Reviews: Interchangeable Lenses
SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the super versatile Pentax F 35-70mm zoom lens from the late 1980s. Easily purchased for very little expense, can this film zoom hold its own on digital sensors? John rigorously tests the lens to find out.
SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Review - The Ultimate Walkaround Revisted For 2026
With over 15 years in continuous production, John Riley revisits this versatile Pentax all-in-one walkaround solution. Does the Pentax 18-135mm match up to modern expectations? With sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with further reflection John provides the answers.
SMC Pentax-M 150mm f/3.5 Lens Review
John Riley reviews this easily adapted although rarer 150mm f/3.5 telephoto lens from the Pentax M Series. John provides his insight into this less common focal length, along with sharing test charts, sample photos and his verdict.
SMC Pentax-M 200mm f/4 Lens Review
John Riley reviews this easily adapted, affordable 200mm f/4 telephoto lens from the Pentax M Series. John tells us about his experience using this vintage lens along with providing sample photos and his verdict.
SMC Pentax-F 50mm f/1.7 Lens Review
Fast, sharp 50mm F Series vintage lens from Pentax. John Riley reviews this easily adapted, widely available f/1.7 classic, sharing sample photos, MTF & CA performance charts along with his verdict of this standard length K mount lens.
HD Pentax-D FA 21mm f/2.4 ED Limited DC WR Lens Review
John Riley reviews the premium full-frame HD 21mm f/2.4 Limited lens from Pentax. How does this beautiful lens measure up, John shares MTF & CA Charts, along with sample photos and his verdict.
SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens Review
Superfast 50mm M Series vintage lens from Pentax. John Riley reviews this easily adapted, widely available f/1.4 classic, sharing sample photos, MTF & CA performance charts along with his verdict of this standard length K mount lens.
SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Versus f/1.7
Supplementary article comparing bokeh and sharpness between two popular vintage versions of the M Series 50mm from Pentax.
SMC Pentax 135mm f/2.5 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the Pentax 135mm f/2.5 telephoto K Series lens with a bonus comparison with the Takumar (Bayonet) 135mm f/2.5 - John provides sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict on both lenses.
SMC Pentax 85mm f/1.8 Lens Review
Reviewed this time is the Pentax 85mm f/1.8 from the original K Series of lenses. With a focal length of 85mm typically ideal for portrait photography, John Riley put this vintage lens to test, providing sample photos along with MTF & CA charts.
SMC Pentax 28mm f/2 Lens Review
The Hollywood - John Riley puts the fast K series Pentax 28mm f/2 lens to test, providing sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict of this lens with a big reputation.
Zenit MC Helios-44K-4 58mm f/2 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the K mount version of the Zenit MC Helios 58mm f/2 lens, a vintage optic based on the Zeiss Biotar lens design that is ideal for portrait photography. John provides sample photos, MTF & CA test charts along with his verdict.
SMC Pentax 55mm f/1.8 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the Pentax 55mm f/1.8 manual focus K mount lens from the 1970s. Is this relatively inexpensive easily adapted lens worth buying? John puts it to test providing MTF & CA charts, sample photos and his verdict.
SMC Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the slightly rarer 100mm f/2.8 telephoto from the Pentax M Series of lenses. How will this small & light lens perform? John provides his verdict along with sample photos and test charts to help answer that question.
SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 Lens Review
Looking for some additional reach for your photography? This affordable vintage 135mm f/3.5 Pentax-M Series K mount lens could just be the answer. John Riley put the lens to the test and provides sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict.
