Four 135mm Bokeh Beasts! 

Many thanks, glad you found it useful!

Thanks Kristi, glad you're enjoying the videos!

Thanks for the correction - and the lens loan!

Was looking to get one of these! Are their any major differences between the many versions? Is there a distinguishable one that’s better than the rest? Which one do you recommend for me to get?

@@danzelcastillo3700 Minolta made a lot of different versions of these lenses with different optical formulas and coatings so be careful when buying. I can't tell you which is 'best' because I haven't tried them all but I can tell you exactly what mine is. It reads "MC TELE ROKKOR-PF" (does NOT read Celtic or Auto). The outside has a 5 bumped row grip. Serial numbers range from 163xxxx to 166xxxx. Here's the exact version on eBay to get a look. www.ebay.com/i/114379258067?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

@@danzelcastillo3700 Of the differences I have seen in the three Minolta 135s I've used, there are significant difference in contrast, how they render CA, and shape of out of focus point light sources that really give this lens the character I love.

@@vikmanphotography7984 Thanks for the detailed explanation above. How is the MD Super Denubia version? My main concern is the CA and image characteristics.

That sounds like a lovely lens!

Very glad you're enjoying the channel!

@@zenography7923 yes I'm enjoying it very much so, I must say buying vintage lenses is very very addictive each one has different characteristics , just purchased my very first f1.2 lens, I'll be eagerly awaiting its arrival to test out.

Funny you should mention it: manual focus is so much more fun than autofocus as an experience. I can take my time to experiment with the depth of field rather than fighting with the camera.

:) Thanks!

Many thanks and happy Christmas to you!

Thanks!

Hi! What's your favorite out of the bunch?

That's a completely different lens

And thank you for watching!

@@zenography7923 truly my pleasure! ✌

It's a stunner, no doubt about it!

@@zenography7923 Sir, I am super confused between Milonta 135mm F/2.8 and Pentacon 135 F/2.8.

Just bought one for my Minolta 35mm film camera. Can't wait to use it

Many of the Pentacon lenses were really nice - I'll look out for that 135 if it's as nice as you say!

@@zenography7923 it's a identical twin of the earlier Meyer Optik Gorlitz 135 2.8 Orestor. Pentacon took over its production

Ideal focal length, increase in value.

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel!

My Minolta is honestly my favorite portrait lens for when I have the time to focus manually. Between the color rendering, subtle CA, long focus throw, no rough spots in the bokeh, and OOF highlight shape, none of my modern lenses feel quite right in comparison. (And I have about 8k in glass to pick from)

I found it pretty impressive too!

I have this lens in the K Mount version, ie Pentax-K SMC 135mm f2.5 and use it on full frame Pentax K-1 body or Fuji X-E4 and it is a great lens. I wanted one for years and finally found one in mint condition last year.

There are some very nice lenses in this focal length - hope you're enjoying the Nikon!

I agree - a lovely lens which also has a pull-out hood.

The same is true of the Jupiter 11 - f4 max, 2 metres minimum focus distance - but it makes some great images!

Well done! It's a great feeling when you restore a lens to good condition, but the task is definitely not for the faint of heart!

@@zenography7923 Definitely! I practiced on a 50mm 1.8 first and one of the elements fell on the floor and shattered. Also the fungus just refused to come off of one the elements using the water diluted Leica formula.

@@HansBaier Try hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol in the future. Finish with water.

@@vikmanphotography7984 Ibused a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, and finished with IPA

I couldn't agree more - build quality isn't quite up to Western brands of the time, but their optical quality often exceeds that of contemporary Western lenses.

Is that a micro 4 thirds or an APSC format camera? I have an Omd EM10ii and am looking for some more lenses. I have some old OM system Zuikos but not the 135mm. Sounds cheap!

@@davebellamy4867 Fujifilm X-T1 is a 16Mpxl APS-C camera

All nice lenses - enjoy!

@@zenography7923 I picked up a Zuiko 135 f3.5 for £20, a little beast for not many pennies!

All done with focus peaking on the sony a7!

If you have a mirrorless camera, use focus peaking and image magnifier to assist. If you intend shooting anything moving, close your aperture to the lenses mid-range example f8 to increase depth of field and pre-focus on a target object in the area that your subject will “arrive” in. Even if you use fast focusing auto focus lenses, the common rules apply and will assist your camera in getting the best shot. Experiment.

A pretty good find!

These can be found under a number of brand names and are rebranded lenses made by either chinon out of Japan or samyang from Korea. Still great lenses at a really good price.

Hey there. Is the FD 135 3.5 worth buying?

@@juanpilanz As long as it is in good shape absolutely it is worth it. the 3.5 version was one of my favorite lenses for years. It is also way lighter if that matters for your purposes.

Daniel Stewart awesome, thanks! I decided to get one in the end

That sounds a very nice lens - compact is always better in my book!

Thanks!

I wanted the SMC Pentax K 135mm f2.5 for many years and finally found one last year in mint condition. I have the Takumar 135mm f3.5 as well but the K mount f2.5 is next level !

One of the nicest 135s I've used - enjoy!

@@zenography7923 After some testing i can fully agree that the Minolta MC Expert 135mm lens is an incredible vintage piece of gear! So worth that tiny bit of money, if i knew the lens beforehand i could easily have payed the double!

The Zuiko is fantastic, no doubt about it, but the CZJ 135 f3.5 certainly gives it a run for its money! I haven't used the J37 - yet!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! What's the 'likely' bug?

@@zenography7923 It appears that "likely" has replaced probably. Personally, it grates and I am sure it is simply a manifestation of "hipness." It almost beats "so," and you wonder if you've missed some of the conversation. I abhor trendy language for the sake of it.

I've heard the Canon is nice, but how does it compare to the CZJ?

@@zenography7923 thank you for replying. I honestly didn’t expect it. I haven’t really had the opportunity to use it yet….for more than a few test shots. However, from what I’ve seen it’s easily as sharp as the Canon. But….I’d say the colors are a bit punchier. Maybe. It’s definitely lighter and a fair bit smaller. More testing is necessary. I brought all my Contax Zeiss glass and the CZJ 135 with us on our trip. So, I’ll be shooting it more when we go to visit some state parks. As I’ve used the Minolta more I’m less of a fan. It’s ok. For me it seems to have issues with nailing focus, even with focus zooming and peaking. Some shots are amazing, while others fall flat on there face. I got so frustrated with it I took it off and put on the MC 50 1.4 and was able to capture some nice images. If you’re interested in testing the Canon I’d be happy to mail it to you. I’m curious as to what you’d think of it. I got mine for sub $100. So, I’ve got no complaints. Matter of fact, for what I’ve spent on my 3 135s I really can’t complain. Lol.

@@zenography7923 So, after using the CZJ for this last trip, I can say it’s as nice as the Canon. I am going to test both here at home. But, I definitely prefer the CZJ and Canon over the Minolta. But…I’ll probably test it at the same time. The colors of the CZJ just blew me away. They definitely pop more than I remember the Canon. But, I’ll know more after I take some shots with them.

I totally agree. Beautiful build quality ,great colours and sharpness at low budget. Good to know that there are so many good of them out there... One of my first vintage lenses and it didn't dissappoint me!

The Pentacon of course is the exact same as the earlier Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Orestor 135 2.8

One of my favourite actors, without a doubt!

same setup here! :D

Not mentioned only because I don't have any Nikons! They do sound nice though...

@@zenography7923 that's what I mean. You need to get some nikkors man! The 50 1.4ai, the 135 2.8Ai, the 200 f4ai with 9 aperture blades. The 50 f2 auto renders b&w like a Leica. It's been called the Japanese summicron

@@Jupiter2ignite I agree Chris, it's a fairly obvious gap in Z's line outs, however as a 40 year Nikon user and regular ebayer, I think the old mf Nikon lenses are a bit more expensive than lots of others - they can be used on todays Nikon slrs and are still great, but all sorts of other brand users can use them quite easily - not so the other way around. Inspired by these vids I bought a Pentax spotmatic just for the 28mm it came with, and a so called adapter - the takukmar felt lovey but only worked as a very limited macro, a pity, but i know now not to trust the claims of adaptor ads

@@1davidpeter gotta be careful with the flange distance of different camera/lens mounts and make sure the adapter is of the correct depth to compensate. Best of luck with future adapting!

Zenography if you want a Nikkor 135mm f2.8 to compare let me know as I’m got one you can borrow

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I haven't tried the Triostar I'm afraid so can't comment. Sorry I can't be of more help!

Haven't tried it myself, but I'm sure it would work fine. The effective focal length would be doubled, so a 135 would become an effective 270, which may be a bit too long...?

@@zenography7923 I think you meant the effective focal length would be a 1.5 x crop factor making it a 202.5mm lens.

@@dagr8ape a 135 on APS-C is a bit long for most things though I do periodically use my 70-200 2.8 @200mm for outdoor portraiture. I'd feel more comfortable recommending either a Jupiter 9 85mm or a Minolta MC 100mm 2.5 for most people.

All shot on the Sony A7. Glad you enjoyed the video!

I haven't tried that one - I've heard it's nice though! Thanks for tuning in.

I don't have any experience with this lens, but if you haven't opened a lens before, a CZJ lens is definitely not the place to start, as they can be rather complex. I'd send it back.

I've heard it's very nice, but I've never used one!

I love the J11 but haven't tried the Nikkor. Sounds nice though...

Hi Ralf, unfortunately I haven't tried this lens, but it's entirely possible one will find its way to me soon!

All these images were shot on a sony a7. Thanks for watching!

You've done very well to find those lenses for such low prices. The CZJ Pancolar for Exacta is, if it's the f2 version, a slightly different and not quite so nice lens as the later M42 1.8. Still, you could sell it for a good profit and get a later one, if you wanted!

@@zenography7923 it's the f1.8 exacta mount, I don't have cameras or adapters for this mount, that's why I think I will sell it. Thanks for your videos, they are excellent and original!

I'm glad the Leica cleaned up nicely - they're very nice lenses and are worth servicing, and it's good for many more years now! As for the Sonnar, as a 135 it's perhaps a bit long for landscapes, but it's a very fine lens and I've never had a problem with infinity focus. I think it should work fine!

@@zenography7923 Thank you very much again

@@zenography7923 Thank you very much again (now starts the hunt for a clean and working copy)

I watchex a comparison (in an article of fstoppers I think) of a vintage 135mm lens with a modern Nikkor in the same camera, the vintage lens produced bluish tones.

The Hexanon 3.2 is considered to be the best of the Konica 135s and I can confirm it's very nice - I think the Olympus might be just slightly nicer though...

@@zenography7923 Thanks a lot.

I'll look out for them!

@@zenography7923 ps-love your podcast

Vivitar 135mm f2.8 : )

They'll all work fine on your fuji but there will be a crop factor because of the smaller sensor - the focal length of the lens will (effectively) increase by about a third, unless you use a focal reducer.

Multiple the lens focal length by 1.5 and that will be what you get on fujifilm. For the 135mm we will get 200mm.

Can't say I blame you, the fe2 is a very nice camera - I still enjoy shooting mine today!

@@zenography7923 yup. It was/is a beauty. Loved the feedback of click stops on shutter speed selector dial. Nikon nailed it.

I'd love to try one!

@@zenography7923 I have the Super Takumar f2.5 M42. It is an ideal portrait lens.

Gerie, I'm afraid I don't know it either, sorry! Thanks for watching.

I have a couple of Hoyas. The 35-75 f4 zoom is gorgeous. My 28mm f2.8 needs work and the jury is still out.

Thanks Fred, glad you enjoyed it!

On cost grounds, go with the Olympus. It's a great little lens, and compact too. The Minolta is nicer - but not by much, and it has an extra stop too, so it's a bit better in low light and will give a little more blur, if that's what you want. If the decision is on technical rather than cost, get the Minolta. Hope that helps!