| Author: | | New Member Registered: July, 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 5
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $340.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Colours, sharpness, reach, build & aesthetics | | Cons: | Needs really solid tripod | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony Alpha 7RII
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A beast of a lens, delivering unique photos.
No idea why people rate it so low for sharpness & aberrations. Of course this isn't a modern lens, but a bit of PP gets rid of most of the fringing, and sharpness is plenty for most uses. Low scores for handling are then just ridiculous: this is a 3.5kg extreme tele lens, and a pretty fast one for its 500mm (hence: paper thin depth of field). Would anyone expect it can be handheld at 1/30? As a matter of fact, if you're looking for this reach and a beautiful bokeh (not the doughnuts of a mirror lens) and don't want to spend several thousands, it doesn't get better than this. And if you're a collector, this is also a beauty to behold.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2016 Location: Almelo, The Netherlands Posts: 3
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 5, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Color rendition, Contrast | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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This is a real beast (my version is a Super-Multi-Coated)....... big and heavy: 3,5 Kg. When you look at the front-element you will be impressed by the size; a big 11cm diameter of solid blueish coated glass. Not easy to handle without a tripod for a long time. But ..... it's rewarding when you shoot with this beast. With only 4 elements it is able to produce excellent photo's the way a long tele-photo-lens should do. It's not made for short-focus-distance macro work like modern long-tele-photo-lenses. On a Full Frame sensor nice for birds, moon, landscape and astro-photography (with sky-tracker ofcourse). Nice feature is a rear-screw-filter-mount (49mm) which I use when shooting Sun (ND) and Astro (Red-Enhancer). Also there is a feature to turn your camera easy from landscape to portrait mode without turning the whole lens.
Wide open at f/4.5 it's fast but the CA is more there, but also easy to remove in postprocessing like LR or PS, a little less contrast and still good colours. Stop down aperture and it will all be better and better and you will be impressed by the results. If you learn how to handle this lens ............... you will love it and adore it.
Cropped:
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,874 | | Review Date: December 17, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Well built, Sharp enough, Colors, Contrast, Bokeh | | Cons: | heavy, serious CA | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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Yesterday I started a thread on this lens - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/399769-tak...ml#post4862613
Check it out for lots of great comments and tips for using it.
Overall, a cheap vintage lens that gets you a lot of bang for your dollar. Certainly blows away comparably priced mirror lenses.
I would not use it for fast rodeo action or birds in flight; however, for slower moving birds in nests/on-water or slow moving wildlife, this lens will get you some nice keepers.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2016 Location: Moab, Utah Posts: 90
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 7, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $530.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Speed, 3d Pop, Bokeh, Build | | Cons: | Size, Weight | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony a7sii, A7ii, A7s
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This lens should be higher rated like the K mount version is since they're optically identical if you have the S-M-C version. I have the older version Takumar, newer Takumar, as well as an S-M-C version of this lens. They are all three superb and I see little if any difference in almost any situation and my Takumars have a blue-ish coating while the S-M-C has more of a greenish color to it. Though not the highest resolution lens, this lens renders very sharply, especially between f5.6 and f9. The earlier Takumar (non-S-M-C) lens renders similarly to the Takumar 200mm f3.5 in my opinion; that is to say images have a dreamy look to them and leaning to the blueish in some conditions such as low light. This can be a problem or a cherished characteristic. The optical formula is also very similar to the 200mm 3.5 Takumar. Bokeh is excellently creamy, even when stopped down because of the multitude of aperture blades and optics. Images have a realistic, 3d look to them. The focusing ring makes handholding impossible for anyone but Popeye. It's a beast of a lens; heavy and awkward handling because of its size. Get it on a gimbal head though, and it's a dream lens. The rotating from horizontal to vertical is nice, though the mount is hard to trust until you get familiar with it. The earliest version I have only stops down to f22, but later version went to f45. I never use anything past f16.
These example backlit images are using between f5.6 and f8, minimally adjusted for exposure and contrast. No sharpening or other jiggery pokery enhancing.
This cottonatail rabbit was shot using Pentax Rear Converter 1.4x-S AND cropped in slightly more than 50% at f5ish:
Another one using Pentax Rear Converter 1.4x-S at f8:
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $457.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | FAST, built well, pre-set aperture, makes other photographers jealous | | Cons: | Hard to use, forget quick focus, wide-open DoF measured in molecules, not well suited for DSLRs | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 3
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 5
Value: 5
Camera Used: Original K, K-3, K-1
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Firstly, this lens is very hard to use. For some applications, like astrophotography and solargraphy, it's great. For sports, it's a challenge.
Those are some of the solar and astro shots I've taken with this lens. It's good for some applications like those which allow for careful focus. As you can see from those shots, the lens is suitably sharp under the right conditions (read as: from f/8 to f/16.)
For action, this lens is very hard to use. The focusing ring, though nice and large, is not in a good position for quick focus adjustment. Also the balance is not well suited for hand-held use. But it can deliver very nice results.
I'm definitely happy with the action results, but they're hard to get, require predictive pre-focusing, and a lot of luck. Knowing some post-processing sharpening tricks helps, too.
Overall, this is a very good telephoto lens for image quality offset by difficult handling. If you can snag one for less than $500 (2016), then it's probably worth it.
Edited to add additional sample photos and thoughts as I've used the lens more. The sharpness is exceptional given the age. The color fringing is recoverable in post, but extreme, even given the lens' age. Focusing is very hard without using live view. Even then, a breeze can move a tree branch out of the focal plane and throw off your shot of a bird.
The lens is surprisingly good for landscapes, if you want a tight AoV with significant background compression.
This shot had severe magenta fringing but it was removable in post.
Here are three shots cropped to 1,000x1,000 pixels, so these should show at 100% on most monitors.
Lens sharpness, when properly focused and when the subject is in the paper-thin focal plane, is great.
If you can compose without needing to crop, this lens is more than suitably sharp for any use of which it's capable.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2015 Location: Bern Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 2, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | -- | | Cons: | -- | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 5D Mk1
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I own this lens new (second hand, M42 SMC-Version) and I'm surprised. Sharp even at f4.5 and the CA is moderate and to correct easily. The sample pictures are corrected with RawTheaphie (CA).
And the mechanical quality - a Takumar ..
Takumar @ f5.6 / Width 2500px - right click for the full resolution
Takumar @ f4.5 / Width 2500px - right click for the full resolution
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Location: 48599 Gronau Posts: 26 | | Review Date: April 30, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $680.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | fast glass, beautifull manufactured, well balanced | | Cons: | shows PF and lacks contrast wide open, | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
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I received my lens from a seller in england. It was in a great shape, claen, whitout any dust inside or haze. The issue whith the lens barrel was fixed and focussing was smooth and precise. I think, this lens had been serviced. Wide open it shows purple fringing and lacks contrast, as it was expected. Stopped down, you can get very good results with this lens. At f8 or f11 the colours are naturall and the lens gets sharp to very sharp, if you are willing to work hard for your picture and if a sturdy setup is used. You have to improve your long lens technic for getting the best out of the lens. The lens works well with the 1.4 L converter, but using a Vivitar/Kenko 2x macro converter is possible. Avoid back lighting or high contrast scenes! The lens goes past infinity, so it is possible to use any M42 to K Adapter, not only the genuine pentax stuff. The petax 1.7 AF converter will only work, if a M42 adapter is used that covers the electric contacts. The genuine pentax adapter doesen' do so! | | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 | | Review Date: February 14, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Fast for a long lens | | Cons: | Heavy requiring a tripod | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 6
Camera Used: K20d and Spot F
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This is a fast long glass. It is large and requires a tripod. It is excellent for black & white work, but its contrast can be a problem with color. I find I have to watch for situations that will aggravate chromatic aberrations with this lens. Interestingly, there is an optional Asahi eyepiece that allows this lens to be turned in to telescope/spotting scope.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 17, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Fast, Amazing Bokeh, Sturdy | | Cons: | Cromatic abberation, soft wide open as expected, not balanced | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 8
Camera Used: Canon 5D MKii
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Although the lens is a little soft wide open and a fair bit of CA this lens is still a steal of a deal for the price they sell for these days. Most people on a budget settle for a 500mm f8 mirror lens and for a little more can have this gem.
I compared 3 500mm's together and this one by far wins. The comparison was with a Tamron Adaptall 2 and Tou Five Star Mirror f8. The Five Star is the lens you see all over ebay with a million different names and was the worst of the 3 and crazy soft. If you could get the ebay one for $50 then sure...
Tamron was fairly good but as expected the bokeh is rough and a fair bit of CA as well. However still performed very well.
Pentax 500mm 4.5
The good:
Bokeh which is amazing to be honest. Variable aperture which is a amazing steal of a deal. Sharp at all apertures except wide open to a little past 5.6. Focus throw is large and very easy to get accurate focus unlike the f8 mirrors lenses which are finicky. Sturdy. Mount is removable to place on the camera and then bayonet breech mount to the lens which helps a ton. Alignment sights. Retractable lens hood. Color is good. Contrast is decent but not outrageous.
The bad:
The amount of Chromatic Aberration at larger apertures can make the image look soft when in fact its decently sharp but is clouded over with CA. MOTHER HEAVY. Huge as expected being 4.5. Not balanced well, even with a heavy full frame body with grip the lens is still front heavy so it would be nice if they moved the mount forward a bit. Large filter size.
Overall this lens is an amazing deal for a 4.5 variable aperture lens if you can find a good deal and don't mind the weight don't settle for a f8 mirror unless your going for size and unique circle bokeh.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 5 | | Review Date: March 7, 2013 | Not Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Relatively light for its size, easy to focus | | Cons: | General image quality | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 6
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The main problem with the lens is what plagues a lot of lenses of this vintage, uncontrolled aberrations. The primary one is chromatic. Objects with light-dark interfaces (edges of things against a brighter background, etc) suffer from strong red fringing. Much like the old Pentax 300mm f/4.0 I tested. This of course is strongest when the lens is wide-open. This is the result of a fast lens speed coupled with the lack of high-grade ED (low dispersion) glass in the day when this lens was made.
Spherical aberration also manifests, but to a lesser degree. This degrades image sharpness wide open and stopped down one stop.
Unless lens speed is absolutely paramount, even the old 500mm f/8.0 "girl watcher" lenses that existed at the time are preferable from a sharpness standpoint.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: September 18, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $289.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, vivid colors and fast f4.5 | | Cons: | Heavy, very sensative to correct focus. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 5
Value: 9
Camera Used: Canon 5D markII
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It's big and chunky, but what a lens. for the money... (Canon 500 f4= a fortune).
One remark thou: Use liveview and magnification to get the focus tack on otherwise you will get bad results.
Almost in focus: CA and of course blur
In focus: almost no CA and sharp.
I also have a Sigma 150-500/5-6,3 HSM DG APO OS, the old Takumar is nearly as sharp and have better colors.
And you need the bigest and heaviest tripod you can get your hands on.
Forget about the usual lightweight ones, think "concreate and metal" and a head that can take it.
3500grams!
Taken from a distance of 435m, then cropped. Link to full size image bellow.
I think it's sharp enough...
Full size image: http://i.imgur.com/sXWfc.jpg
Leave a comment of the review here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/welcomes-introductions/199385-hello-all.html#post2104463
Br alvess
| | | | | Pentaxian
Moderator Emeritus Registered: May, 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Posts: 10,643 | | Review Date: May 14, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 3 |
| Pros: | Magnification | | Cons: | Contrast, CA, lacklustre colour etc. Not terribly sharp | | Sharpness: 4
Aberrations: 2
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 3
Camera Used: K20D
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I'm surprised with the comments on this lens and the Pentax branded version. Compared to my other longer lens (FA*300mm f4.5) or actually almost any other lens I've ever used. This isn't a lens I would recommend to anyone.
Poor contrast, flat colours, Lots of lateral CA (both green and some purple). Unable to capture fine detail.
I had the lens checked to be sure that there wasn't something wrong with mine and everything was to spec. If the subject is close, then it does a better job, but at any distance, I find it a fairly poor performer. Fortunately it's cheap. If you are serious about a long lens, look elsewhere.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: 14er Country Posts: 323
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Cheap Super-Telephoto | | Cons: | It's a MONSTER! | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 3
Value: 9
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This. Lens. Is. A. Monster. It's a fantastically heavy beast and doesn't handle especially well. You're going to want a gimbal tripod mount for this beast. Another handling problem is that there's no internal focusing, so the manual focus is difficult (though smooth).
The lens does better than I thought it would. Without any exotic glass, it's not the sharpest lens ever, but it's not bad. Contrast is markedly low compared to modern super-telephotos, but that's not too hard to punch up in post-processing. Oddly enough, I found that C-A wasn't that bad, especially compared to the SMC Takumar 300mm f4 that I owned at the same time. The 500mm did worlds better than the 300mm did. Odd, that.
Personally, I found the lens to be too much of a hassle to use. Still, if you want a taste of what a super-telephoto can do on the cheap, and are willing to sacrifice your back to the proposition, there isn't another lens out there that will offer the price/performance of the SMC Tak 500mm f4.5.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2010 Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France Posts: 363
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $430.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, pointer | | Cons: | CA | |
I've used it for sports and sunsets, some birds, and it is sharp even at f/4.5 (stopping it down is not a bad idea), more than the 400/5.6. It shows some CA, and bokeh, despite being good, can't beat the 400/4 (6x7), that's why I don't use my 500/4.5 anymore for sports since I have the 400/4. I recommend it because you won't find a 500mm lens with a better quality/price ratio 
Samples : http://kajiwara.weebly.com/takumar-50045.html | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 653
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 9, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness; Good Color; Smooth manual focus ring; Slide out hood; Built solid | | Cons: | Weight; CA (magenta and green fringe) | |
Have just started using this lens, and it seems to be much sharper than my Sigma 170-500 which is my only reference.
Have been less than satisfied with my Sigma 170-500 at the long end. A few days ago saw this lens on sale with other odds and ends. Bought the lots. This is the Takumar SMC model, and apart from weight of lens, it seems to be a big improvement.
Here is comparison of sharpness between 500 f4.5 and Sigma 170-500. Small crop from the full image.
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