Having a K1, now is the time to shop for vintage glass

biz-engineer · 06-20-2016, 12:46 AM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Having a K1, now is the time to shop for vintage glass. I'm looking for a good 135mm vintage portrait manual lens that given an original vintage special character, to mount on K1.
I looked here ( http://stores.ebay.com/Foto-Koeberl-Graz?_dmd=2&_nkw=135mm+M42 ) on ebay, there are plenty of old manual M42 lenses of all kind of brands, but I have no clue which one is a lemon and which one is good enough. Could anyone having a good knowledge of manual lenses recommend a couple of lenses that aren't too expensive, decently sharp in the center and given a special vintage style. I'd like to shot manual for portraits only to achieve vintage style prints (do different from everyone else using a Canikon 70-200 to do portraits).

Last edited by biz-engineer; 06-20-2016 at 12:56 AM.

antipattern · 06-20-2016, 01:03 AM

The Pentax M135/3.5 has a nice vintage feel to its images, I feel. That might be a good starter, it's very cheap, too.

I also like the Carl Zeiss Jena 135/3.5, which also renders beautifully. The Jupiter 135/4 is very similar but you can get versions with 10 aperture blades for round bokeh.

Speaking of which, the lens particularly acclaimed for its bokeh and number of aperture blades is the Meyer Orestor 135/2.8, also sold as Pentacon. However, only the earlier versions have 15 aperture blades, later versions only have 6 of them. Also, even if you decide to go for a later version, beware the rebadged Japanese Pentacon 135/2.8 - I once accidentally bought it and it was absolutely horrible.

I don't have any pictures handy now, but you can surely find plenty on here, Flickr and all over the Internet.

**BigMackCam** · 06-20-2016, 01:15 AM

The Pentax M135/3.5 is a cracking little lens, but needs to be used carefully to avoid purple fringing in very high contrast areas. So long as you can work with or around that, the general IQ and bokeh are very pleasing indeed...

**clackers** · 06-20-2016, 01:30 AM - **6 Likes**

According to Kerrowdown, it's hard to take a picture with the A * 135 f1.8 because the golden light shaft from the sky and the choir of angels singing is very, very distracting. ☺

**Skodadriver** · 06-20-2016, 02:03 AM

I imagine that there are quite a few options in 135mm that are good for portraits and a trawl through the internet will throw up a lot. Something with a wider aperture than 2.8 is likely to be expensive (relative to 2.8's and 3.5's) so if you want to try something on the cheap I recommend that you should think of trying the PENTACON 135mm F2.8 (M42) (Or earlier variants as mentioned by antipattern).

The lens feels robust and you will know you have it on your camera as it is quite large and heavy but;
It boasts 15 blades, it is a preset that you can set the aperture to and have clickless aperture ring movement down from wide open to your choice of aperture.
The focus ring is virtually 360 degrees and has a nice separation from the aperture ring so easy to use.
It seems to be easy to dismantle, I removed the front and back glass elements on mine to wipe off some fungus.
It is quite sharp stopped down.
I found mine for less than a tenner here in a charity shop and am well pleased with this purchase (though I did originally have misgivings about dismantling it to clean out the fungus, I am a clutz with things).

D1N0 · 06-20-2016, 03:02 AM

The Pentax K 135mm F2.5 excellent. (The s-m-c Takumar 135mm F2.5 second version with six elements is optically the same). Tair 11, great bokeh lens.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-20-2016, 03:13 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I'm looking for a good 135mm vintage portrait manual lens

Originally posted by clackers

According to Kerrowdown, it's hard to take a picture with the A * 135 f1.8 because the golden light shaft from the sky and the choir of angels singing is very, very distracting.

Based on that high praise... I can only recommend "Lady Luck” (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8).

Last edited by Kerrowdown; 06-20-2016 at 03:19 AM.

Wild Mark · 06-20-2016, 03:14 AM

perhaps I can contribute by saying what not to go for (this is a relative statement so don't get too upset with my thoughts)

Suggest avoiding the Takumar Bayonet 135mm f2.5 and, to a lesser extent, super takumar 135mm lenses (these show reduce contrast due to poorer lens coatings).

But, whatever you do, make sure you use a hood on the older glass as flare and contrast loss can feature. Once you use the glass with finesse you will get big rewards.

Oh and the A*135/1.8 are dripping of trees, should be easy to pick one up (NOT)

**Kerrowdown** · 06-20-2016, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

Oh and the A*135/1.8 are dripping off trees, should be easy to pick one up (NOT)

Oh they are out there... but unfortunately they have become a bit expensive these days.

Wild Mark · 06-20-2016, 03:19 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Oh they are out there... but unfortunately they have become a bit expensive these days.

Stop gloating

I will get my unicorn oneday

**Kerrowdown** · 06-20-2016, 03:22 AM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

Stop gloating

No you misunderstand... not gloating at all, just thinking out aloud if anything untoward ever becomes of her, what it would cost me to replace her.

RAART · 06-20-2016, 03:36 AM

in regards of the M42 I will put my bet on 6-element version of SMC-Takumar 135mm F2.5 but that guy in Graz doesnt have it.

Just a friendly advice: If I were you I will not get anything from him (foto-koeberl-graz)... hate sellers when they separate hood from the lens to make more money (in his case he separated hood from 135mm Super-Takumar F3.5 and listed separately for another 19 Euros!)

Wild Mark · 06-20-2016, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

No you misunderstand... not gloating at all, just thinking out aloud if anything untoward ever becomes of her, what it would cost me to replace her.

I realise that - I was only jesting (hence the smiley). They are hard to come by because, as you say, you will need a lot of cash.

**gaweidert** · 06-20-2016, 03:47 AM

I have a Tamron fixed K-Mount 135 f2.8 lens that I got new for about $50 way back when. I tried it in my K1 other day and was pleasantly surprised at the results.

edmundrt · 06-20-2016, 04:32 AM

+1 for the M135/3.5 - compact, sharp, lovely colours. I don't use mine that much but that is only because it's not a focal length I go to all that often - whenever I do use it on film or digital I love the results. IMO given the good results that lens gives, the hefty price hike for the f2.5 examples doesn't seem worth it but YMMV.

A left field choice would be the Cosina Cosinon-T 135/3.5 - incredibly cheap and also very good results.

06-20-2016, 12:46 AM	#1
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Having a K1, now is the time to shop for vintage glass Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Having a K1, now is the time to shop for vintage glass. I'm looking for a good 135mm vintage portrait manual lens that given an original vintage special character, to mount on K1. I looked here ( http://stores.ebay.com/Foto-Koeberl-Graz?_dmd=2&_nkw=135mm+M42 ) on ebay, there are plenty of old manual M42 lenses of all kind of brands, but I have no clue which one is a lemon and which one is good enough. Could anyone having a good knowledge of manual lenses recommend a couple of lenses that aren't too expensive, decently sharp in the center and given a special vintage style. I'd like to shot manual for portraits only to achieve vintage style prints (do different from everyone else using a Canikon 70-200 to do portraits). Last edited by biz-engineer; 06-20-2016 at 12:56 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
To K1 or not K1 - that is the question?	interested_observer	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	78	07-15-2017 03:58 PM
Got to play with a K1 over the weekend.....Im in trouble now !	Dlanor Sekao	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	27	06-08-2016 12:07 PM
Expired Contest Poll VOTE NOW - Photo Contest #109 Poll (Night Time is the Right Time)	Ole	Monthly Photo Contests	99	10-24-2015 01:25 PM
Now is the time to buy Pentax 645d	spotreunion	Pentax Medium Format	25	08-21-2015 08:28 PM
Is now the time to buy the K-5?	gilby1969	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	8	09-25-2012 04:09 PM

06-20-2016, 01:03 AM	#2
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	The Pentax M135/3.5 has a nice vintage feel to its images, I feel. That might be a good starter, it's very cheap, too. I also like the Carl Zeiss Jena 135/3.5, which also renders beautifully. The Jupiter 135/4 is very similar but you can get versions with 10 aperture blades for round bokeh. Speaking of which, the lens particularly acclaimed for its bokeh and number of aperture blades is the Meyer Orestor 135/2.8, also sold as Pentacon. However, only the earlier versions have 15 aperture blades, later versions only have 6 of them. Also, even if you decide to go for a later version, beware the rebadged Japanese Pentacon 135/2.8 - I once accidentally bought it and it was absolutely horrible. I don't have any pictures handy now, but you can surely find plenty on here, Flickr and all over the Internet.

06-20-2016, 01:15 AM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	The Pentax M135/3.5 is a cracking little lens, but needs to be used carefully to avoid purple fringing in very high contrast areas. So long as you can work with or around that, the general IQ and bokeh are very pleasing indeed...

06-20-2016, 01:30 AM - 6 Likes	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	According to Kerrowdown, it's hard to take a picture with the A * 135 f1.8 because the golden light shaft from the sky and the choir of angels singing is very, very distracting. ☺

06-20-2016, 02:03 AM	#5
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	I imagine that there are quite a few options in 135mm that are good for portraits and a trawl through the internet will throw up a lot. Something with a wider aperture than 2.8 is likely to be expensive (relative to 2.8's and 3.5's) so if you want to try something on the cheap I recommend that you should think of trying the PENTACON 135mm F2.8 (M42) (Or earlier variants as mentioned by antipattern). The lens feels robust and you will know you have it on your camera as it is quite large and heavy but; It boasts 15 blades, it is a preset that you can set the aperture to and have clickless aperture ring movement down from wide open to your choice of aperture. The focus ring is virtually 360 degrees and has a nice separation from the aperture ring so easy to use. It seems to be easy to dismantle, I removed the front and back glass elements on mine to wipe off some fungus. It is quite sharp stopped down. I found mine for less than a tenner here in a charity shop and am well pleased with this purchase (though I did originally have misgivings about dismantling it to clean out the fungus, I am a clutz with things).

06-20-2016, 03:02 AM	#6
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	The Pentax K 135mm F2.5 excellent. (The s-m-c Takumar 135mm F2.5 second version with six elements is optically the same). Tair 11, great bokeh lens.

06-20-2016, 03:13 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by biz-engineer I'm looking for a good 135mm vintage portrait manual lens Originally posted by clackers According to Kerrowdown, it's hard to take a picture with the A * 135 f1.8 because the golden light shaft from the sky and the choir of angels singing is very, very distracting. Based on that high praise... I can only recommend "Lady Luck” (SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8). Last edited by Kerrowdown; 06-20-2016 at 03:19 AM.

06-20-2016, 03:14 AM	#8
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	perhaps I can contribute by saying what not to go for (this is a relative statement so don't get too upset with my thoughts) Suggest avoiding the Takumar Bayonet 135mm f2.5 and, to a lesser extent, super takumar 135mm lenses (these show reduce contrast due to poorer lens coatings). But, whatever you do, make sure you use a hood on the older glass as flare and contrast loss can feature. Once you use the glass with finesse you will get big rewards. Oh and the A*135/1.8 are dripping of trees, should be easy to pick one up (NOT)

06-20-2016, 03:18 AM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by Wild Mark Oh and the A*135/1.8 are dripping off trees, should be easy to pick one up (NOT) Oh they are out there... but unfortunately they have become a bit expensive these days.

06-20-2016, 03:19 AM	#10
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Oh they are out there... but unfortunately they have become a bit expensive these days. Stop gloating I will get my unicorn oneday

06-20-2016, 03:22 AM	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by Wild Mark Stop gloating No you misunderstand... not gloating at all, just thinking out aloud if anything untoward ever becomes of her, what it would cost me to replace her.

06-20-2016, 03:36 AM	#12
RAART Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oakville, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,095	in regards of the M42 I will put my bet on 6-element version of SMC-Takumar 135mm F2.5 but that guy in Graz doesnt have it. Just a friendly advice: If I were you I will not get anything from him (foto-koeberl-graz)... hate sellers when they separate hood from the lens to make more money (in his case he separated hood from 135mm Super-Takumar F3.5 and listed separately for another 19 Euros!)

06-20-2016, 03:44 AM	#13
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Originally posted by Kerrowdown No you misunderstand... not gloating at all, just thinking out aloud if anything untoward ever becomes of her, what it would cost me to replace her. I realise that - I was only jesting (hence the smiley). They are hard to come by because, as you say, you will need a lot of cash.

06-20-2016, 03:47 AM	#14
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	I have a Tamron fixed K-Mount 135 f2.8 lens that I got new for about $50 way back when. I tried it in my K1 other day and was pleasantly surprised at the results.

06-20-2016, 04:32 AM	#15
edmundrt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Nagoya Posts: 577	+1 for the M135/3.5 - compact, sharp, lovely colours. I don't use mine that much but that is only because it's not a focal length I go to all that often - whenever I do use it on film or digital I love the results. IMO given the good results that lens gives, the hefty price hike for the f2.5 examples doesn't seem worth it but YMMV. A left field choice would be the Cosina Cosinon-T 135/3.5 - incredibly cheap and also very good results.