K135 2.5 how useful?

boraclicks · 07-18-2016, 10:57 PM

I happened to look up the Craigslist and got this lens for 60$. I read the reviews online and found that it suffers from CA wide open. Any suggestions on how could I use it to minimise CA on my K-50? Also, I am thinking of upgrading the body to K-3. Does that help in any way?

Adam · 07-18-2016, 11:07 PM

That's a bargain price for sure. Awesome!

Originally posted by boraclicks

Any suggestions on how could I use it to minimise CA on my K-50?

Stop down

Photoshop/lightroom/other editors have pretty effective aberration control tools, but stopping down is your first line of defense.

Originally posted by boraclicks

Also, I am thinking of upgrading the body to K-3.

You'll get higher image resolution -> more detail.

**Weevil** · 07-18-2016, 11:54 PM

It is reported as one of the best budget astrophotography telephoto lens here: The Best Telephoto Lenses for Astrophotography - Articles - Articles - Articles - Cloudy Nights

Wild Mark · 07-19-2016, 02:58 AM

Ok that is a great price. And yes it does suffer from CA.

This lens can be shot wide open with care. You will have to either frame your shot well to minimise the impact of CA and/or post process to remove. Relatively easy to remove the CA in PPing but you will have to be careful of CA in out of focus areas (best use good distance separation from subject and fore/background scenery).

But to be honest, this lens is best stopped down a stop or two. The f2.5 is extremely useful for manual focusing in low light - an invaluable benefit. After getting critical focus, stop the lens down and shoot. The images are stunning (with the bokeh effect still there).

Dlanor Sekao · 07-19-2016, 08:05 AM

Its a VERY Capable lens.
To minimize Flair use a Hood ! I don't think upgrading a body is really going to have any effect on it either way.

boraclicks · 07-19-2016, 08:07 AM

Took this sample shot yesterday evening at F3.2

Wild Mark · 07-19-2016, 08:21 AM

I would have expected sharper than that. How do the elements look? Any haze evident?

TaoMaas · 07-19-2016, 08:49 AM

Don't forget that if you want to see what a certain lens is capable of producing, you can always visit the Pentax Photo Gallery and check out photos taken with that lens.

boraclicks · 07-19-2016, 08:51 AM

Nope. There is no haze or fungus. There are few dust particles. I will check the Gallery.

**Weevil** · 07-19-2016, 10:00 AM

One just appeared on the marketplace
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/326180-sal...condition.html

boraclicks · 07-19-2016, 11:04 AM

Yes. Guess, it's a coincidence.

boraclicks · 08-04-2016, 05:34 AM

So, I started using this lens. I figured out that it has to be used in complete Manual mode for sharpest pictures. Best pictures come at F4 and higher. Since this is my first stint with complete manual lens, should I keep anything else in mind?

Sandy Hancock · 08-04-2016, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by boraclicks

Since this is my first stint with complete manual lens, should I keep anything else in mind?

Yes.
Have fun. It's a great lens.

07-18-2016, 10:57 PM	#1
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96	K135 2.5 how useful? I happened to look up the Craigslist and got this lens for 60$. I read the reviews online and found that it suffers from CA wide open. Any suggestions on how could I use it to minimise CA on my K-50? Also, I am thinking of upgrading the body to K-3. Does that help in any way?

07-18-2016, 11:07 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	That's a bargain price for sure. Awesome! Originally posted by boraclicks Any suggestions on how could I use it to minimise CA on my K-50? Stop down Photoshop/lightroom/other editors have pretty effective aberration control tools, but stopping down is your first line of defense. Originally posted by boraclicks Also, I am thinking of upgrading the body to K-3. You'll get higher image resolution -> more detail. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-18-2016, 11:54 PM	#3
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,445	It is reported as one of the best budget astrophotography telephoto lens here: The Best Telephoto Lenses for Astrophotography - Articles - Articles - Articles - Cloudy Nights

07-19-2016, 02:58 AM	#4
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Ok that is a great price. And yes it does suffer from CA. This lens can be shot wide open with care. You will have to either frame your shot well to minimise the impact of CA and/or post process to remove. Relatively easy to remove the CA in PPing but you will have to be careful of CA in out of focus areas (best use good distance separation from subject and fore/background scenery). But to be honest, this lens is best stopped down a stop or two. The f2.5 is extremely useful for manual focusing in low light - an invaluable benefit. After getting critical focus, stop the lens down and shoot. The images are stunning (with the bokeh effect still there).

07-19-2016, 08:05 AM	#5
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Its a VERY Capable lens. To minimize Flair use a Hood ! I don't think upgrading a body is really going to have any effect on it either way.

07-19-2016, 08:21 AM	#7
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	I would have expected sharper than that. How do the elements look? Any haze evident?

07-19-2016, 08:49 AM	#8
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Don't forget that if you want to see what a certain lens is capable of producing, you can always visit the Pentax Photo Gallery and check out photos taken with that lens.

07-19-2016, 08:51 AM	#9
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Nope. There is no haze or fungus. There are few dust particles. I will check the Gallery.

07-19-2016, 10:00 AM	#10
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,445	One just appeared on the marketplace https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/326180-sal...condition.html

07-19-2016, 11:04 AM	#11
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Yes. Guess, it's a coincidence.

08-04-2016, 05:34 AM	#12
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	So, I started using this lens. I figured out that it has to be used in complete Manual mode for sharpest pictures. Best pictures come at F4 and higher. Since this is my first stint with complete manual lens, should I keep anything else in mind?

08-04-2016, 05:39 AM	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by boraclicks Since this is my first stint with complete manual lens, should I keep anything else in mind? Yes. Have fun. It's a great lens.