Last updated on 2026-01-26
A review and sample photos taken with the TAMRON 135mm F2.5 (03B) lens on a SIGMA SD1 Merrill digital SLR camera.
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Table of contents
Gallery
The example photos were taken with a SIGMA SD1 Merrill.
Review
1．Overview
The TAMRON 135mm f/2.5 (03B) is a 135mm prime lens released in 1979.
Key specifications are listed below, with details summarized in the specifications table.
- Aperture: f/2.5
- Aperture blades: 9
- Minimum focusing distance: 1.2m
- Lens length: 84mm
- Filter diameter: 58mm
- Built-in hood
- Weight: 410g
This lens uses Tamron’s proprietary Adaptall 2 mount, allowing it to be used with SLR lenses from various manufacturers by simply replacing the mount. It can also be used with the latest mirrorless cameras using the Adaptall 2 adapter, which is widely available for mirrorless camera adapters, such as those for Nikon F and Canon EF mounts.
2．Usability
TAMRON 135mm F2.5 (03B) During the Adaptall 2 era, Tamron offered a nearly full line of lenses.
The 135mm prime lens was one of those lenses, and while it may seem unassuming, it boasts an aperture of f/2.5 and a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m, surpassing competitors’ lenses in this class. It’s also lightweight and compact for a lens in its class.
The lens hood is built-in and can be extended, but it only extends to about 15mm, so its effect isn’t particularly noticeable. A 58mm lens filter can be attached to the front.
This lens lacks the SP enhancements found on higher-end models, but its rendering capabilities, even at wide apertures, are nothing to scoff at.
The SD1 example uses an APS-C (1.5x) sensor, so the edges are cropped, but the sharpness of the in-focus area and the melting bokeh are captivating.
Like other 135mm prime lenses, this lens is unpopular and is often sold cheaply used. It’s worth trying for around 5,000 yen, and it’s a lens that will teach you the benefits of a medium telephoto prime lens.
3．Summary
To sum up the TAMRON 135mm F2.5 (03B), it’s a slightly brighter and more compact 135mm lens than other companies’ lenses.
Although it’s an older lens, it produces no problems with image quality on digital cameras with APS-C size sensors. However, the edges of the image may be questionable on 35mm full-frame sensors.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
Tamron’s prime lenses from the Adaptall 2 era are often impressive on the telephoto side.
Aside from the 135mm introduced here, the 90mm macro and SP 180mm, which made the Tamron name famous, are also notable. Other lenses include the 300mm F2.8, 400mm F4, and mirror lenses like the 350mm and 500mm.
Since many Adaptall 2 lenses have long flange focal lengths, they can easily be mounted on mirrorless cameras. The Nikon Ai-S mount is a good mount for trying out Adaptall 2 lenses, as the Adaptall 2 mount is inexpensive and there are many Nikon F-mount adapters for mirrorless cameras. The Adaptall 2 is also available in the Canon EF mount, but it does not have electronic contacts and requires the actual aperture. Since there’s no real harm in using the actual aperture on a mirrorless camera, photographers who own an EF mount adapter may want to consider the Adaptall 2 EF, but these are scarce and tend to be expensive.
| Items | TAMRON 135mm | LEICA ELMARIT 135mm |
| Focal length(mm) | 135 | 135 |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 32 | 32 |
| Aperture blades | 8 | 8 |
| Lens Construction | 4 elements in 4 groups | 5 elements in 4 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 84 (Nikon-F) | 93 (LEICA-R) |
| Lens Max diameter(mm) | 68 | 67 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 58 | 55 |
| Lens hood | Build in | Build in |
| Weight(g) | 410 (Nikon-F) | 730 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F Canon EF Sony α Olympus OM Canon FD M42 Leica R etc. | LEICA R |
| Release date | 1979~1984 | 1969-1991 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | ￥28,000 | – |
Reference links
- TAMRON 135mm F2.5 03B
- ELMARIT-R 2.8/135(II) Leica wiki
- ELMARIT-R 2.8/135(I) Leica wiki
- Adaptall II MF Lens
- LEICA R ELMARIT 135mm・Shige’s hobby
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Update history
- 2026.1.7
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