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 at 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, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, 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 Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, 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 'E'/'FE' mount series 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 bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
- CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
- CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount 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 cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an 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, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
- PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
- LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M 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. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
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
All animals pose in front of Arkady's lens - especially dogs)))
Great article, as always! And an excellent lens, the only drawback is the loss of infinity on the Nikon system (I myself have Jupiter 37A, I would like to see the crops of the last two pictures. Personally, did you like Pentacon or Jupiter better?
Thanks. Personally, I like both, but I use Jupiter, he has less MDF and he is a little shorter. I’ll try to make the crop, but the sharpness in the eye is the same.
If you choose from Pentacon with 16 petals which is a monster bokeh and Tahira 11A with 20 petals, for film and d90, then which one would you prefer?
Used in a second-hand shop, for a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 2.8 / 135mm lens, an old-style “zebra” frame, switchable aperture control - modes A and M, if you set the aperture value for example 16 and turn the focusing ring to the closest focusing limit “macro”, then the aperture ring of the lens also starts spinning up to the 5,6 mark, it turns out that this lens in macro mode can set the aperture value to only 2,8, or 4, or 5,6 and the aperture value of 8, 16 or less cannot be set, for this reason I refrained from buying This photo lens, maybe in vain? Explain, please, is this a malfunction or a feature of the lens?
This is normal. In fact, when the focusing ring is twisted towards macro photography, the real value of the relative aperture value decreases. Previously, lenses were designed to take this into account. In modern systems with TTL metering, this correction is taken into account by the camera. All macro photographers know about this effect.
Hello!
how to connect to nikon through an adapter?
I would like to know if to connect Nikon through an adapter 135 mm lens with M42 thread, what problems will appear with focusing?
Thank you!
I strongly recommend that you read the information provided in the article before asking questions. In the paragraph "How to use on modern digital SLR cameras?" everything is indicated how to use on Nikon. You can read about focusing on any manual lens and Nikon cameras in the Soviet optics section.
Hello, Arkady.
I read your reviews, articles, find out a lot of useful, interesting information.
Thank you for your work.
I would like to consult with you.
Now I have a Nikon D5100
I want to buy a good lens for portraiture with beautiful bokeh and a nice picture in general.
I read a lot of reviews, tests, looked at photos from various optics, and concluded for myself:
that it is worth buying either top-class glasses of modern production, which is not very cheap, or pay attention to the old, legendary lenses, which, as I saw, give out a picture no worse than modern top-end ones ...
I was very interested in Pentacon 135mm 2.8 with a 15-blade diaphragm, on ebay it is offered for $ 130-170
Do you think it's worth it?
Before that I wanted Nikkor 85mm f / 1.8G AF-S
Now at the crossroads between them ...
Pentacon is not bad, there are still old Nikokn 85 1.8 AI, AI-s look at them.
Good afternoon, Arkady! I purchased an M42 EOS adapter with a chip, tried to use this lens on a Canon EOS 1100D, and shot a portrait. It turned out too many misses. Of the 15 shots, only 4 are in focus, although autofocus confirmation worked. I took it off hand. What's my mistake? Thanks.
There are difficulties in working with a chip; many need to get used to it.
Aim over the viewfinder and you will slowly get used to it ... No peeps about confirmation only with eyes and pens
Well I do not know. I am on a 135mm lens through an adapter with a chip without any problems. You just need to get used to it. :)
Tell me on Nikon d5100 when hovering with such a lens, the device should give some kind of signal, or is it not intended for manuals of this kind !?
There will be no sound, but a visual one. More details here https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/04/optika-na-nikon/
Arkady, in your opinion - is the Pentacon worth the additional $ 10-15 compared to Jupiter-37A? Moreover, it is lighter?
He was going to take the Yu-37, came across a pentacon and this review.
Use purely as a "telephoto", because Crop Sony A35 (thought to take 200, but it will be too long). The portrait will be a Sony 50 / 1,8 AF.
There, the drawing is slightly different, the aperture ratio is not important here. Is it worth it or not - see for yourself.
But does he have a preset aperture, as on Jupiter-37A?
Present (just like on the U-37) in the older, 15-petal version.
But does he have a preset aperture, as on Jupiter-37A?
Not present.
Does the Nikon system need an adapter KP-42N or KP-42N with a corrective lens, did I understand correctly for the normal operation of this lens?
For maximum convenience, you need an adapter with a lens.
Clear)
And how to find out a lens with MS or not?
On my copy there is no MS on the hood
If there is no MC inscription, it means that it is without coating, almost all lenses that have Multi-coating are designated as MC.
How is the absence of MS in the picture?
Without MS, the influence of backlight is stronger.
Good afternoon, Arkady! Interestingly, the Cosinon auto mc 2.8 / 135 (m42) lens is an analog of this Pentacon? As I understand it, they have a similar Sonnar lens block system. What can you say about this glass? Does it have an advantage relative to Jupiter with a similar focal length (I mean not a table and not only aperture)?
Thank you for your work!
I just have a GDR Pentacon 2.8 / 135 with 15 blades, a Pentax K 30 camera. The lens is very good, but at aperture of 11, a small spot appears in the center of the frame, which disappears at aperture 8. On the advice of the pentaxists, I installed a thick a round ring, so that it adjoins the bayonet, blocking the holes in the adapter - did not help. Then they told me that: "The rear lens of a full-frame lens is reflected on the matrix. To reduce such reflexes, an additional homemade black cardboard diaphragm should be installed behind." I did as advised, but the stain remained. What do you think about this? PS Thank you for your articles!
About the cutter and about home-made diaphragms - this is nonsense to you. Spot - reflection from the metal part or from the lens, most likely from the diaphragm. It is very difficult to deal with this.
I agree - the first thing about homemade products is complete crap, bullshit ... the stain from the metal diaphragm is probably glossy ... Therefore, the closer to 16, the more it is present, everything is simple.
Hello) Tell me, it’s worth buying a Pentacon 2.8 / 135 abroad. Thank you.
Hello Arkady!
Thank you very much for your thorough reviews written very briefly, sensibly and interestingly.
I have a question for you.
How do you think. Is it worth it to overpay for the 15 petals of the lens of this brand, when, in principle, I am interested in its aperture ratio and the quality of the glass itself (its resolution, etc.)? In your opinion, they have equal glass quality, or there is still a difference. As I understand it, 6 petal versions are later. Maybe his optical qualities are better?
Thanks earlier for your reply.
With uv. Vitaliy
Canon EOS 650D camera with an 18-55 DC III KIT lens which one is better to choose a lens with a good picture to replace KIT
Arkady, hello!
I decided to write to you and those who may be interested in the Pentacon lens discussed in this article.
True, I didn’t buy Pentacon 135 2,8, but Meyer Optic Gorlitz Orestor 135 2,8, which, as you indicated at the beginning of the article, is the progenitor of the entire line.
Along the way, I’ll say that the lens is good for everyone, but I’m not talking about that now.
I want to tell you how I achieved on the Pentacon (Exacta shank) tips for infinity without a lot of money and time for Nikon cameras
What does Orestor have to do with it?
So they are identical in size, because what I did for my Orestor is also true for Pentacin.
In short, my friends!
If there is a thread with a diameter of 42 on the tail of the lens, then you can focus no further than 4-5 meters.
Of course, for large-face portraits, this is enough!
But I also want full-height portraits, especially since the lens - that Orestor, that Pentacon - are good for any portraits!
We need to take the Nikon macro rings, take the one that goes at number 1 to twist together with the shank inserted on the carcass.
They, macro rings and lens have the same thread diameters, 58 mm each.
Maybe I managed to achieve infinity so quickly and easily, since I had the original lens mounted on Exact.
But, it seems, craftsmen will figure out how to achieve the same with other fixtures.
Maybe we need to remove the tail mount from the lens or what else ...
Immediately the focusing range lengthened to 400 meters!
But there will be another problem - at least I have! - “flight” of infinity.
On the focusing scale, my infinity came about 13-14 meters, then - the flight.
To "move" infinity to its correct icon, I put two rings made of copper wire about 1 millimeter thick between the lens and the macro ring, as well as between the macro ring and the shank, twisted them together and screwed them onto the lens, and pulled them neatly and tightly ...
The infinity mark has coincided and now I can focus on any distance and on any object up to infinity!
I haven't done full-length portraits yet, but I know for sure that for me now this is not a problem!
In any case, I take photographs of objects more than 2 meters high (road signs) and the sharpness is where it should be!
Maybe I didn’t write the text very technically or applied the terms incorrectly, but I think that my experience will be useful to you and your audience!
If anyone needs accompanying photos of the stages of adjusting the lens to infinity - write to me by mail, I will send a photo.
All wonderful photos!
With respect, Roman
Hello Roman!
Please send, if you can, photos on the refinement of the Meyer Optic Orestor 135 2,8 lens to infinity.
I would be very grateful.
Anatoly, with respect.
Dear Anatoly!
Could you please share with me your experience on the "completion" of "Orestor". A long time ago I had one (office), I used it on film, mostly in black and white, he rendered it just fine. It is very interesting to know how he is in digital (on the crop)? It's just that I was already tormented by nostalgia for this lens, and it's not cheap now (as for a manual without a jump rope), but I still think about purchasing it. I would be very grateful if you can contact me by email igor-kb@i.ua and tell at least briefly how the “old Fritz” is fighting.
Best regards
Igor K
1) It’s possible for me, like Anatoly, to send a photo to refine the lens.
2) I have fathers of PENTACON auto 1.8 / 50 MULTI COATING in chic condition. Do their seats match the Pentacon auto 2.8 / 135 MC?
Greetings! Your experience of using Orestor on crop is very interesting. I would be grateful for the detailed information))) uncle.dea@gmail.com
Pentacon electric MC 135 mm f 2.8 what does the word electric mean in my model?
There were special cameras on which el. communication between the camera and the lens via email. contacts (you should have them on the ticket). It seems that this communication transmitted the position of the diaphragm for the camera if I'm not mistaken. On a digital camera, you do not need it and at the same time it does not interfere with use in normal manual mode.
What is the difference between Pentacon Electric 135mm f2.8 and Pentacon Auto 135mm f2.8?
Hello! I'm interested in your opinion. I have Tair-11a, and it became possible to take such a Pentacon for an adequate amount of money. Which of these lenses are the best and in what respect? Thanks!
These lenses Pentacon auto, 2,8 / 135 with a jumping aperture of six blades is inferior in sharpness on the open aperture to the old lens Pentacon PRESET 2,8 / 135 with a diaphragm of 15 blades? And then they offer Pentacon auto and Pentacon PRESET. Which of these two lenses do you recommend?
Preset is better because of the diaphragm, and the later is better because of enlightenment. I would take a preset.
Question. They offer a ridiculous price, in good condition. It is called Pentacon Practicar 2,8 / 135 MC. Literally, not auto. What is it? What kind of carving? Excuse me, naive, maybe the question is, is it better Helios 44-M?
Good evening Arkady. I want to offer you a review of the Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm F2.8, converted to Nikon with infinity. Kiev.
better write to him in PM. He does not manage to monitor all the answers.
Good afternoon, photo enthusiasts. I decided for a long time about which lens to take, very good ones came across, and most recently I got it at the price of a battered Jupiter Pentacon M42 in perfect condition, was bought at a flea market in Berlin. amplified, the color rendition is correct without shades, although the bokeh is not inferior to six Yu-37, however, I found what I was looking for in terms of picture quality at the Minoltovskaya Big Bank.