Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome

**xs400** · 09-04-2008, 12:40 PM

I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar. But I like it. If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old.

I'd appreciate any comments regarding this lens. Either it's history, of which I no very little, or it's performance.
Thanks,
Frank

The Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome :

Some shots from my backyard.

Zewrak · 09-04-2008, 12:46 PM

Made 1957-1961.

Got one, its quite good.

Fritz · 09-04-2008, 01:08 PM

Nice!

Here is a link that I have found helpful in identifying my Takumars.

View all Takumar lens types

Nesster · 09-04-2008, 01:11 PM

I am seriously jealous: a preset Tak!! and at such a great price to boot. Bravo!

Zewrak · 09-04-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

I am seriously jealous: a preset Tak!! and at such a great price to boot. Bravo!

Well acctually, I got mine for 4.99£ no other biders

They are not as sought after as the Super/SMC Taks.

jamonation · 09-04-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by xs400

I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar. But I like it. If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old.

Dude, that looks like you're having fun using it already

nice find.

**xs400** · 09-04-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by jamonation

Dude, that looks like you're having fun using it already

nice find.

I am having fun with this old lens. I got this shot while on a walk during my lunch hour. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so the manual focus is a challenge, but I like the results I get with this lens.

Last edited by xs400; 03-10-2009 at 11:19 PM.

Zewrak · 09-04-2008, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by xs400

I am having fun with this old lens. I got this shot while on a walk during my lunch hour. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so the manual focus is a challenge, but I like the results I get with this lens.

With only a few exceptions, the Takumars, no matter what version are great lenses. Even with today's standards. The pre Super Takumar, as you can see for yourself, do lack some contrast that the laters have. But thats an easy thing to add in post process. Other then that they are sharp, well built and really fun to use.

wlank · 09-04-2008, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by xs400

If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old.

More like 50!!!

k100d · 09-04-2008, 05:43 PM

that lens is so cool. i want it.

**xs400** · 09-04-2008, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by k100d

that lens is so cool. i want it.

Keep watchin' ebay, you might just find one for less than $10, like I did.

Abbazz · 09-04-2008, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by xs400

I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar.

Congrats, this is a very good lens. As stated by Zewrak, preset Takumar lenses are very well built. I also find them quite easy to use with modern DSLRs : the lens stays wide open to allow easy focusing and framing and it's always ready to shoot at the twist of a ring, even on a Canon DSLR which has no lever to actuate the diaphragm.

The preset Takumar and the early models of the Super-Takumar 135/3.5 lens were 5 element/4 group lenses, which have better image quality than the subsequent models (including K-mount SMC-Pentax lenses), which were simplified 4 element/4 group lenses. The 4/4 lenses exhibit more longitudinal chromatic aberrations (mostly green fringing on the out of focus background edges).

Cheers!

Abbazz

k100d · 09-04-2008, 07:26 PM

i want one even more now... thanks Abbazz 8-)

09-04-2008, 12:40 PM	#1
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar. But I like it. If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old. I'd appreciate any comments regarding this lens. Either it's history, of which I no very little, or it's performance. Thanks, Frank The Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome : Some shots from my backyard.

09-04-2008, 02:56 PM	#9
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	This lens is ooooold Originally posted by xs400 If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old. More like 50!!!

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09-04-2008, 12:46 PM	#2
Zewrak Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nowhere, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 654	Made 1957-1961. Got one, its quite good.

09-04-2008, 01:08 PM	#3
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	Nice! Here is a link that I have found helpful in identifying my Takumars. View all Takumar lens types

09-04-2008, 01:11 PM	#4
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I am seriously jealous: a preset Tak!! and at such a great price to boot. Bravo!

09-04-2008, 01:13 PM	#5
Zewrak Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nowhere, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 654	Originally posted by Nesster I am seriously jealous: a preset Tak!! and at such a great price to boot. Bravo! Well acctually, I got mine for 4.99£ no other biders They are not as sought after as the Super/SMC Taks.

09-04-2008, 01:18 PM	#6
jamonation Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 364	Originally posted by xs400 I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar. But I like it. If I'm not mistaken, this lens is about 40 years old. Dude, that looks like you're having fun using it already nice find.

09-04-2008, 01:41 PM	#7
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929 Original Poster	Originally posted by jamonation Dude, that looks like you're having fun using it already nice find. I am having fun with this old lens. I got this shot while on a walk during my lunch hour. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so the manual focus is a challenge, but I like the results I get with this lens. Last edited by xs400; 03-10-2009 at 11:19 PM.

09-04-2008, 01:46 PM	#8
Zewrak Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nowhere, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 654	Originally posted by xs400 I am having fun with this old lens. I got this shot while on a walk during my lunch hour. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so the manual focus is a challenge, but I like the results I get with this lens. With only a few exceptions, the Takumars, no matter what version are great lenses. Even with today's standards. The pre Super Takumar, as you can see for yourself, do lack some contrast that the laters have. But thats an easy thing to add in post process. Other then that they are sharp, well built and really fun to use.

09-04-2008, 05:43 PM	#10
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	that lens is so cool. i want it.

09-04-2008, 06:47 PM	#11
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d that lens is so cool. i want it. Keep watchin' ebay, you might just find one for less than $10, like I did.

09-04-2008, 07:23 PM	#12
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Originally posted by xs400 I just got an Asahi Takumar 135mm f/3.5 Chrome in the mail yesterday after winning it on ebay for $8.49. It's a pretty funky, old lens with no SMC and it's not a Super Takumar. Congrats, this is a very good lens. As stated by Zewrak, preset Takumar lenses are very well built. I also find them quite easy to use with modern DSLRs : the lens stays wide open to allow easy focusing and framing and it's always ready to shoot at the twist of a ring, even on a Canon DSLR which has no lever to actuate the diaphragm. The preset Takumar and the early models of the Super-Takumar 135/3.5 lens were 5 element/4 group lenses, which have better image quality than the subsequent models (including K-mount SMC-Pentax lenses), which were simplified 4 element/4 group lenses. The 4/4 lenses exhibit more longitudinal chromatic aberrations (mostly green fringing on the out of focus background edges). Cheers! Abbazz

09-04-2008, 07:26 PM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	i want one even more now... thanks Abbazz 8-)