What are the real gems in the A, M, K and Takumar series

frank · 11-17-2008, 10:56 PM

Used many manual lenses, A50/2.8 macro is one of the best (to me) so far. IQ and handling just can't be better ...

Some other good ones I've had but haven't been mentioned above: A15/3.5, A20/2.8, A24/2.8, M/A100/2.8, A100/2.8 macro, A400/4.5 ...

Last edited by frank; 11-17-2008 at 11:05 PM.

kbrabble · 11-17-2008, 11:54 PM

IMO. some of the best Pentax lenses ever are the SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and the K 30mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.5, and 200mm f/2.5. These have been my favorite lenses for many years, and are every bit as good, in some cases better than any of the lenses currently produced. There also built better than anything in later models, I have used many fine M and A lenses, but was never impressed by their build quality.

frank · 11-18-2008, 01:45 AM

Talking about build quality, no later lens can beat those Takumars, not even those stars and limiteds ...

Spex · 11-18-2008, 01:53 AM

K 30/2.8?

I found it has great rates in Lens Review section. Also rare, produced only for few years, unusual focal distance...

MPrince · 11-18-2008, 03:56 AM

M 50 1.4
M 135 3.5

Price to value ratio is through the roof on these lenses. I paid $111 total for both and IMO the IQ is nearly equal to that of my $270 DA 40 limited.

8540tomg · 11-18-2008, 04:10 AM

Good thread. Of the lenses I own and have used a lot these four seem to stand out in my mind.

K 24 2.8
K 200 2.5

Both are very well built, sharp and just fun to use. The 24mm shows up on Ebay for around $100 to $150 and is a bargain. The 200 2.5 is fast and rare and commands a fairly steep price as a result.

M 50 f4 macro.

M series are not as quite as well made as the Ks but this one is solid, very light and painfully sharp. A real sleeper and fairly inexpensive.

A 100 f 2.8 macro

Seldom seen on Ebay. It is well built and very sharp.

Tom G

Mike Cash · 11-18-2008, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

Gems, meaning 'punching out of their weight class', IMO:

Takumar:
S-M-C/Super Takumar 35mm f/3.5
S-M-C Takumar 55 f/1.8
S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/1.4
S-M-C Takumar 105 f/2.8

I will heartily concur with every single lens mentioned there. And I will add that what is really so special about the 55/1.8 beyond its actual performance is that it is a lens that based on its extremely low cost and former kit lens status nobody would expect to be so outstanding.

jensm · 11-18-2008, 08:02 AM

Agreed - it's great!

Originally posted by troyz

I'd put the M 50/4.0 macro at the top of the lens-pleasure-per-dollar scale.

**NaClH2O** · 11-18-2008, 08:44 AM

Well several people have mentioned the K 135 F2.5, I have to agree 100%. I'd like to add the A 70-210 F4.0, it's my favorite "long" zoom (long for me anyway) Excellent handling lens for it's price.

NaCl(it's my 'go to' long lens)H2O

richard64 · 11-18-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Price to value ratio is through the roof on these lenses. I paid $111 total for both

I would agree with this. In fact, in the UK the two would fetch twice that on eBay.

Actually, I don't agree that they are 'gems' compared to the alternative, in terms of IQ and price. The S-M-C Takumar equivalent are much cheaper (certainly for 135/3.5) and the IQ better. A 50/1.4 Takumar will cost about the same as the M50/1.4, but if you are willing to use 55/1.8 as an alternative then you can get the Takumars for perhaps 1/2 or 1/3 of the M lenses, and get better results.

So, sell you M lenses on ebay.co.uk then use the money to buy as many Takumars as you can!

Richard

Richard

Indianadinos · 11-18-2008, 03:24 PM

Hello,

Here's my list:

Takumar:
SMC 35/2 2nd model (49mm thread)
SMC 50/1.4
SMC 85/1.8
SMC 105/2.8

K:
85/1.8

A:
50/1.7

There are probably more, but i can only speak for what i use ...

Best regards

bsbxl · 11-18-2008, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

... And I will add that what is really so special about the 55/1.8 beyond its actual performance is that it is a lens that based on its extremely low cost and former kit lens status nobody would expect to be so outstanding.

That was my impression also after seeing all those marvelous pictures from the 55/1.8 in the Taukumar Club. So, an SMC Takumar 55/1.8 is on its way from eBay... I can't wait to give it a try! If it lives up to the expectations, and I am sure it will if I do my part, more Takumars will follow! On my shortlist are: 28/3.5, 35/3.5 and 105/2.8 (the shortlist may eventually become a longlist...)

Bsbxl

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-18-2008, 09:28 PM

I would put the M 28/3.5 up. It has much better distortion control that could reasonably be expected for the price, and it certainly has that Pentax feel to the images.

I also like my M 100/4 "dental" macro very much. Sharp as a tack. The only difference between the dental and regular versions are some extra scales on the lens. The copy I got did not come with the accessories that made the extra scales useful. It is still a very sharp lens.

UliBär · 11-19-2008, 06:08 AM

Most "bang for the buck": K 28/3.5 and K 35/3.5

My personal "best of all time": K 30/2.8

takumaoli · 11-19-2008, 08:04 AM

My favorite from my collection is the Takumar Super Takumar 85 / 1.9.
All Takumare are real pearls.
Oli

11-18-2008, 04:10 AM	#21
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Good thread. Of the lenses I own and have used a lot these four seem to stand out in my mind. K 24 2.8 K 200 2.5 Both are very well built, sharp and just fun to use. The 24mm shows up on Ebay for around $100 to $150 and is a bargain. The 200 2.5 is fast and rare and commands a fairly steep price as a result. M 50 f4 macro. M series are not as quite as well made as the Ks but this one is solid, very light and painfully sharp. A real sleeper and fairly inexpensive. A 100 f 2.8 macro Seldom seen on Ebay. It is well built and very sharp. Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 11-18-2008 at 04:23 AM. Reason: typo

11-18-2008, 08:02 AM	#23
jensm Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denmark Posts: 146	One more for the M 50/4 Macro Agreed - it's great! Originally posted by troyz I'd put the M 50/4.0 macro at the top of the lens-pleasure-per-dollar scale.

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11-17-2008, 10:56 PM	#16
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Used many manual lenses, A50/2.8 macro is one of the best (to me) so far. IQ and handling just can't be better ... Some other good ones I've had but haven't been mentioned above: A15/3.5, A20/2.8, A24/2.8, M/A100/2.8, A100/2.8 macro, A400/4.5 ... Last edited by frank; 11-17-2008 at 11:05 PM.

11-17-2008, 11:54 PM	#17
kbrabble Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181	IMO. some of the best Pentax lenses ever are the SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and the K 30mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.5, and 200mm f/2.5. These have been my favorite lenses for many years, and are every bit as good, in some cases better than any of the lenses currently produced. There also built better than anything in later models, I have used many fine M and A lenses, but was never impressed by their build quality.

11-18-2008, 01:45 AM	#18
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Talking about build quality, no later lens can beat those Takumars, not even those stars and limiteds ...

11-18-2008, 01:53 AM	#19
Spex Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia Posts: 216	K 30/2.8? I found it has great rates in Lens Review section. Also rare, produced only for few years, unusual focal distance...

11-18-2008, 03:56 AM	#20
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	M 50 1.4 M 135 3.5 Price to value ratio is through the roof on these lenses. I paid $111 total for both and IMO the IQ is nearly equal to that of my $270 DA 40 limited.

11-18-2008, 06:15 AM	#22
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by jsherman999 . Gems, meaning 'punching out of their weight class', IMO: Takumar: S-M-C/Super Takumar 35mm f/3.5 S-M-C Takumar 55 f/1.8 S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/1.4 S-M-C Takumar 105 f/2.8 I will heartily concur with every single lens mentioned there. And I will add that what is really so special about the 55/1.8 beyond its actual performance is that it is a lens that based on its extremely low cost and former kit lens status nobody would expect to be so outstanding.

11-18-2008, 08:44 AM	#24
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Well several people have mentioned the K 135 F2.5, I have to agree 100%. I'd like to add the A 70-210 F4.0, it's my favorite "long" zoom (long for me anyway) Excellent handling lens for it's price. NaCl(it's my 'go to' long lens)H2O

11-18-2008, 09:35 AM	#25
richard64 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 309	Quote: Price to value ratio is through the roof on these lenses. I paid $111 total for both I would agree with this. In fact, in the UK the two would fetch twice that on eBay. Actually, I don't agree that they are 'gems' compared to the alternative, in terms of IQ and price. The S-M-C Takumar equivalent are much cheaper (certainly for 135/3.5) and the IQ better. A 50/1.4 Takumar will cost about the same as the M50/1.4, but if you are willing to use 55/1.8 as an alternative then you can get the Takumars for perhaps 1/2 or 1/3 of the M lenses, and get better results. So, sell you M lenses on ebay.co.uk then use the money to buy as many Takumars as you can! Richard Richard

11-18-2008, 03:24 PM	#26
Indianadinos Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Posts: 128	Hello, Here's my list: Takumar: SMC 35/2 2nd model (49mm thread) SMC 50/1.4 SMC 85/1.8 SMC 105/2.8 K: 85/1.8 A: 50/1.7 There are probably more, but i can only speak for what i use ... Best regards

11-18-2008, 04:17 PM	#27
bsbxl New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike Cash ... And I will add that what is really so special about the 55/1.8 beyond its actual performance is that it is a lens that based on its extremely low cost and former kit lens status nobody would expect to be so outstanding. That was my impression also after seeing all those marvelous pictures from the 55/1.8 in the Taukumar Club. So, an SMC Takumar 55/1.8 is on its way from eBay... I can't wait to give it a try! If it lives up to the expectations, and I am sure it will if I do my part, more Takumars will follow! On my shortlist are: 28/3.5, 35/3.5 and 105/2.8 (the shortlist may eventually become a longlist...) Bsbxl

11-18-2008, 09:28 PM	#28
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I would put the M 28/3.5 up. It has much better distortion control that could reasonably be expected for the price, and it certainly has that Pentax feel to the images. I also like my M 100/4 "dental" macro very much. Sharp as a tack. The only difference between the dental and regular versions are some extra scales on the lens. The copy I got did not come with the accessories that made the extra scales useful. It is still a very sharp lens.

11-19-2008, 06:08 AM	#29
UliBär Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Braunschweig, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 59	Most "bang for the buck": K 28/3.5 and K 35/3.5 My personal "best of all time": K 30/2.8

11-19-2008, 08:04 AM	#30
takumaoli New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3	My favorite from my collection is the Takumar Super Takumar 85 / 1.9. All Takumare are real pearls. Oli