[g026r]

Thank you! I've been using a Zeiss 135 f/3.5 for a long time, the old, non-MC, zebra version, and the Zeiss is definitely sharper, with better contrast. The Takumar has very nice rendering, though. The Zeiss looks good with blues and purples, while the Takumar loves warm tones. I couldn't tell you which one I like better. The Zeiss was cheaper...

If it's the same model of Zeiss as I'm thinking of, the Takumar is also easier to stop down. (I love my Zeiss 135, but I hate that little lever. )

[Mike Bokeh]

While we're discussing Takumar lenses...

Here's a video stating that the Takumar 50mm 1.4 was one of the best 50mm lenses ever made.

You Tube

You Tube

There's very annoying music for the first 20 seconds of the video. Why do people do this?

The part discussing the Takumar begins at 1:05.

Mike

[newton's lenses]

I got my first DSLR early in January and went about purchasing a few lenses for it. It took too much time watching and bidding, but I quickly built up a nice little collection of K mount lenses. I kept reading reviews and seeing pictures of the Takumars and was wondering about when to make a jump to m42 lenses. I bid on a few things on ebay that contained an assortment of lenses, before finding a super cheap Spotmatic with a Super Tak 55mm 1.8 in great condition. I got it and a cheap fotodiox adapter and was hooked. So now, I have two later versions of the Super Takumar 50mm 1.4, a 35mm 2 (the early version), two 135mm 3.5s, a 35mm 3.5, a 28mm 3.5, and a just arrived 50mm macro takumar. It has been a lovely little journey with these great lenses, though by buying old cameras I have wound up with some duplicates that I need to sell. I've enjoyed the Taks so much that I am thinking about skipping an autofocus lenses on my next trip. Next on the purchase list, if I can find them for a decent price, a Fish-Eye and a 200mm 3.5. I'd love the 85mm 1.8, but the price makes that a tougher decision.

[wtlwdwgn]

Boy, talk about LBA. You got it bad! Oh by the way, welcome to the club.

[tim60]

I got my first DSLR early in January and went about purchasing a few lenses for it. It took too much time watching and bidding, but I quickly built up a nice little collection of K mount lenses. I kept reading reviews and seeing pictures of the Takumars and was wondering about when to make a jump to m42 lenses. I bid on a few things on ebay that contained an assortment of lenses, before finding a super cheap Spotmatic with a Super Tak 55mm 1.8 in great condition. I got it and a cheap fotodiox adapter and was hooked. So now, I have two later versions of the Super Takumar 50mm 1.4, a 35mm 2 (the early version), two 135mm 3.5s, a 35mm 3.5, a 28mm 3.5, and a just arrived 50mm macro takumar. It has been a lovely little journey with these great lenses, though by buying old cameras I have wound up with some duplicates that I need to sell. I've enjoyed the Taks so much that I am thinking about skipping an autofocus lenses on my next trip. Next on the purchase list, if I can find them for a decent price, a Fish-Eye and a 200mm 3.5. I'd love the 85mm 1.8, but the price makes that a tougher decision.

A journey I have been on a bit longer. You have some I have and some different ones.

I normally use the Taks exclusively unless I am likely to have to give my camera to someone else to take a few pictures.

[womble]

Bird photos are not my strength but this one came out OK.

Pentax K20D with a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 200mm f/4 lens at f/8.


Robin par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Thanks, Kris.

[womble]

Another attempt at birds but this time with the S-M-C Takumar 400mm f/5.6 @ f/8.


That robin again par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

K.

[Pepe Guitarra]

Did the bird pose for you and waited for you to change lenses? Were you in a hide?

[arnold]

Bird photos are not my strength but this one came out OK.

Both are very good. Well done.

[Mike Bokeh]

Womble, both your bird photos came out very well, especially the first one.

I've been getting interested in birds a lot lately; I never knew there was a sleeping ornithologist in me.

What kind of bird is that in your photos, may I ask?

Mike

[womble]

The two photos were taken a day apart. It is a robin of the British variety. Thanks for the kind comments. K.

[tim60]

Bird photos are not my strength but this one came out OK.

Pentax K20D with a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 200mm f/4 lens at f/8.


Robin par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Thanks, Kris.

I think I prefer the one with the 200/4, I find the background less distracting, although the blur in the other does a good job of the setting the bird free of the background. I think that while you got the focus with the 400 pretty much right on, the DOF is so shallow as to detract on a large object like the bird. I like to see the beak and eye and the rest of the head all in focus.

[Mike Bokeh]

The two photos were taken a day apart. It is a robin of the British variety. Thanks for the kind comments. K.

I thought the bird in your photo was some kind of Robin, although I wasn't sure being a novice birder. The main difference that I noticed, was the black hood or head of the American species, and the orange head of the British one.

As you probably know, we, here in the states have had a very cold, snowy, brutal winter, and most of us are glad it's over.

My point to all this, is that I saw the first robin of spring on March 28th, and once again realized how much I like birds, and bird watching.

Here's a link to the American Robin. American Robin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For those interested, click on, "European Robin," in the second sentence, and a photo of the British subspecies will be on the right if you scroll down a little.

Thanks very much for the info, Womble.

Mike

[Nikonshooter]

Maybe I should get out and use the Takumar 300mm f4 oneday to find some birds. I doubt the IQ will be nice on a Nikon body however.

[wtlwdwgn]

Maybe I should get out and use the Takumar 300mm f4 oneday to find some birds. I doubt the IQ will be nice on a Nikon body however.

I used my S-M-C Taks on a D2X with a Kood adapter and got very good results.