| Author: | | New Member Registered: August, 2015 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 26, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | solid and compact | | Cons: | 1.5m minimum focus distance | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-70
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 Great little lens. Very sharp and fun to use.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2015 Posts: 19
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 31, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $13.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small-size, build quality, built-in hood, image quality, very sharp when stopped down | | Cons: | A bit soft wide open, prone to CA wide open | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-70
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I got this lens in a condition almost new at a throwaway price. Actually I bid for a different lens on the bay. The seller shipped it after 20 days. But when the shipment arrived, to my surprise, it was this little baby and not the other lens! The lens was almost new well protected in its original leather pouch (that even says Pentax 135/3.5 on its lid). It is almost a collector's item! So I didn't complain much. It was a steal and I thought whatever the other lens was, it couldn't be as good a deal.
Whatever has been said about this lens so far is true and more! It is compact, lightweight but extremely well built - full metal build with a fully functional built-in hood. I'm glad Pentax has stuck to the classy old days' design principle and still builds lenses like this (the limiteds, and I own quite a few of them). It has a huge focus ring and the focus throw is quite large. That, for me is a good thing because when you are at manual, and at 135mm the DoF is quite thin. A large focus throw gives you a lot of room to fine-tune your focus. The lens is a joy to handle and balances perfectly well on my K-70. I don't use it much, but whenever I mount it on, I am amazed at the beautiful things it can do.
Image quality wise, it is a bit soft wide open at 3.5 and has some CA (which can be easily corrected in PP with one click). But stop it down, and you'll be amazed by it's sharpness. From 5.6 on it is razor sharp even on my K-70 which, we know, demands a lot from its lenses with its 24MP sensor and superb dynamic range. This lens doesn't disappoint. The bokeh is, perhaps not as smooth as some of the limiteds, but it's up there - quite smooth and creamy. The colours are true Pentax with enough detail and contrast.
This really is a magical lens. I am amazed at what this old guy can achieve at today's resolution-hungry DSLRs. Frankly, it will put many modern lenses to shame. If you haven't already, go grab one while the prices are still this low. But then, even if I had spent 5 times more than what I did, this lens would be still justifiable.
And now for some pics showing what it can actually do. All of them had been clicked in DNG and converted to JPEG in LR with minimal adjustments - some contrast, some clarity and just some tiny sharpness enhancements.
Wide open @F3.5 ISO 100 1/100s
Wide open @F3.5 ISO 400 1/125s
F5.6 ISO 400 1/80s
Wide open @F3.5 ISO 400 1/50s (maybe slight camera shake  )
@F5.6 ISO 400 1/80s
My friend  @F8 ISO 400 1/80s
Once again @F5.6 ISO 400 1/125s
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2016 Location: Moab, Utah Posts: 90
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 18, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color renditioning | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7s, A7m2
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Wow level of sharpness and color rendering. I was disappointed with this lens because I bought a camera with 3 lenses from a newspaper ad and I was hoping it was a 2.8 version. However, after testing the lens I am glad he chose the 3.5 version. This lens is fantastically sharp and the colors are perfecto.
The size is so small it's enough to make you wonder if it could possibly be any good, but be assured that it is. The image quality is noticeably better than previous designs in my opinion. I also have the Takumar 135 3.5 and S-M-C Takumar 135 3.5. Like others have posted, the focus throw is just right and smooth moving parts. Solid build and the lens hood is appreciated. I almost always have this lens in my bag because it's so small and easy. I have example images and a video review about this lens for anyone interested.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2015 Location: Toulon, South of France Posts: 357 | | Review Date: November 18, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | light, compact, great bokeh, fast | | Cons: | min focus range | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K200D
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Bought this lens from a german pro e-bay seller.
My copy is almost mint, very tiny fungus on the front lens but only on the borders, no impact on image quality.
No scratchs, like mint.
Was surprised of how light and compact it is for such focal.
Tested it, it's a jewel ! No aberrations at all, no distortions, very sharp even wide open.
Natural colors. This lens is going to be my favorite with my Cosina MC 24mm.
The integrated lens hood is awesome. I already have a skylight 1A ont it, will add a CPL soon.
Very good deal. I recommand it if you can be as lucky as I've been with this reliable seller !
 sans titre-4515.jpg by Bruno Polleri, sur Flickr
 sans titre-4512.jpg by Bruno Polleri, sur Flickr
(yes it is a Harley^^)
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2014 Location: Nagoya Posts: 577 | | Review Date: February 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, sharp, colour | | Cons: | Nothing worth mentioning | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-01, MZ-5N
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I bought this lens for £10, and I don't think I've ever known better value. My copy is quite dirty, dusty inside and a bit beaten up, but it takes the loveliest pictures. There is just something lovely about its rendering - the colours are great and images are sharp straight out of the camera. Meters perfectly using green button on my K-01. Obviously bokeh isn't incredible, but it's perfectly nice for what the lens is.
Absolutely no complaints handling-wise, either. Usual M-series quality and very compact, too.
I love this lens and given the prices it goes for, it's not hard to recommend it.
f8, 1/125, ISO100 on K-01:
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,757 | | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, lightweight, small, solid construction, incorporated hood | | Cons: | a bit soft wide open | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-x, K-30
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I paid more than the usual price for my copy, because it's new/old stock.
A while ago I had another copy of this lens, which I sold and then regretted selling it... For me, it's the perfect travel tele-companion. The best tele-range for me, besides 85mm. I've tried AF tele-zooms, and, in addition to having almost twice the weight of this all-metal jewel, all of them have had some decentering at some focal length. No such problems with my two cheap 135mm primes. I have a good copy of JC Penny 135mm f2.8, but that lens is about 150 grams heavier and longer. The M 135mm f3.5 is significantly smaller than the typical 135mm lens, which is a good thing when taking streets photos--people are less intimidated by small lenses, and they tend to think that small = wide.
The Pentax may be a bit softer at f3.5 than my JC Penney at f2.8, but at f4 sharpness improves quite dramatically, and at f5.6 it is superb. (For travel f3.5 is not that important, so I'm fine with it. And the softness I'm talking about isn't actually bad--the lens can easily be used for portraits wide open.)
Just a tiny bit of CA wide open in contrasty situations.
Typical "M" rendering, which I like. Beautiful, realistic colors, with great micro-contrast.
Good copies can be had for around $50: a no-brainer.
A few pics:
 | | | | | 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
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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.
    | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: HAMBURG, GERMANY Posts: 6 | | Review Date: June 13, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, handling, size | | Cons: | | |
I loved it on the K10D and K20D - with the K-x it does not perform so nice. Using it now on my *istDs and here it is again my best compact tele lens.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Posts: 3,948 | | Review Date: July 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Engineering marvel all around | | Cons: | None at all | |
This is an exceptional lens. Sharp at 3.5 through to f/8, with a terrific bokeh. The design and assembly is a high point of Pentax manufacturing prowess as this item is a jewel. I can see why it is common because it represents exceptional image value, aesthetic value, and functionality.
The built-in lens hoods is both charming and utterly practical. The throw is perfect, with lots of latitude for fine tuning focus.
It's all manual, and that's the charm. One of Pentax's finest mass market creations.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2007 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 518
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 26, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, cost, sharpness, gorgeous bokeh | | Cons: | a stop slower than the 2.5 versions | |
I got this lens as part of a collection I purchased recently. I took it out for a brief shooting to get an idea on image quality...shot it on a K7.
All I have to say is 'WOW'. For a cheap telephoto lens that generally sells in the $50 to $100 range....this is a GEM! Probably a 9 would be the most accurate rating...but I'm giving this a 10 totally based on the value for the dollar. I shot about 100 test shots with this lens and found it to be very, very sharp, even wide open at f/3.5. I didn't find any 'dreaminess' as some other reviewers have suggested (sample variation maybe?) In reality...I didn't really think it gained a whole lot by stopping it down. Color and contrast are spectacular...and Bokeh is very, very smooth. Build quality is fantastic...as it is on most of these older Pentax manual lenses. Like all lenses in the 'M' series....this is extremely compact...I'd never guess it was a 135 telephoto by looking at the size...it's a hair smaller than my 18-55 kit lens!
The only, and I mean ONLY knock I can give this lens is that f/3.5 is kinda slow for a prime lens...face it, one of the reasons we choose primes is to get faster apertures. But then again...this is why a) the lens is so compact and b) why this lens is found so cheaply...so I guess that's the tradeoff.
Like I said...for the price that you can usually pick these up for...you just can't go wrong. There was an SMC-K 135mm f/2.5 in this collection as well, since it's a stop faster and worth more...I'll be keeping that one and selling this version....but if it wasn't redundant to the other lens I have...I'd have absolutely no qualms about hanging onto this....it's definitely a keeper! If you see one cheap...grab it! You won't be sorry!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2015 Posts: 36
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 5, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Light, well built, | | Cons: | soft | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K1, K3 III Monochrom
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I bougth this lens for its low weight and small price, hoping to use it in a kit of small lenses. The goal was to get 3 lenses I could get in my pocket to get rid of big photo bags during my travels. And it workd just as intended.
The lens is really small and lightweigth and most importantly It deliver nice images. For such a small lens ( it's about the same size as the DAL 18-55), the pictures taken with this lens are clean with a lot of details, but a bit soft if you zoom in. For my intended uses, I consider it a fair tradeoff.
View from Angers Castle heights:
Phone and birds:
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2017 Location: Ronneburg Posts: 1 | | Review Date: August 23, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Built like M high Quality | | Cons: | none for me | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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 | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2020 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 3
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Beautifully built, smooth focus, sharp, fixed telescopic hood. | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: MZ5n/MX
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This lens is reviewed using film NOT digital capture.
To me this was an amazing lens. It had no right to be this good at this price level. I did not really see any distortion.
My sample was in great condition, outrageously cheap. It is the only M lens I ever got on with due no doubt that its short telephoto form factor made it so easy for my large hands.
On the MZ5n, I could use centre weighted or spot metering.
The only comparator I have is with a Zuiko 135 3.5. The Zuiko was really too contrasty - I mean over the top - and was not as sharp in rendering detail. My main 135mm lens I have today is actually a Nikkor 50-135mm zoom that is sharp all the way through the aperture range and I think is just as sharp even though it is a zoom.
I used my Pentax for landscape photography mostly for picking out detail. I got nicely coloured pictures (it's rendering can be cool) that benefitted from a warming filter with plenty of detail. Otherwise I would describe bokeh as pleasant.
I'm not surprised people are using these on digital - lets put it that way. What's good is good after all. An unassuming but wonderful tool. Beautifully made too - precise and robust.
Highly recommended.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2020 Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago Posts: 40
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 17, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, bokeh, randering | | Cons: | I can't think of any | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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Okay, I finally found a 135mm that is acceptable to me in the sharpness department. The SMC Pentax-M 135mm f3.5 is adequate and then some. It renders bokeh beautifully, has clean transitions from in focus to out of focus, good center sharpness wide open, great color rendition, and good contrast. Overall, not a bad performer. Then there's the build quality and package size. This lens is LIGHT, small, and even has a built in metal hood that extends out when needed. This is a perfect travel lens, or just a walkaround short tele. I really enjoyed using this lens and was very pleasantly surprised.
Here's my Flickr Album through this lens.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157717208816542 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2019 Posts: 11
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 20, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Nice build quality, in-built lens hood, very sharp, Bokeh, size | | Cons: | No A setting on aperture ring (doesn't bother me), some chromatic aberrations but nothing too bothersome | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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A fabulous little portrait lens. Great value sharp some drawbacks compared to other Pentax/takumar 135mm but having tried all three they isn't that much difference and the price is amazing. I picked mine up for just under 15Eur
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