Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135 mm f/ 2.5 (P.No.43802) Lens

The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135 mm f/2.5 (Asahi P.No. 43802) is a fast telephoto prime multi-coated lens with an angle of view of 18°. This telephoto lens is suitable for shooting portraits and distant objects.

The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135 mm F/2.5 (Asahi P.No. 43802 - 2nd version)  was manufactured from 1971 to 1972. The lens succeeded the Super-Takumar 135 mm F/2.5 (p/n 43801, released in 1968). The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135 mm F/2.5 (Asahi P.No. 43802) features a multilayer coating. These lenses share the same (5 elements in 4 groups) optical scheme. Besides, they are similar in weight, minimum focusing distance, and f numbers (2.5-22). In 1972 the 3rd version of the Asahi P.No. 43812, its optical scheme comprising six elements in six groups, replaced the discontinued Asahi P.No. 43802.  

The Asahi P.No. 43802 lens' exterior differs from the Asahi P.No. 43812 in the depth of  field scale and a part number (43802 or 43812), stamped into the bottom (camera side) of the auto/manual switch.  The DOF scale of the Asahi P.No. 43802 lens has the following values: 8-16-22, and that of the Asahi P.No. 43812  starts with 4 and then as follows 8-16-22.       

The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135 mm f/2.5 (Asahi P.No. 43802 ) is remarkable for its excellent build quality and reliable design (metal and glass). All in all the lens is very pleasant to use. However, its considerable weight and dimensions, especially with the hood, should be taken into consideration. It is quite good as a portrait lens at open apertures and is very sharp from f/4 onwards. The lens is equipped with an instant-return aperture and  a MAN-AUTO aperture mode switch.

The lens shows excellent optical performance. Despite its better-known later version (43812), the 43802 is quite a decent fast telephoto lens that can boast a popular (portrait) focal length range. No perspective distortion. No considerable chromatic aberrations (on the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II). Multicoating and a long hood help to handle side and back lighting. The lens comes complete with proprietary caps and the Takumar 1:2.5,135mm 1:4,200 mm metal screw-on hood.

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