A comparative lens test.

[John Farrell]

A number of the shots on the Pentax K1000 film I developed a few days ago, were taken with a range of M42 telephoto lenses. The lenses were fitted using a K to M42 adapter, and all exposures were made of the same view, with the camera on a tripod. The lenses were all full open.

First, a Harmony brand 300mm f4.5 preset - a big old lens, with fungus on the rear element.



Then, a Takumar 200mm f3.5 preset lens.



A Sigma Multi Telemax 135mm f2.8, a YS mount lens with a curious macro system, which involves moving the front elements.



Finally, a Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 lens.



Unsurprisingly, the sharpest lenses were the Takumars.

[belgiumreporter]

So no surprises here and indeed in the line of expectation. The takumar 200 shines both in contrast and sharpness.
A bit unfair for the sigma as it is 2.8, at that f stop very little (tele)lenses ar at their best.( a decent 3.5 performs better wideopen)
Still a comprehensive test, great thing you went through the trouble of using film.
I've got a lot of 200 mm lenses myselve and might consider putting them through the test as soon as i am finished with my old glas on micro four thirds project.

[John Farrell]

I don't have any lens adapters for my DSLR, and it has an APS size sensor, so the effect of the lenses would be different.