S-M-C Takumar 1:4/300 (M42)

**jbondo** · 10-28-2014, 09:33 PM

Example Gallery that shows good and bad attributes, including some good examples of what looks like lack of sharpness that is really a case of DOF being too shallow for the given subject. Some that also show that the lens is capable of print quality shots:
JB Media | Pentax Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4/300

Correction: I previously stated that this had the same optical formula as the K 300/4. It does not. That lens has two more elements and is a little better corrected. Thank you PJ1 for the info.

Attached Images

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Last edited by jbondo; 10-29-2014 at 07:32 PM.

**PJ1** · 10-29-2014, 12:53 AM

The 300s are sharp enough and very affordable. I have the K 300/4 (early production). But I believe the optical formula for the SMC Takumar 300/4 is 5 elements in 5 groups, while for the K version it is 7 elements in 5 groups. The K version is known for CA problems (which can be taken into account or addressed in PP). The upgraded optical formula suggests it should deliver slightly better results than the SMC Takumar but (as always) you can probably attribute more to the person behind the camera than the lens in front of it..

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-29-2014, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by PJ1

The 300s are sharp enough and very affordable. I have the K 300/4 (early production). But I believe the optical formula for the SMC Takumar 300/4 is 5 elements in 5 groups, while for the K version it is 7 elements in 5 groups. The K version is known for CA problems (which can be taken into account or addressed in PP). The upgraded optical formula suggests it should deliver slightly better results than the SMC Takumar but (as always) you can probably attribute more to the person behind the camera than the lens in front of it..

The issue with the K300/4 is CA in the out of focus regions, and the problem is that if you want to shoot low ISO and high shutter speed, you are shooting probably at F5.6 so DOF is really shallow and you see fringing on edges as soon as the edge moves out of the focus plane. My experience with tele SMC taks is similar

**jbondo** · 10-29-2014, 07:33 PM

PJ1 is right, Sorry about that guys! I corrected the post to clarify that this does not have the same optical formula as the K 300/4.

chardie · 10-30-2014, 02:35 AM

i bought myself the m42 300mm f4 for my canon 60d got it in the mail last week took it outside and shot a heap of photos

. i shot it wide open not sure that i nailed focus had it on a tripod got a couple of photos i like. i think alot more experimentation is in order. mine has the 18 aperture blades it does make for smooth creamy backgrounds. i did notice some rotational movement with the m42 adapter not an issue with my other takumars however with the big 300mm it does move abit when focusing which may be where i'm having issues.

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-30-2014, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by chardie

i bought myself the m42 300mm f4 for my canon 60d got it in the mail last week took it outside and shot a heap of photos

. i shot it wide open not sure that i nailed focus had it on a tripod got a couple of photos i like. i think alot more experimentation is in order. mine has the 18 aperture blades it does make for smooth creamy backgrounds. i did notice some rotational movement with the m42 adapter not an issue with my other takumars however with the big 300mm it does move abit when focusing which may be where i'm having issues.

Your 18 blade Tak preset is quite a different ffor end beast. It will take time to get used tomit

chardie · 11-01-2014, 11:51 PM

your right about that

here is one from last night. a little red fringing haven't learnt how to remove it yet but overall i like it 250th f5.6

Attached Images

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-02-2014, 12:06 PM

Chardie. You should really post your shots with the preset 300/4 in the following post.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/153121-taku...n-samples.html

That's where they belong. The idea of the forum here is one thread per lens, and the SMC tak is different than the preset.

chardie · 11-03-2014, 01:47 AM

ok thanks for the info

cxdoo · 11-03-2014, 02:12 AM

I own SMC Tak 300/4 and from my limited experience with it (I don't shoot much on the long end) it's a tricky lens. It's reasonably sharp, however it suffers from purple fringing and relatively low contrast. Very difficult to use handheld, IMHO, but bokeh is very nice.
I suppose it's a great lens for the price.

Piotrek K · 11-04-2014, 06:29 AM - **3 Likes**

Yes, this lens is tricky, but can produce very nice bokeh! I also think that while closing the aperture down it gives you not that much additional sharpness (almost no difference).

This is a non - cropped version. I posted crop from another photo in the Takumar Club.

Piotrek K · 10-03-2019, 02:02 AM - **1 Like**

Shot at f 11. It is a shame this thread getting no samples. I like mine, even if it shows strong abberations from time to time.

10-30-2014, 02:35 AM	#5
chardie Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 39	my tak 300mm f4 i bought myself the m42 300mm f4 for my canon 60d got it in the mail last week took it outside and shot a heap of photos . i shot it wide open not sure that i nailed focus had it on a tripod got a couple of photos i like. i think alot more experimentation is in order. mine has the 18 aperture blades it does make for smooth creamy backgrounds. i did notice some rotational movement with the m42 adapter not an issue with my other takumars however with the big 300mm it does move abit when focusing which may be where i'm having issues.

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10-29-2014, 12:53 AM	#2
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,486	The 300s are sharp enough and very affordable. I have the K 300/4 (early production). But I believe the optical formula for the SMC Takumar 300/4 is 5 elements in 5 groups, while for the K version it is 7 elements in 5 groups. The K version is known for CA problems (which can be taken into account or addressed in PP). The upgraded optical formula suggests it should deliver slightly better results than the SMC Takumar but (as always) you can probably attribute more to the person behind the camera than the lens in front of it..

10-29-2014, 02:48 PM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by PJ1 The 300s are sharp enough and very affordable. I have the K 300/4 (early production). But I believe the optical formula for the SMC Takumar 300/4 is 5 elements in 5 groups, while for the K version it is 7 elements in 5 groups. The K version is known for CA problems (which can be taken into account or addressed in PP). The upgraded optical formula suggests it should deliver slightly better results than the SMC Takumar but (as always) you can probably attribute more to the person behind the camera than the lens in front of it.. The issue with the K300/4 is CA in the out of focus regions, and the problem is that if you want to shoot low ISO and high shutter speed, you are shooting probably at F5.6 so DOF is really shallow and you see fringing on edges as soon as the edge moves out of the focus plane. My experience with tele SMC taks is similar

10-29-2014, 07:33 PM	#4
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503 Original Poster	PJ1 is right, Sorry about that guys! I corrected the post to clarify that this does not have the same optical formula as the K 300/4.

10-30-2014, 04:16 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by chardie i bought myself the m42 300mm f4 for my canon 60d got it in the mail last week took it outside and shot a heap of photos . i shot it wide open not sure that i nailed focus had it on a tripod got a couple of photos i like. i think alot more experimentation is in order. mine has the 18 aperture blades it does make for smooth creamy backgrounds. i did notice some rotational movement with the m42 adapter not an issue with my other takumars however with the big 300mm it does move abit when focusing which may be where i'm having issues. Your 18 blade Tak preset is quite a different ffor end beast. It will take time to get used tomit

11-01-2014, 11:51 PM	#7
chardie Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 39	your right about that here is one from last night. a little red fringing haven't learnt how to remove it yet but overall i like it 250th f5.6 Attached Images

11-02-2014, 12:06 PM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Chardie. You should really post your shots with the preset 300/4 in the following post. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/153121-taku...n-samples.html That's where they belong. The idea of the forum here is one thread per lens, and the SMC tak is different than the preset.

11-03-2014, 01:47 AM	#9
chardie Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 39	ok thanks for the info

11-03-2014, 02:12 AM	#10
cxdoo Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 1,150	I own SMC Tak 300/4 and from my limited experience with it (I don't shoot much on the long end) it's a tricky lens. It's reasonably sharp, however it suffers from purple fringing and relatively low contrast. Very difficult to use handheld, IMHO, but bokeh is very nice. I suppose it's a great lens for the price.

11-04-2014, 06:29 AM - 3 Likes	#11
Piotrek K Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,384	Yes, this lens is tricky, but can produce very nice bokeh! I also think that while closing the aperture down it gives you not that much additional sharpness (almost no difference). This is a non - cropped version. I posted crop from another photo in the Takumar Club.

10-03-2019, 02:02 AM - 1 Like	#12
Piotrek K Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,384	Shot at f 11. It is a shame this thread getting no samples. I like mine, even if it shows strong abberations from time to time.