For the visibility of the review, special thanks to Alexander from the Manual Optics section.
Pentacon auto 2.8 135 MC review
The Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC is - in a word - a very good lens. There were quite a few versions of the Pentacon F2.8 135mm, for example - this Pentacon Electric 135mm f2.8 under M42, Pentacon Prakticar PB 135mm F2.8old Pentacon PRESET 135/2.8and Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm F2.8 (parent of the entire line) and CZJ Prakticar 135 / 2.8. There is also a Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 100mm f / 2.8 with exactly the same optical design, but shorter focal length.
Additionally, you can see the review black modification Pentacon 2.8 / 135 Pre-Set with 15 petal diaphragm and modifications Pentacon 2.8 / 135 Zebra Pre-Set with 15 aperture blades.
View of the Pentacon auto 2.8 135 MC lens case, the lens itself and its aperture
An early version of PRESET with 15 aperture blades has simply gorgeous bokeh at open and closed apertures, which is why in the west this lens is called “bokeh monster” and “bokeh king” (Bokeh king). My Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC, of course, cannot boast of 15 aperture blades, it has only six, but at full aperture it gives a really good picture with nice bokeh.
View of Pentacon auto 2.8 135 MC on a modern central control wheel
Main features of Pentacon auto 2.8 135 MC
- Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC - old metal, manual (manual focus) lens. Focusing is available only with the help of hands. Suitable for both full-frame and cropped cameras. On a Nikon 1.5x crop, it will already be 202,5mm EGF, and on a Canon 1.6x crop - 216mm - it turns out the EFR of a decent telephoto lens. The lens has 5 lenses in 4 groups.
- Aperture blades - only six pieces. Earlier versions and other modifications had 15 or 16 aperture blades, which made it possible to make very even circles in the blur zone. In my copy is the usual 6-blade aperture. Some versions of MULTICOATED (MC) had 8 petals. Also, the lens has a manual and automatic aperture control mode. If you need a lens with good bokeh on any aperture, I advise you to look at Tair-11A, which has 20 aperture blades with the same F2.8 135mm.
Sample photo on Pentacon 135 2.8 auto mc
- Focusing. When focusing, all the lenses in the lens unit move. The “trunk” of the lens is thus lengthened by 2cm. When focusing, the front element does not rotate, you can safely use any filters, in particular gradient and polarization. The focus is very smooth, the focus ring moves to almost everything 360 degrees. MDF is rather scarce, only 1.5 meters. After 40 meters, infinity sets in on the focus scale. In general, focusing is pretty nice and easy.
- MS - multilayer enlightenment. It gives a very strong purple color to the front lens, probably the most violet I've ever seen. What does HA on the open, they are painted not in the usual green and purple, but in blue and yellow.
Sample photo on Pentacon 135 2.8 auto mc
- Made in the German Democratic Republic, the GDR was famous for the excellent quality of optics.
- Lens hood the lens is built-in, telescopic. The lens hood helps poorly in side and back light. Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC has the only weakness - the fear of strong side and back light.
- Thread under the filter in 55mm. Filters for such a thread is not difficult to find. Older versions of the lens had a thread under 60mm.
Pentagon 135 2.8 auto mc bokeh example
Sample photos on Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC. All photos were taken on camera. Nikon D200, RAW -> JPEG Q80%, 1600 * 1200 + watermark with imprinted EXIF. BB Auto, no processing.
Image quality
The image is sharp since 2.8. The image itself looks like a Sonnar lens circuit. On fully open there are lungs HA, and the blooming is exactly blue (in the sharpness zone on very strongly contrasting details and bright light, a kind of halo, usually they are purple), there is no distortion. No vignetting on my crop. The bokeh is great. Contrast is good, but drops a lot in backlit or side light, especially at the edges of the image. The color rendition is good. In general, the lens gives a very nice picture.
How to use with modern cameras?
Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.
The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.
For some SLR cameras (for example, Nikon F) it is necessary to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows correct focusing at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless camera, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.
For SLR cameras
- Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
- NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
- PENTAX: For cameras Pentax with mount K you need an adapter M42-Pentax K, you can buy such an adapter here.
- SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
- OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
For mirrorless cameras
- SONY: For cameras with an 'E' series mount SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
- OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a Micro 4/3 bayonet mount (Micro 4: 3), you need the M42-Micro 4/3 adapter, you can find it at this link.
- CANON M: For cameras with a bayonet mount Canon EF-M need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
- CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with a bayonet mount Canon r need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
- Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
- Nikon Z: For series cameras Nikon Z need adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
- FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
- FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount need adapter M42-Samsung NX, you can find it at this link. For the camera Nx mini adapters do not exist yet.
- PENTAX: For cameras with Q mount need an adapter M42-Pentax Q, you can find it at this link.
- SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount, you need the M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
- LEICA: For cameras with a Leica M mount need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.
If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).
Example photo on Pentacon 135 2.8 auto mc
Personal impressions
Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC really liked. If you get the hang of it, you can easily replace with a 2.8 / 135 lens such heavy and expensive professional lenses as the Nikon 70-200mm f / 2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor or Canon EF 70-200mm f / 2.8L IS II USM Of course, operational efficiency will be catastrophically lost, but the picture quality will be at the level. The focal length of 135mm is just the middle between 70mm and 200mm (confirmation of this is a small calculation (200 + 70) / 2 = 135mm).
Pentacon and Blue Blooming
I still use Jupiter-37A with its slightly smaller aperturebut the same nice picture and bokeh with a 12 blade aperture. The difference in aperture between F3.5 and F2.8 is 1,56 times (almost 2/3 stops), especially since Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC must be used on Nikon with a correction lens to obtain infinity. Personal observation: when reading Western literature, I very often come across the fact that Jupiter-37A and Tair-11A are quite praised by Western photographers, but Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC is simply delighted.
Pentacon auto 2.8 135 and Jupiter-37a size differences
Here is a small comparison of the image obtained using these two lenses. Taken from a tripod, without processing. BB on the white area of the picture.
The difference in the picture Pentacon auto 2.8 135 and Jupiter-37a
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Lenses and promotions on them look at Moyo.ua.
If you liked this lens, or any other old optics, you can purchase it by contacting the contacts in the Manual Optics section.
Hack and predictor Aviator
Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC - excellent prime telephoto lens. Ideal for portraits, has good bokeh, color reproduction and contrast. Afraid of flare.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram | Assistance of the Armed Forces
Hello! People, you can tell what kind of mount it is. It is installed on the Pentecon 135 / 2,8. I assume that this is Praktica B, but there are doubts, since I did not find the image on the network, as on my copy. I want to find an adapter for NEX, but the second end has not yet been able to determine.
Thank you Arkady for your work, I really like your site. I have Vivitar 135 2.8 (6 petals) in perfect condition, which I am very happy with (I use for portraits). Yes, I think it can change to the Pentacon, maybe it will be even better. Do you think there is a big difference in terms of picture?
Thank you Arkady for your work and useful site! I have Vivitar 135 2.8 in perfect condition (6 petals), I use it for portraits. Do you think it's worth changing to Pentacon? In terms of bokeh and pictures, does it make sense to change?
I answer myself after changing my Vivitar 135 2.8 to Pentacon 135 2.8 Pre-set. Pentacon paints a softer background like watercolor or oil! Afraid of more backlight but not critical. Vivitar is excellent for its money, but draws nuts on covered diaphragms. In general, I am glad that I changed it to Pentacon.
Amazingly useful, Arkady!
Thank you and low bow for your work. I always click on all the advertising links on your site.
Good luck and patience to you.
With infinite respect, Sergey. Siberia, Krasnoyarsk.
Thanks for the reviews! I read all three of them. They inspire confidence when you think whether to make a purchase. I thought and bought just such a version in very good condition. He has done ten test frames so far. A sharp, acceptable contrast, a kind of color rendition. Like, especially considering the price.
Good day, Arkady. Thanks for your review !!! I bought this lens exactly. I bought an M42 / Fmount adapter with a lens for it, since I shoot by Nikon. The quality is not bad, but leaves much to be desired ...
There is a question: is it possible to do without a lens and have infinity? Someone writes about KP / AN, someone writes about macro ring Nr1 ...
Which of this (or something else) really helps get rid of the lens?
Good day. Only drag the lens under Nikon.
Thanks for the answer! I'll think. Even with a lens, it’s good, but without it it’s just wonderful, and this despite the fact that in the manual, on the crop, from afar.
I don’t understand why it is necessary to have infinity on a portrait lens, I would put an adapter without a lens. About the lenses they wrote that they spoil the sharpness
I would like to see a monster boke. But this model gives a flat soap. I call him Tamronovsky :)
Even though they are optically the same. That's how PR and the number of aperture blades affects the perception of Tamron flat soap)
Hello. They say it has a very tight focus ring. is it really so
Pentacon Electric 135mm f2.8 - aperture not working.
If you come across such a lens with problems “for a penny” - you will not regret it. Of course, if your hands and head are in place, you can figure out how to fix it. The Germans there stirred up such mechanics that even me, a well-worn man, felt uneasy. I was not able to adjust the work of the diaphragm - it sometimes closed to the middle or did not close at all.
It was a pity to throw such a beautiful glass. So I ventured:
1) I threw away all the electronics, along with all the pieces of iron attached to the back cover.
2) I unscrewed the triangular piece of iron from the aperture control ring.
3) I put a tube with a hole in the side of some old telescopic antenna onto the diaphragm control pin.
4) I connected this tube-cylinder with the remaining piece of iron on the diaphragm control ring, and now the diaphragm pin freely walks up and down this channel when the focus changes. By the way, I tied the tube to the diaphragm control ring with some kind of spring, which I unscrewed into the slots below))))
Yes, aesthetically the diaphragm dial numbers do not match, but it works like in the good Helios without knowing the glitches. So, my friends.
Hello Rustam! I have a Canon. I bought a Soligor 135 mm 2,8. Super) In the course, a copy of Pentacon Electric 135mm f2.8. Aperture stands at 2.8 Ring spinning petals no. What to do? Maybe I don’t understand something? A nameplate sticks out in the tail, maybe it's in it?
Perhaps some kind of breakdown, maybe the aperture mode switch on the lens is on A.
Good day. There are 2 lenses “Pentacon practicar 1: 2.8 f = 28mm MC” and “Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135MC”. Who knows a good specialist in Kiev to remake it on the Nikon D3100? Thanks in advance.
The author is immensely respected for the professionalism and consistency of presentation. Thanks to this, I changed my mind about selling this lens, and will try to use it on modern digital cameras. He's not particularly advanced (Canon EOS 50D), but I'm not a pro, but an amateur, and for those resources where I post my photos, he is enough for the eyes. Thanks again.
Good afternoon. Tell me, who has experience using this lens for astrophotography? And how is he with infinity on Canon?
There is infinity, too chromatite for astrophoto, use J37A.
I tried this lens today. In terms of quality, I did not notice much difference with Jupiter 37A. For me, both are good. Perhaps it blurs the background a little more when open. Of the minuses - the same sharpness ring. I did not find any more comments. Bye. Here is a photo, shot in RAW, so with processing. And with bad lenses, processing will not help.
2
3
Sharpness ring?
Focusing! It didn't go there.
A very interesting lens, you will need to purchase if possible.
From the number 135/2.8 is a pretty good drawing, it's true.
Friends! Please tell me what kind of monster! There is no information on it anywhere.
Friends! Please tell me what kind of monster! There is no information on it anywhere. Practice 135mm F2.8
This is a Japanese or Korean parody, 6th having nothing to do with the pentagon.
Today, at a flea market, I took a dead man for a symbolic price. Outbid of course it's pipets. There was not enough registration - almost new, my grandfather used it. The glass has seen a very bad life. Let me think I'll just play with the constructor. Broken muzzle completely. The frame and hood are wrinkled. He lay with the former owner in dampness, rusted, the lenses are cloudy. Dismantled, shook out the remains of a rotten diaphragm, washed off the fungus and dirt. I slightly leveled and grinded off the broken frame to remove the rings and pull out the lens. Completely overhauled the mechanics. Collected. It seems to have revived a little. Now the truth is only an open hole at 2.8, but
the picture is good. Enlightenment, oddly enough, did not suffer. Cutting. A little sharper and more contrast than 37 Jupiter. Thoughts flashed a little - ashamed of us. Germany was defeated at 45. They took away all the developments. And after a few years they again did a lot better than ours and continued in the same spirit. And our production still remained there, and even managed to bend
Hello. I bought Praktica, they gave Prakticar 135 f2.8 to the standard lens. The joy subsided a little from the inscription made in Korea. As I would like the GDR. I did not find information about it. It looks exactly like German. Don't tell me a story?
And show me. If Korea is samyang old it is. It should be much worse, but it seems that it should not look exactly the same.
I have a Jupiter-37A, a good copy, I'm happy with it. Should I buy Tair-11A or Pentacon? Moreover, it will be necessary to look for a new thread for a light filter, and Jupiter M52x0,75 already has everything. 3,5 and 2,8 is not critical, because I often shoot at 5,6.
It doesn't really make sense in your case.