| Author: | | Showing Reviews 1-12 of 12 | | New Member Registered: February, 2012 Posts: 1 | | Lens Review Date: February 22, 2012 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $225.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | In - out of focus transition | | Cons: | Has slight CA in some situations | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 60D Canon
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I own all four versions of the Takumar 50mm 1.4 I also own a canon 50mm.
The Super Takumar 8 element version is my absolute favorite.
Bokeh is extremely pleasing, especially wide open. Creamy! Excellent when stopped down.
The handling is awesome. Manual focusing is very easy and precise. The feel is one of a precision machine. Even better when compared to my Canon L lens in manual mode.
Sharpness is excellent.
With the standard Asahi hood, flare has never been a problem.
When used with extension tubes or bellows, the lens provides excellent MACRO capabilities. It is FAST. Great for taking photos of live insects.
The in focus to out of focus transition is noticeably smoother than the later versions. This lens also exceeds the much more expensive lenses in this regard.
As other posters have noted, there is something that just defies description with this lens. Photos seem to have just that little extra. A certain feel which the newer lenses do not capture.
Every serious photographer should definitely own this lens.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2011 Posts: 2 | | Lens Review Date: October 27, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, smooth operation, vintage look | | Cons: | PF Wide open | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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My subjects simply adore the images taken with this lens.
Its SMC siblings are exceptional, but photos taken with the 8-element version have a certain depth, a visually striking appeal that draws more "wow" comments than the average.
It does have its shortcomings. Purple-fringing may occur wide-open, but this improves by f2.4. Bokeh highlights appear hexagon-shaped stopped down, and can potentially be distracting.
At f2.4, it is very sharp, yet not harsh. The simpler coating yields a classic vintage look that is well-suited for portraits.
Handling is super-smooth and very accurate, with slight less effort compared to the SMC 1,8/55. Very easy to nail focus with one finger.
An overall 9 performer, but the excellent price bumps it way over 10!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 981 | | Lens Review Date: September 10, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $220.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solid build, sharp, easy to use, f1.4, bokeh, great IQ | | Cons: | It is not SMC (thanks God!) No yellowing on this lens. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I bought this lens to get "bragging rights", but found it of equal quality to the SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4. The only difference is that this first 8-element version does not yellow out. I am not sure which lens some of the other guys here are reviewing. The SMC is the one that gets the yellowing due to the action of Thorium (a radioactive element present in the lens material). The Thorium decays and it impacts an optic glue used in the coating of the lens. That happens only in the SMC lenses (not all, as far as I know, the SMC 50mm f14 and the SMC 35mm f2 -- I have both), and ca be cured by exposing them to the sunlight once in a while. No big deal. This 8-element early version is heavy and sturdy, a great piece to get. I do recommend.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2010 Location: Fowlmere, UK Posts: 489 | | Lens Review Date: July 3, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fast, sharp, bokeh | | Cons: | flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This is an old lens, but fast. That sometimes comes in handy. What is most helpful, is the smoothness this lens has, which, at a dSLR, turns the lens into a wonderful portrait lens. At 75mm perhaps on the short side, but still useful, even indoors.
There may well be technically more sharp lenses around, but that is not all there is about IQ. This lens, in practical use, just has it. My only regret is that it's not autofocus—which I would only use in certain conditions anyway. EDIT: the lens does not have SMC coating, and can be prone to flare. A good lens hood is necessary but may not always prevent flare.
There is some speculation about the use of radioactive elements. This only applies to the 7-element version, not the early 8 one. The radiation is insignificant for all I know, were it not for the fact that it would yellow the lens. Note that this lens, not being SMC but still having some coating, does not look completely free of colour anyway, quite regardless of the elements used.
EDIT:
I found this info (link supplied, but if it expires, here is the quote):
The yellowing problem affects the Model II 50mm f1.4 Super-Takumars and all other 50mm f1.4 lens through to the K-mount series. The older Model I 50/1.4 Super-Takumars, the 8-element ones (which can be distinguished by the protruding element at the rear NOT having a protective metal rim), do not turn yellow because they do not have the radioactive element, using an Additional regular optical glass element to get higher refraction instead.
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs/yellow.htm
Here two examples when I just received the lens, at 1.4 indoors, ISO 6400 on the K-x:
  | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Falun, Sweden Posts: 252 | | Lens Review Date: June 9, 2011 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Feel | | Cons: | Flare! | |
My favorite Takumar. Image output is similar to the later versions with 7 elements. But the quality of the focus ring is unmatched by any other lens I've tried so far. It's perfect! Probably as sharp as a lens gets stopped down to about f4.
Also the lens is smaller then the 7 element version and the over all feeling beats the 7 element.
You who wrote it's not prone to flare, what lens are you using? Because mine flares so badly, I use the 7 element version when I go outside. See for your self:
First image is flare of the 8 element. In sun light I often get that hexagon in the middle.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/a...ment-flare-jpg
Here is the 7 element (3rd gen takumar). No hexagon and much better contrast.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/a...ment-flare-jpg
The comparison might not be perfect, but I can give you more examples.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,168 | | Lens Review Date: December 28, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | The design, build & ergonomics are tops | | Cons: | | |
The 7 vs 8 element stuf is new & confusing to me. I only recently realized there was such a differentiation. Anyway, depending upon the post I've been reading, I have gone back & forth, several times, on which version mine is. Since my copy defintely has its rear element protruding close to & @ infinity, I'm assuming I have an 8 element design.
What is absolutely clear about the lens, is its paradigmatic design. The lens is splendidly crafted, pure pleasure to hold & operate. The focus ring has the delicate & precise dampening required to excel with manual focus. As old as it is, mine still looks close to new, and will continue to look this way after I am gone. Just holding the lens, even before you shoot with it, lets you know it is a gem.
As for performance, the lens is excellent:
Sharpness: 9
Contrast: 9
Bokeh: 9
Colors: 9.5
Sharpness wide open it is not special, but gains steam @ f2 and by 2.8 is shining. When you throw in its low cost, coupled with low light ability, & ergonomics the lens is tough to beat.
Some Images with the ST 50mm 1.4 8 Element
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2009 Posts: 227 | | Lens Review Date: November 18, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $45.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | nice bokeh - | | Cons: | neutral contrast | |
Serie N° 1.41x.xxx. MArk IR between diamond and "4", last element convex.
Comparate with the S-M-C: The 8 elements has so-so contrast, good resolution power,
Very Prone to flare.
Not so good IQ as the SMC. No saturated colors.
Good bokeh.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: May, 2008 Posts: 87 | | Lens Review Date: October 4, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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review
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 145 | | Lens Review Date: August 25, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $10.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great Bokah | | Cons: | Could be Sharper? | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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First off let me say I have 3 Super takumars. Just different ones i've picked up on craigslist over the years. Like I got one with a ME pentax camera, one with a bunch of lenses and one from the family. Anyways I never knew there were different kinds of takumar 50mm out there. But I always preferred this one out of all mine. Never knew why. Always wondered why it wasn't yellow like the others. Now that I looked into it I found out that this is the old version. It also has less focus breath then the other 50mms. Hope that helps. I love this one the most out of all my taks. Even more then my 24mm. It could be sharper, but it is not far behind the other lenses I tested from takumar at those focal lengths the sharpest being the 55mm smc f2.. weird I know. Would never have guessed.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2010 Posts: 77 | | Lens Review Date: August 5, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $20.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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Just bought the lens with M42 adapter to it, from ebay. I read a lot of positive reviews about the lens and was so anxious to try it. Well, I did it. Was impressed by quality of the shots. Agree that it is a little bit soft at wide open aperture. I used it on K20D.
The issue which I faced with and am trying to resolve: the lens is not focusing at infinity.
What I found in the internet so far, was that I have the wrong adapter. So, I am buying a new one, not a big deal at all, but takes some time.
Decided to mention that for the folks who are looking for the lens - be aware about the issue. If you purchase the lens with an adapter, spend some time to find out if it allows to focus at infinity. The key is that the back side of the lens must be at the camera body level when it sits on it.
Was impressed by built quality of the lens.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 2 | | Lens Review Date: July 2, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp.. 100% crops are immaculate | | Cons: | Radioactive! (A little) | |
This lens is amazing. The pictures that come out of it are truly great and the bokeh is quite nice. It is probably the best lens that I own currently though admittedly I do not have any limiteds or stars.
I have not tried the "newer" version of the lens so I can't say how much better it is really then the SMC version, for the price you cannot go wrong.
Try finding one on an old Pentax Spotmatic, I got mine off Ebay for 50 bucks shipped with the spotmatic. I had to UV bleach the lens for around 2 weeks to get it cleared up. I felt like the yellowing hindered my ability to get light into the lens therefore making my pictures look dull or dark.
Wide open it is very sharp. Stop it down to f4-f5.6 and it is extremely sharp. I have even been able to take a picture of a water drop and then crop it 100% hand held and it is still sharp.
I cannot say enough good things about this lens.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 30 | | Lens Review Date: May 10, 2010 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Super sharp at all apertures, beautiful rendering, Takumar build and handling | | Cons: | Prone to yellowing (but can be cured) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
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As the example in the pictures above is my copy (sorry it's a bit scruffy and yellowed) I thought I ought to add a review.
Nearly everything that's been said about the later 7-element versions of this lens applies equally to the 8-element version. I've tested both side-by-side in a controlled environment and as far as sharpness goes they are as good as each other (in other words you'll struggle to find better at any price with the possible exception of the FA43 Ltd, and even there the advantages are borderline at best).
Where the early Super-Takumar differs slightly from the later versions is in its rendering style. Transitions from areas in focus to those out of focus are smoother with the earlier lens. It's hard to describe but when you put two pictures in front of someone, one with each lens, people nearly always prefer those shot with the early version - even if they can't put their finger on why exactly.
Both lenses are very good at bokeh although, again, there are slight differences. The later version actually deals marginally better with specular highlights (less obvious halos) but the early version gives a less fidgety bokeh in most regular situations - not quite Sonnar-like brush strokes but not a million miles away. It's probably this that makes the final images from the early lens more appealing than those from the later models.
Build and handling are superb (it's a Takumar after all) so no complaints there. A word of warning though: The rear element on this lens protrudes when set at infinity (unlike the later 7 element designs) and Asahi had to modify the cameras of the day to avoid this being fouled by the iris pin actuator. Modified cameras have an orange "R" on the rewind knob, non-modified models a green "R", so exercise caution before fitting it to an inappropriate body or it'll all end in tears...
Of course K mount cameras (including the digitals) don't have the actuator so there won't be a problem. I've used this lens a lot on a K10D (with M42 adapter) and it's a wonderful lens to use.
If you find one (and despite being in production for only a year they're not *that* rare) then I would recommend adding it to your arsenal. The differences between it and the later designs may be extremely subtle but after a while with this one you won't want to go back.  | | |
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