135mm Shootout

I have taken 3 135mm Lenses and shot them side by side in order to get an Idea of which is the supreme being.

In all honesty this is a waste of time because with as cheap as I got these lenses, the amount of time spent trying to save 3 or 4 dollars could be used for something far more productive. At any rate people want to know which is the best to buy and so here it is… a no conclusion article…

The 135 is an odd focal length on m4/3 because it is a 270mm lens. It does present itself nicely though because it is small and compact nobody thinks you are getting as far as you are and could maybe make for some decent photo opportunities.I have at my disposal an older Minolta 135mm f2.8, a Newer Minolta Celtic 135mm 3.5, and a newer Tokina 135mm 2.8.

Why these 3 lenses? Because I have them and I am bored so wtf?

Handling…

They are small and compact on the GH1 and balance nicely.

The older Minolta lens has the aperature ring in the front of the lens and it makes it bit more difficult to shoot simply because it is unusual.

The other Minolta 135 has a aperature ring that is a bit loose, it just feels sloppy.

The Tokina feels new and snappy.

Photo’s

Judging from the pics below the Minolta’s are pretty well matched, the Tokina changes contrast significantly through the apertures… I would pro haul the Tokina w/ me anyway because it feels the best to use. They all are really slow to focus, the turn ratio is too slow…

I think you could get a nice photo with any of them, hell you can get a nice photo with good film and a shoe box