S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5 V2 vs. SMC-K 135/2.5.....are they optically the same ?

Ronald Oakes · 07-19-2019, 06:54 AM

I absolutely love my (Version 2) Super Multi Coated Takumar 135/2.5 8 bladed lens. (Model 43812)
Was just wondering if it is the same optically as the SMC-K 135/2.5 lens ?
If they are the appeal of the K mount wins over the Tak…...Thanks for any help.

Last edited by Ronald Oakes; 07-19-2019 at 07:02 AM.

deus ursus · 07-19-2019, 07:14 AM

The K 135/2.5 has 6 elements in 6 groups, while the Tak has 5 elements in 4 groups, according to the Pentax lens reviews, so they're not the same.

Ronald Oakes · 07-19-2019, 07:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by deus ursus

The K 135/2.5 has 6 elements in 6 groups, while the Tak has 5 elements in 4 groups, according to the Pentax lens reviews, so they're not the same.

The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version.

**From1980** · 07-19-2019, 07:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version.

Indeed the last SMC Takumar 135 f/2.5 6 element version is the same optical design as the SMC Pentax 135 f/2.5 K mount lens. Several of the latest and best SMC Takumar designs were retained in the lens line-up and included among the first K mount lenses starting in 1975. The much later non-SMC "Takumar Bayonet" model is to be avoided as it was a much cheaper "bargain" version.

**boriscleto** · 07-19-2019, 08:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by From1980

The much later non-SMC "Takumar Bayonet" model is to be avoided as it was a much cheaper "bargain" version.

4 elements in 4 groups, just like the A 135/2.8. The lack of SMC is an issue, but it is still a sharp lens...The A had an undeserved bad reputation for years because of the 4/4 design...PopPhoto gave it a bad review in 1983...

**torashi** · 07-19-2019, 08:38 AM - **1 Like**

I wouldn't avoid the Tak (Bayonet), specially if it's coming your way for just a couple of bucks. Most of them are mint and dirt cheap because if its bad rep. You have to use it under the right circumstances, though: good, soft lighting. Definitely for the shade on bright, sunny days and for places where you might fear getting mugged.

Ronald Oakes · 07-19-2019, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by torashi

I wouldn't avoid the Tak (Bayonet), specially if it's coming your way for just a couple of bucks. Most of them are mint and dirt cheap because if its bad rep. You have to use it under the right circumstances, though: good, soft lighting. Definitely for the shade on bright, sunny days and for places where you might fear getting mugged.

Ive already played with the Takumar Bayonette version and although as You said....Its Sharp and much maligned. I am really stoked every time I use my SMC Takumar Version2 much better and would like it in a K mount if the SMC-K IS the exact same performance and design.
My current SMC-A135mm f2.8 isn't bad , but it lacks that special "flavor" that my old SMC Tak Version 2 delivers !
Im wanting that in a K mount , but want to make sure before I Buy one !

**From1980** · 07-19-2019, 09:26 AM - **1 Like**

I handled both SMC T and SMC K when I worked at a Windsor camera store forty years ago and have the K version now. Again, it's one of the late SMC Takumars released in K mount in 1975.
Also, it is true that the later cheap Takumar Bayonet lens can give decent results if used carefully in certain circumstances but the same can be said of a lot of cheaper, older lenses. It's still not in the same league as the costlier ones because there was good reasons Pop Photo gave it thumbs down. I thought it was a bad marketing mistake by Pentax then especially when a few more cheap Taks were issued. In retail at the time, people were generally put off by them since they could buy better third party lenses.

Last edited by From1980; 07-19-2019 at 09:33 AM.

deus ursus · 07-19-2019, 10:25 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version.

Ah! Now I see it. I just looked in the table, and didn't see the description on top of it. :-)

Just1MoreDave · 07-21-2019, 05:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

I absolutely love my (Version 2) Super Multi Coated Takumar 135/2.5 8 bladed lens. (Model 43812)
Was just wondering if it is the same optically as the SMC-K 135/2.5 lens ?
If they are the appeal of the K mount wins over the Tak…...Thanks for any help.

The K-mount version is slightly heavier. The lens hood is less impressive. Contemporary advertising literature suggests that K-mount lenses have something better in the coatings. Sometimes one is cheaper than the other.

07-19-2019, 06:54 AM	#1
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,366	S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5 V2 vs. SMC-K 135/2.5.....are they optically the same ? I absolutely love my (Version 2) Super Multi Coated Takumar 135/2.5 8 bladed lens. (Model 43812) Was just wondering if it is the same optically as the SMC-K 135/2.5 lens ? If they are the appeal of the K mount wins over the Tak…...Thanks for any help. Last edited by Ronald Oakes; 07-19-2019 at 07:02 AM.

07-19-2019, 08:48 AM	#7
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,366 Original Poster	Originally posted by torashi I wouldn't avoid the Tak (Bayonet), specially if it's coming your way for just a couple of bucks. Most of them are mint and dirt cheap because if its bad rep. You have to use it under the right circumstances, though: good, soft lighting. Definitely for the shade on bright, sunny days and for places where you might fear getting mugged. Ive already played with the Takumar Bayonette version and although as You said....Its Sharp and much maligned. I am really stoked every time I use my SMC Takumar Version2 much better and would like it in a K mount if the SMC-K IS the exact same performance and design. My current SMC-A135mm f2.8 isn't bad , but it lacks that special "flavor" that my old SMC Tak Version 2 delivers ! Im wanting that in a K mount , but want to make sure before I Buy one ! Last edited by Ronald Oakes; 07-19-2019 at 08:53 AM.

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07-19-2019, 07:14 AM	#2
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 583	The K 135/2.5 has 6 elements in 6 groups, while the Tak has 5 elements in 4 groups, according to the Pentax lens reviews, so they're not the same.

07-19-2019, 07:28 AM - 1 Like	#3
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,366 Original Poster	Originally posted by deus ursus The K 135/2.5 has 6 elements in 6 groups, while the Tak has 5 elements in 4 groups, according to the Pentax lens reviews, so they're not the same. The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version.

07-19-2019, 07:44 AM - 1 Like	#4
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 664	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version. Indeed the last SMC Takumar 135 f/2.5 6 element version is the same optical design as the SMC Pentax 135 f/2.5 K mount lens. Several of the latest and best SMC Takumar designs were retained in the lens line-up and included among the first K mount lenses starting in 1975. The much later non-SMC "Takumar Bayonet" model is to be avoided as it was a much cheaper "bargain" version.

07-19-2019, 08:14 AM - 1 Like	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 15,570	Originally posted by From1980 The much later non-SMC "Takumar Bayonet" model is to be avoided as it was a much cheaper "bargain" version. 4 elements in 4 groups, just like the A 135/2.8. The lack of SMC is an issue, but it is still a sharp lens...The A had an undeserved bad reputation for years because of the 4/4 design...PopPhoto gave it a bad review in 1983...

07-19-2019, 08:38 AM - 1 Like	#6
torashi Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,286	I wouldn't avoid the Tak (Bayonet), specially if it's coming your way for just a couple of bucks. Most of them are mint and dirt cheap because if its bad rep. You have to use it under the right circumstances, though: good, soft lighting. Definitely for the shade on bright, sunny days and for places where you might fear getting mugged.

07-19-2019, 09:26 AM - 1 Like	#8
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 664	I handled both SMC T and SMC K when I worked at a Windsor camera store forty years ago and have the K version now. Again, it's one of the late SMC Takumars released in K mount in 1975. Also, it is true that the later cheap Takumar Bayonet lens can give decent results if used carefully in certain circumstances but the same can be said of a lot of cheaper, older lenses. It's still not in the same league as the costlier ones because there was good reasons Pop Photo gave it thumbs down. I thought it was a bad marketing mistake by Pentax then especially when a few more cheap Taks were issued. In retail at the time, people were generally put off by them since they could buy better third party lenses. Last edited by From1980; 07-19-2019 at 09:33 AM.

07-19-2019, 10:25 AM - 1 Like	#9
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 583	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes The version 2 model Tak has 6/6 unlike the earlier models that had 5/4. That's why Im asking as they appear to be the same from the last Tak version (model 2) to the SMC-K version. Ah! Now I see it. I just looked in the table, and didn't see the description on top of it. :-)

07-21-2019, 05:08 PM - 1 Like	#10
Just1MoreDave Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,820	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes I absolutely love my (Version 2) Super Multi Coated Takumar 135/2.5 8 bladed lens. (Model 43812) Was just wondering if it is the same optically as the SMC-K 135/2.5 lens ? If they are the appeal of the K mount wins over the Tak…...Thanks for any help. The K-mount version is slightly heavier. The lens hood is less impressive. Contemporary advertising literature suggests that K-mount lenses have something better in the coatings. Sometimes one is cheaper than the other.

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