Takumar Is Beautiful

<p>The Takumar series of lens is exceptional in its build quality and they offer unique wonderful image quality. And they simply look gorgeous when mounted on any camera. I was extremely lucky to have gotten hold of few copies that are excellent in condition. <br /><br /><br /> <img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5077/14470278435_b8d3a420e0_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14283665660_c79578b31d_c.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="800" /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14283827247_8f1a30fc2b_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /><br /> <br />The above and following picture were shot with SMC Takumar 35mm f/2.0 wide open. The chrome lens on left is the Contax G 45mm f/2.0 which I also like but not the ill-equipped AF adapter that the lens is used with<br /> <br /><br /><br /> <img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14283665170_ee6c6f21a8_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /><br /> <br />A picture wide open with Takumar 85mm f/1.9<br /> <img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14447179146_548b0f5389_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p>

<p>Hope you have a story to share with your Takumar. I am on the lookout to find the 8-element version of the Takumar 50mm f/1.4. I am undecided if the Takumar is a better fit for me compared to Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Please share your thoughts on the 8-element version of 50mm f/1.4.</p>

<p>I am researching the topic of 7-element vs 8-element in the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 timeline. The one article that is well worth reading is from Mike Johnston</p>

<p>http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hin, I'll definitely agree that the Taks are really easy on the eyes. Almost (but not quite) enough to distract me from the homely Sony A7 body you have them mounted on. It may be a great camera, and it allows you to mount some cool glass...but aesthetically, IMO...uh...yuk.</p>

<p>Hopefully you'll share some pictures captured through these Asahi beauties.</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing Hin. I'd like to see some of those photos too. I don't own any Takumars. The closest I came was buying a box of old Pentax stuff from an ad in the paper but the $300 the guy wanted seemed too steep at the time. In retrospect I probably should have bought it. <br /> As for the ugly camera, I don't find it any uglier than any other medium sized black camera. As long as it's not attention-grabbing ugly (hot pink, for example) it sure doesn't matter to me.</p>

<p>In my 1st post, all pictures except the first two were taken wide open with Takumar 35mm f/2.0 and Takumar 85mm f/1.9. I also have few pictures taken with various takumars on my nex 5n camera. </p>

<p>Here is one taken from Takumar 105mm f/2.8 with Lens Turbo and Sony nex 5N. I don't remember the aperture setting on this one. <br>

<a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/9830576113_1e9a0f7162_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

with Takumar 105mm f/2.8</p>

<p>The next one is from Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/4.0 Macro. <br>

<a href=" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9616281928_1aa39e200d_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

with Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/4.0</p>

<p>And this one with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with Lens Turbo and Sony nex 5n<br>

<a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/10744473506_13655ab381_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/10735837135_da0d405586_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8</p>

<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/g1PWTEhttps://flic.kr/p/g1PWTE"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9854706436_67688c83e5_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

with Takumar 35mm f/3.5, lens turbo, sony nex 5n</p>

<p>All takumar lens have one feature I praise often. The manual focus ring offers great precision and it is a joy to manual focus. I have used lens from other brands but the Takumar so far ranked top in my experience. </p>

<p>Some of the above shots may have been posted and I will try to find occasions to bring out my K-5 or Sony A7 for newer shots to offer</p>

 

<p>This is a spicy Vietnamese noodle called Bun Bo Hue. <br /> <a href=" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/10735636824_bde697e44f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8, lens turbo and Sony nex 5N<br /> <br /><br /><br /> <a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9654820372_46a1deebe7_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> with Super Takumar 135mm f/3.5, likely wide open, lens turbo and sony nex 5N<br /> <br /><br /><br /> <a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9688126210_1b7456058d_b.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="1024" /></a><br /> with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8, wide open, lens turbo and Sony nex 5N. Love the softness in the bokeh. The Lens Turbo adds about one extra stop and brings back the field of view close to original. <br /> <br /><a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14283778969_3d03093d2c_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br>

with Super Takumar 35mm f/2.0, wide open, Sony nex 5n. </p>

<p>Any thoughts on Lens Turbo affect on bokeh -- for example, how the same lens looks on NEX+LT vs. A7?</p>

<p>I am someone who doesn't look deep into the corners. I am more on central portion of an image. Landscape usage will post more challenge as added lens element effect curvature and have the bad effects on corners. In my small usage, I don't see bad effects on bokeh. After I get A7, I use LT less but the admiration on LT stays on for me as it gets closer to the actual FF focal length with 0.72 * 1.5 * focal length formula. The Jawbone step/sleep monitoring bracelet was shot wide open in f/1.8 with the Lens Turbo. I like the soft bokeh and color on that picture. And LT adds close to one stop of light which works well with all the slower lens in Takumar in 35mm f/3.5, 28mm f/3.5, 135mm f/3.5. To me the LT is a great blessing to be used with the Takumar when the FF camera is not available. I wish someone will work on LT for K-mount body. LT has its drawbacks on corners as well as the blue dot when shooting straight into strong lighting source. So far the benefits outweigh the negatives for me</p>

<p>We may not agree on the aesthetic on the newer cameras, hope you like this one -- my most beautiful charm to be used with the Takumar<br>

<a href="https://flic.kr/p/fwhp1M"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/9531688841_3704cda972_z.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

 

<p>Have a casual walk this morning with Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/4.0 and my Sony nex 5n. All are shot wide open.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14513466265_c4a9dfa722_b.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="1024" /></a></p>

<p><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14326869049_3e1161dcfa_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14512079514_b97efedb75_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14512082004_e01aba4133_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /><br />All are shot with Takumar 50mm f/4.0 macro alone and without lens turbo on my sony nex 5n. It bugs me that there are different variations of Takumar and sometime I am puzzled if there are significant differences. For example, those Super-Multi-Coated and super-takumar, do they share the same coating as the latter SMC. From what I read in the article from Mike Johnston that I post earlier, they are not the same coating.<br /> <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml</a></p>

<blockquote>

<p>"my most beautiful charm to be used with the Takumar"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Now we're talking, nice spotty!</p>

<p>I don't think the coatings between Takumar/Auto-Takumar/Super-Takumar/SMC Takumar are the same. The older ones also probably don't stop down automatically when shooting (with an appropriate capable body, the oldest bodies didn't support this either).</p>

<p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14514982585_6f6e66f4f0_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/14510917411_e2502fa08f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14514300825_10c8520993_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14326871969_685f9ac8d0_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>All with Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/4.0 macro. </p>

<p>Some product shots of the Takumar taken by takumar</p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14329330880_05d7b8b03f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

Shot wide open with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8<br>

<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14492886186_5e3519f08c_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

Shot with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 wide open<br>

<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3881/14514896242_80ac8d990b_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

My current favorite Takumar, shot with Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/4.0 @ f/4.0<br>

<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14329389359_b26646226b_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

Lowpro Event 100 messenger bag carries my sony 5N with 4 takumars -- 28 f/3.5 with lens turbo, 35mm f/2.0, 50 f/4 macro and 55mm f/1.8. Shot with Takumar 50mm f/4 macro.<br>

<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157645422020763/"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14329331510_5fe2d99a8e_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

shot with Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 wide open</p>

<blockquote>

<p>And they simply look gorgeous when mounted on any camera</p>

</blockquote>

<p>They do. A few years ago, a friend wanted to get into film photography. I got him a Pentax KM and a Pentax 50mm f1.7 lens from separate eBay auctions.<br>

The lens looked so nice that I didn't want to give it to him!<br>

<br /><br /></p>

<p>takumar lenses are special. i have never used super takumar 50. but, i am partial to my s-m-c-takumar 50/1.4 lens. i also like s-m-c-takumar 85/1.8. in 2011, my house was burglarized and i lost nearly all my photographic equipment except for 35mm film cameras (lx, spotmatic, mx). so, i was wondering what to do. i felt i had a clean slate. but, i missed takumar lenses. so, i decided if i could find another s-m-c- takumar 85/1.8 and 50/1.4, i would get them. so, luckily, i did. after that i added cameras to go with them. i bought "a"50/1.4 also. i like it really well. i like manual lenses. i like the feel of manual focusing. "fa" lenses do not give me the same feel, however. when i use fa lenses i tend to use auto focus. i have several takumar lenses and they are pleasant to use. </p>

<p>@Osamu, I share the same feelings on the FA lenses and I don't use them with MF and I much prefer the precision feeling on the Takumar. I have a great liking on the A 50mm f/1.7 and I am sure the A 50 f/1.4 are wonderful. <br /> <br />One puzzle is on the spelled out name variant of Super-Multi-Coated on the Takuma series. Do the name refer to the SMC coating or is it slightly different and to what degree. I see the long version in older breed with a metal ring while the short form of SMC version come later and with rubber ring.</p>

<p>And what are the version that have the most showing of tainted yellow glass from the rare earth glass that is radioactive. I read from <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml">Mike Johnston's article</a> that the 8-element does have one radioactive element and there are perhaps more in the 7-element as I see more listing on ebay that the 7-element usually have a yellow hint in the glass and others where seller mention about UV treatment. In my super-takumar in 55mm f/1.8, I see quite a hint of yellow on my copy. And what about those later version with short form of SMC or super-takumar, do they have less?<br /> <br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14545207373_479dbc86d4_b.jpg" alt="" /><br /> My spottie with Super-Takumar 35mm f/3.5</p>

<p><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14545194143_a0429087c6_b.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/14501959876_48ebc000ac_b.jpg" alt="" /><br /> My Ricoh xr-p with Super-Takumar 28mm f/3.5<br>

<br /><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14545198093_b7dc89f48b_b.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14490366276_d6090f344f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> Very good color with Takumar 50mm f/4 macro on Sony nex 5n<br>

<br /><br /><br>

<a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/14343107018_688db40fb7_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> with Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and Sony A7. </p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14350710999_2a3d0bc255_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and A7</p>

<p><br /><br /><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14557486863_8b4a0e3b21_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /></a><br /> Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and Sony A7</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14350855737_49e045811d_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and Sony A7</p>

<p> </p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5318/14350734609_b55f234250_c.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

<br /><br /><br>

<a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14351187629_4963d4834c_c.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/14351179070_3bd271948d_c.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>All with Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and Sony A7.</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2901/14354789259_8a0c1d3354_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/14354806368_f64ce9a60e_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/14354806019_384b64fd18_b.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/14518268306_491930109f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br />All are shot with Takumar 85mm f/1.9 and Sony A7.</p>

<p>Nice shots, Hin. Even though FA lenses are often probably *better* than the manual focus editions, I tend to use the old -M or K glass with manual-focus film bodies. If I really wanted the best output, I'd probably use digital. I ultimately shoot film with manual focus more for the tactile experience and change in pace and thought process rather than the sharpest images.</p>

<p>My camera and lba addicitons get to its worse state. A red epic camera just arrived before my 8-element takumar 50mm f/1.4</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14558111411_c696c7163b_c.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>It is a Contax 137 MA with C/Y mount. An M42 adapter will make all of my Takumar beauties to be all usable on this red epic camera in C/Y mount. I broke my vow in not buying another 135 cameras and Spotie was my 1st exception and I have no excuses to make for this camera.</p>

Nice. I'll bet its viewfinder & shutter are much nicer than pretty much any M42 body. A couple years ago when my

affliction was flaring up I assembled a Contax Aria kit, including a Zeiss 28/2.8, 45/2, and 85/2.8. Since I'm not really

expecting to seek out any more C/Y zeiss glass I thought I might want to add a C/Y m42 adapter so I can mix in a few

Taks.

<p>The previous owner of this camera not only fix up the red leatherette but he also replaces the light seal, mirror foam padding. With batteries, all seem functioning. The viewfinder is big and clear. The 4-AA batteries on bottom rewind the film. Shutter works though a bit loud with the motorized rewind. Metering was claimed to be very accurate on this Contax 137 MA models.</p>

<p>I have ordered the M42 to C/Y adapter and my Takumars will have a catchy body to mount on for product shots.</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/14560659472_ffac6d8494_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14374824190_5a01555ac1_b.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <a href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14558114831_8988dc5c4f_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>My Contax camera is perhaps a much lower end model compared to the Contax Aria. I like the chrome version in the Aria 70th year model that I saw on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/281366908318">this listing</a>.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"Hope you have a story to share with your Takumar. I am on the lookout to find the 8-element version of the Takumar 50mm f/1.4. I am undecided if the Takumar is a better fit for me compared to Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Please share your thoughts on the 8-element version of 50mm f/1.4."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Years ago when I worked for a newspaper, I carried a Pentax with a 50mm f/1.4 lens as a backup to my main cameras (35mm Nikon and medium format Mamiya).<br>

<br />As much as I loved my Nikon system, I could never get my 50mm f/1.4 Nikon lens to duplicate the image quality of my 50mm f/1.4 8-element Takumar lens.</p>

<p>

<div></div>

<p>Thank you John for your story. I don't have luck in owning the 8-element. Right now I am settled with the under-rated Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8. The Takumars are quality lens that are well made. As much as I like the Pentax limited lens, there is no comparison in the area of manual focusing. And I recently ventured into Canon FD lenses which are well liked by many in adapting to mirror-less cameras. When I got a good copy of Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC, the focusing is tight and and my initial Canon experience make my Takumar praise jump 2+ notches. I may be biased but I am yet to find another brand of manual focusing lens that offer the excellent feeling and joy in Takumar.</p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/14354854019_86e1f37924_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href=" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14354845548_0192e8dbe5_b.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>Both with Takumar 85mm f/1.9. </p>