Pentax SMC-A 135mm F2.8 - Test Shots

legacyb4 · 04-10-2010, 09:40 PM

I was looking at Pentax listing on Craigslist last week (bad thing to do, really) and I stumbled across a listing for a used A 135mm F2.8. I've always been interested in picking up a manual focus 135mm and like the flexibility of having auto aperture on an MF lens.

Long story short, I landed a nice, clean copy for an even nicer price ($95) and find it's a good balance between reach and size. Great for a walkabout lens even with a minimum focusing distance of 1.2 meters. Good contrast depending on angle of light and sharp (when the shooter can get the focus right...), and pleasant bokeh. Only thing I noticed is that after taking a shot, there's a slight mechanical sound (hope it's not problematic!).

Some sample shots:

legacyb4 · 04-10-2010, 09:41 PM

legacyb4 · 04-10-2010, 09:41 PM

jct us101 · 04-10-2010, 11:07 PM

These are all great photos, I was looking at this lens when I had a Pentax a while back, but what is up with that snow? I've seen quite a few photos of snow that don't look good at all today, is that just the Pentax camera metering?

axl · 04-10-2010, 11:31 PM

Seems to be good.
Some have said that the A135 was one of the "lesser" 135s in Pentax history. But from your shots it seems pretty good IMO...

Pentaxor · 04-11-2010, 02:21 AM

not too bad Steve. I'm going out today to try out the 2 135s. hope it doesn't rain though. haven't really checked the weather channel but I hope it would be like yesterday's weather. really nice.

opera58 · 04-11-2010, 02:21 AM

Been underated by some, Actually it a good lens and i have been using most of the time till recently just got the Pentax Smc K 135mm F2.5. Some shot by
A135mm F2.8.

Pablom · 04-11-2010, 02:38 AM

very nice photos. this looks like the lens to have in that rage.

**rparmar** · 04-11-2010, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

I was looking at Pentax listing on Craigslist last week (bad thing to do, really) and I stumbled across a listing for a used A 135mm F2.8.

The lens looks decent though I am sure the shots could benefit from some PP to bring out the contrast etc. As is they seem a bit dull, without the usual Pentax "pop".

EDIT: Looking again I think that in the second and third you may have missed focus a bit.

Tuner571 · 04-11-2010, 05:18 AM

These all look great to me. The color looks good and the bokeh is wonderful. However, I would a little contrast in PP to make it pop a bit more.

04-10-2010, 09:40 PM	#1
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Pentax SMC-A 135mm F2.8 - Test Shots I was looking at Pentax listing on Craigslist last week (bad thing to do, really) and I stumbled across a listing for a used A 135mm F2.8. I've always been interested in picking up a manual focus 135mm and like the flexibility of having auto aperture on an MF lens. Long story short, I landed a nice, clean copy for an even nicer price ($95) and find it's a good balance between reach and size. Great for a walkabout lens even with a minimum focusing distance of 1.2 meters. Good contrast depending on angle of light and sharp (when the shooter can get the focus right...), and pleasant bokeh. Only thing I noticed is that after taking a shot, there's a slight mechanical sound (hope it's not problematic!). Some sample shots:

04-11-2010, 02:21 AM	#7
opera58 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: yishun Photos: Albums Posts: 8	Pentax Smc-A 135mm F2.8 Been underated by some, Actually it a good lens and i have been using most of the time till recently just got the Pentax Smc K 135mm F2.5. Some shot by A135mm F2.8.

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04-10-2010, 09:41 PM	#2
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784 Original Poster

04-10-2010, 11:07 PM	#4
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	These are all great photos, I was looking at this lens when I had a Pentax a while back, but what is up with that snow? I've seen quite a few photos of snow that don't look good at all today, is that just the Pentax camera metering?

04-10-2010, 11:31 PM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Seems to be good. Some have said that the A135 was one of the "lesser" 135s in Pentax history. But from your shots it seems pretty good IMO...

04-11-2010, 02:21 AM	#6
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	not too bad Steve. I'm going out today to try out the 2 135s. hope it doesn't rain though. haven't really checked the weather channel but I hope it would be like yesterday's weather. really nice.

04-11-2010, 02:38 AM	#8
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	very nice photos. this looks like the lens to have in that rage.

04-11-2010, 05:16 AM	#9
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by legacyb4 I was looking at Pentax listing on Craigslist last week (bad thing to do, really) and I stumbled across a listing for a used A 135mm F2.8. The lens looks decent though I am sure the shots could benefit from some PP to bring out the contrast etc. As is they seem a bit dull, without the usual Pentax "pop". EDIT: Looking again I think that in the second and third you may have missed focus a bit.

04-11-2010, 05:18 AM	#10
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	These all look great to me. The color looks good and the bokeh is wonderful. However, I would a little contrast in PP to make it pop a bit more.

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