Vintage weekend: SMC Pentax 135mm F2.5

[Ari Aikomus]

Hi,

We have an Easter holiday right now, so the weekend is longer than usual, that's fine for me ;-)

So, this is kind of easter vintage special now, and special is also the lens - a classic of classics, ladies and gentlemen: the SMC Pentax 135mm F2.5!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-135mm-F2.5-Lens.html



I really love that lens. ..It is an old but excellent lens. It draws beautifully, it's structure is almost perfect, and MF feel is very very nice!

Did I say it’s also a good lens for astrophotography?

https://www.cloudynights.com/articl...t-telephoto-lenses-for-astrophotography-r2993

But without further ado, here are some photos for you! (fullframe shots)..


Happy Easter! (f/2.5)


Her first own cycling helmet. Proud owner





...Out of focus blur is very nice indeed, at least I like.







..And finally one astro photo. The Pleiades (also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45)... There was quite a lot of light pollution that night, but I tried to do my best..



Thank you, and happy shootings ;-)

Ari

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[flektogon]

Beautiful pictures for sure! But, are you sure that any other similar lens (for example FDA 100/2.8) would not yield similar results? Well, I have a similar "feeling" from my SMC Pentax-A 35-105/3.5, but not sure whether it is not just my "imagination"

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Beautiful pictures for sure! But, are you sure that any other similar lens (for example FDA 100/2.8) would not yield similar results? Well, I have a similar "feeling" from my SMC Pentax-A 35-105/3.5, but not sure whether it is not just my "imagination"

Thank you ;-)

...Well, I don't think that macro lens (optimized for close distances) can provide a similar rendering for portraits and landscapes (+astro), but I know that FDA 100/2.8 is great sharp lens anyway.

However, it’s pretty magical how well this really old lens is made. And how well it can perform on modern digital sensor.

These my modest snapshots not do full justice to the lens... I need to use it more in the future. I think it's worth it.

cheers,

Ari

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Yep, please feel free to post images taken with Pentax 135/2.5 in this thread, if you like. It could be fun & useful.

regards,

Ari

 

[TomWret]

Ari, beautiful photos...sharp and V.G. realistic rendering.

Tom W

 

[RBIV]

No. 2. Modest snapshot? Of... your daughter? Precious.

 

[Ari Aikomus]

No. 2. Modest snapshot? Of... your daughter? Precious.

Thank you so much She is actually my son's daughter. 2 year old young lady.

Snapshots...Well, yes, these all been taken more like in a tourist style - you know, point& shoot, except starsky. It's stacked photo (10x13sec exposure with star tracker).

best regards,

Ari

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[MarBa]

Very nice images! Great lens!

Could you please tell me what you think are those "streaks" on your astro photo? All the stars are beautiful and sharp but I see there plenty of those short streaks. What is it? It's all in the same direction ...

Best,

Marek

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Very nice images! Great lens!

Could you please tell me what you think are those "streaks" on your astro photo? All the stars are beautiful and sharp but I see there plenty of those short streaks. What is it? It's all in the same direction ...

Best,

Marek

Good question. I wondered the same.... I think they are satellites. I didn't come up with any other reason. Unfortunately, there are "unnecessarily" many satellites in the sky today ...

 

[MarBa]

Very nice images! Great lens!

Could you please tell me what you think are those "streaks" on your astro photo? All the stars are beautiful and sharp but I see there plenty of those short streaks. What is it? It's all in the same direction ...

Best,

Marek

Good question. I wondered the same.... I think they are satellites. I didn't come up with any other reason. Unfortunately, there are "unnecessarily" many satellites in the sky today ...

Well .. i don't think that makes sense since all those streaks are same length and direction. It looks to me more like some quick camera shake at the beginning or end of exposure. I assume you used astrotracer function.

Or weird reflection? Movement of a reflection would not be compensated by the astrotracer.

Best,

M

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Very nice images! Great lens!

Could you please tell me what you think are those "streaks" on your astro photo? All the stars are beautiful and sharp but I see there plenty of those short streaks. What is it? It's all in the same direction ...

Best,

Marek

Good question. I wondered the same.... I think they are satellites. I didn't come up with any other reason. Unfortunately, there are "unnecessarily" many satellites in the sky today ...

Well .. i don't think that makes sense since all those streaks are same length and direction. It looks to me more like some quick camera shake at the beginning or end of exposure. I assume you used astrotracer function.

Or weird reflection? Movement of a reflection would not be compensated by the astrotracer.

Best,

M

You're right! I checked the original RAW files. No streaks! Now I think this is error of Sequator software (what I used to combine the stacks)..

Now I have to try stacking again. Thank you for raising up the issue.

ari

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Very nice images! Great lens!

Could you please tell me what you think are those "streaks" on your astro photo? All the stars are beautiful and sharp but I see there plenty of those short streaks. What is it? It's all in the same direction ...

Best,

Marek

Good question. I wondered the same.... I think they are satellites. I didn't come up with any other reason. Unfortunately, there are "unnecessarily" many satellites in the sky today ...

Well .. i don't think that makes sense since all those streaks are same length and direction. It looks to me more like some quick camera shake at the beginning or end of exposure. I assume you used astrotracer function.

Or weird reflection? Movement of a reflection would not be compensated by the astrotracer.

Best,

M

You're right! I checked the original RAW files. No streaks! Now I think this is error of Sequator software (what I used to combine the stacks)..

Now I have to try stacking again. Thank you for raising up the issue.

ari

Okey, now I stacked again. This time no streaks:

https://www.dpreview.com/galleries/5004183494/download/4158870

 

[Schleiermacher]

Nice set, Ari! I always enjoy your weekend vintage lens posts. Keep them coming. This 135/2.5 is quite a performer.

matt

 

[Roland Karlsson]

Okey, now I stacked again. This time no streaks:

https://www.dpreview.com/galleries/5004183494/download/4158870

The brightest stars have beautiful starbursts.

And, the stars are almost without aberration all over the field.

BTW - I have the Takumar (Bayonet) 135/2.5. Bought it on eBay. Because it is such a beautiful lens. Is it the same lens without SMC?

Never used it. Maybe time to do

--
/Roland
Kalpanika X3F tools:
https://github.com/kalpanika/x3f

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Thank you Roland,

Okey, now I stacked again. This time no streaks:

https://www.dpreview.com/galleries/5004183494/download/4158870

The brightest stars have beautiful starbursts.

And, the stars are almost without aberration all over the field.

BTW - I have the Takumar (Bayonet) 135/2.5. Bought it on eBay. Because it is such a beautiful lens. Is it the same lens without SMC?

No, unfortunately that cheaper Takumar model isn't so good:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Pentax-Takumar-135mm-F2.5-Bayonet-Lens.html

...than SMC Pentax K- model:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-135mm-F2.5-Lens.html

From what I read, takumar model is softer at the edges and has more CA.

Never used it. Maybe time to do

Indeed!

cheers,

ari

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[MarBa]

[No message]

 

[Jim Beverlin]

Excellent shots Ari! #3 is just priceless. The little girl is so very cute. I am having a rather bad day and that shot just made it so much better. Thanks for posting and "Happy Easter"

 

[Ari Aikomus]

Excellent shots Ari! #3 is just priceless. The little girl is so very cute. I am having a rather bad day and that shot just made it so much better. Thanks for posting and "Happy Easter"

Thank you so much, Jim...I'm honestly very happy if my photos made your day a little bit better . ..Also your friendly comment made my evening better.

All the best to you.

regards,

Ari

--
- Ari Aikomus -
'Why should I feel lonely ? is not our planet in the Milky way?'

 

[J Posthuma]

Very nice lens Ari,

Your second stack of M45 is beautiful. You've captured the reflection nebulae as well. I believe with a bit more post processing you'll be able to show them quite nice.

 

[yayatosorus]

Yes, definitely a superb lens. A bit heavy, but built like a tank. Fits my K2 beautifully. I also like to pair it with an APS-C digital camera, when I need some reach.