Pentax 135mm 3.5 Lens

[mike_pallas]

<p>Any thoughts on this medium telephoto lens. Have you used it and what did you think about it? It does seem nice and compact and would give a 200mm lens on a DSLR.<br>

http://fotozine.eu/?p=3479</p>

[pbarnes]

<p>Grab it, this manual focus lens is a beauty, lots of bang for very few bucks, small and light so makes a great travelling telephoto.</p>

[davidmantilla]

<p>I second that... grab it if you are interested in that focal length. i bought one on eBay for $80 a couple of years ago, have been happy with it.. I don't use it as often as I would like, but it's very nice lens. I won't be selling it for a while. Manual focus on it is great, long throw, lets you focus more precisely. I miss the manual focus lenses, tempted to buy more of them. I onced photographed a soccer match using this lens (yes, a bit crazy I know)... I was blurry-eyed afterwards, so something in keep in mind (no AutoFocus, of course on these M lenses).</p>

[stemked]

<p>Hi James.<br>

We just had a discussion on this very lens:<br>

http://www.photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00aHNK</p>

<p>I personally only have two non-issues with the lens, it's a portrait lens ergo doesn't focus especially close and for digital you will loose most of your advanced functions. It's a fine lens though, tiny.</p>

[steve_t.1]

<p>Hello James. As the fellow who started that other referenced thread, allow me to provide an update. I used it a few days ago during an early evening, overcast-sky walk around the neighborhood shoot. This is such a nice lens in both its simple functionality and its understated appearance. Very small, but built like a brick. I'll admit it will take me a bit of time to get used to fully manual operation after shooting automatic lenses for several years, but in the short time I was playing with it, it was providing wonderful images. I shot a few test shots looking down a street/sidewalk using a pretty wide open aperture and focusing about 8-10 paces out in front of me. The close foreground was pleasingly, but mildly out of focus, then a very crisp area of focus in the mid-ground, and then a gradual de-focusing into the distant background. Colors were represented very well. None of these shots were keepers so I've got nothing to post, but I was very happy with the results. I'd say if your discovery of the lens is like what I experienced (a copy in good overall condition and a great price), buy it and give it a shot. Focus confirmation in the viewfinder will help you out. Over the winter I'd also upgraded my K-5 with a Katzeye split focusing screen and it is proving very useful with this lens.</p>

<p>Also, for me, since I so much of the time use lenses in the wide-to-normal range, mounting this little gem on the camera and having only a telephoto experience with it caused me to say, "Wow!" the first time I brought it to my eye. This could be one of my street photography "people" lenses (since I'm so uneasy photographing strangers on the street). It's very compact size does not lend to the idea of sneaking in on people from a distance like tele-zooms can do. It's physical size is only a little longer than the longest of my small DA Limited lenses, its size is deceiving. Lastly, for me, it's about the longest focal length I can confidently shoot with hand-held, anything longer and I want a tripod or similar to stabilize the camera. Now I've got to find some street fairs/festivals to wander around at.</p>

<p>Get it an have fun!</p>

[dogbert]

<p>Nice old manual lens. Reasonable optics and fun to play with. The trick is not to pay too much for these. They are common enough, and good but not brilliant.</p>

[mike_pallas]

<p>Thanks for all your responses and Steve for the detailed response. The alternative lens I was looking at was the Tamron 135mm 2.5. Just deciding what to do right now.</p>

[anirbanbanerjee]

<p>I concur with the replies so far. Don't pay too much above USD 50; this is a good, lightweight lens. I don't have the K 135mm/2.5 to compare with, but the 135/3.5 is adequate for my use.</p>

[rodney_hayhurst]

<p>I use only pentax manuals, and I love the 135 f3.5 I also love the A 70-210 f4.0 Yes it is heavy, and it's really heavy when it's in front of my 10D w/ grip. Still, it's one of my favorite walk arounds.</p>

[rodney_hayhurst]

<p>I use only pentax manuals, and I love the 135 f3.5 I also love the A 70-210 f4.0 Yes it is heavy, and it's really heavy when it's in front of my 10D w/ grip. Still, it's one of my favorite walk arounds.</p>

[arie07]

<p>I do use my 135/f3.5 on occasions - Very lightweight lens I use to photograph flowers and other close ups at expos etc. where you cannot get too close to your subject. On full frame cameras it is a very good portrait lens.<br>

Works great in together with short close up extension tube.<br>

Price-wise - I do not think you should pay more than $30 including s&h</p>