Comparing Tak-F 70-200 and DA 50-200

**WJW** · 02-28-2009, 08:19 PM

While I have never been seriously displeased with my DA 50-200, I've never cared for the way it feels when mounted. On a whim, I picked up a Takumar-F 70-200 because I liked the size and weight. I've read very mixed reviews of the lens, but some brief testing has shown it not to be too bad. Here are some cropped samples taken from both lenses, tripod mounted, 200mm, and f16. No PP other than the minimal settings I normally apply to RAW images. I tested both lenses at the same apertures and focal lengths across the range and the results were pretty consistent. What do you think?

Last edited by WJW; 11-23-2009 at 07:20 PM.

**WJW** · 02-28-2009, 08:24 PM

BTW, here are reduced jpegs of the original raw file the above were clipped from.

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-28-2009, 10:11 PM

You might see more differences in corners, with bright highlights, high contrast or potential flare. That's where the coatings should help the DA. The Takumar-F has a plastic exterior but is nearly all metal internally, so I can see why it might feel more solid than the DA50-200. I have most of one in a drawer here.

arpaagent · 02-28-2009, 10:13 PM

If you like the feeling of the Takumar-F lens, but want to rest easy with the SMC coatings, you should definitely find an SMC Pentax-F 70-210 lens. I'm sure you are aware of it, same body and build as the Takumar-F, but with the SMC coatings. I have one and it's a great compact, sturdy tele zoom.
-Jim

**WJW** · 02-28-2009, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

You might see more differences in corners, with bright highlights, high contrast or potential flare. That's where the coatings should help the DA. The Takumar-F has a plastic exterior but is nearly all metal internally, so I can see why it might feel more solid than the DA50-200. I have most of one in a drawer here.

Actually, there was surprising little difference in sharpness and contrast between the two. The Takumar was slightly warmer in color and seemed to have equal or better contrast.

I would expect more flare problems with the Tak-F but I used the longest hood I had, which vignettes with this lens on a film body, and didn't see any flare problem. I do tend to be very careful about flare since I've have a number of single coated lenses.

Jeff

**WJW** · 02-28-2009, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by arpaagent

If you like the feeling of the Takumar-F lens, but want to rest easy with the SMC coatings, you should definitely find an SMC Pentax-F 70-210 lens. I'm sure you are aware of it, same body and build as the Takumar-F, but with the SMC coatings. I have one and it's a great compact, sturdy tele zoom.
-Jim

Yes, but for a $50 lens that has a mixed reputation, I've been pleasantly surprised. My thought was to use this for now and save toward a DA 55-300. But I may keep an eye on the 70-210 on ebay.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-01-2009, 01:14 PM

One interesting feature of the Takumar-F 70-200mm is its nine-bladed aperture. Only a few Pentax lenses have nine blades, and a lot of those have * or Limited on them.

This Takumar is definitely a close relative of the SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm f4-5.6, but they're not the same lens with different coatings. The Pentax is much shorter physically at 70mm and infinity focus. They also don't have many interchangeable parts. Maybe the Takumar-F 70-210mm is the same as the Pentax, I've never had that one.

02-28-2009, 08:19 PM	#1
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383	Comparing Tak-F 70-200 and DA 50-200 While I have never been seriously displeased with my DA 50-200, I've never cared for the way it feels when mounted. On a whim, I picked up a Takumar-F 70-200 because I liked the size and weight. I've read very mixed reviews of the lens, but some brief testing has shown it not to be too bad. Here are some cropped samples taken from both lenses, tripod mounted, 200mm, and f16. No PP other than the minimal settings I normally apply to RAW images. I tested both lenses at the same apertures and focal lengths across the range and the results were pretty consistent. What do you think? Last edited by WJW; 11-23-2009 at 07:20 PM.

02-28-2009, 08:24 PM	#2
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383 Original Poster	BTW, here are reduced jpegs of the original raw file the above were clipped from. Last edited by WJW; 11-23-2009 at 07:20 PM.

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02-28-2009, 10:11 PM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	You might see more differences in corners, with bright highlights, high contrast or potential flare. That's where the coatings should help the DA. The Takumar-F has a plastic exterior but is nearly all metal internally, so I can see why it might feel more solid than the DA50-200. I have most of one in a drawer here.

02-28-2009, 10:13 PM	#4
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	If you like the feeling of the Takumar-F lens, but want to rest easy with the SMC coatings, you should definitely find an SMC Pentax-F 70-210 lens. I'm sure you are aware of it, same body and build as the Takumar-F, but with the SMC coatings. I have one and it's a great compact, sturdy tele zoom. -Jim

02-28-2009, 11:36 PM	#5
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave You might see more differences in corners, with bright highlights, high contrast or potential flare. That's where the coatings should help the DA. The Takumar-F has a plastic exterior but is nearly all metal internally, so I can see why it might feel more solid than the DA50-200. I have most of one in a drawer here. Actually, there was surprising little difference in sharpness and contrast between the two. The Takumar was slightly warmer in color and seemed to have equal or better contrast. I would expect more flare problems with the Tak-F but I used the longest hood I had, which vignettes with this lens on a film body, and didn't see any flare problem. I do tend to be very careful about flare since I've have a number of single coated lenses. Jeff

02-28-2009, 11:44 PM	#6
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383 Original Poster	Originally posted by arpaagent If you like the feeling of the Takumar-F lens, but want to rest easy with the SMC coatings, you should definitely find an SMC Pentax-F 70-210 lens. I'm sure you are aware of it, same body and build as the Takumar-F, but with the SMC coatings. I have one and it's a great compact, sturdy tele zoom. -Jim Yes, but for a $50 lens that has a mixed reputation, I've been pleasantly surprised. My thought was to use this for now and save toward a DA 55-300. But I may keep an eye on the 70-210 on ebay.

03-01-2009, 01:14 PM	#7
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	One interesting feature of the Takumar-F 70-200mm is its nine-bladed aperture. Only a few Pentax lenses have nine blades, and a lot of those have * or Limited on them. This Takumar is definitely a close relative of the SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm f4-5.6, but they're not the same lens with different coatings. The Pentax is much shorter physically at 70mm and infinity focus. They also don't have many interchangeable parts. Maybe the Takumar-F 70-210mm is the same as the Pentax, I've never had that one.