If you’ve read my review of the Promaster Spectrum 7 28mm then you know I’ve a certain affliction with buying cheap lenses. Usually the more questionable the quality the better in some cases. I think it’s the unique look some of these lenses give. Sure, I can rest assured that a quality Nikkor lens will always perform and give me a good image but, sometime you want something that’s a little more random.

This brings us to today’s personal review of the Hanimex 135 2.8 M42 lens as some like to call it “the doorstop.” Now, I could take offense at someone calling one of my favorite chunky and unpredictable lenses a door stop. But, hey that’s fine. It is pretty heavy – I could probably break my foot with it I dropped it.

 Hanimex 135mm Video

The Hanimex brand started its life after WWII as an import to places like Australia and, later I believe absorbed by Fuji. The company was known for making many cheaper and lower quality glass and other camera gear. If you happened to get some of the older lenses they were mostly metal and pretty heavy – hence the doorstop tag I think.

My copy is a very heavy 135mm prime with an M42 screw base. If you plan to attach this to your camera (I recommend Pentax for just about any M42 base) I would suggest getting a quality adapter ring. Why do I suggest the Pentax line? Well, Pentax seems to be one of the few lines that is very backwards compatible with the old screw base. The Canon can do it with some arm twisting, Nikon – forget it, its just not cut out for old glass like M42.

Search on eBay for deals on Hanimex Lenses

And make sure that if you do get a Pentax adapter get the manufactures version. The cheaper ones have been known to stick to the camera and, not come off – yikes!

Here are my impressions.

• Older versions are built like tanks. Solid metal construction but, very heavy
• Due to it being M42 you will have no AF signal – its all eyeballs baby
• Quirky with contrast, has a mind of its own sometimes
• Can be very soft at 2.8 without good light
• Very nice bokeh – probably its best selling point
• Will exhibit occasional chromatic aberrations
• Barrel roll was pretty mild which is good
• Depth of Field was pretty shallow

I’ve bought Pentax M42 adapters on eBay as well.

Like I said, its not like some kind of pro lens and, its unpredictable. I enjoy working with it for those very reasons. Maybe its because it reminds of working with film. There is always a little surprise when you really take a look at your shots on the big screen.