Get one while the magic lasts!

The Jannie · 11-20-2011, 09:31 AM

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I saw this ad on fleabayUK; going by the final paragraph the 135/2.5 has some magical qualities we've missed so far!

BFN
David

Pentax Takumar (Bayonet) Portrait Lens - 1:2.5 135mm – VGC !

Takumar 135 mm f/2.5 lens with 4 element lens construction.

Minimum focusing distance of 120 cm for great portrait photography

Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures.

Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity.

Adam · 11-20-2011, 10:47 AM

This isn't the "wow" lens.
Takumar 135mm F2.5 Bayonet Reviews - Non-& Other Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
Pentax 135mm F2.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

macTak · 11-20-2011, 11:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by The Jannie

Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity.[/URL]

I suppose if a bug got caught in the middle of the lens....

SpecialK · 11-20-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures.

Oy vay - it takes 3 variable for an exposure - aperture, shutter, ISO.

Last edited by SpecialK; 11-20-2011 at 08:54 PM.

RioRico · 11-20-2011, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by The Jannie

Pentax Takumar (Bayonet) Portrait Lens - 1:2.5 135mm – VGC !

It's not as esteemed as other Asah-Pentax 135's but it's still better than most of the non-Pentax competition. The optics are good; it lacks the SMC coatings but still has good MC coatings. Be sure to use the built-in lens hood.

Quote:

Minimum focusing distance of 120 cm for great portrait photography

That CFD (close-focus distance) is true -- it's the closest of all my 135's, which is one reason it's often in my kit. But 120cm is a bit close for portraits -- 150-200cm is better with a 135mm lens.

Quote:

Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures.
Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity.

Flip those around and they're true.

I'd say this was written in a hurry by someone who doesn't check their work.

Chex · 11-20-2011, 01:44 PM

So Rico, would this in your opinion be better than my Pentacon 135mm f2.8?
I know the SMC Tak 135 f2.5 is THE 135mm to look for, but knowing what would be an upgrade from my Pentacon would be nice.

RioRico · 11-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by Chex

So Rico, would this in your opinion be better than my Pentacon 135mm f2.8?
I know the SMC Tak 135 f2.5 is THE 135mm to look for, but knowing what would be an upgrade from my Pentacon would be nice.

I don't have the Pentacon; I hear it's great, but I just have no experience with it.

I do have four Asahi-Pentax 135's: S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 (the gold standard), S-M-C Tak 135/3.5, Tak Bayonet 135/2.5, and M135/3.5. All are very good lenses. The Tak Bayonet's shortcoming is the lack of SMC coatings, but careful usage (don't aim into lights!) and a little PP (to boost contrast) fixes that.

For small, sharp, and good light, the M135/3.5 can't be beat. For fast, sharp, and closer focus, the Tak Bayonet is hard to beat. These both also have built-in hoods, a major plus. The S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 does have better optics than the Tak Bayonet, but I find the Bayonet more generally useful. They're different tools for different situations.

I have other 135s by Ricoh, Komine, Enna, Olympus, Jupiter. Some are presets, multi-iris-blade bokeh monsters. For overall IQ I'd rank them as: #1) S-M-C Tak 135/2.5; #2) Jupiter-11 135/4; #3 Enna Tele-Ennalyt and M135/3.5 (tied). But what I use the most in varied situations is the Tak Bayonet. IMHO it's underrated.

Chex · 11-20-2011, 03:18 PM

Hmmm well I guess I'll hold off until I need something more.. for indoor though, does the bayonette flare much with the normal flourescent/candescent bulbs?
My Pentacon has 6 blade ring.. but there are Pentacon 135mm f2.8's with something like a 15 blade ring (I remember seeing them on fleabay) sure would be nice for bokeh at any F-stop..

RioRico · 11-20-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Chex

Hmmm well I guess I'll hold off until I need something more.. for indoor though, does the bayonette flare much with the normal flourescent/candescent bulbs?

I just tried a few test shots directly into incandescents, CFs, LEDs, and halogen lights with the Tak Bayonet. Chimping, I don't see any of the usual flare artifacts. The Tak Bayonet seems to be a K-type lens -- it's certainly built heavier than the M135/3.5. And as I said, it focuses closest of my fifteen 135s. It's just the handiest of my lot. If I want the absolute best, tripodded, I use the S-M-C Tak. If I want to shoot in various conditions, handheld, I use the Bayonet.

Quote:

My Pentacon has 6 blade ring.. but there are Pentacon 135mm f2.8's with something like a 15 blade ring (I remember seeing them on fleabay) sure would be nice for bokeh at any F-stop..

The S-M-C Tak and Tak Bayonet 153/2.5's, and the M135/3.5, each have 8 iris blades. The S-M-C Tak 135/3.5 has 6 blades; the Jupiter-11 has 11 blades, the Enna 135/3.5 has 13. One of these days, I'll go hunting for some 135 with 15+ blades, probably in Exakta mount.

sterretje · 11-21-2011, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Flip those around and they're true.

Yep, but they were not flipped around

RioRico · 11-21-2011, 02:01 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

Yep, but they were not flipped around

Sloppy copy.

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11-20-2011, 09:31 AM	#1
The Jannie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 215	Get one while the magic lasts! 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. I saw this ad on fleabayUK; going by the final paragraph the 135/2.5 has some magical qualities we've missed so far! BFN David Pentax Takumar (Bayonet) Portrait Lens - 1:2.5 135mm – VGC ! Takumar 135 mm f/2.5 lens with 4 element lens construction. Minimum focusing distance of 120 cm for great portrait photography Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures. Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity.

11-20-2011, 10:47 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	This isn't the "wow" lens. Takumar 135mm F2.5 Bayonet Reviews - Non-& Other Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Pentax 135mm F2.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-20-2011, 11:43 AM - 1 Like	#3
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	Originally posted by The Jannie Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity.[/URL] I suppose if a bug got caught in the middle of the lens....

11-20-2011, 12:05 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures. Oy vay - it takes 3 variable for an exposure - aperture, shutter, ISO. Last edited by SpecialK; 11-20-2011 at 08:54 PM.

11-20-2011, 12:12 PM	#5
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by The Jannie Pentax Takumar (Bayonet) Portrait Lens - 1:2.5 135mm – VGC ! It's not as esteemed as other Asah-Pentax 135's but it's still better than most of the non-Pentax competition. The optics are good; it lacks the SMC coatings but still has good MC coatings. Be sure to use the built-in lens hood. Quote: Minimum focusing distance of 120 cm for great portrait photography That CFD (close-focus distance) is true -- it's the closest of all my 135's, which is one reason it's often in my kit. But 120cm is a bit close for portraits -- 150-200cm is better with a 135mm lens. Quote: Maximum aperture of f/2.5 for bright pictures. Minimum aperture of f/22 helps freeze motion, capturing fast-moving objects with great clarity. Flip those around and they're true. I'd say this was written in a hurry by someone who doesn't check their work.

11-20-2011, 01:44 PM	#6
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	So Rico, would this in your opinion be better than my Pentacon 135mm f2.8? I know the SMC Tak 135 f2.5 is THE 135mm to look for, but knowing what would be an upgrade from my Pentacon would be nice.

11-20-2011, 02:27 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Chex So Rico, would this in your opinion be better than my Pentacon 135mm f2.8? I know the SMC Tak 135 f2.5 is THE 135mm to look for, but knowing what would be an upgrade from my Pentacon would be nice. I don't have the Pentacon; I hear it's great, but I just have no experience with it. I do have four Asahi-Pentax 135's: S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 (the gold standard), S-M-C Tak 135/3.5, Tak Bayonet 135/2.5, and M135/3.5. All are very good lenses. The Tak Bayonet's shortcoming is the lack of SMC coatings, but careful usage (don't aim into lights!) and a little PP (to boost contrast) fixes that. For small, sharp, and good light, the M135/3.5 can't be beat. For fast, sharp, and closer focus, the Tak Bayonet is hard to beat. These both also have built-in hoods, a major plus. The S-M-C Tak 135/2.5 does have better optics than the Tak Bayonet, but I find the Bayonet more generally useful. They're different tools for different situations. I have other 135s by Ricoh, Komine, Enna, Olympus, Jupiter. Some are presets, multi-iris-blade bokeh monsters. For overall IQ I'd rank them as: #1) S-M-C Tak 135/2.5; #2) Jupiter-11 135/4; #3 Enna Tele-Ennalyt and M135/3.5 (tied). But what I use the most in varied situations is the Tak Bayonet. IMHO it's underrated.

11-20-2011, 03:18 PM	#8
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	Hmmm well I guess I'll hold off until I need something more.. for indoor though, does the bayonette flare much with the normal flourescent/candescent bulbs? My Pentacon has 6 blade ring.. but there are Pentacon 135mm f2.8's with something like a 15 blade ring (I remember seeing them on fleabay) sure would be nice for bokeh at any F-stop..

11-20-2011, 05:10 PM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Chex Hmmm well I guess I'll hold off until I need something more.. for indoor though, does the bayonette flare much with the normal flourescent/candescent bulbs? I just tried a few test shots directly into incandescents, CFs, LEDs, and halogen lights with the Tak Bayonet. Chimping, I don't see any of the usual flare artifacts. The Tak Bayonet seems to be a K-type lens -- it's certainly built heavier than the M135/3.5. And as I said, it focuses closest of my fifteen 135s. It's just the handiest of my lot. If I want the absolute best, tripodded, I use the S-M-C Tak. If I want to shoot in various conditions, handheld, I use the Bayonet. Quote: My Pentacon has 6 blade ring.. but there are Pentacon 135mm f2.8's with something like a 15 blade ring (I remember seeing them on fleabay) sure would be nice for bokeh at any F-stop.. The S-M-C Tak and Tak Bayonet 153/2.5's, and the M135/3.5, each have 8 iris blades. The S-M-C Tak 135/3.5 has 6 blades; the Jupiter-11 has 11 blades, the Enna 135/3.5 has 13. One of these days, I'll go hunting for some 135 with 15+ blades, probably in Exakta mount.

11-21-2011, 12:57 AM	#10
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by RioRico Flip those around and they're true. Yep, but they were not flipped around

11-21-2011, 02:01 AM	#11
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by sterretje Yep, but they were not flipped around Sloppy copy.