Suggestions for a fast tele?

[Nitsan]

Hi
I've tried searching for many hours, but I'm pretty sure I actually need the knowledge from the guys at the forum here.
I'm mainly a video shooter and the lens needs to fit a 5d.

Currently looking at three options:
1. An ultra fast prime under $600, ideally I want a 135 f1.8 or similar.
2. An inexpensive yet quality teleconverter to use with my 85 Samyang? (is this even worth the effort?)
3. A decent but low cost 135 f2.5 or 2.8 or similar.
Obviously I'd want to spend much less on the second two than I would on the 1.8.

I have a 135 f2.5 Tamron adaptall2 and an m42 auto chinon 135 f2.8, both of which are alright, but they leave me wanting something a bit nicer. One is already on ebay and the other will go on soon.
I seriously appreciate you guys' recommendations!

Thanks! Nitsan.
( http://www.nitsan.co.uk )

[Bille]

[Attila]

Nikon 135mm f2.0 is fit into, Sigma 135mm f1.8 not bad even wide open , cost around 300 USD.
If you can find an abused Carl Zeiss Contax 135mm f2.0 that will be one of the best.

[Aanything]

I know it's slower, but Jupiter 11 is my favorite 135 for video shooting.
It renders skin tones beautifully, sono strongly recommend it.

[Nitsan]

Thanks for the awesome replies from everyone!
Other ideas still welcome.

Thanks about the Jupiter 11 but it's too slow for my use.

Is there a list somewhere of recommended places to try to find old lenses? ebay is not giving me much.

[vlousada]

I think you should go for Canon 2.0/135

[francotirador]

[francotirador]

[ForenSeil]

Minolta MD 135/2.8 is good, should be visbly better than the Chinon

[visualopsins]

[Nitsan]

I should have mentioned that even $600 was really pushing my budget.
When I can afford it I'd love a sony 135 1.8 but for now i'm looking for something lower cost. especially since i rarely use tele.
i found a Sun 200mm f2.8, but there are no tests online and im not sure if its cheap enough to buy just in case it's good. ($130 euro)

[fuzzywuzzy]

Here's a mid-price option:

SMC Tak 135/2.5

http://forum.mflenses.com/asahi-smc-pentax-2-5-135-k-mount-t40631.html

There are a couple of versions of this lens, some mediocre and some excellent apparently so research before buying!

EDIT - more samples here - http://forum.mflenses.com/super-multi-coated-takumar-12-5-135mm-m42-t47140.html

[Nitsan]

Thank you for that Fuzzy!
It's a bit expensive but the quality is just what I need. I'm a bokeh freak so I'm always going to be wishing for faster but this seems like a good price/quality/DOF mix.

I'll keep an eye open for a low cost one.

Still, if anyone else has suggestions I'm all ears.
Thanks to everyone, loving this forum!

[cooltouch]

Some of the 135/1.8s that were made back in the 70s under a variety of brand names actually perform very well. There's even a group over at Flickr dedicated to this lens type, and there are some surprisingly nice photos on display there:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1532571@N25/pool/with/6077305175/#photo_6077305175

Using a good quality TC, like a Nikon TC14 or TC201, or the Vivitar macro 2x, with your 85mm Samyang is a viable alternative. Using a good lens with a good TC gives good images. With a 2x, you'll have a 170mm f/2.8, which is still pretty fast.

My favorite 135mm of a more normal aperture is the Nikkor 135mm f/2.8, specifically the AI or AIs. It is very sharp, gives decent bokeh, and won't break the bank.

I can't comment on the Sun 200mm f/2.8 because I've never even seen one. But I would tend to be somewhat leary of a fast aftermarket optic like that. There's a good chance it will exhibit a significant level of chromatic aberration at that maximum aperture. I used to own a Canon New FD 200mm f/2.8 IF that was very sharp but had terrible CA problems that really limited how I was able to use it. Ever since that experience, I've been gun-shy of any 180-200mm f/2.8 optic that didn't have some sort of low-dispersion glass.

[Nitsan]

cool thanks.
I picked up a Helios 135 2.8 (badly scratched) and two m42 TCs for £14.
I don't consider this the end of my search, i just thought it was too good not to buy.

Yeah, some nice photos there. Thanks!