Super Takumar 200 f4 M42

ablundon · 02-07-2012, 01:04 PM

Hi everyone....

I have the opportunity to buy this lens tonight for use with my K-r (I have the adapter). The seller is asking $30CAD which appears to be on the low end of the chart in the Lens Database.

I already have the DA 55-300 lens. At 200 mm the DA lens is F5.6. The Takumar would be F4.

How does the Takumar compare to the 55-300 at 200 mm? I would hope it is sharper considering it is a prime vs a zoom. It is reasonably sharp at F4?

Thanks,
AB

Adam · 02-07-2012, 01:12 PM

It should be a little sharper, but due to its lack of multicoating and manual controls, you probably won't get better pictures, on average.

At 200mm the 55-300mm will be closer to F5 ish, so it's about 2/3 of a stop slower.

ablundon · 02-07-2012, 01:19 PM

You raise a good point Adam, is there a good resource showing lens maximum aperture vs focal length zooms such as this? I don't have the DA 55-300 with me at the moment so I can't check it on camera.

For $30 I'm tempted anyway, even as a collectors item and for the novelty. Or if Pentax ever goes back to FF :-).

AB

mccarvindh · 02-07-2012, 01:28 PM

At $30 you should not even second guess this. This is one great lens, you will not regret it.

JACOBY · 02-07-2012, 01:35 PM

I picked one up for 50.00. And it is a great lens. Use it with my Kx and K100d.

vladimiroltean · 02-07-2012, 01:52 PM

I have one of these, but SMC. Overall it may have its use, but I haven't shot much with it since it's a little too long and slow for my taste. It's heavy too, and it has a tendency to hit its own hood and get dented in my camera case. For $30 though, I don't think you're losing anything. It's a little soft at f/4 and color aberration is present, but I found the aperture switch cumbersome, so I actually prefer to shoot it wide open.
This is a photo taken between f/5.6 and f/8, that I have also posted in the Takumar club.

ablundon · 02-07-2012, 07:03 PM

I picked up the lens tonight for $30. What a beauty. The condition is excellent with zero dust visible in the glass. Even the original case looks brand new. The guy I bought it off was the original owner (bought in 1969 in Australia). He traveled across Australia with it and eventually bought it to Canada. He was looking for a good home for it, someone who would use it. I look forward to taking it on a test run. Worth every penny of $30 in my opinion.

RioRico · 02-07-2012, 08:58 PM

I paid US$37 shipped a few years ago. For US$30, I'd say, GRAB IT NOW!!

mikeSF · 02-08-2012, 11:14 PM

great price for that lens. I have owned two different copies of the S-M-C version and paid $80 and $100 for them.

captainbert · 02-09-2012, 12:13 PM

Besides the issue of sharpness the rendering, color and feel of using this lens make it one of my faves. For thirty bucks it's practically a steal and i'm sure you would have lots of fun with it!

02-07-2012, 01:04 PM	#1
ablundon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paradise, NL Photos: Albums Posts: 106	Super Takumar 200 f4 M42 Hi everyone.... I have the opportunity to buy this lens tonight for use with my K-r (I have the adapter). The seller is asking $30CAD which appears to be on the low end of the chart in the Lens Database. I already have the DA 55-300 lens. At 200 mm the DA lens is F5.6. The Takumar would be F4. How does the Takumar compare to the 55-300 at 200 mm? I would hope it is sharper considering it is a prime vs a zoom. It is reasonably sharp at F4? Thanks, AB

02-07-2012, 01:12 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	It should be a little sharper, but due to its lack of multicoating and manual controls, you probably won't get better pictures, on average. At 200mm the 55-300mm will be closer to F5 ish, so it's about 2/3 of a stop slower. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-07-2012, 01:19 PM	#3
ablundon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paradise, NL Photos: Albums Posts: 106 Original Poster	You raise a good point Adam, is there a good resource showing lens maximum aperture vs focal length zooms such as this? I don't have the DA 55-300 with me at the moment so I can't check it on camera. For $30 I'm tempted anyway, even as a collectors item and for the novelty. Or if Pentax ever goes back to FF :-). AB

02-07-2012, 01:28 PM	#4
mccarvindh Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio, USA/ India Photos: Gallery Posts: 478	At $30 you should not even second guess this. This is one great lens, you will not regret it.

02-07-2012, 01:35 PM	#5
JACOBY Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PGH PENNA Posts: 340	I picked one up for 50.00. And it is a great lens. Use it with my Kx and K100d.

02-07-2012, 01:52 PM	#6
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	I have one of these, but SMC. Overall it may have its use, but I haven't shot much with it since it's a little too long and slow for my taste. It's heavy too, and it has a tendency to hit its own hood and get dented in my camera case. For $30 though, I don't think you're losing anything. It's a little soft at f/4 and color aberration is present, but I found the aperture switch cumbersome, so I actually prefer to shoot it wide open. This is a photo taken between f/5.6 and f/8, that I have also posted in the Takumar club.

02-07-2012, 07:03 PM	#7
ablundon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paradise, NL Photos: Albums Posts: 106 Original Poster	I picked up the lens tonight for $30. What a beauty. The condition is excellent with zero dust visible in the glass. Even the original case looks brand new. The guy I bought it off was the original owner (bought in 1969 in Australia). He traveled across Australia with it and eventually bought it to Canada. He was looking for a good home for it, someone who would use it. I look forward to taking it on a test run. Worth every penny of $30 in my opinion.

02-07-2012, 08:58 PM	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I paid US$37 shipped a few years ago. For US$30, I'd say, GRAB IT NOW!!

02-08-2012, 11:14 PM	#9
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	great price for that lens. I have owned two different copies of the S-M-C version and paid $80 and $100 for them.

02-09-2012, 12:13 PM	#10
captainbert Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Derry Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 776	Besides the issue of sharpness the rendering, color and feel of using this lens make it one of my faves. For thirty bucks it's practically a steal and i'm sure you would have lots of fun with it!

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