Nature Sample shots with SMC 135-600mm

Sample shots with SMC 135-600mm · 12:43 PM

Purchased a used SMC 135-600 F6.7 about a month ago, and noticed that there are no reviews of this lens in the Forum database. So here are a few sample photos, and I will post my review of the lens soon. Hope you enjoy these, and glad for any comments/constructive criticism.

**Ash** · 11-17-2009, 01:51 PM

Well you've got yourself a keeper there.
The first 3 images are sharp and nicely contrasted.
The last couple are off on focus.

builttospill · 11-17-2009, 03:15 PM - **1 Like**

I love the first squirrel photo, great shot! The last shot would have been great with better focus, but I like the background. The beaver?? looks good too. I wish I had something longer than my digital 300mm or my film 210mm (~321mm).

sawtooth235 · 11-17-2009, 03:35 PM

I would kill for that lens, all I have is a Tamron 300 f5.5 and a Vivitar 400mm f5.6 (preset) for my long lenses. However, I did find a SMC-M 85mm f2.0 today at a local shop. He wants $200.00 USD for it though.

mole · 11-18-2009, 04:53 AM

Ash - Thanks for your kind and helpful comments. My old eyes are still struggling with manual focus (and with the rapidity of birds!) Grateful for any tips/suggestions.

Builtospill - Thanks! The background on the Wren is a brick wall, right behind the porch rail. I do need to work on manual focus skills... That big rodent is a groundhog who lives under an abandoned house not far from me. Used my truck as a "blind" to sneak up on him.

Sawtooth - Thanks! I got this lens at KEH. They still have the M42 version of it, but it's about $600.

Taff · 11-18-2009, 06:00 AM

very nice, good score and well handled

jco · 11-22-2009, 02:03 AM

I bought one of these lenses in SMC Takumar screwmount version about 10 years ago. I recall it being very sharp on film but havent used it much, not even once yet on digital. I guess I need to pull it out and try it again.

pcarfan · 11-22-2009, 05:46 AM

Originally posted by Ash

Well you've got yourself a keeper there.
The first 3 images are sharp and nicely contrasted.
The last couple are off on focus.

Ash, Just wanted to say that I learn a lot from your comments. Very constructive.

@OP, these are some stunning images, i have immense respect for anyone who can manual focus at these distances, I am totally dependent on AF.

8540tomg · 11-22-2009, 03:43 PM

I had a chance to hold one of these guys many years ago.

It was about the size of a bazooka as I recall. I'm guessing you don't hand hold this puppy.

Very impressed with the IQ of that first shot.

Tom G

**Ash** · 11-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

Ash, Just wanted to say that I learn a lot from your comments. Very constructive.

@OP, these are some stunning images, i have immense respect for anyone who can manual focus at these distances, I am totally dependent on AF.

Well thanks for the feedback on my simple one liners. Appreciated.

I agree with how well these have come out for MF results. I couldn't imagine how many shots one wold have to take to get a keeper from 600mm captures...

mole · 11-23-2009, 04:29 AM

Taff - thanks for your kind comments!

jco - hope you'll try out your M42 and share the results here!

pcarfan - I agree that Ash always has excellent, direct-to-the-point and helpful commentary. And thanks for your complimentary words - I am still working to learn manual focus...

Tom - yes it does weigh a number of pounds - really noticeable on longer hikes! Don't think it would be useable without a tripod. Glad you liked the chipmunk - he sure is a cutey!

Ash - again, thanks for your frequent and hepful comments. Actually I get a lot of keepers at 600mm - this lens is surprisingly sharp!
Ash, perhaps you could answer another question for me. I have been posting photos for some time over at the Pentax section of Steve's Digicams. Just posted these here because I noticed that there was no review of this lens. Not sure if I have the time to really get involved in two such active forums, but wondered if I should sometimes post some of the same photos here & there - do you think there would be interest? Thanks!

mel · 11-23-2009, 05:20 AM

Oooooohhhhh I want one of these. 400 isn't long enough! That first one of the squirrel with the nut in his mouth is adorable. I won't comment on focusing since I'm still working on that. But I do agree, manually focusing these monsters is really tough. This lens renders the colors very nicely though.

Can you post a pic of the lens?

mole · 11-23-2009, 11:28 AM

Mel - Thanks for your kind words - you have some great bird, etc. shots posted here!

Here are two photos of the lens, as you requested:

mel · 11-23-2009, 03:49 PM

omg. i'm feeling weak in the knees.

cupic · 11-24-2009, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by mel

omg. i'm feeling weak in the knees.

Careful you'll start me drooling over the glass that is TFS the beast how heavy is it

cheers

mole
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11-22-2009, 02:03 AM	#7
jco Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 39	I have same lens in screwmount M42 I bought one of these lenses in SMC Takumar screwmount version about 10 years ago. I recall it being very sharp on film but havent used it much, not even once yet on digital. I guess I need to pull it out and try it again.

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11-17-2009, 01:51 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Well you've got yourself a keeper there. The first 3 images are sharp and nicely contrasted. The last couple are off on focus.

11-17-2009, 03:15 PM - 1 Like	#3
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I love the first squirrel photo, great shot! The last shot would have been great with better focus, but I like the background. The beaver?? looks good too. I wish I had something longer than my digital 300mm or my film 210mm (~321mm).

11-17-2009, 03:35 PM	#4
sawtooth235 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orange Park, Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 886	I would kill for that lens, all I have is a Tamron 300 f5.5 and a Vivitar 400mm f5.6 (preset) for my long lenses. However, I did find a SMC-M 85mm f2.0 today at a local shop. He wants $200.00 USD for it though.

11-18-2009, 04:53 AM	#5
mole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,432 Original Poster	Ash - Thanks for your kind and helpful comments. My old eyes are still struggling with manual focus (and with the rapidity of birds!) Grateful for any tips/suggestions. Builtospill - Thanks! The background on the Wren is a brick wall, right behind the porch rail. I do need to work on manual focus skills... That big rodent is a groundhog who lives under an abandoned house not far from me. Used my truck as a "blind" to sneak up on him. Sawtooth - Thanks! I got this lens at KEH. They still have the M42 version of it, but it's about $600.

11-18-2009, 06:00 AM	#6
Taff Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,612	very nice, good score and well handled

11-22-2009, 05:46 AM	#8
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Originally posted by Ash Well you've got yourself a keeper there. The first 3 images are sharp and nicely contrasted. The last couple are off on focus. Ash, Just wanted to say that I learn a lot from your comments. Very constructive. @OP, these are some stunning images, i have immense respect for anyone who can manual focus at these distances, I am totally dependent on AF.

11-22-2009, 03:43 PM	#9
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	I had a chance to hold one of these guys many years ago. It was about the size of a bazooka as I recall. I'm guessing you don't hand hold this puppy. Very impressed with the IQ of that first shot. Tom G

11-22-2009, 04:25 PM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by pcarfan Ash, Just wanted to say that I learn a lot from your comments. Very constructive. @OP, these are some stunning images, i have immense respect for anyone who can manual focus at these distances, I am totally dependent on AF. Well thanks for the feedback on my simple one liners. Appreciated. I agree with how well these have come out for MF results. I couldn't imagine how many shots one wold have to take to get a keeper from 600mm captures...

11-23-2009, 04:29 AM	#11
mole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,432 Original Poster	Taff - thanks for your kind comments! jco - hope you'll try out your M42 and share the results here! pcarfan - I agree that Ash always has excellent, direct-to-the-point and helpful commentary. And thanks for your complimentary words - I am still working to learn manual focus... Tom - yes it does weigh a number of pounds - really noticeable on longer hikes! Don't think it would be useable without a tripod. Glad you liked the chipmunk - he sure is a cutey! Ash - again, thanks for your frequent and hepful comments. Actually I get a lot of keepers at 600mm - this lens is surprisingly sharp! Ash, perhaps you could answer another question for me. I have been posting photos for some time over at the Pentax section of Steve's Digicams. Just posted these here because I noticed that there was no review of this lens. Not sure if I have the time to really get involved in two such active forums, but wondered if I should sometimes post some of the same photos here & there - do you think there would be interest? Thanks!

11-23-2009, 05:20 AM	#12
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	Oooooohhhhh I want one of these. 400 isn't long enough! That first one of the squirrel with the nut in his mouth is adorable. I won't comment on focusing since I'm still working on that. But I do agree, manually focusing these monsters is really tough. This lens renders the colors very nicely though. Can you post a pic of the lens?

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11-23-2009, 11:28 AM	#13
mole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,432 Original Poster	Mel - Thanks for your kind words - you have some great bird, etc. shots posted here! Here are two photos of the lens, as you requested:

11-23-2009, 03:49 PM	#14
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	omg. i'm feeling weak in the knees.

11-24-2009, 02:35 AM	#15
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Originally posted by mel omg. i'm feeling weak in the knees. Careful you'll start me drooling over the glass that is TFS the beast how heavy is it cheers