Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Auto Telephoto. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Barrel
Metal.

Weight
13.5 oz (384g)

Lens Hood
Built in Retractable

Focus Type
Manual focus

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus
5 feet (1.5 meters).

Filter Threads
55mm, Metal.

Aperture Ring
Metal.

Diaphragm
6 blades stopping down to f/22.

Mount
Mine came in M42 Metal Mount.

Made in
Japan

 

 

Sharpness

f/2.8: It’s pretty soft with a little coma and chromatic aberration. There is quite a bit of spherical aberration which lowers the contrast quite a bit.
f/3.5: Sharpens up with a tiny bit more contrast and a lot less spherical aberration.
f/4: Still very soft with low contrast and only a tiny amount of spherical aberration. The chromatic aberration just won’t go away.
f/8: Even at f/8 it’s still not very sharp at all and has very low contrast.

Vignetting
A little bit of vignette at f/2.8 which starts to clear at f/3.5 and is almost gone at f/4.

Bokeh

The blur is quite harsh and distracting and would not make a good portrait lens.

Distortion
The lens has a lower level of pincushion distortion but nothing amazing.

Recommendations

On MF Camera
Optics:          ★ ★
Mechanics:   ★ ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:   ★ ★
Availability:    ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall:          ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics:  ★ ★
Overall:          ★ ★
Out of 5

I was expecting better results being a Vivitar, but the best features are the build with the retractable lens hood and low distortion. Optically the lens has trouble sharpening up. I would not suggest this lens for landscape or portrait work unless you want soft dreamy results for some artistic portrait work or something. Even at f/8 it has trouble sharpening up. NOTE: The common saying is that if the serial number is a 28xxxxxx then it is made by Komine with a 8 blade diaphragm, however mine is SN# 2865xxxx but only has 6 blades and I’m not sure if its made by Komine. This lens is not impressive at all so it is possible that it is the later version being M42 but a later serial number. If I find a 8 blade SN# 28xxxxxx I will review it and compare it.

If you stumble upon one for cheap then a 135mm f/2.8 is always a really fun lens to play with and is a good portrait focal length. In low light the lens would show less of the haze look and might be better performing.

 

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My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd