| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 130 | | Review Date: January 19, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fast, build quality, IQ | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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The made in Korea Samyang 135 is a very sharp lens. You may call me nuts but this is a very sharp lens.
I use it with a f 1.7 adapter and as a 135. It is a dream lens in my view.
Photo - Head shot with f 1.7 adapter
 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 8, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $65.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Color, sharpness, easy to use, glowing macro, 135mm, A lens | | Cons: | Ricoh pin needs to be removed prior to use on Pentax DSLR | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I bought this lens and got it stuck on my Pentax Kx, the Ricoh pin was the culprit. After I removed the pin, I put it on the camera again and discovered the beauty of this lens. I do recommend it. I bought it mainly because of the glowing halo when used in macro, it is actually a soft focus that created a really nice effect on certain photos. Here are some samples:
Sears135-2.8@f3.5-Macro1-5-LoquatFlower-2 by Palenquero, on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/palenquero/6464103515/]
Sears135-2.8@f2.8-Macro1-5-leave-2025 by Palenquero, on Flickr
Sears135-2.8@f2.8-NonMacroLeave-2024 by Palenquero, on Flickr
Sears135-2.8@f2.8-Pomegranate-2016 by Palenquero, on Flickr
Sears135-2.8@f22Macro1-5-Pomegranate-2021 by Palenquero, on Flickr
Sears135-2.8@f2.8Macro1-5-Pomegranate-2020 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2020 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: April 21, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness Bokeh "Craziness" | | Cons: | for the price...none...except for the Ricoh pin I guess | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5ii
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Got this as I needed a mid telephoto lens to pair with my Pentax-F 1.7x AF converter. I could not use it yet directly with my K5ii body due to the dreaded Ricoh pin. The lens works perfectly fine though with the converter as the converter does not have a focusing pin up front. The combo gave me a 229.5mm f4.5 AF lens.
The lens is acceptably sharp wide open. Gets sharper as you stop it down. Handling is ok as the size is relatively small for a vintage 135mm. Colors are a bit towards the cold tone side to neutral. Bokeh is what one would expect for a 135mm 2.8 lens.
The "craziness" begins when you engage the Macro Zone. As what others have said it delivers soft shots with a glow you either love or hate. For the price I paid it's like getting 2 lenses in one...a good telephoto and a soft lens. Truly an enjoyable "character" lens to use. Can't wait to remove the dreaded Ricoh pin so I can use it directly on either my K5ii or K-01
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,551
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 3, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Value Lens | | Cons: | ? | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 7
Value: 8
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Now this lens seems to work rather well when not in Macro , and I think it would be hard to criticize as it performs above kit lens levels .
I only just go this lens and am trialing it on my istD . Its a very dark and dreary day and the lens is performing rather well . In all fairness , its a fast lens ( f2.8 ) .
My main reason for getting this lens was for the Macro or close focus ( truer ) feature . So lets check it out , I took quite a few test pictures ...
So lets start with f2.8 and maximum macro and as close as possible to the subject ..
Now in Macro , the images are soft up to about f6.3 , and down right Halo-ish to f4 , its sure does offer scope for experimenting ( lens ) especially if your using a higher MP camera that allows ISO-800 or higher without getting overly grainy , the little istD has hit the wall @ 800 , and there is little room for cropping at this ISO .
The images in non Macro mode dont appear to suffer and even at f2.8 are relatively sharp , which makes this a nice fast lens . 135mm is a little much for a general purpose lens , but for landscapes etc .
If you can find one cheap enough , certainly worth while having in the kit . I paid a little more since postage hurts some what from the USA , so I went for the cleanest looking lens I could find on Ebay that came within my price range ..
Lens was as near mint as I can tell
Tight and smooth .
Korean Manufactured ( Not Japanese - or is it Korean Assembled ? ) either way stamped Korea .
For the price , nothing to complain about . Except the Macro halo @ f2.8 to f4 ( but thats personal )
Overall id rate it a solid 9 - 10 , beats most kit lenses ...
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Posts: 5,284
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 9, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | "A" setting. Compact size. Macro settings. Sharp and great bokeh | | Cons: | Manual. Ricoh pin has to be removed. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
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 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Posts: 586
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $85.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | "A" setting. Solid. Sharp even wide open. Nice colors. Interesting macros. Not bulky | | Cons: | Quite rare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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This lens is quite popular, but it seems there is no review yet, so let's get started 
Required mine recently. I have not tried the 'non-macro' version, I also have no idea if all of the 'macro' version also have the "A" setting, but mine is with macro and "A" setting, also with Ricoh pin that I quickly removed. Shots really nice and sharp, very easy focusing. Colors are rich and contrast well-maintained. The most interesting part is the 'macro zone'. It gives the celebrated glowing effect at the widest aperture. Not many lens offers this feature, at least not at this lens price range.
This shot is without engaging macro:
Engaging the 'macro', this is the result:
Sample shots:
This lens is sharp, even at wide open aperture.
Cropped from above:
Cropped from above:
Great experience using this lens, definitely recommended!
ADDED:
I just bought another version of Sears 135mm F2.8 lens. Still with the "Macro" front dial, but without the "A" feature. Will post comparison as soon as the lens arrived.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Posts: 544
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | IQ throughout the range in "normal" mode, metal construction, "A" contacts | | Cons: | Ricoh pin should be removed, "macro" IQ is subjective | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 8
Camera Used: *ist 35mm, K-5ii
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The Sears 135mm f/2.8 with Macro Zone is a fine example of how manufacturers of camera equipment occasionally try something unusual, and although the feature isn't successful enough to be implemented in other models, it doesn't mean the gear isn't without its merits.
I purchased this lens a few years after I graduated college, thinking it was a reasonable entry to macro photography on a budget. I majored in design, not photography, so I hadn't yet encountered the concept of 1:1 magnification for macro lenses. The "Macro Zone" on this lens allows the user to select from magnification ratios of 1:5, 1:6, and 1:7. As the focus ring is turned towards its minimum focusing distance, a second ring is revealed. This is the Macro Zone selection mechanism. Each zone allows the user to get closer to the subject with the 1:5 magnification being the closest. I don't think any of the other reviews mentioned this, but it's worth noting once one of the macro zones is engaged one can no longer focus to infinity. With each turn of the macro zone ring the front element group extends further from the camera.
I'm inclined to agree with rbefly's comparison of Pentax's short telephoto lenses of a similar generation to the Sears. The M 135mm 3.5 I owned was certainly sharper at maximum aperture than the Sears at 2.8. However, it's really a matter for pixel peeping and lens test targets. In normal usage (i.e. not using one of the macro zones) the Sears is good wide open and serves well as a portrait lens. I'll also mention, while the Pentax M lenses may edge out the Sears in absolute sharpness, the Sears has "A" contacts, thus the user has control of the aperture in-camera. Trying to find a Pentax A 135mm 2.8 will easily cost you 2-3x the price of the Sears.
I have a hard time quantifying bokeh since one's impression of the effect can be impacted by the relative distances of out-of-focus objects within the scene. I'd say the Sears has at least average bokeh. It's smooth with no outlining effect the guys at Photozone would normally blame for the "nervousness" of some lens' bokeh.
In normal use, I'd say the typical purple/green aberrations one looks for in a lens are quite low for the Sears. With some lenses, aberrations actually increase as the aperture increases. I find that to be true for the Sears. I see some purple begin to show up on contrasty edges at around f/8. Post-processing essentially eliminates this, however. In contra-lighting or back-lit situations I've seen some distinctly red aberrations. Usually this is in high contrast situations, like bright highlights on the edges of metal. Again, this can be minimized when converting a RAW file.
Flare from shooting into bright light can reduce contrast with a warm veil covering the shot - actually not unattractive, depending on the scene (in my opinion). While I never used one, the lens would probably benefit from the inexpensive metal screw-in hoods meant for telephotos, easily and cheaply acquired on eBay. In normal situations I would grade the colors as neutral, maybe cooler than those one finds with Pentax SMC lenses, but still punchy with good contrast and saturation.
The lens has a long focus throw. A lot of people like this on certain lenses, and it's especially helpful with macro and close-focusing accuracy. The Sears has a nicely dampened focus ring not unlike Pentax K, M, and A lenses. The lens is all metal, feels well made, and has nice broad treads for gripping. One might call it heavy, but it's well balanced on a body like the K-5ii with a grip. It would probably feel end-heavy on an entry-level DSLR like the K-x. The focus action is in the middle of the barrel, though, so the weight is manageable.
This lens will come with the dreaded Ricoh pin, so if you buy one check to see if the previous owner ever removed it. The aperture ring has "KR" on it, an identifying mark for lenses with the Ricoh pin. I got lucky - I was not aware of the issue when I first purchased this lens, but I never had the Sears get stuck. I think some lenses can be more problematic than others, your mileage may vary, but don't take chances. Removing the pin can be done in literally minutes - I removed the pin in less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee. Just make sure you have a quality screwdriver!
The Macro Zone on this lens is weird and wonderful, and probably as useful as one makes it once they know how it works. As the other reviewers commented, the Macro Zones give images a certain glow - weakest at the 1:7 setting, strongest at the 1:5 setting. This is also impacted by the aperture. At 1:7, the glow is minimal at about f/4 and sharp thereafter. At 1:5, things stay "dreamy" until about f/6.7, and even at f/8 highlights are going to have a softness when closely scrutinized. In all situations, the effects can be enhanced or suppressed by lighting, contrast, etc. I've posted some samples shot using the 1:6 setting, the middle-of-the-road to give you an idea of what to expect. The 100% crop samples were from parts of the image with higher contrast to more clearly see the extent of the glow.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 2,030
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 29, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $48.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, The "Glow", Focus Dampening, Solid Construction, Price | | Cons: | Flimsy Aperture Ring, Sharpness | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
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This is a fine single-purpose lens. I wouldn't call it a good all-around short telephoto, it lacks the great sharpness of (for example) the M 100mm 2.8 or the equally sharp M 135mm f3.5, which are both from the same (or older) generation. And it is not even close to the razor-sharp Pentax 100mm f4.0 Macro, a "10" in sharpness if there ever was one.
But, it has something that very few other lenses can boast; The "Glow".
It can and regularly does, light up a heavenly aura, a halo around highlights when in Macro Mode and wide-open to about f4.0. With a side-or-backlit subject, the results are simply spectacular.
It turns even average Macro shots into objects of great beauty. The OOF highlights are equally rendered into glowing orbs of softly-lit near-circles.
It is a sturdy, heavy lens with heavily-damped focusing rings, both the normal focus ring and the front Macro ring. The focusing throw is long and slow, just what's needed for closeup work.
But (on my copy, at least) the aperture ring is sloppy and has very loose detents, making an accurate setting difficult. You can easily change apertures throughout the entire range with a single finger, there is virtually no resistance or positive "Lock".
If you are looking for an unusual Macro style and "Wow" reaction, the Sears is the ticket. And at $50.00 or so, it can't be beat for value. But for ultimate sharpness or general short tele work, there are many better lenses.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 128
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 20, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Interesting macro capability, well-built, nice colors, good bokeh, great value | | Cons: | poor sharpness, lots of CA | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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I just got this fully manual lens (no "A" setting on it) - dirt cheap - in near-mint physical condition with a PK mount and tested it out yesterday with my K-r. The glow at f2.8 mentioned in the previous review is, indeed, the highlight of this lens. I'd like to try taking a portrait or two with this! So far I've just experimented with knick-knacks and flowers.
Otherwise, while I think I need to work more with it, I find that even stopped down to f8 and at infinite focus what I get is not as sharp as I expect. You can see, in this picture, the lack of sharpness and the CA (which is correctable in Lightroom).
But you know, for $10 (OK, plus $13 for shipping and insurance) and the really cool macro effect, I can definitely recommend this lens for
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 28
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 27, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | cheap | | Cons: | soft focus, loses light in the macro setting | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: Canon EOS M w/PK adapter
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I had owned both the non macro versions of the Sears 135mm 2.8. The made in Japan Tomioka version and the made in Korea Samyang version.
So I had high hopes for this macro one! ( also made by Samyang in Korea), unfortunately I was let down.
The lens is a soft focus design that was huge in the 70/80s, unfortunately I am not a fan.
Lens is soft and shows aberrations at 2.8 and even at F/8 I could still see a lot in the macro setting, at 1:5 you lose about two stops of light.
If you like soft focus you'll love the lens, if you don't you'll hate it.
Get a non macro version, those are PHENOMENAL.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 118
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $3.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Cheap, good construction, center sharpness | | Cons: | fringing on edges | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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I've got the manual version in a PK mount. It is reasonably sharp, but has some fringing on the edges which remains when stopped down- even in DX mode! For $3 I'm not going to be too picky. Macro zone gives some nice soft focus effects. Very good construction, better that a SMC-A lens, not quite as nice as a SMC-M.
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