Auto Takumar 85 1.8

zbrueningsen · 09-17-2016, 04:51 AM

Hey all,

B&H had a "Super Takumar 85 1.8" on their used website for a great price and I picked it up. Of course I know a little bit about the 85s Pentax (Asahi) has made and I knew there was no Super Takumar 85 1.8. So I figured, if it is the SMC 85 I'm all over it for the price.

It arrived yesterday. To my surprise and shock, it was the Auto-Takumar 85 1.8. Now, I wasn't upset at all, I figured since they mislabeled it on the internet the highest chances were that it was the Super Takumar 85 1.9. Maybe the SMC 85 1.8. Very very unlikely the Auto-Takumar. It came in the original brown leather case, which is in excellent condition, and the lens itself is probably in 97% original condition. Came with original caps and they were nearly perfect also.

So here is the deal - I don't know much about this lens because google doesn't have much. I've seen them rarely come up on Ebay in beater condition and still go for $300. I've read the elements difference and it is distinct from the other 85s. I also read that this might of been the first time they used the "free" element concept that I think is still continued (but different) on the FA 77.

I've compared it to my incredibly beat up Super Tak 85 1.9 - and they are just a different breed (even though some say they are very similar lenses). The Auto-Tak 85 1.8 is the real deal. Amazing for portraits. Just wondered if people had some wisdom and experience using it. It has a stiff focus (probably because it looks nearly unused), I'm going to see if I can just get that to loosen up with use otherwise send it to DCShooter and have a CLA. I will post pictures today sometime. Any thoughts?

Wild Mark · 09-17-2016, 05:56 AM

According to the element diagrams the AT85/1.8 is the same as the ST85/1.9

I have compared the SMC85/1.8 against the ST85/1.9 and the much rarer SMC85/1.9 and my conclusion was there was no real discernible difference except for one thing. The ST85/1.9 had poorer colours and contrast - a testimony to the SMC coatings.

I am awaiting my copy of the AT85/1.8 and will test it with vigour. And yes DC has played with it and said it took nice photos. Ask DC about doing a CLA

he might decline

zbrueningsen · 09-17-2016, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

According to the element diagrams the AT85/1.8 is the same as the ST85/1.9

I have compared the SMC85/1.8 against the ST85/1.9 and the much rarer SMC85/1.9 and my conclusion was there was no real discernible difference except for one thing. The ST85/1.9 had poorer colours and contrast - a testimony to the SMC coatings.

I am awaiting my copy of the AT85/1.8 and will test it with vigour. And yes DC has played with it and said it took nice photos. Ask DC about doing a CLA

he might decline

I have a copy of the SMC Tak 85 1.9. It is interesting that their optics are the same because the quality of image is quite different when I compare the two. Some of that would be the reduced contrast due to the significant scratches on my SMC 85 1.9. But the Auto-Tak has a very distinct smoothness to it.

**interested_observer** · 09-17-2016, 07:52 AM

I too have the Auto Tak 85/f1.8. Short version of the long story, I also have a Contax Zeiss 85/f2.8, that I modified to a K mount (Leitax.com). They are both incredible lenses. My problem - up until now is that I have not shot with them as much as I really should have. I was initially interested in the 85's for some mild telephoto landscapes and a bit of astro. Now, that I am finally retired - I want to go out and start exercising these lenses with visions of Arizona and the sky we have here.

I really need to just get a second M42 K adapter to put on the AT 85 semi-permanently, so that I don't have to dip into the throat of the camera body with my fingers to extract the adapter - at night when I am changing lenses. Otherwise, the lens shoots extremely nice. For nearly a 60 year old lens, it is impressive.

**pacerr** · 09-17-2016, 08:38 AM

The Auto Tak 85/f1.8 was the 'normal' lens on my Spotmatic for many years. Foolishly sold it before I took the opportunity to see what it was like on the DSLRs.

ripper2860 · 09-17-2016, 12:09 PM

I snagged an ATak 85/1.8 in pristine condition and absolutely love the lens. I do not own a STak or SMC Tak 85, but several folks I trust do, and they state the Auto-Tak has a unique character in rendering its colors that they find more appealing than any other 85mm Takumar variant. To me it just seems more 'natural' with a film/analogue character. And the bokeh is wonderfully creamy. yuo will oove it and it is most definitely worth the visit to DC for a CLA.

I'm on the lookout for original caps and case, so if you do happen to run into any up for sale -- let me know!! ;-)

Wild Mark · 09-17-2016, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by ripper2860

I'm on the lookout for original caps and case, so if you do happen to run into any up for sale -- let me know!! ;-)

Me too, but such items would not match my modified AT85/1.8

---------- Post added 09-18-16 at 07:17 AM ----------

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/217364-gear-...ml#post3749132

ripper2860 · 09-18-2016, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

Me too, but such items would not match my modified AT85/1.8

---------- Post added 09-18-16 at 07:17 AM ----------

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/217364-gear-...ml#post3749132

Sweet! A work of art. Brian's craftsmanship never ceases typo amaze!

09-17-2016, 04:51 AM	#1
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	Auto Takumar 85 1.8 Hey all, B&H had a "Super Takumar 85 1.8" on their used website for a great price and I picked it up. Of course I know a little bit about the 85s Pentax (Asahi) has made and I knew there was no Super Takumar 85 1.8. So I figured, if it is the SMC 85 I'm all over it for the price. It arrived yesterday. To my surprise and shock, it was the Auto-Takumar 85 1.8. Now, I wasn't upset at all, I figured since they mislabeled it on the internet the highest chances were that it was the Super Takumar 85 1.9. Maybe the SMC 85 1.8. Very very unlikely the Auto-Takumar. It came in the original brown leather case, which is in excellent condition, and the lens itself is probably in 97% original condition. Came with original caps and they were nearly perfect also. So here is the deal - I don't know much about this lens because google doesn't have much. I've seen them rarely come up on Ebay in beater condition and still go for $300. I've read the elements difference and it is distinct from the other 85s. I also read that this might of been the first time they used the "free" element concept that I think is still continued (but different) on the FA 77. I've compared it to my incredibly beat up Super Tak 85 1.9 - and they are just a different breed (even though some say they are very similar lenses). The Auto-Tak 85 1.8 is the real deal. Amazing for portraits. Just wondered if people had some wisdom and experience using it. It has a stiff focus (probably because it looks nearly unused), I'm going to see if I can just get that to loosen up with use otherwise send it to DCShooter and have a CLA. I will post pictures today sometime. Any thoughts?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Has anyone compared the takumar 85 1.8 with K85 1.8?	lxmouseustc	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	02-12-2016 01:53 PM
Auto-takumar 85/1.8 vs jupiter-9 85/2	mughal113	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	06-13-2015 08:11 AM

09-17-2016, 05:56 AM	#2
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	According to the element diagrams the AT85/1.8 is the same as the ST85/1.9 I have compared the SMC85/1.8 against the ST85/1.9 and the much rarer SMC85/1.9 and my conclusion was there was no real discernible difference except for one thing. The ST85/1.9 had poorer colours and contrast - a testimony to the SMC coatings. I am awaiting my copy of the AT85/1.8 and will test it with vigour. And yes DC has played with it and said it took nice photos. Ask DC about doing a CLA he might decline

09-17-2016, 06:25 AM	#3
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wild Mark According to the element diagrams the AT85/1.8 is the same as the ST85/1.9 I have compared the SMC85/1.8 against the ST85/1.9 and the much rarer SMC85/1.9 and my conclusion was there was no real discernible difference except for one thing. The ST85/1.9 had poorer colours and contrast - a testimony to the SMC coatings. I am awaiting my copy of the AT85/1.8 and will test it with vigour. And yes DC has played with it and said it took nice photos. Ask DC about doing a CLA he might decline I have a copy of the SMC Tak 85 1.9. It is interesting that their optics are the same because the quality of image is quite different when I compare the two. Some of that would be the reduced contrast due to the significant scratches on my SMC 85 1.9. But the Auto-Tak has a very distinct smoothness to it.

09-17-2016, 07:52 AM	#4
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I too have the Auto Tak 85/f1.8. Short version of the long story, I also have a Contax Zeiss 85/f2.8, that I modified to a K mount (Leitax.com). They are both incredible lenses. My problem - up until now is that I have not shot with them as much as I really should have. I was initially interested in the 85's for some mild telephoto landscapes and a bit of astro. Now, that I am finally retired - I want to go out and start exercising these lenses with visions of Arizona and the sky we have here. I really need to just get a second M42 K adapter to put on the AT 85 semi-permanently, so that I don't have to dip into the throat of the camera body with my fingers to extract the adapter - at night when I am changing lenses. Otherwise, the lens shoots extremely nice. For nearly a 60 year old lens, it is impressive.

09-17-2016, 08:38 AM	#5
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	The Auto Tak 85/f1.8 was the 'normal' lens on my Spotmatic for many years. Foolishly sold it before I took the opportunity to see what it was like on the DSLRs.

09-17-2016, 12:09 PM	#6
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	I snagged an ATak 85/1.8 in pristine condition and absolutely love the lens. I do not own a STak or SMC Tak 85, but several folks I trust do, and they state the Auto-Tak has a unique character in rendering its colors that they find more appealing than any other 85mm Takumar variant. To me it just seems more 'natural' with a film/analogue character. And the bokeh is wonderfully creamy. yuo will oove it and it is most definitely worth the visit to DC for a CLA. I'm on the lookout for original caps and case, so if you do happen to run into any up for sale -- let me know!! ;-)

09-17-2016, 02:11 PM	#7
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Originally posted by ripper2860 I'm on the lookout for original caps and case, so if you do happen to run into any up for sale -- let me know!! ;-) Me too, but such items would not match my modified AT85/1.8 ---------- Post added 09-18-16 at 07:17 AM ---------- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/217364-gear-...ml#post3749132

09-18-2016, 03:44 PM	#8
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Originally posted by Wild Mark Me too, but such items would not match my modified AT85/1.8 ---------- Post added 09-18-16 at 07:17 AM ---------- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/217364-gear-...ml#post3749132 Sweet! A work of art. Brian's craftsmanship never ceases typo amaze!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search