen to have two of 'em - one "regular" and one lacking the aperture lever (crippled by a Canonista), so I can use a K 135/2.5 with either stop down metering method. Now you need to find one that's been dropped and broken, or ravaged by fungus, so you can scavenge the mount for the aperture lever!

05-30-2016, 07:13 AM	#11
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by pathdoc Now you need to find one that's been dropped and broken, or ravaged by fungus, so you can scavenge the mount for the aperture lever! Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it. More seriously, though, it's kinda fun using the "crippled" K 135/2.5 for "green-button-free" stop-down metering.

05-30-2016, 07:23 AM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by fwcetus Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it. More seriously, though, it's kinda fun using the "crippled" K 135/2.5 for "green-button-free" stop-down metering. The K 2.5 has 6 elements and the Takumar 2.5 has only 4 so that might be a tall order!

05-30-2016, 07:23 AM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by fwcetus Either that, or maybe find a SMC Tak 135/2.5 with broken glass and put the "crippled" K's glass into it. And use it on a Spotmatic F.

05-30-2016, 07:39 AM	#14
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by UncleVanya The K 2.5 has 6 elements and the Takumar 2.5 has only 4 so that might be a tall order! Well, I ~did~ say "SMC Takumar" 135/2.5, and I believe that "model 2" of such a critter had the same optical formula as the K... Originally posted by pathdoc And use it on a Spotmatic F.