400 Takumar Price

[steve_rasmussen]

Does anyone know what the 400mm Takumar sold for new, back in

1986-1987? I'm thinking 1987 was its last year of production.

[rod_sainty2]

Steve,

 

The advertisements in Popular Photography of April 1985 listed the 400mm Takumar at the following prices:

47st photo $675; Smile Photo $605; Garden Camera $669; Adorama $640; Foto-Cell $650; Cameras West (Seattle) $800.

 

Regards, Rod

[steve_rasmussen]

Thanks Rod. That was quite a bargain back then. I continue to be impressed by this lens in landscape work, travel and action shooting. It is without question one of the top five sharpest of the lens line. Instead of making the unaffordable ED 400mm, I wish Pentax would have continued the Takumar.

[michael_milne]

Steve, I have a slightly on topic question for you. I have an interest in this lense, but have been wary of acquiring one because of my tripod ballhead combo. What setup works well with this lense? I have a gitzo 1325 with an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead that I successfully use with my 55 and 90-180. How do you think I'd fare with the old 400mm? How about with these legs and an arca swiss B1? Any one... Any one?

 

Thanks in advance,

[steve_rasmussen]

I am not all that familiar with your Gitzo, even though I have a 320. I don't use it much. I use a Bogan 3036 for the 400 Takumar and would suggest a 9 or 10 lb pod MINIMUM and a ball head with at least a 1.75 inch diameter ball. Shooting this lens at 1/15, 1/8, 1/4 second with my setup will sometimes cause problems. I have a field test on this lens in this forum if you are interested. Very few P67 shooters own this lens, probably due to its size.

 

Steve