Takumar 135mm vs Super-Takumar 135mm

Dandarious · 08-19-2021, 11:17 AM - **1 Like**

Hello!

Recently, I had the pleasure of acquiring two 135mm f3.5 Takumars in M42 mount.
One of them (Takumar) is significantly older than the other one (Super Takumar) but both are 135mm f3.5 lenses.

I can find a lot if information about the V2 Super-Takumar 135mm f3.5, but somehow there seems to be less information available about the Takumar one.

It is a preset aperture lens, sporting 8 aperture blades.

I am leaning towards selling one of them, and hope to keep the super-takumar one since it is in true mint condition.

What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images?

- Daniël

Attached Images

stevebrot · 08-19-2021, 02:50 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

Originally posted by Dandarious

What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images?

The two have different optical designs as detailed on the review pages for each (HERE and HERE) As for which offers the sharpest images, you are in the unique position of having both at hand for a comparison. A new thread in the lens area of the forums featuring your experience would likely prove helpful and popular.

Steve

Dandarious · 08-19-2021, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The two have different optical designs as detailed on the review pages for each (HERE and HERE) As for which offers the sharpest images, you are in the unique position of having both at hand for a comparison. What has been your impression?

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for pointing out those URLs, I did find the second one you mentioned, so the first URL is a nice source of extra information!

You are right, perhaps I will take out both lenses this weekend to try and see if there is a difference in quality and characteristics of both lenses. Would make for a good in-depth comparison.

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

7.62lew · 08-19-2021, 03:02 PM - **1 Like**

I would shoot with both of them. You may decide to keep both! Sharpness is not the only thing that contributes to a unique photo. I have the very first version of the pre-set (chome and black with 46mm filter) and I love the images I get from it.

Dandarious · 08-19-2021, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by 7.62lew

I would shoot with both of them. You may decide to keep both! Sharpness is not the only thing that contributes to a unique photo. I have the very first version of the pre-set (chome and black with 46mm filter) and I love the images I get from it.

True that.., another good reason to take both out for a spin and write a side-by-side comparison.

Amazing! The early version auto Takumars are truly something else! Never ran into one yet..

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

Fogel70 · 08-20-2021, 02:21 AM - **1 Like**

The older Takumar versions may have a more primitive coatings so it is much more important to use lens hood on them. So the Takumar version may be more sensitive for ghosting and flares than Super-Takumar.
But the older versions may instead produce a different character than newer lenses. Images with less contract and smoother background blur. (the lower contrast may make it look like they are not as sharp).
Preset lenses in general have more aperture blades so theyusually produce nicer bokeh balls stopped down. When auto-aperture was introduced it was necessary do decrease number of aperture blades to increase speed of the aperture mechanism.

It is also in general the lenses designed in 1950:s that has the best build quality.
Preset lenses can also be nice to use for video as the stop down aperture ring do not have clicks.

**wirrah** · 08-20-2021, 05:06 AM - **1 Like**

I would stick with both. I have the Super Takumar as well as an earlier version of the Takumar

D1N0 · 08-20-2021, 05:39 AM - **1 Like**

I don't think the difference in sharpness will be discernable. The coatings look similar too. Main differences are preset vs auto aperture and the Older Takumar has 8 aperture blades instead of 6. Theoretically better bokeh when stopped down. I have the First Takumar 135mm and two versions of the Super-takumar. Will have to compare them at some time. The pre-set is much less common btw, so If I had to pick I'd keep that one.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-23-2021, 02:27 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forum enjoy all that it has to offer

**Sgrim** · 08-23-2021, 11:31 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forums. I'd be interested in hearing your final decision on the 2 lenses.

coondog · 08-29-2021, 11:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Dandarious

Hello!

Recently, I had the pleasure of acquiring two 135mm f3.5 Takumars in M42 mount.
One of them (Takumar) is significantly older than the other one (Super Takumar) but both are 135mm f3.5 lenses.

I can find a lot if information about the V2 Super-Takumar 135mm f3.5, but somehow there seems to be less information available about the Takumar one.

It is a preset aperture lens, sporting 8 aperture blades.

I am leaning towards selling one of them, and hope to keep the super-takumar one since it is in true mint condition.

What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images?

- Daniël

There is also a 135/2.5 six-element version that is super nice. You can get a lot of good reviews on youtube. Some of the older lenses produce very nice photos so do not sell any until you can have ample time to get to know these gems. Have fun and enjoy!!

08-19-2021, 11:17 AM - 1 Like	#1
Dandarious New Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 9	Takumar 135mm vs Super-Takumar 135mm Hello! Recently, I had the pleasure of acquiring two 135mm f3.5 Takumars in M42 mount. One of them (Takumar) is significantly older than the other one (Super Takumar) but both are 135mm f3.5 lenses. I can find a lot if information about the V2 Super-Takumar 135mm f3.5, but somehow there seems to be less information available about the Takumar one. It is a preset aperture lens, sporting 8 aperture blades. I am leaning towards selling one of them, and hope to keep the super-takumar one since it is in true mint condition. What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images? - Daniël Attached Images

08-19-2021, 02:50 PM - 1 Like	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! Originally posted by Dandarious What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images? The two have different optical designs as detailed on the review pages for each (HERE and HERE) As for which offers the sharpest images, you are in the unique position of having both at hand for a comparison. A new thread in the lens area of the forums featuring your experience would likely prove helpful and popular. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 08-19-2021 at 03:03 PM.

08-20-2021, 02:21 AM - 1 Like	#6
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	The older Takumar versions may have a more primitive coatings so it is much more important to use lens hood on them. So the Takumar version may be more sensitive for ghosting and flares than Super-Takumar. But the older versions may instead produce a different character than newer lenses. Images with less contract and smoother background blur. (the lower contrast may make it look like they are not as sharp). Preset lenses in general have more aperture blades so theyusually produce nicer bokeh balls stopped down. When auto-aperture was introduced it was necessary do decrease number of aperture blades to increase speed of the aperture mechanism. It is also in general the lenses designed in 1950:s that has the best build quality. Preset lenses can also be nice to use for video as the stop down aperture ring do not have clicks. Last edited by Fogel70; 08-20-2021 at 02:27 AM.

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08-19-2021, 03:02 PM	#3
Dandarious New Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot The two have different optical designs as detailed on the review pages for each (HERE and HERE) As for which offers the sharpest images, you are in the unique position of having both at hand for a comparison. What has been your impression? Steve Hi Steve, Thanks for pointing out those URLs, I did find the second one you mentioned, so the first URL is a nice source of extra information! You are right, perhaps I will take out both lenses this weekend to try and see if there is a difference in quality and characteristics of both lenses. Would make for a good in-depth comparison. Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

08-19-2021, 03:02 PM - 1 Like	#4
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192	I would shoot with both of them. You may decide to keep both! Sharpness is not the only thing that contributes to a unique photo. I have the very first version of the pre-set (chome and black with 46mm filter) and I love the images I get from it.

08-19-2021, 03:10 PM	#5
Dandarious New Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by 7.62lew I would shoot with both of them. You may decide to keep both! Sharpness is not the only thing that contributes to a unique photo. I have the very first version of the pre-set (chome and black with 46mm filter) and I love the images I get from it. True that.., another good reason to take both out for a spin and write a side-by-side comparison. Amazing! The early version auto Takumars are truly something else! Never ran into one yet.. Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

08-20-2021, 05:06 AM - 1 Like	#7
wirrah Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lower Hunter, NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 527	I would stick with both. I have the Super Takumar as well as an earlier version of the Takumar

08-20-2021, 05:39 AM - 1 Like	#8
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	I don't think the difference in sharpness will be discernable. The coatings look similar too. Main differences are preset vs auto aperture and the Older Takumar has 8 aperture blades instead of 6. Theoretically better bokeh when stopped down. I have the First Takumar 135mm and two versions of the Super-takumar. Will have to compare them at some time. The pre-set is much less common btw, so If I had to pick I'd keep that one.

08-23-2021, 02:27 AM - 1 Like	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	Welcome to the forum enjoy all that it has to offer

08-23-2021, 11:31 AM - 1 Like	#10
Sgrim Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Bangor, ME Posts: 39	Welcome to the forums. I'd be interested in hearing your final decision on the 2 lenses.

08-29-2021, 11:20 PM - 1 Like	#11
coondog Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: central Oregon coast Posts: 59	Originally posted by Dandarious Hello! Recently, I had the pleasure of acquiring two 135mm f3.5 Takumars in M42 mount. One of them (Takumar) is significantly older than the other one (Super Takumar) but both are 135mm f3.5 lenses. I can find a lot if information about the V2 Super-Takumar 135mm f3.5, but somehow there seems to be less information available about the Takumar one. It is a preset aperture lens, sporting 8 aperture blades. I am leaning towards selling one of them, and hope to keep the super-takumar one since it is in true mint condition. What are the main differences between the two and which one offers the sharpest images? - Daniël There is also a 135/2.5 six-element version that is super nice. You can get a lot of good reviews on youtube. Some of the older lenses produce very nice photos so do not sell any until you can have ample time to get to know these gems. Have fun and enjoy!!