No photo available for this lens
Production
1960 – 1990
Country
East Germany
Optical
4 elements in 4 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 (15-blade)
M42
Overview
The Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 with 15 aperture blades is a cult legend for one reason: bokeh. Those 15 blades create perfectly circular aperture openings at any f-stop, producing the smoothest, roundest background blur of any vintage lens. While Pentacon made millions of ordinary lenses, this 15-blade version stands apart as something special — proof that East German engineers cared about aesthetics, not just specifications.
Verdict: The bokeh king. If smooth, circular background blur is your priority, no other vintage lens matches the 15-blade Pentacon 135mm. It's a specialty lens — you buy it for one thing, and it does that one thing better than anything else. Just make sure you're actually getting the 15-blade version.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Produces brilliant, swirly bokeh thanks to its large aperture of f/2.8.
Sharpness wide open
Delivers sharp performance, especially when stopped down from the wide-open f/2.8 aperture.
Community Insights
What people love
- 15 blades — perfectly circular bokeh
- Creamiest backgrounds in vintage
- 135mm portrait focal length
- f/2.8 useful speed
- Relatively affordable
- Build quality
- Nothing else like it
What people dislike
- Not the sharpest 135mm
- Heavy
- 15-blade version can be hard to identify
- Many similar-looking versions exist without 15 blades
Pro Tips
- Count the blades before buying — many sellers incorrectly label
- Stop down to f/4 and check aperture shape — should be round
- Perfect portrait lens for the bokeh-obsessed
- Use on full-frame for maximum effect
- Pair with busy backgrounds to see the magic
Sources (2)
unknown-
https://vintage-photo.nl/pentacon-135-f2-8-auto-review/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 with 15 aperture blades is a cult legend for one reason: bokeh. Those 15 blades create perfectly circular aperture openings at any f-stop, producing the smoothest, roundest background blur of any vintage lens. While Pentacon made millions of ordinary lenses, this 15-blade version stands apart as something special — proof that East German engineers cared about aesthetics, not just specifications.