Pentax 135mm F/3.5 SMC Takumar M42 Screw Mount Manual Focus Lens Review

The Pentax 135mm F/3.5 SMC Takumar is a legacy M42 screw-mount manual focus lens originally designed for film-era Pentax cameras. With its classic single-coated optics and telephoto focal length, it offers a budget entry point into vintage glass for shooters who want to experiment with manual focus on mirrorless or adapted DSLRs. The F/3.5 maximum aperture is modest, so low-light performance and subject isolation are limited compared to faster primes, but the lens is compact and lightweight for its class. At around $54 used, it competes primarily on nostalgia and affordability. The M42 mount adapts readily to most modern systems, though electronic communication and autofocus are obviously absent. Build quality reflects the era's standards, with an all-metal barrel and smooth manual focus throw. This particular example from KEH is listed in excellent condition with caps and hood, which is a reasonable starting point for collectors or hobbyists looking to dip into classic Takumar optics without a major investment.