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Lens Review: Hanimex 135mm f/2.8
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Name: Hanimex 135mm f/2.8
Mount: Olympus OM
Tested On: Canon EOS 40D
Zoom/Prime: Prime
Focal Length: 135mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Diaphragm Blades: Unknown (see review)
Price Paid: N/A
Serial Number (or Approx.): 810101
Product Ratings (1=miserable, 5=excellent):
Construction Quality: 4
Image Quality: 3.5
Overall Value For Price: 5
Recommended: Yes
Lens Photos:
 
Review:
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I've had this lens for several years now. It's broken -- the aperture blades no longer stop down, so it eternally operates at f/2.8 (hence not knowing the number of diaphragm blades).
Plus, it's a Hanimex. It's not exactly a highly sought after lens. But for some reason I got curious and decided to put it on the 40D and see what it could do.
The result: somewhat low contrast and nearly a 5 ft / 1.5 m minimum focus distance (!). But otherwise? Quite surprising.
Below is a cropped down photo of a bird feeder from about 15 feet away. Contrast was adjusted to something more pleasing. View the Original Size to see the 100% crop.
Not a great photo, I know. But that's not the point. :-) This certainly isn't a complete test, but from what I see so far, it looks like a surprisingly good lens for something that is on eBay going for between US$6 and US$9.
The build quality is, like many older lenses, excellent. The focus ring is well damped and smooth, the aperture ring clicks into place solidly and effortlessly, and the lens has a built-in lens hood that extends easily. This makes it a simple matter to use filters, as the hood can be retracted to screw on or adjust a filter, and then re-extended.
I'm going to start carrying it around with me for a little while, and test it out in some different scenarios. I'll post the results here as I complete the review. I just wish I could get it to stop down. :)
Added June 17th, 2008:
It does seem that my initial opinion of low contrast may have been my fault after all, since I achieved much better results today.
There is some noticeable purple fringing around the high contrast transitions (view the original size to see it). This is unfortunate, because for its price class, it seems to otherwise perform quite well.
And as mentioned before, I have no test data at other apertures due to a broken diaphragm.
Here is another photo. Viewed in original size, you can see a small lizard on the corner of the cone's base. This may help to get an idea of the level of detail, although this photo was shot at 1/125, handheld with my arms extended on a 1.6 crop DSLR, so there's a minor amount of camera shake evident. If I had a tripod, the image would doubtless be sharper. Viewing the original size of the bird feeder photo will also give some indication of resolving power (look at the individual seeds).
As before, I will continue to test out this lens when I have the time, and hopefully other owners will eventually chime in with their opinions. For the moment, I think this lens has a lot of potential, especially when the high contrast transitions can be avoided. If they can't, it would still do quite beautifully as a tool for black & white photography.
At any rate, it's about the best I've ever seen for a lens that sells for under US$10, though if you want to spend a little more, take a look at Steve's review of the Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm f/2.8.
Originally posted at 4:22PM, 15 June 2008 PDT
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jeffk42 edited this topic 60 months ago.
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time for a new beginning [deleted] says:
Interesting. What mount was it originally? I recently got a Hanimex 135/3.5, thinking of getting a m42 to EOS adapter to try it out on that....
Posted 60 months ago.
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This is an OM mount. Got it for free because it wasn't operating correctly. :)
Posted 60 months ago.
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I also have one of these guys. Haven't used it much.
Posted 60 months ago.
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Not bad. I have a very cheap Hanimex 28/2.8 sitting in a drawer (wasn't bad but I took the plunge with a Canon EF 28/1.8 a few months later, ending my search for a good wide-angle prime - couldn't swing those Flek prices) and an even cheaper Hanimex 80-200/3.5 which is the basis for most of my macro photography (gets down to 1:4, which, with generic extension tubes and the ability to step down on the lens, makes it more useful than any Canon EF I own).
So, Hanimex not all that bad then?
Posted 60 months ago.
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So far, it's not bad at all. Of course, I need to test it in somewhat more difficult situations (high contrast, etc.) to see how it performs.... we'll see. I might take it into the shop and see how much it would cost to fix it.
Posted 60 months ago.
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Added update June 17.
Posted 60 months ago.
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I've been playing with this lens a bit more after seeing this review. I've been coupling it with a complement of Kenko extension tubes which turns it into a pseudo-macro. Here are some samples:
Posted 59 months ago.
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Hello, I just found this post. I also have a Hanimex 135 in Pentax mount in which the blades did not step down. So I took mine apart. What I found is there is an inner white plastic ring that ties the dial ring to the blade actuator. In my lens the two had become separated; they slide together so after reattaching them my lens now works properly.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I inherited this lens with an OM-1 and a few other lenses.
It is an excellent lens, given that it has been around the world atleast twice, been dragged thru the amazon, outback and countless camping trips.
However, my copy is broken, something in it has come lose and nothing on it will rotate freely. Plus, one of the glass elements has tilted.
That causes this
which wouldn't be so bad if the rest of the lens was functioning.
I found the sentiment in the opening review surprising, compared to modern 3rd party budget lenses, this seems very well built, easy to use and quite good optically.
I would like to pull it apart and see if I can fix it, but, naturally, that could end badly.
Does any one know of a source for the repair manual?
Posted 41 months ago.
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Incase you were still curious, there are 8 blades in the diaphragm.
My lens is full of screws and loose pieces :(. Found 4 screws so far that were just floating around and several chips of metal. Not cool. The lens has been repaired atleast once tho, so this isn't original build issues.
Posted 41 months ago.
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There are 6 blades in my one. I've bought this lens from ebay and it arrived today. Since aperture was stuck it was nearly free - have paid €1 for it. Took a chance and dismantled it trying to repair the aperture... it's my first m42 lens, but it is so simple, that repair took no more than an hour. All you need to do, is just remove name ring, front lens, and the ring holding blades. then just clean the blades and put it back together. And you actually do not need any special tools. I used a small screwdriver, shot glass and a baloon :) I can post some pics later if anyone is interested
Posted 41 months ago.
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Well, the screws are loose again, so I will be pulling it apart again anyway. Thanks for the advice profi666.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I've uploaded my pics, so I'll just put them here along with a little step by step guide, they may come in handy for someone with sticky aperture in hanimex lens.
If aperture won't close, check if its greasy . Just look at the back of the lens and you'll find aperture lever like the one on the pic:
Push it clockwise with a little scredriver to close the aperture and check out the blades.
If they need to be cleaned, you'll need a few things:
- precision scredriver
- glass or can to fit the inside the lens - 1 size for front lens and name ring and a smaller one for aperture ring
- rubber glove or baloon
Cut 1cm rubber band and secure it onto bigger glass. Or shaving gel can. Or deodorant :)
Just make sure it will touch the name ring only, leaving a gap between the can and surface of front lens.
Loosen a little screw in front flange ( circled in red)
Unscrew the name ring
and the front lens ( same way )
you should see aperture clamping ring:
now cut another rubber band and secure it onto something smaller - like shot glass,
and unscrew and take out the ring inside the lens so you'll see the blades. the blades should fall out easily.
you'll see this:
clean all with alcohol
And put all the blades back together
The last blade is tricky, but can be done. Check if it is closing smooth.
If all fine secure it with the ring. Make sure it is not too tight - if blades won't close, just loosen the ring a little bit. You can also secure the ring with a drop of silicon glue at the outer edge.
Now put back the lens, the name ring and tighten the screw in front flange.
Enjoy your (like) new aperture!
Posted 40 months ago.
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may the focus is a bit off but this was with the lens wide open and the final image played about with to give a film grain effect in Silver EFX.
im pretty happy with it to be honest :)
Originally posted 39 months ago.
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the_mog edited this topic 39 months ago.
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I have this lens also, a fully functional one though. I'm actually using it mounted to a 4/3 olympus and it works like a charm, such a sharp image quality but perhaps a low contrast. Good to see some other people are testing this budget option!
Originally posted 39 months ago.
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alexfionda edited this topic 39 months ago.
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My Hanimax 135mm f2.8 (made in Korea) lens has the same "aperture stuck open" problem.
I followed JDB220's instruction to unscrew the 4 screws on the mount (bottom), took out 2 parts, but didn't find any re-attachable connection. However, I heard the rattling sound when shaking the lens. I managed to shake out a tiny nut from the lens, the rattling sound remains when I shake the lens, apparently, something gotten loose and still inside the lens.
How do I go from here ? Should I continue to dissemble from the mount (Bottom) or should I change approach to open up from the top of the lens ?
Originally posted 37 months ago.
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nantah edited this topic 37 months ago.
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Hi there, I have this exact same lens, yet have a Canon Eos 400D. Where can i get hold of an adapter to allow me to use this lens with my 400 ?
Thanks,
Posted 22 months ago.
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On ebay. The adapter you'll need depends on which mount your lens has.
Posted 22 months ago.
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