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SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5

Sharpness 
 8.5
Aberrations 
 8.2
Bokeh 
 8.4
Handling 
 9.3
Value 
 9.6
Reviews Views Date of last review
112 451,668 Tue March 5, 2024
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
98% of reviewers $47.03 8.59
SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5

SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
supersize
SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
supersize

Description:
The SMC-Pentax M 135mm F3.5 manual telephoto lens is slightly lighter than its K-series predecessor.


SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (no A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
5 elements, 5 groups
Mount Variant
K
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F3.5
Min. Aperture
F32
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
150 cm
Max. Magnification
0.11x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 12 ° / 10 °
Full frame: 18 ° / 15 °
Hood
Built-in, slide out
Case
Dedicated hard case
Lens Cap
Plastic clip-on
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 66 mm
Weight
270 g
Production Years
1977 to 1986
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-M 1:3.5 135mm
Product Code
23460
Reviews
User reviews
Features:
Manual FocusBuilt-in HoodAperture RingFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 46-60 of 112
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2010
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 2,653

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 12, 2013 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Size, build, sharpness, handling.
Cons: Minimum focus distance.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-7   

Some lenses are just right, others can be real dogs. This one falls into the just right category. eBay seemed to be flooded with copies of it going cheap, so I could not resist a quick snipe.

In its day it was the 'standard' telephoto to have, probably churned out by the thousand. There are faster 135's about, but this one has that intangible old Pentax M build quality about it.

It is small, even with the sliding built-in hood extended. The focus is well damped and the focus travel angle is perfect at about 225 degrees end to end. The aperture ring has half stop clicks and feels very precise. The sliding hood is quite short, certainly too short on APS to be really effective. But it is yet another nice little design touch.

My copy has blueish SMC coating on all the elements, including the rear one.

Image quality is very good. There is practically no distortion and only very little CA. There can sometimes be a touch of purple fringing in high contrast areas. Contrast could also be better but this can be easily fixed in post-processing. The lens is actually sharp and perfectly usable wide open at f3.5 and becomes very sharp at about f5.6. Colour is slightly on the cool side compared to modern DA Pentax lenses. Bokeh is superb, especially when wide open - very smooth and not at all intrusive.

A quick comparison with other lenses at 135mm f5.6 is here.

The more I use this lens, the more I like it - it definitely grows on you. It is so small that one can shoot unnoticed - ideal for those sneaky street shots. Also it seems easy to get the elusive '3D' effect, with the subject in focus against a just slightly blurred background and foreground. It is happiest in gentle light, overcast sky or 'golden hour' shots - contrasty scenes can provoke purple fringing.

Most of these shots were taken at f3.5 :





   
New Member

Registered: November, 2012
Posts: 6

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 7, 2013 Recommended | Price: $65.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, smaller then kit, built in hood
Cons: Maybe 2.8 could be great but it`s ok.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5   

I got it from a friend of mine. It`s cheaper then A version (but A is F/2,8). Price and performance are wonderfrull. If you find a clean, without problem, just take it.

Compare size with a kit lens, smaller. That `s make it great.
Many things has been told, I have noting to add about it. I am happy to have it.

   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2011
Location: Lost in translation ...
Posts: 18,076
Review Date: April 21, 2013 Recommended | Price: $45.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Sharp, build, compact, hood ...
Cons: Min. focus distance ...
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5, K-r   

Bonjour,

I finally found a M 135/3.5 in very good condition, and I really appreciate the design of this lens. Compared to the other 135mm's that I have, the M is most overall pleasing as per build, feel, size, etc.

Quite sharp and good contrast, it's a joy to use. I cannot add much more than what has been previously written, so my contribution will be an image of this lens upon the K-r so that one can get an actual idea as to the convenient size of this 135mm.

Salut, J

   
Moderator
Man With A Camera

Registered: June, 2010
Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico
Posts: 28,027
Review Date: April 14, 2013 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Compact, well built, sharp, that great Pentax quality.
Cons: Really?

I went on a tear in March and decided I needed some manual lenses to hone my photographic skills. I also know that using a bellows or extension tubes for macro work required the use of manual lenses, and after much reading and review the M looked like a great choice.

This is the longest of the 3 M lenses I bought, and it has proved to be a winner. I expect that I will get many years of satisfaction from it, and it will likely get used on more than one Pentax camera.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,275

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: February 2, 2013 Recommended | Price: $38.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, good colors, lightweight, small, built-in hood, cheap
Cons: Minimum focus distance of almost 5 feet, some PF
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax Q   

The 135 on the Pentax Q:

I bought this lens to use as an adapted super-tele (with the Fotodiox adapter) on a Pentax Q, and for that purpose, it's quite good. With the 5.6x crop factor of the Q, this lens is the equivalent of a 756mm lens on a 35mm!

I wouldn't recommend shooting wide open with it on the Q, but stopped down to F:5.6 image quality is ok with some purple fringing. F:8 is the sweet spot, with the best IQ and fringing virtually disappearing. I leave my copy set at F:8 pretty much all the time.

Ergonomically, it's a perfect little package. The focus throw is just right, aperture ring action is smooth and precise, and the built-in hood is very cool. It's compact size and light weight (about the same as the 18-55 kit lens) make it the perfect long tele for the Q. You'll need a steady hand to shoot handheld with it on the Q, though. 135mm is my personal maximum for a handheld tele on the Q. Anything longer would be very difficult to hold steady.

One criticism I have is the minimum focus distance is nearly 5 feet. On a film camera or DSLR, this could be a dealbreaker, but on the Q, it's no big deal. Just don't expect to do any macro shots without a closeup lens on the end, but for general shooting, birds, wildlife, etc., this lens is just the ticket on the Q.

Not to mention, it's cheap! I bought mine from fellow forum member GhoSStrider, who reviews this same copy a bit further down the page.

To summarize: While not the ultimate in sharpness and lack of PF, it's tiny size, light weight, low cost, and solid performance on the Q make it an excellent choice for a handheld super-tele on the Q.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2013
Posts: 9
Review Date: January 23, 2013 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Nice colour rendition
Cons:
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Camera Used: k-30   

This is one of the firs timages I took after getting the 135 3.5 . Creates smooth bokeh and can be wonderfully sharp at f3.5. Slight saturation increase and minimal cropping on this image.

   
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 32

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 5, 2013 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharpness, weight, telescopic hood, build quality
Cons: Aperture of 3.5, minimum distance 1.5 meters
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: MX, ME Super   

I am astonished that this lense didn't get a better rating for sharpness. It is absolutely exceptional, even at full aperture, equal to the Leitz R 135/2.8!!! Its only weakness in terms of I.Q. is vignetting at 3.5, but it is reduced in APS-C (or Micro Four Thirds) format.
Way better than K135/2.5, M120/2.8, A135/2.8.
I recommend high-quality close-up lenses, they yield outstanding results with this lense, and mitigate the unadequate minimum focusing distance of 1.5m
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2009
Location: Kyoto
Posts: 72
Review Date: October 21, 2012 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: cheap, compact
Cons: performance a mixed bag
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K10D   

I'm editing my original review after getting this lens again several years later.

The lens has gone up a notch or two in my estimation. If you can work around the truly awful axial CA there is a lot to like here.

Stopped down it gives nice results at inf. focus, while generally the results close up are pleasing at all apertures as long as the light is relatively soft. I've got some genuinely impressive performance out of this lens. The main thing is to avoid high contrast edges in front or behind the focal plane.


***** original review *****

This lens has three downsides.

1. 125 mm on APS-C dSLR is 200mm FOV. This pushes out the lens from general telephoto into the long telephoto range. It becomes that more difficult to work with, you have to really worry about keeping the shutter speeds up if you are using it handheld. Its physically so small that its easy to forget this.

2. Max aperture is only f/3.5, and f/5.6 an up is where your probably want to be for best results. Together with the effective focal length, this means the lens is best used in bright light, or with a tripod.

3. I noticed a lot of purple fringing on high contrast regions even at f/4 and f/5.6, this effect can detract from the apparent sharpness. Contrast is so-so. Actual sharpness is generally good rather than great, though it can be impressive on some shots. Bokeh and general rendering was a pleasant surprise: Background blur is exceptionally smooth, and close ups (~6') also come out better than expected.

The only reason I might not recommend this lens is that, for general use, I think people are better off with the 100/4 macro or 85/1.9 or any more modern lenses in the 77-105 mm range. 135 mm is just not that useful on APSC. Also, for those with the luxury of multiple systems, the Nikon F-mount Nikkor-Q 135/3.5 is far superior in overall performance for about the same price.

However, for what it is, and taking the size and price into account, it's a very nice optic with notable characteristics that a skilled photographer can make good use of.
   
New Member

Registered: June, 2012
Posts: 1
Review Date: August 17, 2012 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Feel, Quality, Built in Hood
Cons: Focusing distance
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax MX and Pentax K5   

A very nice short telephoto lens. Produces high quality images, a little soft wide open but sharpens up nicely as it's stopped down. To be honest though for portraits the softness is quite pleasing.

Feels great and focuses smoothly. I suppose it could be a little faster and the minimum focal distance of 1.5 metres is a little on the long side.

In all a great lens (also a nice size and weight (not too heavy/long)). A good choice for a second lens if you like shooting portraits and wildlife like I do.
   
New Member

Registered: June, 2012
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Posts: 8
Review Date: June 13, 2012 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: N/A 

 
Pros: price size
Cons:

I didn't rate this lens, as this is my first ever manual lens. Got it for about 20 dollars on eBay in near perfect condition. Tried it out yesterday on a walking trip through my city (Antwerp, Belgium). I've put some of the resized jpeg's in a flickr set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordi1880/sets/72157630119916420/), no other Lightroom adjustments than the resizing for upload. Noticed that on the my K-5 it tends to underexpose (not always though). I found the focusing a lot easier on the K-5 when I put 120mm as the focal lenght (upon turning on the camera), as oposed to the 'correct' 135mm. (is this the 'correct' focal lenght, or should I use a full frame conversion?). As a first manual lens for me I'm quite happy with it, considering it's price. Manual focusing isn't always easy though and the photo's in the set are just a few of the in-focus shots, lot's of blurred ones too...
   
Veteran Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,146
Review Date: June 12, 2012 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Size, good build, lightweight, sharp
Cons: built-in lens hood a bit flimsy
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K10D   

I bought this lens in Japan for 2100 yen, which by a rough calculation, at time of writing, is about 20-30USD/15GBP.

I checked the lens over in a used camera shop; it was quite dirty and a bit dusty.
It has been beaten about a bit and is scratched around the barrel, but the actual elements looked fine.

The focusing ring is quite stiff and grinds against the built-in hood a bit, which is also a touch flimsy pulling out and pushing back in. Sometimes it doesn't go back square, so I have to pull it back out and have another go.
Still, the lens is very old and, all things considered, I guess it isn't half bad for the price that I paid.

I'd been looking for something manual over 100mm for some tripod work.
I use my 50mm on a tripod and get some pleasing results with some patience.

The size is great and looks to be roughly the same length as the 18-55 kit lens, but on the slimmer side.
Apart from the lens hood mentioned earlier, the lens itself is solidly built and surprisingly light.

It's giving me some very satisfying photos on my K10.
Haven't got around to using it on my K-5 yet.

The photo below is the first photo that I took with this lens from my balcony.
It's a gloomy, rainy day, but I was eager to try it out.
Wide open.

   
New Member

Registered: February, 2011
Location: Malang (East-Java)
Posts: 4
Review Date: March 5, 2012 Recommended | Price: $70.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: very compact
Cons:

with Pentax MX body camera this lens very compact...
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2011
Posts: 9
Review Date: December 29, 2011 Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Nice to use, good when sharp
Cons: a tad clumsy.
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 7    Value: 9   

Hmmm, got this lens about 30 years ago and loved it then but really, it's a bit crappy when wide open....
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2011
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 26, 2011 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: pretty sharp, good contrast, nice color, small for telephoto, built in lens hood
Cons: minimum focus distance is quite far (5ft)
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10   

I would absolutely recommend this lens. This was my first k mount lens and I have been quite satisfied with the results it gets. I've tried a couple of other 135mm lens and they don't compare. Plus the size and built in hood are great perks. The only downside I can see is that you can't focus it closer, but I am not that disappointed in this area since it does have the capability to challenge one's creativity.

   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2009
Location: 14er Country
Posts: 323

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 19, 2011 Recommended | Price: $45.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Size, Weight, Optical Attributes, Price
Cons: Not *Quite* as Sharp as Other Lenses
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10   

The M 135mm has become one of the most consistent performers in my kit, even if it's a little less than "glamorous." If I really start pixel peeping, this lens falls a little bit short of the rest of my "standard" kit, but it's not enough to really get bent out of shape about. The lens more than makes up for it in other respects.

For starters, there's the fact that there are a zillion of them out there, so they're very cheap on the used market. The feel, handling and optical quality of the lens are so much better than the kit lenses that I think everyone should own one of these.

Then there's the size factor. This lens is small. Really small. And light. My ultra-lightweight kit now consists of the K-x, DA L 18-55mm and the M 135. I can carry that kit all day long, and it meets 90% or better of my photographic needs with pretty decent image quality.

Another great feature about this lens is it's consistency throughout the aperture range. You can shoot it at f3.5, f5.6 or f11 and the results will be remarkably similar (apart from the difference in DOF, of course). I really like lenses that can do this because it allows me to worry about what aperture suits the scene I'm shooting rather than what aperture the lens performs best at.

The long and the short of it that this really is one of the best price/performance options in Pentaxia and it will more than please everyone short of the pixel-peeping crowd. If you don't have one, go buy one. Now.

Here's one of my favorite images shot with this lens:


Flickr Link
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