Originally posted by Andrew_Oid Great captures of an unexpected scene! Really, the best lens is the one you have with you, and the little Takumar 55's make that easy.
The original preset Takumar 55mm f/2.2 was an unusual 5-elements-in-5-groups optical formula. They changed to a 6-element, 5-group formula for the Auto-Takumars, and continued using the same formula for the Super and Super-Multi-Coated models. From all I have read, the f/1.8, f/2, and f/2.2 all had the same glass, with fixed stops to bring down the speed of lower-priced slower versions to take advantage of economy of scale and market segmentation at the same time.
Some great info here:
Early Pentax Takumar Lenses
I mostly use my f/1.8 stopped down 1 click, between f/1.8 and f/2.8. I'm not sure if this is f/2.2 or f/2.5, but it seems to be the sweet spot for this lens, at least for the kind of pictures I take. I might like the f/2.2 more: no need to stop down, and that fixed stop is perfectly circular.
Originally posted by paulh You make a great case! Nice shooting.
Thank you!
Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I haven't tried any of the 85mm ones, which are supposed to be fantastic. I certainly like the 55mm f/1.8 and f/2 more than the 50/1.4.
I admit I have not used many Takumars. I would love to try one of the 85's, and I'm sure I would love them, but their price puts them far away from the "impulse purchase" territory of the 55's.
Like you, I much prefer the 55/1.8 over the 50/1.4. The 55 renders much more smoothly and sharpness and contrast is much better at wide apertures than the 50. I understand why many prefer the 50. It has a lot more character in the rendering compared to the almost-boring 55, but it's just too harsh for my taste, at least for the kind of picture I like to take. Plus the 55's are half the price.