Pentax-a SMC 135mm 2.8

Here's another lens I've found: SMC Pentax - A 1:2.8 135mm

Just posted a question on a SMC-M 100mm and realized it's not very useful for macro. I then thought I might as well skip the 100mm and go for the 135mm (it's an A and would work great on a K20D) as it'd still serve as a good portrait (and even nature) lens.

For some reason I found very conflicting opinions here and there on this lens. Some people are delighted to have it, some other people are quite negative about it, and claim that the SMC-M version of it (3.5) is so much better.

Does any of you have it / used it? Can you plz tell me what you think? Thanks!

The first rule of lens buying:-

"Have a purpose in mind".

You could end up wasting a lot of money on lenses that you don't need.

If you want to do macro work, buy a macro lens.
If you want to take portraits, buy an appropriate lens for that job.

Stan's Photography site has a wealth of comments, good and bad, about K mount lenses that I'm sure you will find useful in your quest.

I have both lenses. 135mm A lens is ok to good, the 100mm is fantastic. Neither is a macro lens unless mounted on a bellows or extension tube.

Thanks smc I appreciate simple and straightforward answers.

That one is expensive because of combination of the Pentax brand and the 'A' setting. Plug: I'm selling a Sears A 135mm f2.8 on eBay. It'll be a lot cheaper: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290372152201

It is long on digital for portraits. A lot of the comments on "portraits" you'll see are from the film days. 135mm on digital is like 203mm on film.

It is a good length for nature and picking out details from street scenes.

thanks iceblinker, just had a look at it, it's interesting, i'm not sure i understand the "pin" thing, though...does it mean that if i remove it (or add it?) it will function like a Pentax SMC-A?

No, the Ricoh pin isn't needed at all for Pentax cameras. It functions like an SMC-A like it is with the pin removed. I removed the pin to stop the lens jamming on the camera.

The pin is only needed by certain Ricoh cameras. I can't remember what for.

and the dust you mention in the item description is really not a problem at all?

No, you'll find dust in most old lenses and it's not a problem. There would need to be an awful lot to affect image quality to any noticeable degree, and there's not that much in this one.

This lens delivers decent images. I'm only selling because it's not quite as sharp as the Pentax K 135mm f2.5 I had already - which I've decided to keep despite it being less convenient to use.

I can vouch for dust not being a problem. I have an old K 55mm f1.8 with a few specks in which don't seem to make it any less sharp.

Good news about the dust. Didn't know about the Pentax K 135mm f2.5. Is it an M-Takumar made by Asahi Pentax? Or something else? Do you think it's a valid alternative to the A-135 2.8? Does it have MC?

I have a rare SMC K version (non Takumar). Optically it's the best Pentax 135mm and a good alternative to anything, but it's not very convenient to use with a modern camera, and it's larger and heavier than the M 135 and the Sears. It's discussed on Sam's.

All the SMC lenses have multi-coating. The coating has been improved over the years despite the "SMC" name remaining.

I can recommend the Sears lens to anyone who wants an A 135mm f2.8 without spending a lot.

there are two Takumars. There is the ones that were M42 mount (the SMC Super-Takumar 135mm F2.5) which were the best Pentax or Asahi-Pentax lenses then (like the DA*/Limiteds now)
Then there is the Takumars of the mid to late eighties which were a budget range. Only manual control and coated, but not SMC coated.

However, don't let the single coating put you off. I have one of these Takumar 135mm F2.5 from the late eighties, bought for a mere £40 from a classic dealer, and it is FAB! Only manual, but nice and sharp! It is also light too (can you say that with other fast 135mm lenses?) Makes you slow down, but hey, that is part of the fun
Some people say that the CA and flare are a problem, but I have not really had a problem at all (no flare at all, and CA can be corrected in PS, but not really had it.)
Might not be in the 85FA* or Limited in quality, but for £40, how can you complain? I can't.

My "wish list" for 135mm lenses goes as follows:

K f2.5
K f3.5
M f3.5

I stand the most chance of affording the M f3.5, as it seems that you can always find one of them for about £50 on ebay. I am going to try my nearest real-world shop first though, just in case they have a K version for sensible money. I like the earlier K series lenses as they're a little bit unusual and also historic - they were offered for the original K mount that is more or less still with us today. The metering limitations don't really bother me on these primes as they're very sharp even wide open in Av mode.

Obviously I'd prefer an A, F or FA, but I've yet to afford any prime lenses from those series apart from my A 50mm f1.7!

Re the Sears lens: It's still available because the single eBay bidder has told me that he bid by accident after misunderstanding that it wasn't a Pentax lens! (I will be charging him for the fees).

I'll offer it to PU readers direct for £60 including UK signed-for postage.