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Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8 Review RSS Feed

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8

Sharpness 
 8.5
Aberrations 
 8.0
Bokeh 
 8.8
Handling 
 9.7
Value 
 9.5
Reviews Views Date of last review
8 56,394 Thu March 16, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $143.33 9.00
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8
supersize
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8

Description:
This telephoto lens came in one version only.

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
M42
Aperture Ring
Yes
Diaphragm
Automatic
Optics
5 elements, 4 groups
Mount Variant
M42 Open-aperture Metering
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.8
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
120 cm
Max. Magnification
0.13x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 14 ° / 11 °
Full frame: 20 ° / 17 °
Hood
Case
Lens Cap
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
61 x 74 mm
Weight
342 g
Production Years
1972 to 1976
Engraved Name
Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:2.8/120
Product Code
43982
Reviews
User reviews
Notes
Open aperture metering with Spotmatic F, ES and ESII
Features:
Manual FocusAperture RingFull-Frame SupportAdapter needed for DSLRsDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-8 of 8
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2020
Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago
Posts: 39
Review Date: March 16, 2023 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Bokeh, Handling, Build Quality, Character, sharpness.
Cons: Haven't really found any yet
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 9    Camera Used: K-1   

I had picked up the SMC Pentax M 120mm f2.8 and felt it was slightly lacking wide open. Of course, I had to compare those results with a Takumar! The results are that I find this lens to be sharper, and built better, but depending on the nature of the shoot, I may still reach for the M if for no other reason than weight and a built in hood for just a walk.

Anyways, as usual, here's my Flickr Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72177720305666910
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2020
Location: Kyoto
Posts: 3
Review Date: December 17, 2020 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: unique, sharp, fun
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Sony a7ii, Novoflex Adapter   

120mm is indeed a unique focal length, but it is very versatile, and there are definitely situations where I have found it to be ideal. For example, I nicknamed this the 'dolphin-show' lens because it is the perfect size for the dolphin show at my local city aquarium. I sit perhaps 20~30 meters away from the dolphin-show pool and with this lens I can comfortably catch the dolphins in mid-air. With my 200mm SMC Takumar I found it much harder to focus, frame and time my shots, and the results are never as good as the SMC 120.

Aside from the unique focal length, this lens stands out among the Takumars for its sharp images and beautiful 3D Pop.

I also enjoy this lens for street photography, portraits, and for Japanese festivals.
The lens itself is small, but being a short telephoto it allows you to capture your subject from a decent distance.
It is especially useful for situations where you are close enough to the scene to see what is going on, but want to remain discrete.

As is the case with most Takumars, the build is exceptional, and the focus ring buttery smooth.
This is a very fun lens to use!
Highly recommended.
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2015
Location: Durham
Posts: 8
Review Date: April 21, 2016 Recommended | Price: $140.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Compact and easy to carry. A Joy to use
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 6    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax-k3   

This lens is excellent in image quality and can be compared with legendary Takumars like SMC 85 1.8,Super Takumar 50 1.4 and Super Multi Coated Takumar 135 f2.5 (6 Elements) Version.Not a common focal length to use and probably that is the only reason it is not so famous or widely used.You find very few images on the internet when searched for this lens .Hopefully I'll add more images hereafter one my flickr page(link below).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132667593@N08/albums/72157659532946156

   
New Member

Registered: January, 2014
Posts: 3

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 19, 2014 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very natural and great color, sharp enough
Cons: little CA
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-01   

very nice lens, great for portraits, smooth bokeh
with good light its very sharp even at 2.8
here you can see samples at 2.8 girl and at 4 flower

IMGP3650 by andreytrn, on Flickr

IMGP3784 by andreytrn, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: February 11, 2013 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: durable, bokeh is excellent, not bad for macro shots
Cons: not as sharp as I hoped
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9    Camera Used: 5D Mark II   

Found this lovely lens for a mere $40.00
It is durable, has a nice weight, great bokeh, and works like magic for macro shots.

Focus is nice and smooth. It's rare to stumble upon a telephoto lens that is f/2.8, so I'd get this one if I was trying to save money. The 120mm is strange choice for a full frame sensor, it's close up, but not enough to get extremely far shots.


Bluff Wind by MrSatmary, on Flickr


Bench by MrSatmary, on Flickr
   
Pentaxian

Registered: July, 2010
Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Posts: 363
Review Date: May 22, 2011 Recommended | Price: $260.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Great for portraiture (both woman and man)
Cons: Not extremly sharp at f/2.8

Soft enough for woman portraiture at f/2.8 (but it might lack of sharpness for very detailed objects), sharp enough for men portraiture when stopped (f/4 is enough). Bokeh is rather smooth and S-M-C coatings are efficient.
As the 105/2.8 and 135's are often cheaper, I would recommend it only to some one who really need it (for its caracteristics) or a collector.
Some portraits with it : http://kajiwara.weebly.com/takumar-12028.html
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 85
Review Date: October 26, 2009 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: IQ, Build Quaity, Size
Cons:

I have owned this lens for about a year now, and I have to tell you, it's probably my favorite Takumar. I have an M42 135mm 2.5 Super Takumar as well, and the 120 2.8 makes the 135 look like garbage on my K200D (Perhaps I have a bad copy of the 135). The 120 2.8 is a lot smaller and lighter than the 135 2.5, and the focal distance is not that much different, so I may be getting rid of the later.

This lens is a decent length for outdoor portrait work, and your subject is sharp even at 2.8. The bokeh from this lens is also very nice.

As the previous reviewer stated, this lens is not too common. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one, I am sure that you'll like it.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: April, 2007
Location: North Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 728
Review Date: June 13, 2009 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Classic Takumar build, IQ and rendering
Cons: A bit too long for portrait, too short for bird photography
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9   

Another classic long S-M-C Takumar lens. The all metal build quality is very nice, and the lens feels like it is fresh from the factory mounted on my K20D.

This lens is quite fast for its focal length at 2.8, and the photos is shoots wide open are not overly soft at all. By f4 or 5.6 the lens is very sharp and extremely good looking. I think my favorite bit about all the S-M-C Taks is the color rendering. The colors are just beautiful, bokeh is buttery soft and often yields an amazingly 3-d quality to foreground subjects.

I would say this lens would be very suited for longer distance street photography, maybe some portrait photography, and close subject stuff like flowers and butterflies.

I will say the only detraction for this lens is the focal length on a DSLR.... just a bit too long for portrait work and too short for wildlife work (except maybe the zoo).

This lens is rare, but if you can find one it is a very worthy addition to your kit as a long, fast prime! Love that Takumar look!!
Add Review of Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm F2.8



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