Pentax M42 135mm f/3.5 SMC
Condition & contents
| Grading | Lens optics are clear of any major defects. |
|---|---|
| Testing | Fully tested |
| Warranty | 6 month warranty |
| Includes | Lens, caps and hood |
At a glance: Pentax M42 135mm f/3.5 SMC - classic Pentax short-telephoto prime with SMC multi-coating.
About this lens
The Pentax M42 135mm f/3.5 SMC is a classic Pentax M42 screw-mount telephoto prime - 135mm short-telephoto focal length, SMC (Super Multi-Coated) optics, manual focus. A popular lens for portrait and telephoto work with Pentax M42 film SLRs and on modern mirrorless via adapters.
Build & handling
| Autofocus | Manual focus only |
|---|---|
| Minimum focus distance | 1.5m |
| Filter thread | 49mm |
| Weight | Approx. 400g |
| Construction | All-metal, SMC multi-coating (7-layer on each surface) |
Works with
- M42 screw-mount film bodies (Pentax Spotmatic, Praktica, Zenit, Yashica M42)
- Pentax K-mount bodies via M42-to-K adapter
- Modern mirrorless via M42-to-[system] adapter
Best for
A classic Pentax Takumar-era short-telephoto - SMC multi-coating was Pentax's answer to Zeiss's T* coatings in the 1970s, giving notably improved contrast and flare control over single-coated lenses. 135mm is a classic portrait focal length. M42 mount adapts easily to modern mirrorless.
Frequently asked questions
Is SMC coating really that good?
For its era, yes - SMC was Pentax's pioneering multi-layer coating (7 layers on each glass surface), dramatically reducing flare and ghosting compared to earlier single-coated lenses. Still competitive with modern coatings for resisting bright light sources in the frame.
Specifications
| Focal Length | 135mm |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Prime, Telephoto |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Lens Mount | Pentax K Mount |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | Pentax |