Fa 135 f2.8

Gooshin · 03-13-2009, 10:52 AM

is it just me, or is this lens impossible to find?

also while we are on the subject, is the FA 85 F2.8 "soft focus" the only cheap alternative to the FA* 85? within the "FA" lineup?

Asahiflex · 03-13-2009, 11:16 AM

Don't forget to look for the SMC Pentax-F 135/2.8 too, as that is the same lens but in an older package. Since I bought it I haven't seen another one for sale (but I do not look on eBay either because of the inflated prices).

It's a great lens BTW... Some CA but nothing serious.

heliphoto · 03-13-2009, 11:41 AM

Sent you a PM Gooshin.

vitalsax · 03-13-2009, 12:07 PM

for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho

Gooshin · 03-13-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by vitalsax

for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho

thx guys.

but Keh is also known for listen BGN items that are in pretty decent shape.

**dadipentak** · 03-13-2009, 12:56 PM

I got mine from KEH. It was EX-pensive but nice for indoor candid portraits. It probably doesn't show up much because we what has 'em, keep 'em ;~)

kenyee · 03-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by Gooshin

but Keh is also known for listen BGN items that are in pretty decent shape.

Not for the past year or so...bought a RRS plate and it was pretty chewed up and missing the hex key

A friend bought a lens from there and it was beat up too...

Parallax · 03-13-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm not sure if this is the same one as there is no picture: Used Pentax | 135/2.8 KA | B&H Photo Video

**GaryM** · 03-13-2009, 01:57 PM

Also, I'm a lot more comfortable buying a 'bargain' quality manual focus lens, since those metal-and-glass things seem to last forever. The FA135 is a modern electronic device - 'bargain' makes me nervous, especially a 'bargain' just shy of $500. Too bad, because I would really like a 135mm prime lens with AF.

Gooshin · 03-13-2009, 02:25 PM

for those that dont remember, i once hammered the shit out of an FA-P 35-105.

it may be plastic on the outside, but internal components are rock solid.

(now compared to a Canon 50 1.8, which i also happened to witness the destruction of.. that thing is all plastic)

farfisa · 03-13-2009, 02:28 PM

What with you and all the 'auto-focus' lately?

davef · 03-13-2009, 02:57 PM

They are tough to find. I have a couple of theories -- the FA135 came after the zoom boom so wasn't likely made in the same sort of volume as MF 135's and, as someone else noted, if you have a good copy you'll likely hang on to it as it works very well with film and dslr's. Dave

Gooshin · 03-13-2009, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

What with you and all the 'auto-focus' lately?

compromise

i am selling my Super-Takumar stock, even though it is the best bang for the buck i think you can get in photography.

however the M42 mount is.. a pain, takes long to switch, and more prone to getting dirt in the camera.

when i was shooting with my film camera in cuba i was less worried, but if this was digital, the sensor would get dirty real quick.

(dont forget that you have to screw on and off the rear cap for the lens, also time consuming)

finaly having to manually select the aperture also takes away time.

i dont want M lenses, step down metering is not for me

i dont want DA lenses, because for now i like shooting with my film

so that leaves A and FA

the price difference of which is pretty negligable, considering. Also FA lenses (exclusing the FA Limiteds) have nice rubbery MF grips which are pretty responsive to focusing.

so FA it is!

(atleast until i can afford Zeiss

)

jedperkins · 03-13-2009, 03:35 PM

I looked for a long time until I lucked into one one eBay. It is tiny as a 200mm f/2.8 equivalent on a APS-C sensor. I will never sell mine

Erik · 03-13-2009, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by vitalsax

for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho

Oh man. The day I spend 500 dollars on a 135/2.8 I'm going to officially quit photography.

03-13-2009, 10:52 AM	#1
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Fa 135 f2.8 is it just me, or is this lens impossible to find? also while we are on the subject, is the FA 85 F2.8 "soft focus" the only cheap alternative to the FA* 85? within the "FA" lineup?

03-13-2009, 12:07 PM	#4
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	keh has one now for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho

03-13-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I got mine from KEH. It was EX-pensive but nice for indoor candid portraits. It probably doesn't show up much because we what has 'em, keep 'em ;~) Last edited by dadipentak; 12-28-2009 at 03:01 PM.

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03-13-2009, 11:16 AM	#2
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Don't forget to look for the SMC Pentax-F 135/2.8 too, as that is the same lens but in an older package. Since I bought it I haven't seen another one for sale (but I do not look on eBay either because of the inflated prices). It's a great lens BTW... Some CA but nothing serious.

03-13-2009, 11:41 AM	#3
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Sent you a PM Gooshin.

03-13-2009, 12:09 PM	#5
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610 Original Poster	Originally posted by vitalsax for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho thx guys. but Keh is also known for listen BGN items that are in pretty decent shape.

03-13-2009, 01:05 PM	#7
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by Gooshin but Keh is also known for listen BGN items that are in pretty decent shape. Not for the past year or so...bought a RRS plate and it was pretty chewed up and missing the hex key A friend bought a lens from there and it was beat up too...

03-13-2009, 01:11 PM	#8
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I'm not sure if this is the same one as there is no picture: Used Pentax \| 135/2.8 KA \| B&H Photo Video

03-13-2009, 01:57 PM	#9
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Also, I'm a lot more comfortable buying a 'bargain' quality manual focus lens, since those metal-and-glass things seem to last forever. The FA135 is a modern electronic device - 'bargain' makes me nervous, especially a 'bargain' just shy of $500. Too bad, because I would really like a 135mm prime lens with AF.

03-13-2009, 02:25 PM	#10
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610 Original Poster	for those that dont remember, i once hammered the shit out of an FA-P 35-105. it may be plastic on the outside, but internal components are rock solid. (now compared to a Canon 50 1.8, which i also happened to witness the destruction of.. that thing is all plastic)

03-13-2009, 02:28 PM	#11
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	What with you and all the 'auto-focus' lately?

03-13-2009, 02:57 PM	#12
davef Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 433	They are tough to find. I have a couple of theories -- the FA135 came after the zoom boom so wasn't likely made in the same sort of volume as MF 135's and, as someone else noted, if you have a good copy you'll likely hang on to it as it works very well with film and dslr's. Dave

03-13-2009, 03:13 PM	#13
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610 Original Poster	Originally posted by farfisa What with you and all the 'auto-focus' lately? compromise i am selling my Super-Takumar stock, even though it is the best bang for the buck i think you can get in photography. however the M42 mount is.. a pain, takes long to switch, and more prone to getting dirt in the camera. when i was shooting with my film camera in cuba i was less worried, but if this was digital, the sensor would get dirty real quick. (dont forget that you have to screw on and off the rear cap for the lens, also time consuming) finaly having to manually select the aperture also takes away time. i dont want M lenses, step down metering is not for me i dont want DA lenses, because for now i like shooting with my film so that leaves A and FA the price difference of which is pretty negligable, considering. Also FA lenses (exclusing the FA Limiteds) have nice rubbery MF grips which are pretty responsive to focusing. so FA it is! (atleast until i can afford Zeiss )

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03-13-2009, 03:35 PM	#14
jedperkins Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boulder, CO, USA Posts: 28	I looked for a long time until I lucked into one one eBay. It is tiny as a 200mm f/2.8 equivalent on a APS-C sensor. I will never sell mine

03-13-2009, 04:18 PM	#15
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by vitalsax for $484 bgn too expensive imnsho Oh man. The day I spend 500 dollars on a 135/2.8 I'm going to officially quit photography.