I recently acquired (Ebay) a very nice Super-Takumar 50/1.4 8-element version and today was the first opportunity I had to try it. The seller described it as "very nice" but "immaculate" would have been closer to the mark. It was not identified as the 8 element version (although I could see that it was) so I got it for a nice price as well.
I was anxious to try it at f1.4 and the best subject I had were some aloe flowers in the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane. Early days yet, but I think the lens lives up to the hype. All shot in jpeg with some contrast tweaks in Microsoft Picture Manager and cropped to suit. All hand held using ambient light.
F1.4 - Aloe flowers. Focus was on the lower centre flower cluster. The depth of field is very thin and the other clusters are nowhere near being in focus.
Close up of the target flower cluster. Good sharpness and nice bokeh. 30 per cent crop.
Re-shot at f4. This brings the cluster on the left into focus. Sharpness has increased and there is less flare on the individual blooms. Some native bees were paying the cluster a lot of attention. 30 per cent crop.
A closer look at the native bees. This is a 100 per cent crop.
At f1.4, the depth of field is not really suitable for flower images. But I can see why this would be a great "golden hour" lens wide open where a longer distance shot would give a better perceived DOF. I think I am off to a good start with it!