Pentacon 135mm telephoto lens with manual focus, known for its smooth, creamy bokeh rendering.
Technical Details
The mechanical focal-plane shutter operates with shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb mode. The integrated exposure metering system uses a CdS photocell with a needle galvanometer, displayed in the viewfinder via a mirror system. The camera measures 145 × 95 × 50 mm and weighs 680 grams without a lens. The M42 mount allowed the use of the entire Carl Zeiss Jena lens range, particularly the Standard Tessar 2.8/50mm and the Pancolar 1.8/50mm. Film transport is handled by a rapid wind lever with a 135° throw.
History & Development
Pentacon developed the camera in 1963 as a successor to the Praktica series, aiming to compete with Western SLR manufacturers like Nikon and Canon. Production ended in 1966 due to technical issues with the exposure meter and quality fluctuations in the shutter. Approximately 8,000 units were produced in total, making the camera a sought-after collector's item today.
Practical Use in Film
DEFA documentary filmmakers used the Pentacon 135 for stills and location scouting, as its compact design and the availability of wide-angle lenses like the Flektogon 2.8/35mm offered ideal conditions for scene exploration. The precise ground glass focusing was particularly suitable for architectural and landscape shots in preparation for film productions.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the contemporary Praktica Nova, the Pentacon 135 differed by having an integrated exposure meter and a more robust body. The Pentax Spotmatic (1964) offered comparable features with higher manufacturing quality, while the Prakti series continued to be produced as a more affordable alternative without TTL metering. Today, full-frame digital cameras with focus peaking replace the functions of the Pentacon 135 for professional scene exploration.