Best telephoto prime lenses for M42: Top Picks

Our catalogue lists 35 telephoto prime lenses for M42. Fixed-focal-length lenses of 135mm and longer.

How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.

1.Pentax smc Pentax Takumar 135mm f/2.5 (V2/43812)

135mm · f/2.5 · M42

The Pentax smc Pentax Takumar 135mm f/2.5 (V2/43812) is a manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens covering 135mm at f/2.5 for M42 mount cameras. A classic Takumar lens from the Pentax screw-mount era, popular for vint...

Specs Compare with TELE-AUTO 135mm f/2.8
2.Tokina TELE-AUTO 135mm f/2.8

135mm · f/2.8 · M42

A 135mm f/2.8 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens, the Tokina TELE-AUTO 135mm f/2.8 is designed for M42 mount bodies. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with 200mm f/3 Auto Telephoto
3.Vivitar 200mm f/3 Auto Telephoto

200mm · f/3.0 · M42

This 200mm f/3 manual-focus telephoto prime lens from Vivitar fits M42 mount cameras. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.

Specs Compare with 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2
4.Tamron 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2

500mm · f/8.0 · M42

A 500mm f/8 manual-focus mirror telephoto lens, the Tamron 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2 is designed for M42 mount bodies. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.

Specs Compare with SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2
5.Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2

500mm · f/8.0 · M42

A 500mm f/8 manual-focus mirror telephoto lens, the Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2 is designed for M42 mount bodies, from the Tamron SP series. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.

Specs Compare with 600mm f/8 Solid Cat
6.Vivitar 600mm f/8 Solid Cat

600mm · f/8.0 · M42

This 600mm f/8 manual-focus mirror telephoto lens from Vivitar fits M42 mount cameras. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.

Specs Compare with SP 135mm f/2.5 Adaptall-2
7.Tamron SP 135mm f/2.5 Adaptall-2

135mm · f/2.5 · M42

A 135mm f/2.5 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens, the Tamron SP 135mm f/2.5 Adaptall-2 is designed for M42 mount bodies, from the Tamron SP series. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with SP 135mm f/2.5 CF Adaptall-2
8.Tamron SP 135mm f/2.5 CF Adaptall-2

135mm · f/2.5 · M42

This 135mm f/2.5 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens from Tamron fits M42 mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with SP 200mm f/3.5 Adaptall-2
9.Tamron SP 200mm f/3.5 Adaptall-2

200mm · f/3.5 · M42

The Tamron SP 200mm f/3.5 Adaptall-2 is a manual-focus telephoto prime lens covering 200mm at f/3.5 for M42 mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.

Specs Compare with 135mm f/2.3 Auto Telephoto
10.Vivitar 135mm f/2.3 Auto Telephoto

135mm · f/2.3 · M42

The Vivitar 135mm f/2.3 Auto Telephoto is a manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens covering 135mm at f/2.3 for M42 mount cameras. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with Orestor 135mm f/2.8
11.Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 135mm f/2.8

135mm · f/2.8 · M42

A 135mm f/2.8 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens, the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestor 135mm f/2.8 is designed for M42 mount bodies. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs Compare with Auto-D-Tele-Quinar 135mm f/2.8
12.Steinheil München Auto-D-Tele-Quinar 135mm f/2.8

135mm · f/2.8 · M42

This 135mm f/2.8 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens from Steinheil München fits M42 mount cameras. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Specs