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stevebrot · 12-21-2019, 07:31 PM

I just did another look-see at Samyang offerings in Pentax-K and wonder why we seldom read forum comments regarding a broader sampling of their line. They have several lenses that should be interest to K-mount shooters beyond the usual rah-rah regarding the 8mm and 12mm fisheyes and the 85mm f/1.4. I am surprised that PF has not done detailed reviews of the 100/2.8 macro or the 135/2.0; moving to the wider end, the same question might apply to the 20/1.8 and 24/1.4.

Steve

**pres589** · 12-21-2019, 08:44 PM

I would love for a good in-depth review of those lenses by the PF "staff". Especially the 135 f2.

**JensE** · 12-21-2019, 09:03 PM - **1 Like**

According to tests in other mounts, the 135mm f/2 seems to be an outstanding apochromatic design, sharp wide open, with pleasing rendering competing with the very best 135mm lenses out there, at least when it came out. Focusing it precisely will be a challenge though. The macro was less enthusiastically received, it doesn't seem to surpass the established designs in any way. The 20mm f/1.8 again is an outstanding lens. Both the 20mm f/1.8 and especially the 135mm f/2 get a lot of love on the German Pentaxians forum.

zapp · 12-21-2019, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by JensE

According to tests in other mounts, the 135mm f/2 seems to be an outstanding apochromatic design, sharp wide open, with pleasing rendering competing with the very best 135mm lenses out there, at least when it came out. Focusing it precisely will be a challenge though. The macro was less enthusiastically received, it doesn't seem to surpass the established designs in any way. The 20mm f/1.8 again is an outstanding lens. Both the 20mm f/1.8 and especially the 135mm f/2 get a lot of love on the German Pentaxians forum.

Tried the 135 on K3 with katzeye focusing screen. Focusing was a major problem. Focus motion was quite stiff. Great value for the money, but nothing I want to use on a K1 where you cannot even use something like a katzeye screen. Would not miss Samyang glass, but less 3rd party option will mean less camera sales...
I remember very well waiting several weeks to get a Vivitar series 1 mount lens for my Contax in the last millennium. Hard to come by, small batches, ... same story as here with Tamron, Sigma, Samyang (maybe), Contax made great cameras and had a complete line of Zeiss lenses until Kyocera pulled the plug. Only Pentax can stop this process. Currently Pentax does not offer all the lens options, but they cover the entry level and happy amateur market quite well unlike Contax with pricey Zeiss glass or cheaper 3rd party glass.

Wasp · 12-22-2019, 02:33 AM

Owning a Samyang 135mm f/2 is on my bucket list. I guess I had better make my mind up on the priority of that item, before they are all gone.

**pres589** · 12-22-2019, 05:27 AM

If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering...

**SunValley** · 12-22-2019, 06:51 AM - **4 Likes**

The 135 F2 is quite an amazing lens. I do astrophotography with it and even at f/2.0 the stars are sharp corner to corner. The picture here is an example at f/2.0, it is a stack of 6 X 90 s + 4 X 15 s iso 800 with a K-5. My diy tracker needs adjustments so the stars are not perfectly round but this is the full frame so you can see how sharp the stars are in the corner. No CA corrections were made. Click to see higher res.

bladerunner6 · 12-22-2019, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by SunValley

I did send an email to their general info account. Will report any news from them here. Since nobody here has actually seen a press release stating the end of production for the K-mount, I'll join the opinion of many here that the case reflects the reseller situation. Thanks to all for your replies.

I look forward to you posting their response.

Wasp · 12-22-2019, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by pres589

If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering...

I already have the Pentax K 135mm f/3.5. To be honest, I don't use it a lot. It is a bit long for portraits on crop frame, but there are lots of other uses for it. The Sammy 135/2 is mainly needed to scratch the low light and bokeh itches. And to match the 85/1.4 I already have. I also suspect that the two share a lot of parts, but the only way to know for sure is to have both.

The "problem" with an F series is that so far I have stuck to MF primes and AF zooms. If I get an AF prime, one would not be enough. My inner completionist would conspire with my LBA and GAS to go down the AF rabbit hole. We can't go there, now can we?

At this very moment, I am trying to look the other way on a very nice Pentax AF prime that is haunting me. The only thing holding me back is that is part of a Pentax package deal and I already have all the other items...

troenaas · 12-23-2019, 02:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Wasp

My inner completionist would conspire with my LBA and GAS to go down the AF rabbit hole. We can't go there, now can we?

...

Basically, they are saving your butt and wallet?

Wasp · 12-23-2019, 03:00 AM

Some other kind Pentaxian has saved my wallet (and butt) by placing a bid on the auction for that Pentax package deal. It's for the best. I really don't need another prime lens right now. Something like a Sony A7II would be nice, though.

dcpropilot · 12-26-2019, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by pres589

If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering...

The Samyang 135/2 s a big leap in image quality over the F 135. If you can get past that it's MF, the optical quality is top notch similar to the L series Canon glass. It's really amazing that the price is as low as it is.

reh321 · 12-26-2019, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by dcpropilot

The Samyang 135/2 s a big leap in image quality over the F 135. If you can get past that it's MF, the optical quality is top notch similar to the L series Canon glass. It's really amazing that the price is as low as it is.

What would you use a 135mm lens for - I would never use manual focus for anything moving, incidentally?

**pres589** · 12-26-2019, 06:14 PM

The use cases that interest me with the Sy 135 is club shooting and portraits. Applications where people may be moving but not much.

dcpropilot · 12-26-2019, 06:56 PM

It's an excellent portrait lens.

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12-21-2019, 07:31 PM	#46
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I just did another look-see at Samyang offerings in Pentax-K and wonder why we seldom read forum comments regarding a broader sampling of their line. They have several lenses that should be interest to K-mount shooters beyond the usual rah-rah regarding the 8mm and 12mm fisheyes and the 85mm f/1.4. I am surprised that PF has not done detailed reviews of the 100/2.8 macro or the 135/2.0; moving to the wider end, the same question might apply to the 20/1.8 and 24/1.4. Steve

12-21-2019, 08:44 PM	#47
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	I would love for a good in-depth review of those lenses by the PF "staff". Especially the 135 f2.

12-21-2019, 09:03 PM - 1 Like	#48
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,975	According to tests in other mounts, the 135mm f/2 seems to be an outstanding apochromatic design, sharp wide open, with pleasing rendering competing with the very best 135mm lenses out there, at least when it came out. Focusing it precisely will be a challenge though. The macro was less enthusiastically received, it doesn't seem to surpass the established designs in any way. The 20mm f/1.8 again is an outstanding lens. Both the 20mm f/1.8 and especially the 135mm f/2 get a lot of love on the German Pentaxians forum.

12-21-2019, 11:33 PM	#49
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,389	Originally posted by JensE According to tests in other mounts, the 135mm f/2 seems to be an outstanding apochromatic design, sharp wide open, with pleasing rendering competing with the very best 135mm lenses out there, at least when it came out. Focusing it precisely will be a challenge though. The macro was less enthusiastically received, it doesn't seem to surpass the established designs in any way. The 20mm f/1.8 again is an outstanding lens. Both the 20mm f/1.8 and especially the 135mm f/2 get a lot of love on the German Pentaxians forum. Tried the 135 on K3 with katzeye focusing screen. Focusing was a major problem. Focus motion was quite stiff. Great value for the money, but nothing I want to use on a K1 where you cannot even use something like a katzeye screen. Would not miss Samyang glass, but less 3rd party option will mean less camera sales... I remember very well waiting several weeks to get a Vivitar series 1 mount lens for my Contax in the last millennium. Hard to come by, small batches, ... same story as here with Tamron, Sigma, Samyang (maybe), Contax made great cameras and had a complete line of Zeiss lenses until Kyocera pulled the plug. Only Pentax can stop this process. Currently Pentax does not offer all the lens options, but they cover the entry level and happy amateur market quite well unlike Contax with pricey Zeiss glass or cheaper 3rd party glass.

12-22-2019, 02:33 AM	#50
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,662	Owning a Samyang 135mm f/2 is on my bucket list. I guess I had better make my mind up on the priority of that item, before they are all gone.

12-22-2019, 05:27 AM	#51
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering...

12-22-2019, 06:51 AM - 4 Likes	#52
SunValley Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 574 Original Poster	The 135 F2 is quite an amazing lens. I do astrophotography with it and even at f/2.0 the stars are sharp corner to corner. The picture here is an example at f/2.0, it is a stack of 6 X 90 s + 4 X 15 s iso 800 with a K-5. My diy tracker needs adjustments so the stars are not perfectly round but this is the full frame so you can see how sharp the stars are in the corner. No CA corrections were made. Click to see higher res.

12-22-2019, 07:06 AM	#53
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by SunValley I did send an email to their general info account. Will report any news from them here. Since nobody here has actually seen a press release stating the end of production for the K-mount, I'll join the opinion of many here that the case reflects the reseller situation. Thanks to all for your replies. I look forward to you posting their response.

12-22-2019, 11:17 AM	#54
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,662	Originally posted by pres589 If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering... I already have the Pentax K 135mm f/3.5. To be honest, I don't use it a lot. It is a bit long for portraits on crop frame, but there are lots of other uses for it. The Sammy 135/2 is mainly needed to scratch the low light and bokeh itches. And to match the 85/1.4 I already have. I also suspect that the two share a lot of parts, but the only way to know for sure is to have both. The "problem" with an F series is that so far I have stuck to MF primes and AF zooms. If I get an AF prime, one would not be enough. My inner completionist would conspire with my LBA and GAS to go down the AF rabbit hole. We can't go there, now can we? At this very moment, I am trying to look the other way on a very nice Pentax AF prime that is haunting me. The only thing holding me back is that is part of a Pentax package deal and I already have all the other items...

12-23-2019, 02:18 AM - 1 Like	#55
troenaas Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 668	Originally posted by Wasp My inner completionist would conspire with my LBA and GAS to go down the AF rabbit hole. We can't go there, now can we? ... Basically, they are saving your butt and wallet?

12-23-2019, 03:00 AM	#56
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,662	Some other kind Pentaxian has saved my wallet (and butt) by placing a bid on the auction for that Pentax package deal. It's for the best. I really don't need another prime lens right now. Something like a Sony A7II would be nice, though.

12-26-2019, 05:41 PM	#57
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	Originally posted by pres589 If I was a K-1 owner I would probably be shopping for a Pentax F 135 f2.8 instead of the Sy 135. Shooting with manual-focus film bodies the Sy 135 is very interesting to me. I might also prioritize this lens over some other glass I was considering... The Samyang 135/2 s a big leap in image quality over the F 135. If you can get past that it's MF, the optical quality is top notch similar to the L series Canon glass. It's really amazing that the price is as low as it is.

12-26-2019, 06:09 PM	#58
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by dcpropilot The Samyang 135/2 s a big leap in image quality over the F 135. If you can get past that it's MF, the optical quality is top notch similar to the L series Canon glass. It's really amazing that the price is as low as it is. What would you use a 135mm lens for - I would never use manual focus for anything moving, incidentally?

12-26-2019, 06:14 PM	#59
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	The use cases that interest me with the Sy 135 is club shooting and portraits. Applications where people may be moving but not much.

12-26-2019, 06:56 PM	#60
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	It's an excellent portrait lens.

Is Samyang dropping the K-mount?

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