ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto review

For the provided ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto lens many thanks Alexander Lisenko.

In short

ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto is an old short telephoto lens with manual focus, designed for film cameras with a frame size of 36 x 24 mm.

ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto cannot boast of any advantages in terms of image quality, nevertheless, the classic 135 / 2.8 ratio can sometimes prove itself excellent. Of the positive features - a pleasant design and a smooth movement of the focusing ring.

I don't know who and when made this lens, maybe someone has information on this, be sure to write about it in the comments. But it is reliably known that this lens was sold under other brands as well.

Main technical characteristics of ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto

Name of instances from review	Near the front lens' ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto No. 6130825E '. 'Lens Made in Korea' body in white lettering
Basic properties	MF (Mannual Focus) - manual focus only auto - automatic iris control Tele - telephoto lens M42 - lens uses M42 x 1 / 45.5 thread Metal case
Front Filter Diameter	58 mm
Focal length	135 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x (this is fix)
Designed by	for film SLR cameras with M42 thread
Number of aperture blades	6 straight (not rounded) petals
Tags	markings on the focusing ring with focusing distance in meters (green marks) and feet (white marks) DOF scale for F / 22, F / 16, F / 11 (only dash without number), F / 8, F / 5.6 (only dash without number), F / 4 infrared label (red 'R') ring with aperture values, there are marks for F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, other intermediate values ​​cannot be set
Diaphragm	F / 2.8 to F / 22 At f / 4 and f / 5.6, the aperture is jagged. For other values, the hole takes the shape of a regular hexagon.
MDF (minimum focusing distance)	1.4 meters
The weight	387 grams (measured)
Optical design	unknown (most likely 4/4)
Lens hood	Screws into the thread of the front filter
Period	Unknown
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN KOREA (Lens made in Korea)
Price	New do not sell. In a variant B. at. about 40 cu

135mm is a very common focal length. There are a lot of similar lenses on the market.

Assembly, control, focus

Lens body made with high quality, but the diaphragm ring has a micro-play due to which, when you touch it, you get a slight knock. The diaphragm lead sticks when pressed firmly.

The focusing ring has a wide anti-slip insert. The focusing ring does not slide forward with the lens barrel as it does with some similar lenses.

ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto uses small filters with a diameter of only 58mm.

ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto focusing ring rotates approximately 315 degrees (7/8 of a full turn). During focusing, the trunk of the lens moves forward, but does not rotate. Focusing is performed by moving the entire lens block. The rotation of the focus ring is smooth and pleasant. Working with the lens is quite pleasant.

On the case there is a focus distance scale, a depth of field scale and a mark for working in the infrared spectrum.

Image quality

ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto behaves poorly in side and backlighting, greatly losing contrast (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3). Most likely the lens uses a simple enlightenment. There is a slight yellow-green color in the image. Sharpness is weak at F / 2.8, and noticeably better at F / 4-F / 8. The contrast is low. There is a noticeable amount of chromatic aberration. Slight vignetting at F / 2.8 and minimal distortion. In general, it is a rather weak lens.

Sample photos on Nikon FX

Sample photos with RAW source files helped me make a photographer Natalya romanenko (instagram). Convert RAW source files with Nikon D700 original utility Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6. During shooting was used safety filter Kenko PRO1D Protector (W) 58mm JAPAN... The shooting was carried out with a conventional adapter M42 -> Nikon F.

Download RAW c source photos Nikon D700 can at this link (25 files, 300 MB).

Appearance

The copy of ALFO Tele 1: 2.8 f = 135mm auto from this review is well preserved. A silver aperture control ring and two silver stripes on the sides of the focus ring give this lens an interesting look.

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

1. 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.
2. 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?
3. PENTAX: For cameras Pentax with mount K you need an adapter M42-Pentax K, you can buy such an adapter here.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. CANON M: For cameras with a bayonet mount Canon EF-M need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
4. 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.
5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
6. Nikon Z: For series cameras Nikon Z need adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
9. 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.
10. PENTAX: For cameras with Q mount need an adapter M42-Pentax Q, you can find it at this link.
11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount, you need the M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
12. 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).

Materials on the topic

• Budget portraits under Nikon DSLRs
• All original Nikon autofocus portraits
• Jupiter-37A 135 / 3.5 - one of the best Soviet portrait photographers

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.com.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram.