Pentacon 2.8/135mm - the Bokeh Monster on NEX-3

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hi folks

This is one of my favourite lenses, beautiful colours and bokeh, also quite sharp, contrast is not bad but often benefits from a tweak in PS to increase it.

[Lloydy]

I can see why you like that lens, there's some very sharp images there.

[Toeteraar]

Nice colors and sharpness from the Pentacon. Is it the 15-blade-version ?

[iangreenhalgh1]

Everyone should own a copy of the Meyer/Pentacon 2.8/135 inmho, for the price it fetches it's a steal.

CZJ Sonnar 3.5/135 is a little more expensive and a little bit sharper but can't match the colours and bokeh of the Meyer/Pentacon imho.

I'd choose the Sonnar for long distance shooting and the Meyer/Pentacon for close range, play to each's strengths.

[iangreenhalgh1]

[Lloydy]

I saw one a week or so ago, but I passed on it. I wasn't going to pay £10 for a lens that rattled and had a bent filter ring. A good one will be along sometime.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Oh they are very common, you will find a good one. The later PB mount versions are cheapest, could be an option if you can convert it to PK.

[BRunner]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I thought it was the last 15-blade as it was made in the early 80s just before the PB mount was introduced and the PB mount version has less blades.

It is a very well made lens, all-metal, feels very solid, mine is absolutely mint, I forget exactly but I paid around 15ukp for it in a leather hard case, an absolute bargain for what it is capable of imho.

[ChromaticAberration]

Some of those pictures are very nice, i have not been using mine as much as I should!

Definitely an outstanding lens. Paid £10 + postage for mine a couple of months ago, in great shape. All black version with red dials, all that is missing is a nicer coating (that huge front piece of glass deserved something better) and the original front cap (is there one anyway?).

Probably the best price-quality ratio of all mflenses.. ok, on par with the Helios 44 hehe

[walter g]

Like to have one, but harder to get one cheap in the US.It's hard even getting a cheap Helios 44 in the US.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Meyer/Pentacon lenses are pretty common in the UK secondhand, so many were imported here along with Prakticas.

If you want one of these Walter I can buy one and sent it to you, how much would you want to pay for one, then I can keep an eye out for one that matches your budget.

Everyone should have one of these lenses!

[ManualFocus-G]

All the Pentacons are great!

There's the zebra 135/2.8 preset (same as Meyer)
Then there's the all black preset version with green, red or orange text (same again)
Then the newer Auto / Electric version in M42 mount with less blades - also a great lens but without the insanely smooth bokeh
Finally the PB mount version of the Auto / Electric lens, also branded Carl Zeiss Jena P

[iangreenhalgh1]

Beware the late Pentacon Prakticar 2.8/135, it's a Sigma and it's crap, worst 135mm I've tried, and I own quite a few. My Prakticar is mint but very soft, just a rotten lens, Sigma made a lot of just rotten lenses.

[Kram]

[nixland]

Mine is the zebra one. The body is exactly the same with the Meyer but the aperture ring is normal version, not a preset version. The color in some shots looks a bit more saturated than the Meyer.

[woodrim]

Ian: You nailed the focus on almost all of those shots. By chance have you upgraded your firmware to the latest which provides focus peaking?

[Pancolart]

Ever seen one with reddish mount: Click here to see on Ebay.de
I wonder if that is original. Looks darn distinguished.

[GaborF]

Very nice images!