Author: | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2023 Location: Murcia, Spain Posts: 118 | Review Date: April 11, 2024 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | no autofocus, no focus by wire | Cons: | none | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Spotmatic, Super A, Sony A7II, K10D, *ist DS
| | Mine is the latest version of Super Takumar. Pros: Manual focus, metal and glass, without plastic, with diaphragm ring, without electronics, without needing to update it, durable, reliable, beautiful, cheap, eternal. Cons: Who said cons? Further: At f/5.6-f/11: almost perfect flat field, same sharpness throughout the frame from the center to the corners, very high resolution. At f/1.8-f/4: just the right sharpness in the center and somewhat soft at the edges, perfect for portraits. Color and contrast: nothing to complain about. Build: I'll just say it's a Super Takumar. Use: Due to its flat field, I mainly use it in a bellows with a copier to digitize my slides and negatives. And also for other things. Price: In recent years it has gone up, but I bought it 20 years ago for €15. Why "only" a 9?: Because no lens is perfect and none deserves a 10.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2024 Posts: 2 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: January 27, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Sharpness, character, build quality, price and availability | Cons: | Frustration of use alongside non-M42 lenses | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K1 II
| |
This was the first vintage lens I ever bought, in terrible mechanical condition, attached to a Spotmatic II, which I then sold because I couldn't be bothered fixing it at the time. I got my current copy of the lens in essentially mint condition with an Asahi Pentax SV kit at the same time I bought my K1 II, and it's been my standard lens for slow, walk around and street photography ever since. At 1.8 it produces lovely dreamy bokeh and a fairly soft focus, but it's razor sharp by 2.8. I usually sit around 5.6, and the resolving power on a 36mp full frame sensor is incredible. The build quality is amazing, on the latest copy the mechanical focus and iris controls are blissfully smooth and accurate; on the previous copy, even though it was in sub-par mechanical condition, the focus and iris were still operational.
My only gripe with this lens, and in fact all m42 lenses, which I think bares mentioning on Pentax cameras specifically, is the amount of frustration which can be had trying to swap between M42 and K mount lenses with the authentic adapter. The previous copy of the lens was used with an EF flanged adapter (still allowing infinity focus) on a mirrorless body, and my god do I miss those breezy lens changes. I would investigate swapping the mounts completely, but I still want to use it in the mint Pentax SV that it came with.
| | | | New Member Registered: September, 2023 Location: Kiev, Ukraine Posts: 1 | Review Date: September 5, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: N/A |
Pros: | Nice build quality, nice bokeh | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 7
Camera Used: Many Sony MILC and Nikon DSLR
| |
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 22 3 users found this helpful | Review Date: December 29, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | fast, beautiful bokeh, great value | Cons: | lower contrast especially WO | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| | I love this vintage lens. It was one of the first lenses I bought when I purchased my first Pentax camera, a KS-2, along with an M42 28mm f/3.5. I have since sold both that camera and the 28mm, though I thought both were great pieces of kit. I have held onto this lens because it makes images that are just different from anything else I have. Definitely a pixie-dust situation!
It even makes some pretty distinctive Deep Sky photos:
I will occasionally use it for nightscapes, also.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2020 Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago Posts: 40 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: March 17, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp, bokeh,build,aperture, | Cons: | Can't think of any | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
| | This review is specifically for the Auto Takumar 55mm f1.8 Zebra. With 10 aperture blades this is a phenomenal lens for bokeh. The build quality is amazing, the lens looks fantastic, and it has a special character. This quickly became one of the most common lenses to find on my K-1. It's my go to for portrait work, and just walking around. The Pentax 55mm f1.8 is one of the best walk around lenses ever made in my opinion. It is simply a joy to use. My only complaint with this lens is it's almost too small! But it's light and compact. Hell you might forget it's even mounted!
Moving on to the images. Here's my Flickr album through this amazing little gem! https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157715543875073
Now, let's talk about the later lenses. I have the later Auto Takumar, Super, Suiper multi coated, and SMC versions now! https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157718677953292 https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72177720305884104 | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2020 Posts: 2 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: June 25, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 6 |
Pros: | Close up sharpness, focus precision, well built metal body, can be used with teleconverters due to almost none CA | Cons: | Radioactive, yellowish cast | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: EOS 60D
| | I bought this lens 10 years ago (55USD) and using it since then. It is excellent tool for learning things in close up photography and can give excellent results if it is used properly. I use it with extension tubes and tele converters for close up pictures pictures.
Below are few pictures using Kenko 2X teleconverter. | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2019 Posts: 2 | Review Date: October 27, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Excellent close range | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-50
| | I just got one of these and tested it on a Pentax K-50 DSLR using a screw mount to k mount adapter.
Mine is the third one pictured above - Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 (late).
Excellent color reproduction, detail, and overall image quality.
Right-click the following images and click "Open Image in New Tab", then zoom in.
- Pentax M42 55mm F1.8
- Pentax K-50 DSLR (16.3mp)
- mounted on tripod
- aperture priority
- ISO 100
- F16
- .5 to 1 second exposures
- white balance set to AWB
- focus peaking enabled on camera
- using manual focus assist
- 2-second timer | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 15 9 users found this helpful | Review Date: March 14, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Small and light | Cons: | It's cultish following | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 7
Camera Used: ME Super K2
| | A very good lens that is very fine in terms of picture quality from f4 to f11 in most picture-taking contexts. The SMC later versions with M42 mounts have slightly better coatings, but this is only noticeable if you tend to take pictures into - or across - direct sunlight without a lens hood. The earlier lens coatings are still very good and will suit most people perfectly. For the ridiculous extra costs often charged for "SMC" blue/green coatings you will probably never notice any real difference to "Super Takumar" earlier lenses with yellow/gold coatings. By the way, there are movies and reviews online about treating "yellowed" Takumar glass with UV light. Don't take any notice as that yellow/gold tint is the coating. Unfortunately, people tend to get a bit carried away with fashionable "sharpness" and "bokeh" talk with these lenses with incredible enthusiasm to up and over-rate the Takumar lenses. "Tack sharp Taks" talk makes me wonder, sometimes. They are very good, but not as good as some over-enthusiastic reviews state, especially at some apertures. All the talk about quality of build is true, but you will find that most 1960/70's lenses across the range were good fit and finish in comparison to the materials used today (plastic). Even the mainly metal lenses of today are often full of plastic. Regardless of all this, whether a lens is feeling "solid" or "plastic" has nothing to do with quality of images taken, but everything to do with the fussiness and style tastes of the photographer who needs to enjoy the aesthetics of photography. Also, keep in mind that most people leaving reviews don't take into account the variable quality of old secondhand lenses and the insane price variations that some people are willing to pay for, and some try to rip you off for. What you are most likely to find with a half-century old lens is that the focus ring may have some issues and the inside will be dusty and possibly fungal around glass edges and the aperture mechanism will be slower and drier than it once was. There may be clarity when a lens has been "serviced" or you make find that the "service" has left internal smear marks all over the glass. So be prepared when you order, and then again be prepared when you open the box when it arrives. Secondhand reviewers of old lenses also don't take into account that with modern digital systems, old lenses are not solely responsible for image quality; the processor/sensor also plays a significant role. So, on a poor/good/very good/excellent scale, the "Super Takumar" early lenses are very good and the "SMC" later ones are often very good. Both are "sharp" at some apertures. What gives them the potential for excellence is you - the photographer - and your camera.
| | | | New Member Registered: July, 2018 Posts: 14 | Review Date: July 18, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | color! bokeh! color! | Cons: | soft up to aperture 4 | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Eos 700D
| | I'm rating the late Super-Multi-Coated, M42 mount with single aperture pin-model, Nr. 37101.
Coming from the analoge SLR ( Nikon F-301) in the 90s, having had a Fuji 7000S as my first digicam, then Eos 550D, now using the newer model 700D.
I dont really like the feel and weight of the newer Canon lenses though they are really good and fast, so I started going into the M42 adapter thing. I now have only two Takumars, the 55/ 1,8 and the 35/3,5 but HEY!! I love the weight, the craftmanship, the details on them. Because I´m on an APS-C I was sceptical how these would work but now after some days of intensive testing I can say these are very good despite the little cons.
Its not fair to compare these little gems against a more modern Canon stabilized autofocus lens, but who would anyway..I use them as an addition for more arty shots.
pros: THE COLORS. Amazing what beautiful colors these 45 year old lenses produce. The bokeh.
the craftmanship still smooth and stable. The metal lens caps. The metal rings.
cons: I dont like the position of the auto/manual switch as it is exactly beneath the aperture ring.
Sometimes I pull unwanted this switch which during shooting is a bit enerving. Its a tiny lens.
recommended.
the three samples were made as a `shoot from the hip', meaning, I did not have a tripod and on 1/40 this is a bit of a trial and error. First I thought these came out very unsharp but no. Surprise.
The aperture was quite open on all of these pics( around 1,8-4). Bokeh is almost cliche.. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/115461-electriceye/albums/12634-...ture118519.jpg | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,075 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: June 22, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | sharp lens, well made, general use | Cons: | none for me | | I like my Super-Takumar vII as much as my K version, it is my most used lens, especially for low light and getting in close.
The lens is sharp, with very good contrast on both colour and b/w films.
This lens is a must have for me and is part of my trio - super-takumar 135mm f3.5 and the super-multi-coated 35mm f3.5
The lens came with the SV for CAD $50.00
| | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2016 Location: Moab, Utah Posts: 90 5 users found this helpful | Review Date: June 24, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Colors, Bokeh, Size, Value in that order | Cons: | sharpness wide open | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| | This is a great 55mm flower or portrait lens. I have the most recent SMC version. Bokeh and colors are what I like about it, along with compact size. Bokeh is on par with the 50mm f1.4. Different, but both good. This is not the sharpest of the 50-is mm focal length though it's still "sharp." That's why I use it for portraits mostly. I also have the SMC K mount 50mm f1.2, SMC K mount 50mm f1.4, M 50mm f2, and Super-Takumar 55mm f1.8. For flowers, this is the one I like. A little bit longer, plenty fast, and small. It's not a good landscape lens because it loses image quality betweek f13 and f16, and lacks an f22 stop entirely. Use the M or A series 50mm f2 instead for that.
For anyone wanting to compare all the different vintage 50mm's from Pentax, you need not collect them all... I've posted a fairly comprehensive video comparison of them while comparing for myself: https://youtu.be/G22LGiKngp4 | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 892 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: February 27, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharp and excellent value for money. | Cons: | Awkward Auto-Manual switch | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5
| | If an old M42 lens is in the running for the next purchase due to LBA......this might just be a no regrets purchase.
My Super-Takumar (late version) came with a Pentax S3 in a bundle that included a Tamron P-KA adapter which might sell for half the original cost of that bundle making this lens cost less than the $40 value I have given it.
Apart from the awkward Auto-Manual switch (awkward in comparison to others like the Helios -44M) the lens is amazing. It may not be as sharp as more costly lenses but it has great (and typical) Pentax attributes.
Here is an image taken when trying it out last year (along with a crop). | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2016 Posts: 11 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: December 10, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | very sharp, well buit | Cons: | some CA | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: eos 550d
| | This is my first manual "vintage" lens.
I bought it online and it arrived in good condition.
Eager to try it I went to the local park to shoot some pics.
Very impressive. Sharp, light, easy to handle, even for a guy like me in the habit to relay on autofocus and auto exposure.
It gave me back the joy of studying a little bit before pressing the shutter and started, I believe, a new passion for all manual lenses.
Here few samples all at 1,8. | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2015 Posts: 62 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: August 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Outstanding mechanical quality, incredible optics | Cons: | Nothing really | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7, A7r
| | I'm rating the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm/1.8. It came attached with a Spotmatic that I bought to get my daughter interested in film cameras. I already owned an SMC Takumar 55/1.8 (the later version).
My Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm/1.8 is either a rare and special one... or this lens design as a whole is just incredible. I simply cannot believe how good this lens is even on my Sony A7r, which is unforgiving. It's not really usable at f/1.8 (soft, glowy, bad corners). Even f/2.8 is a bit dodgy. By f/4 the centre is nice and sharp, but corners are still soft. By f/5.6 I'm only worried about extreme corners if something really important is happening there. By f/8 I'm not worried about the corners anymore. Incredibly, it's still entirely usable at f/16; there's definitely a bit of diffraction, but if I need depth of field more than I need sharpness I'll use f/16 and be happy. I find the out of focus areas to be a bit nervous. There's a bit of purple fringing at f/1.8, which is gone by f/4.
Like the other Takumars in this design, it's an all metal beauty. The focus ring is beautifully damped and the aperture ring clicks smoothly. In comparison, my SMC Pentax K lenses feel rough and clunky.
My main 55mm lens is my SMC Pentax-A 645 45-85mm, which weighs a ton and lives on my Mirex tilt/shift adapters. The Takumar 55/1.8 is my everyday lens. I did a side-by-side comparison recently, and yes, the professional-grade 645 lens is of course better in every way -- but the Takumar is still amazingly good. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for critical work if I didn't have my big 645 handy.
| | | | New Member Registered: August, 2016 Posts: 5 | Review Date: August 8, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Price, Sharpness, Build quality | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-S2
| | I just recently got this lens and have been shooting with it as much as possible; so far it has been awesome. For me personally, this lens is just slightly annoying to focus because my left hand always hits my right hand when I'm focusing, that's why it got 9 for handling, but again, thats just me. I love this lens, this was my first lens at such a wide aperture, so I was a bit weary of having to focus with it, but it's super easy, and very smooth. I highly recommend to everyone!
| | |