Greatest Pentax 135mm Under $400

jab2980 · 01-25-2017, 12:47 AM

Vote for what you think is the greatest K mount FF Pentax 135mm that is available under $400 for portraits. The key factors I'm looking for are wide open sharpness, pleasing transitions, and creamy bokeh. I have scoured the reviews and samples for all of the lenses listed, and know that these are all great choices - but would like to hear some first hand opinions. Thanks!

officiousbystander · 01-25-2017, 01:19 AM - **1 Like**

Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400.

kh1234567890 · 01-25-2017, 01:25 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by officiousbystander

Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400.

+1 Seriously underrated. Seriously cheap.

Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpm135mmf35

**BigMackCam** · 01-25-2017, 02:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by officiousbystander

Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400.

+2... It's a lovely lens, with very nice out-of-focus rendering and transition.

The only minor niggle is that it can suffer from significant purple fringing at high contrast edges (on digital bodies, at least). But for portraiture that's rarely a problem.

I stopped looking for any other 135mm primes after I got my M135/3.5...

rrstuff · 01-25-2017, 02:28 AM

For $400? Used sigma 50-150mm F2.8 would be pretty good, i got mine for less.

**mike.hiran** · 01-25-2017, 02:50 AM

Originally posted by rrstuff

For $400? Used sigma 50-150mm F2.8 would be pretty good, i got mine for less.

Not FF...

**GUB** · 01-25-2017, 03:27 AM - **1 Like**

Why stop at Kmount ? The taks plus adapter are better to use (AV) than the Ms and Ks. I have a M135 but it is the preset Takumar that gets to go for walkies!!

WestBug · 01-25-2017, 03:55 AM

No offense , but the thread Title and lens choices offered are misleading and the Poll is flawed.

LensBeginner · 01-25-2017, 04:18 AM

I am content with my M 100/2.8 and won't need a 135mm.
100mm lenses should also enter the poll, as the difference in FL is IMHO negligible.

D1N0 · 01-25-2017, 04:52 AM

Samyang 135mm F2 sells for a little over $400. Hunt for a used one. There is also a S-M-C Takumar version (6 elements one) of The K. I have both the Takumar and the Pentax-m 135. The Takumar is better. F and FA are identical optically. So it's a matter of taste about the lens body.

Wild Mark · 01-25-2017, 05:08 AM - **1 Like**

come on guys - the question is what it is.

jab2980 · 01-25-2017, 05:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by officiousbystander

Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400.

That would be a great contender if one were looking for a lightweight and budget friendly option.

WestBug · 01-25-2017, 05:40 AM

Considering the limited restrictions of the Poll. I voted SMC K Version.

Pixelhdr · 01-25-2017, 06:20 AM - **1 Like**

I agree M135 f/3.5 is a good contender. I paid $50 for my copy (used) last century when I was still shooting film. It is not that sharp wide open but can still be very nice for portrait I suppose; portraiture is not my interest, however. When I did use it, it is typically stopped down.

pinholecam · 01-25-2017, 06:21 AM - **4 Likes**

Poll??

I have most of them and can't even make up my mind.

Takumar 135/3.5 - totally under appreciated (esp w/ FF)

FA135/2.8 - The PF monster, with the rich colors, contrast and nice bokeh.

K135/2.5 - The all rounder (minus the AF)

There's also the Takumar 135/2.5 vii which is said to be the same thing.

Takumar 135/2.5 v1 - some say poorer than the vii, which is only the case if one likes taking test charts. A 'kinder, gentler' rendition pre-SMC look that I really like.

View Poll Results: The greatest K mount FF Pentax 135mm that is available under $400
FA 135 2.8	10	28.57%
F 135 2.8	6	17.14%
A 135 2.8	2	5.71%
K 135 2.5	17	48.57%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

01-25-2017, 12:47 AM	#1
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578	Greatest Pentax 135mm Under $400 Vote for what you think is the greatest K mount FF Pentax 135mm that is available under $400 for portraits. The key factors I'm looking for are wide open sharpness, pleasing transitions, and creamy bokeh. I have scoured the reviews and samples for all of the lenses listed, and know that these are all great choices - but would like to hear some first hand opinions. Thanks!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sharpest Pentax mount lens for under $400?	OldNoob	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	12-02-2013 07:08 PM
DA 50-200? Under $400 lens???	northmole	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	10-13-2012 02:59 PM
Pentax Q under $400	walternewton	Pentax Q	18	07-24-2012 03:34 AM
Best alternative to DA/DAL 18-55/II under $400?	geekette	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	04-17-2012 05:22 PM
The one lens.... under 400.	Vanheden	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	03-19-2012 12:21 PM

01-25-2017, 01:19 AM - 1 Like	#2
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 912	Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400.

01-25-2017, 01:25 AM - 1 Like	#3
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by officiousbystander Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400. +1 Seriously underrated. Seriously cheap. Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpm135mmf35

01-25-2017, 02:12 AM - 1 Like	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by officiousbystander Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400. +2... It's a lovely lens, with very nice out-of-focus rendering and transition. The only minor niggle is that it can suffer from significant purple fringing at high contrast edges (on digital bodies, at least). But for portraiture that's rarely a problem. I stopped looking for any other 135mm primes after I got my M135/3.5...

01-25-2017, 02:28 AM	#5
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	For $400? Used sigma 50-150mm F2.8 would be pretty good, i got mine for less.

01-25-2017, 02:50 AM	#6
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	Originally posted by rrstuff For $400? Used sigma 50-150mm F2.8 would be pretty good, i got mine for less. Not FF...

01-25-2017, 03:27 AM - 1 Like	#7
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Why stop at Kmount ? The taks plus adapter are better to use (AV) than the Ms and Ks. I have a M135 but it is the preset Takumar that gets to go for walkies!!

01-25-2017, 03:55 AM	#8
WestBug Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 93	No offense , but the thread Title and lens choices offered are misleading and the Poll is flawed.

01-25-2017, 04:18 AM	#9
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	I am content with my M 100/2.8 and won't need a 135mm. 100mm lenses should also enter the poll, as the difference in FL is IMHO negligible.

01-25-2017, 04:52 AM	#10
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Samyang 135mm F2 sells for a little over $400. Hunt for a used one. There is also a S-M-C Takumar version (6 elements one) of The K. I have both the Takumar and the Pentax-m 135. The Takumar is better. F and FA are identical optically. So it's a matter of taste about the lens body.

01-25-2017, 05:08 AM - 1 Like	#11
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	come on guys - the question is what it is.

01-25-2017, 05:35 AM - 1 Like	#12
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578 Original Poster	Originally posted by officiousbystander Why leave out the M135 3.5 which is seriously underrated? Also you'll get a lot of change out of $400. That would be a great contender if one were looking for a lightweight and budget friendly option.

01-25-2017, 05:40 AM	#13
WestBug Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 93	Considering the limited restrictions of the Poll. I voted SMC K Version.

01-25-2017, 06:20 AM - 1 Like	#14
Pixelhdr Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 90	I agree M135 f/3.5 is a good contender. I paid $50 for my copy (used) last century when I was still shooting film. It is not that sharp wide open but can still be very nice for portrait I suppose; portraiture is not my interest, however. When I did use it, it is typically stopped down.

01-25-2017, 06:21 AM - 4 Likes	#15
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Poll?? I have most of them and can't even make up my mind. Takumar 135/3.5 - totally under appreciated (esp w/ FF) FA135/2.8 - The PF monster, with the rich colors, contrast and nice bokeh. K135/2.5 - The all rounder (minus the AF) There's also the Takumar 135/2.5 vii which is said to be the same thing. Takumar 135/2.5 v1 - some say poorer than the vii, which is only the case if one likes taking test charts. A 'kinder, gentler' rendition pre-SMC look that I really like.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search