[axl]

I recently acquired this as well. Unfortunately, my copy is damaged - the aperture doesn't open at all. I think the spring has come off - does that make sense?

I haven't even been able to test it yet because of this, and I haven't yet had time to take it apart or to send it away for repairs.

I've got the Super Tak 105/2.8 and assumed that it was the same lens, just different mount - is that true?

/Jens

not my first hand experience, but yes, K series and Takumar counterparts should be identical, less the mount..

BR

[timo]

After a long search I finally found the big brother to my K85/1.8 on eBay, the elusive K105/2.8.

Here are a couple of pictures of the reunited happy family.

Hey - I have the K105 2.8. Will you allow me into the K club? I think you should because the lens shown in the database here is mine! I sent the shot to Adam at pentaxforums in 2007.

It's in wonderful condition. I bought it used about five years ago. I don't think I've seen another one on sale anywhere since.

Not the sharpest at 2.8 but not at all bad; it quickly gets its act together and by 5.6 it's absolutely one of the sharpest lenses I have. The bokeh can be a bit jazzy if you have specular highlights. For me it's an ideal lens for architectural details or distant landscapes. And it produces shots that stitch brilliantly.

I also have the M135 - they make a rather cute pair. (Actually I think the bokeh of the M135 3.5 is slightly better, but it's doesn't seem quite as razor sharp. They're both pretty good though.)

I'll click off a few shots with it over the next few days and post some examples if I may.

Does anyone know why it was made in such small numbers and discontinued so quickly?

Tim

[8540tomg]

Welcome aboard Timo. Let's see some K 105 shots.

Tom G

[gofour3]

Does anyone know why it was made in such small numbers and discontinued so quickly?

A lot of the original “K” series lenses were only in production for three years
(1975-77) and were replaced by similar, but smaller, “M” versions.

Example:

K20/4 – M20/4
K28/3.5 – M28/3.5
K85/1.8 – M85/2
K105/2.8 – M100/2.8
K135/3.5 – M135/3.5

Sometimes Pentax had to make the lens slower to reduce its size, like with the 85/1.8.

With the K105/2.8, which had existed in the Takumar days, it was replaced with a shorter focal length.

Pentax was on a smaller is better kick in the late 70’s, which is too bad as the “K” series lenses in my option were the best built lenses that Pentax ever made.

[timo]

Hey - I have the K105 2.8. Will you allow me into the K club? I think you should because the lens shown in the database here is mine! I sent the shot to Adam at pentaxforums in 2007.
...

I'll click off a few shots with it over the next few days and post some examples if I may.

Tim

In this gallery are a few full-size shots with the K105 to show what it's like at 2.8, 4 and 5.6:

pentax_k105_f28]timotheus's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

Here is one of them reduced - the scene (from my living room window early this morning):


A 100% crop from the middle wide open (shot in raw, default LR settings, no other sharpening or PP) - at 2.8 it has a very soft-focus look that I find rather pleasing:


At 5.6 it's a lot crisper:


Applying a bit of sharpening to the wide open shot has quite an effect ..


Sorry - nothing here to show the bokeh. Anyway I hope it's useful. I like the lens a lot for landscapes, architectural details etc. Unsharpened as here it may look a bit soft but there is plenty of detail and texture even in the wide-open shot and it sharpens up very well at all settings.


Tim

[gofour3]

Thanks for the shots Tim! I also just got a K105/2.8 and have done one test run but have not yet finished the roll of film. Enjoy your lens.

[Alonsozjj]

I have a K 135MM 3.5.
It is very sharp when the aperture turn on the 3.5.
I really like it.

[timo]

I have a K 135MM 3.5.
It is very sharp when the aperture turn on the 3.5.
I really like it.

That would be a nice lens to have. Very good comments on it at
Stan's Pentax Photography

But, I already have two 135s (M and FA), so mustn't start looking at ebay again ...

Tim

[pschlute]

I took this today with my SMC 24mm f3.5. A classic SMC lens, solid and heavy with a slky smooth and long focus throw. Nice and sharp at f5.6, and pleasing bokeh.

[fs999]

I forgot to present my K 50mm f:1.2 !

[wavecurrent]

Here is another shot with the K24/3.5 lens from, a great performing K-lens.

[axl]

Hi here is my addition from the only K lens I have.
SMC 400/5.6 @ f5.6 with K10D @ ISO800 Tv 0.0025



BR

[jake.astig]

From my trip to Siquijor, taken with a Pentax SuperProgram + SMC-K 24mm 2.8 lens.

[drj]

Thanks for the many replies, i asked since i sold a 50/1.4 as SMC-K only because it is a K-mount and predates KA lenses. But google now showed me i was accidently right and the 52mm filter thread 50/1.4 is a K, not an M, so i'm good and even labeled the lens correctly, there is no K vs M distinction on KEH's website, so i was not aware of the K vs M between what KEH labels as M (49mm) and M (52mm), the two clubs gave me a little scare, i would have hated to inadvertently have sold a mislabeled lens.

Now it just needs to arrive well across the big pond.

Thanks again,

Daniel

As Daniel noted I didn't understand the difference between the -K and -M series. I was just recommended a manual focus fast 50 to practice with my new K10D. Well, they're cheap (relatively speaking), nice primes and make you think about what you're filming. Great for a beginner. _hate_ the kit lens now.

Here's a picture of a friend I took with my new purchase I took about 50 photo's before this and and then the following one made the local news weather segment once I submitted it, literally first time out with it.

Have people out there experienced much difference between the -K and -M versions of this lens?

Comments and constructive criticism are more than welcome.

I don't use the 50 as much now since I've gotten lazy and moved to the 31mm LTD., but still use the 50 indoors at night. And for the Telephoto- Sigma's 70-200. I'm thinking of the Sigma 10-20 to round out my kit. Anyone else recommend anything different or offer any other opinions.

Cheers.

[8540tomg]

Took a few shots at the school rugby game today. Here's a little action from today's game.



Tom G