Takumar 135mm f2.5 - 2 versions?

teedee · 10-21-2010, 11:36 PM

Hi, im looking at several used Takumar 135mm f2.5 (bayonet)

On the lens body some says: "Asahi opt.co. Japan"
and others says : "Asahi optical co"

what is the difference between the two,
is the "Japan" one greater/better than the other, or is it the other way around?

thanks for any answers!

Last edited by teedee; 10-21-2010 at 11:51 PM.

Pentaxor · 10-22-2010, 01:44 AM

no difference. the real difference is if the Takumar is written as Super or S-M-C. if it's a plain Takumar, then that's the inferior one, doesn't matter if it got Japan on it or not.

as far as new or current lenses are concerned, like Made in Japan and Made in Vietnam, then that would be a question of quality.

atiratha · 10-22-2010, 02:04 AM

I think he means the bayonet Takumar, aka K mount lenses without the smc coatings, I don't know the difference between those too 135/2.5 bayonet takumars.

m42man · 10-22-2010, 02:27 AM

Yes, please don't anyone confuse the (inferior) Takumar (Bayonet) with the rare and valuable "proper" (i.e. M42) 135/2.5s!

teedee · 10-22-2010, 03:08 AM

yes its K-Mount, no difference then. thanks all for taking the time to answer!

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-22-2010, 06:23 AM

Note, although the takumar bayonet is probably the least favourite 135 ever from pentax, at the right price (<$50) it is still not that bad a lens.

The negative comments really are just because it is considered by most to be the worst out of an exceptional series of lenses.

Nowhere Matt · 10-22-2010, 08:08 AM

For whatever it may be worth, I really enjoy my 5569573 Asahi Optical Co. Takumar (bayonet) 2.5 135 made in Taiwan. It meters very well on my K10 and delivers very nice color and contrast when stopped down a few notches.
I cannot remark on prices, though.

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-22-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by Nowhere Matt

For whatever it may be worth, I really enjoy my 5569573 Asahi Optical Co. Takumar (bayonet) 2.5 135 made in Taiwan. It meters very well on my K10 and delivers very nice color and contrast when stopped down a few notches.
I cannot remark on prices, though.

like I said, it is not really that it is a terrible lens, it is just that it may be the worst out of an extraordinary group of lenses.

that could still put it at an 8.5 out of 10

m42man · 10-22-2010, 09:51 AM

Don't get me wrong, I actually quite like the Tak(Bayonet) (I've had one from new)! All I was trying to do was to alert people to the fact that they shouldn't be paying M42 Tak prices for a 135/2.5.

Interesting that Pentax started manufacturing these in Taiwan. Possibly these were the first Pentax lenses to be made outside Japan???

royden · 11-19-2010, 07:01 PM

I just got one of these "paperweights" as some have called it. Paid a huge chunk a change ($28.60). Took a few shots with it and a DA L 18-55. I'm thinking of getting rid of the 18-55. Will compare it next to my DA L 55-300.
Just don't shot towards the sun/brightness.

10-21-2010, 11:36 PM	#1
teedee Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 51	Takumar 135mm f2.5 - 2 versions? Hi, im looking at several used Takumar 135mm f2.5 (bayonet) On the lens body some says: "Asahi opt.co. Japan" and others says : "Asahi optical co" what is the difference between the two, is the "Japan" one greater/better than the other, or is it the other way around? thanks for any answers! Last edited by teedee; 10-21-2010 at 11:51 PM.

11-19-2010, 07:01 PM	#10
royden Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta, Ga Photos: Gallery Posts: 297	Takumur(bayonet) 135/2.5 I just got one of these "paperweights" as some have called it. Paid a huge chunk a change ($28.60). Took a few shots with it and a DA L 18-55. I'm thinking of getting rid of the 18-55. Will compare it next to my DA L 55-300. Just don't shot towards the sun/brightness.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Super Takumar 135mm & 200mm, Vivitar 135mm, SMC 28mm	MSM	Sold Items	24	06-13-2010 09:55 PM
For Sale - Sold: Takumar: Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 includes case, hood and caps	Peter Zack	Sold Items	7	05-17-2010 07:12 PM
For Sale - Sold: Hard Cases for Takumar 28mm/3.5 and Takumar 135mm/2.5	gabriel_bc	Sold Items	8	01-11-2010 10:17 AM
Pentax K 45-125mm F4 vs Takumar A 28-80mm vs Takumar M 135mm F/3.5	YJD	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	18	10-29-2008 01:35 PM
Sears 135mm f3.5 Macro vs Takumar 135mm f2.5	mrpackerguy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	10-20-2008 01:36 PM

10-22-2010, 01:44 AM	#2
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	no difference. the real difference is if the Takumar is written as Super or S-M-C. if it's a plain Takumar, then that's the inferior one, doesn't matter if it got Japan on it or not. as far as new or current lenses are concerned, like Made in Japan and Made in Vietnam, then that would be a question of quality.

10-22-2010, 02:04 AM	#3
atiratha Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 121	I think he means the bayonet Takumar, aka K mount lenses without the smc coatings, I don't know the difference between those too 135/2.5 bayonet takumars.

10-22-2010, 02:27 AM	#4
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	Yes, please don't anyone confuse the (inferior) Takumar (Bayonet) with the rare and valuable "proper" (i.e. M42) 135/2.5s!

10-22-2010, 03:08 AM	#5
teedee Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 51 Original Poster	yes its K-Mount, no difference then. thanks all for taking the time to answer!

10-22-2010, 06:23 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Note, although the takumar bayonet is probably the least favourite 135 ever from pentax, at the right price (<$50) it is still not that bad a lens. The negative comments really are just because it is considered by most to be the worst out of an exceptional series of lenses.

10-22-2010, 08:08 AM	#7
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	For whatever it may be worth, I really enjoy my 5569573 Asahi Optical Co. Takumar (bayonet) 2.5 135 made in Taiwan. It meters very well on my K10 and delivers very nice color and contrast when stopped down a few notches. I cannot remark on prices, though.

10-22-2010, 08:12 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by Nowhere Matt For whatever it may be worth, I really enjoy my 5569573 Asahi Optical Co. Takumar (bayonet) 2.5 135 made in Taiwan. It meters very well on my K10 and delivers very nice color and contrast when stopped down a few notches. I cannot remark on prices, though. like I said, it is not really that it is a terrible lens, it is just that it may be the worst out of an extraordinary group of lenses. that could still put it at an 8.5 out of 10

10-22-2010, 09:51 AM	#9
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	Don't get me wrong, I actually quite like the Tak(Bayonet) (I've had one from new)! All I was trying to do was to alert people to the fact that they shouldn't be paying M42 Tak prices for a 135/2.5. Interesting that Pentax started manufacturing these in Taiwan. Possibly these were the first Pentax lenses to be made outside Japan???