[sqjaw]

I can not remember where or how I came to get this But I am very glad I did ,
It has not failed to perform properly for on any thing I shot , I did well with 2x converter shooting the Gt.Horned baby owls, and here a couple of flowers with it

Attached Images

   

[causey]

Yes. Excellent lens. Much, much better than the DA 50-200mm. Nice pics, too.

[raymeedc]

Yes, this lens is a great funky retro-cool sleeper (SMC version). Cheap too, if you can find one. Got mine from a forum member for $112.
2nd photo is probably not a good example of this lens's quality, shot at 210mm maximum extension, almost wide open, cropped 100%, & obviously Photoshoped a bit. Both taken on 6 Meg. *ist DS.

[causey]

Yes, this lens is a great funky retro-cool sleeper. Cheap too, if you can find one. Got mine from a forum member for $112.

Oh! I was about to sell one for $60. (I have two copies.) Raising the price a bit now Thanks!

[paperbag846]

I love mine! Found it for 50 bucks, but I've seen them sell for 200 on the bay! I think people are catching on...

[causey]

To be frank, I like it better than the 55-300mm I had. Better AF, and nicer microcontrast--although contrast needs to be pushed a bit in PP, while the 55-300 is very contrasty. (I am talking about the Takumar 70-200mm, not the SM 70-210mm.) They are equally sharp, but of course the 55-300 has the advantage of a longer focal length and of a greater max. aperture at 200mm. I used it to shoot these two series:
You can see pics taken with this lens here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/144374-people-grown-up-kid.html (except the last one)
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/144678-landscape-land-mermaids.html (except the first two pics and the one of the lichens)

[paperbag846]

To be frank, I like it better than the 55-300mm I had. Better AF, and nicer microcontrast--although contrast needs to be pushed a bit in PP, while the 55-300 is very contrasty. (I am talking about the Takumar 70-200mm, not the SM 70-210mm.) They are equally sharp, but of course the 55-300 has the advantage of a longer focal length and of a greater max. aperture at 200mm. I used it to shoot these two series:

I read somewhere that these lenses used AL glass or ED glass or something you don't typically find in a "kit" zoom like this... anyways I agree, it's the contrast differences... and I don't think it has too much to do with the coatings (hence why the Takumar and SMC lenses looks so similar)...

[raymeedc]

I currently own both lenses (my 55-300 being of the DAL variety with the obligatory $8 Chinese hood). I agree that the differences seems to lie in contrast & color rendering, the 70-210 being warmer & of comparatively lower contrast. Neither is better or worse in these regards, IMHO, just different qualities for different situations.
I also, by the way, have a copy it's lower ranging stablemate (35-105 SMC F), which, also an excellent little sleeper (& even cheaper, as I picked mine up for less than $60), has the same traits.

[glee46]

I got it a few months ago, and just last week took some quick test shots to see how it looked in different setting and FL. So far, I'm very impressed. I think they're almost the same, but I could be wrong.

Here's a quick test shot:

[causey]

Pentax-F SMC 70-210mm: 13 elements in 9 groups.


Pentax-F 70-200mm and Takumar-F 70-200mm are identical:
Pentax-F 10 elements in 8 groups
Takumar-F 10 elements in 8 groups

The OP made a mistake in talking about Takumar-F 70-210mm. There is only a Takumar-F 70-200mm.

[paperbag846]

Pentax-F SMC 70-210mm: 13 elements in 9 groups.

Oh... well then nevermind.

I do like my 70-210 .

[boriscleto]

The OP made a mistake in talking about Takumar-F 70-210mm. There is only a Takumar-F 70-200mm.

Nope.

Takumar-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

SMC version on 2x tele-converter

[causey]

Nope.

Takumar-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

OK, then it's my mistake... So, we are talking about 2 types of lenses:
Takumar- F 70-210mm, identical (except for the SMC) with Pentax-F 70-210mm; and Pentax/ Takumar-F 70-200mm.

[boriscleto]

OK, then it's my mistake... So, we are talking about 2 types of lenses:
Takumar- F 70-210mm, identical (except for the SMC) with Pentax-F 70-210mm; and Pentax/ Takumar-F 70-200mm.

If that isn't confusing enough, there is also a non-SMC Pentax-F 70-200.

[raymeedc]

Yes, this is getting a bit convoluted. I myself believe that the 70-210 SMC F version is the best of the lot, having reached this conclusion through personal experience, supported by other photographers I've encountered who've had similar access opportunities.