Pentax SMCP-FA 135mm f/2.8 (IF) Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

Lance
( Intermediate)

Review Date
April 14, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Review 1 of 7

Price Paid: $300.00

Summary:

Beautifully sharp photos with excellent bokeh are the order of the day with this lens. Compact, light and a built in lens hood.

Strengths:

Sharp, bokeh, colour rendition and contrast are all excellent. Lightweight and compact. Nice lens hood. Build quality Internal focus

Weaknesses:

Slightly sloppy manual focus feel, but this does not affect focus outcome at all.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax FA 77mm f1.8, Pentax A and FA 50mm f1.4, Pentax A 100mm f2.8, Pentax A* 200mm f2.8.

Customer Service:

Not needed

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by: Mark Mason
(Professional)

Review Date
November 9, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 7

Price Paid: $600.00 from Kerrisdale cameras,

Summary:

A good lens. This is my favorite optic for lots of close up photography and stacking, etc. Consistant sharpness from 0.7 to Inf. Great out of focus highlights. I would recommend stopping down to at least f4, as it is not tack sharp at f2.8. When focussing close, as well, watch out for f32, as it is not as sharp here as f22 or lower. Compact and light design, and a built in lens hood make this a winner! Try to find the same in Nikon or Canon's lineup!

Strengths:

Sharp, light, strong (very!), built in lens hood, good flare control, very useful length, very small.

Weaknesses:

Undamped focussing, a few select soft spots to avoid, like any lens.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax - lots of different bodies and lenses...I love 'em!

Customer Service:

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by: Michele P
(Professional)

Review Date
October 31, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 3 of 7

Price Paid: $300.00

Summary:

Super sharp and great contrast. In one word, an excellent lens.

Strengths:

The results are pro level, in every sense. Good lens design, compact, incorporated pull-out lens hood

Weaknesses:

The AF ring, on manual, felsa very slightly loose.

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

never needed it on that lens

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by: Wilson Chow
(Casual)

Review Date
April 6, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 7

Summary:

The sharpness and flare control are good and give accurate colour reproduction. IF give quiet fast AF speed (use with MZ3 in my experience). Cheap, internal hood, small and compact lens size makes it becoming the best choice for travelling.

Strengths:

Small, compact size, good optics.
Internal hood is convenient. Cost effective.

Weaknesses:

Similar Products Used:

Pentax FA85/1.4

Customer Service:

No experience

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by: Roland Mabo
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 20, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Review 5 of 7

Summary:

Great optical performance, good handling and fast autofocus. The sharpness drops at wide apertures, but everything comes to pieces when stopping down.
Great for thoose wanting a fast medium telephoto lens.

Strengths:

* Solid construction (metal)
* Built-in hood
* Internal focusing
* Big and smooth manual focusing ring
* Fast autofocus
* No distorsion

Weaknesses:

* Weak sharpness at wide open aperture

Similar Products Used:

Pentax FA100-300 f/4.5-5.6, M135 f/3.5

Customer Service:

Excellent! (Pentax Scandinavia)

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.