Hi Don, I've never gotten flare like that - or any flare - with any of the three SMCP 135/2.5 lenses I've had. However, I always use the hood I mentioned:
http://home.earthlink.net/~my-pics/k135_hood.jpg As a matter of course, I try to use the longest, deepest hood that won't vignette. Sometimes I'll stick a blank filter ring or two between the hood and the lens. I don't know if it's always necessary, but I'm a big advocate of lens hoods, and sometimes take things to the extreme. OTOH, I don't have flare issues. Never paid much attention to focus travel. Shel > [Original Message] > From: Don Sanderson > Rather poor flare resistance: > http://www.donsauction.com/pdml/Flare.htm > (At least wide open, haven't tried the other apertures yet) > > I shoot wide open a lot so the sharpness is a good thing. > The low flare resistance surprised me though. > The supplied (correct) hood helps but it needs more. > Handles very well, a pleasure to use once you get used > to the long focus travel. (About 200 degrees) > > Those who own the SMCP 135/2.5: > Is flare resistance in the K version better? > Is focus travel as long?
