Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-10-2010, 04:35 PM   #1
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Lowell Goudge's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 17,868
What's the best 135mm M42 lens?

Ok, a while back I asked the forum members a question

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86039-do-i-hav...t-my-mind.html

I decided to look at building an M42 Kit, and happened onto a really nice takumar 200mm F3.5 to go with the supertakumar 85mm F1.9.

I had already most of the low focal lengths (24 F2.5, 28 F2.5 and 35 F2) but the real hole in the kit now that I havbe a 200 is something between 85 and 200, i.e. a 135.

I do not want an SMC takumar F2.5 because I feel that will be too similar to my SMC Pentax 135 F2.5 so I am looking for another high quality 135, that may be something a little different.

Let's here the ideas

Edit note added as people have responded:

In no particular order here are the options so far to post 33:

- Auto Chinon f2.8/135 6 blade 1.5 m min focus
- Contax Sonnar 135/2.8,
- Sonnar - Carl Zeiss Jana DDR 135/F3.5 MC
- Jena 3.5
- CZ Super-Dynarex 135 f4
- Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar 135mm f/4.0-22.0
- Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8
- Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8
- Focal MC Auto 135 F2.8
- HANIMEX Auto 2.8/135
- Jupiter 11A 135mm F4
- Jupiter 37 (A, AM)
- Leica 135/2.8,
- tele-lentar 135/2.8
- Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)
- Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8
- OPTICAM 2.8/135 preset
- Pentacon 135 2.8 preset 15 blade
- Pentacon 2.8/135, any version
- Auto Reikenon 135mm F2.8
- schneider kodak retina tele xenar 135mm f4 DKL
- Sears 135mm F2.8
- SEARS AUTO EE 135MM F/2.8
- Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8
- Soligor 135mm f1.8
- Soligor Soligor 135mm f/2.0-22.0
- ASAHI KOGAKU TELE-TAKUMAR 135mm f3.5
- S-M-C Takumar 135mm f/3.5.
- S-M-C Takumar 6-element 135mm f/2.5. It can't possibly get any better than this.
- Takumar, pre-set 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Auto-Takumar 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Super-Takumar, first version of 3.5/135, 5 lens/4 groups
- Super-Takumar, 2.5/135,
- Tair-11a 133mm F2.8
- Tair-11-2 135mm f/2.8 (rare black version).
- Vivitar Series 1 135 F2.3
- Vivitar auto 3.5/135 6 (SN 41)
- Vivitar 2.8/135 chrome and black (sn 10)
- Vivitar auto telephoto 2.8/135 6 blade(Komine),


Other options/focal lengths
Meyer Trioplan V 100/2.8?
Tele-Takumar 5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 6.3/300
S-M-C Takumar 2.8/105
S-M-C Takumar 2.8/120
S-M-C Takumar 4/150


Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 02-10-2010 at 11:16 AM.
01-10-2010, 05:04 PM   #2
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Brisbane
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,421
check out the russian Tair-11a

best one ive tried (not that ive tried many...). probably 70% of my shots in the last month have been with it (i got it 1 month ago!)

only time i take it off is when i want to go wide
01-10-2010, 05:10 PM   #3
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Just1MoreDave's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,335
I suggested the Vivitar/Komine, based on this test.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/68032-135mm-le...imes-zoom.html

If you look for a while, you can find these for under $25 shipped, certainly less than $50 from a better-documented auction. The Tair sounds interesting, and there's a Carl Zeiss Jena that always sounded interesting.

Last edited by Just1MoreDave; 01-10-2010 at 05:18 PM.
01-10-2010, 05:17 PM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Douglas_of_Sweden's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Stockholm
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,374
What about a Zeiss Sonar (aus Jena)?

01-10-2010, 05:42 PM - 1 Like   #5
Veteran Member
jimH's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South Central Nebraska - USA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,771
You have LBA, but what the heck, if you can afford it and you are not depriving your family of food and housing, so what?
01-10-2010, 05:55 PM   #6
Veteran Member
georgweb's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berlin, Germany
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,386
Just1moreDave, great write-up in your test, much appreciated !

I gotta sing the tune of that Jena 3.5 as I haven't found any 2.8 that comes close (haven't tried the Tair nor the 2.5 Pentax though).

Really good quality at f/3.5 incl. colors and outstanding smooth bokeh. I really trust this lens. There is an older zebra version which is similar (blue glass) but I'd strongly recommend the all-black MC version with the sliding hood. The Jupiter 37 (A, AM) is the same lens scheme but multiple aperture blades. OTOH it does not have the sliding hood so I would stay with the Sonnar.


M42 MC Sonnar 3.5/135 Carl Zeiss Jena on K100D @f/3.5

BTW be cautious with the aperture, it can be gummed up so either tinkering or pass.
Georg
01-10-2010, 06:09 PM   #7
Veteran Member
awo425's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, USA
Posts: 481
My Vivitar Series 1 135 F2.3 stopped down half a stop is quite good.

01-10-2010, 06:11 PM   #8
Veteran Member
raymeedc's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Posts: 951
How about the early Takumar Pre-set 135? Smaller than later Takumars, with the advantage (on DSLRs), of the dual aperture rings for quick wide open focus to shooting aperture transfer. I love mine.
01-10-2010, 06:22 PM   #9
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Brisbane
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,421
here is an example from my Tair wide open (f2.8)

the shot


and a 100% crop - no sharpening applied
01-10-2010, 06:36 PM   #10
Moderator
Site Supporter
Blue's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Florida Hill Country
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 17,377
I second the preset Tak or even the auto-tak.

However, I would strongly consider these:

Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8

Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8

Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8

Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)
01-10-2010, 10:30 PM   #11
Senior Member
sajah's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Korea
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 275


How about Pentacon 135 2.8 preset. Some people call it Bokeh Monster (try googling bokeh monster, you'll find lots of info). I have it but I haven't had any chance to use the lens extensively. It's not because the lens is bad, it's just I'm not comfortable with 135mm focal length (on APS-C), maybe not yet.


Some sample pics, between wide open to F4 (since it's a preset aperture)




EDIT: Just noticed Blue's post above, IIRC this is the same lens as Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8
01-11-2010, 12:19 AM   #12
Pentaxian
Asahiflex's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Netherlands
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,795
As you may have realized, there is no such thing as the "best" 135mm m42 lens. I have tried many (I still have many) and apart from the Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8, each and every lens I tested was at least very good. This is no surprise as the 135mm's were quite easy to make, and every brand at least had one in their catalogs.

I do have a few favorite lenses though...

1) The 6-element 135mm f/2.5 S-M-C Takumar. It can't possibly get any better than this.
2) The 135mm f/3.5 pre-set Takumar.
3) The 135mm f/2.8 Tair-11-2 (rare black version).

The 135mm f/3.5 Sonnar (Carl Zeiss Jena or Aus Jena, both are the same) is optically very nice, but as always with CZJ lenses the mechanical part is really a letdown. Inoperative diaphragms are common and dry/stiff focusing rings are not rare either. Only buy one with the intent to have it CLA'd.
01-11-2010, 04:36 AM   #13
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 228
QuoteOriginally posted by Blue Quote
I second the preset Tak or even the auto-tak.

However, I would strongly consider these:

Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8

Steinheil Munchen Auto-D Tele Quinar 135mm f2.8

Enna Munchen Tele Ennalyt 135mm f2.8

Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 (including the SX version and earlier version)
HI.

I agree with you.

My only doubt is about the enna lens, not 'cos a so-so lens, but the quality build a lot of plastic.

Very nice option the steinheil (a friend of my give me the macro version, and it's wanderfull).

I have now the mamiya sekor no SX (TL black version) and it's impressive lens. Excelent colors (oldest leica M cold colors). It's so good that I sold my CZJ, 'cos I like more the mamiya.

And the super cream, monster bokeh pentacon. I think that no matter what 135 you have, must buy that pentacon too. I will do it when I find a cheap one.

Rino.

Last edited by estudleon; 01-11-2010 at 04:48 AM. Reason: error
01-11-2010, 04:47 AM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 228
QuoteOriginally posted by Asahiflex Quote
As you may have realized, there is no such thing as the "best" 135mm m42 lens. I have tried many (I still have many) and apart from the Eyemik/Porst 135mm f/1.8, each and every lens I tested was at least very good. This is no surprise as the 135mm's were quite easy to make, and every brand at least had one in their catalogs.

I do have a few favorite lenses though...

1) The 6-element 135mm f/2.5 S-M-C Takumar. It can't possibly get any better than this.
2) The 135mm f/3.5 pre-set Takumar.
3) The 135mm f/2.8 Tair-11-2 (rare black version).

The 135mm f/3.5 Sonnar (Carl Zeiss Jena or Aus Jena, both are the same) is optically very nice, but as always with CZJ lenses the mechanical part is really a letdown. Inoperative diaphragms are common and dry/stiff focusing rings are not rare either. Only buy one with the intent to have it CLA'd.

Hi Asahiflex.

I never like so much the pentax lenses, but since I have the S-M-C 1,4/50 when someone says anything in favor of Takumar's lenses, I must agree.

I have to sold my CZJ 3,5/135 because the problems with blades, not well built to me. The IQ is good, of course, but if I have to buy one, I prefer the zebra version, so far. The zebra is an inexpensive lens, very good built, with more resolution power and less yellowish images than the MC.

Regards, Rino.
01-11-2010, 06:21 AM   #15
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Lowell Goudge's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 17,868
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by jimH Quote
You have LBA, but what the heck, if you can afford it and you are not depriving your family of food and housing, so what?
thanks, I kinda figgured that
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
135mm, auto, f2.5, f2.8, k-mount, pentax lens, s-m-c, slr lens, takumar, tele, version, vivitar
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Hanimex m42 135mm f2.8 lens 247nino Sold Items 2 01-09-2009 05:42 PM
For Sale - Sold: SuperTak 35mm f/3.5, Soligor 135mm f/2.8, Hanimex 135mm f/2.8 (M42 lens) hinman Sold Items 14 01-14-2008 11:36 AM
Ooops, won 2 135mm m42 lens, which one should I keep? reknelb Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 2 02-25-2007 11:12 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:32 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top