| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Posts: 8,743
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 21, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $46.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Can give good pictures | | Cons: | Poor performance in bright light | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 8
Camera Used: K100DS
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This review is for Auto Takumar 35mm f3.5
The lens can produce good pictures under the right lighting conditions. Into bright light or where there is bright light in the image there is loss of contrast and a vague haziness to images.
The rear surface of the ATak version is smooth, shiny metal (unlike the SMC version which is painted matte black). The effect is that light can reflect from the sensor in DSLR to the rear surface and back to the sensor, resulting in the hazy low contrast effect when there is plenty of light present. I have improved things by using low exposure with this lens compared with other STaks, but still the results were not pleasing because of the unpredictability of when this effect would bite and what it would do to the image. I conclude that a digital sensor must be much more reflective than film emulsion.
My particualr copy had heavier focusing action than on all my STaks, but they may be just age of the lubricants. I also found the AutoTak lever mechanism not as good as the Auto/Man switch on the later STaks. That could be just a matter of familiarity.
I recently obtained S-M-CTak which I also review.
The S-M-C veresion has matte black paint at the back surface which stops the reflection problem reported above for the ATak. The effect is that there is no probelm using the lens under a broader range of light conditions. The difference is not just the coatings. The S-M-C gives much more predictable image results and so is more satisfying. I prefer the handling of the S-M-C becasue I have become falimilar with the STak operation. The S-M-C cost about USD45, and I would increase the handling rating to 8, value to 9 and overall rating to 9.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2009 Location: Kyoto Posts: 72 | | Review Date: September 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | small, convenient, easy to use | | Cons: | slow, vignettes on full frame | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K10D, Spotmatic SP500
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I like this lens more than my numerical evaluation might suggest. From a completely objective standpoint, I'd have to admit that it is sharp but not razor sharp, even well stopped down. The lens is quite prone to flare and loss of contrast from light scattering. (Use a hood!) And on full frame, the dark corners from vignetting are quite noticeable.
Still, it is one of my favorite Pentax lenses. Physically it is the most "Leica-like" of Takumars I've owned. So petite, and a total dream to handle.
It is a "fair weather lens" of course, only f/3.5, and works best at f/5.6 and up, but you can get some nice effects wide open too so long as absolute sharpness is not so important. Distortions, especially CA and barrel, are extremely well controlled. The rendering can be achingly beautiful. A slightly vintage look, but strong colors and, in the right light, excellent contrast too.
Bokeh is nothing to write home about, but in typical use does not distract, either.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Posts: 2,464 | | Review Date: June 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $31.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color, contrast, great Takumar build quality. | | Cons: | None that I can think of. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10D, Spotmatics
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I have two versions of this lens, the Super Tak version, and the all metal S-M-C version ( with the metal focusing ring )
I have not used the S-M-C version as much, but both are incredibly sharp, with great colors. Nice and compact, with that buttery smooth focusing ring typical of Takumars. It just oozes quality.
I got the S-M-C version with an SP II my father picked up at Goodwill for less than $10.00, and both of mmine are in practically mint condition..
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550 | | Review Date: June 14, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Physically small, Sharp | | Cons: | Slow at F3.5 | | Sharpness: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: Pentax Km
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I bought this lens along with a Super Takumar 200mm F4 for $100 together so I posted this as $50.
My version is a Super Takumar 35mm F3.5
The lens is quite small not quite a pancake but definitely small enough that I could fit this and my Pentax M 50mm F1.4 in a small pouch without weighing me down. It is metal construction so it is extremely durable.
As for the lens itself, I also have the new DA35 F2.4 and I found that this lens is not as good as the DA35 in terms of sharpness and bokeh.
However, it is still quite good and I would recommend this for others that would like more of the classic feel of the lens. It still produces sharp images and good colour reproduction. There are occasions when the colour is a little bit dull. For example the third image but in most cases it does alright.
Samples
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| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2011 Location: Citrus Hills, Fl Posts: 50
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 14, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Just recieved mine today, already taken a dozen or so pics with it. I LOVE this lens, I think its my favorite lens to date! Mine is the s-m-c version in EXCELLENT condition
Of course one person has to go against the grain, guess its me on this one. I actually find this lens easier to focus than the others that I have. I have a split screen from an me super right now, and it helps alot.
a shot to show it off:
100% crop:
 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: December 5, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | light but sturdy, small, good contrast... | | Cons: | hard to focus, min f/16, dark lens... | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 8
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This lens was given to me by my uncle, it is in perfect state, the focus ring is smooth as hell, it's sharp if you can obtain focus, but obtaining focus is a tad difficult even in low apertures, what is a shame, if not for this problem the lens would be a very nice one.
Even in bright daylight and wide open, it gives dark colors, making everything look gloomy, but has a very nice contrast even in the shadows.
I don't like the bokeh at all, probably because it only have 5 blades, the out of focus isn't smooth and almost all the shiny spots are cut in half or distorted.
My version only have f/16 as minimal, it is very small and light, the use of tripod is recommended if you tend to shake.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: October, 2010 Posts: 6,242
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 23, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, color rendering, sharpness. | | Cons: | Can't make starbursts...if that's a con.? | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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Really nice lens. My copy is Super-takumar. Beaten up body, but optics is superb, no scratches nothing. Also it is still easy to focus, smooth as butter, as it should be.
I have taken this lens in many kind a shooting and It just keeps surprising me. Time after time. Nice FL to shoot, cheap. At dark scenes it makes some noise to picture though compared to my other lenses. So not so much for lo light beast, but you would not wait it from lens like this either 
Colors must be brought up once again. It is just incredible that how rich color you can have with this lens. Thinking that it is just Super, not SMC about 50+ years old! WOW.
I Think that you can buy this lens for cheaper that I did, but even for more money it is worth it.
Here is some pictures made with it.
  | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 28, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $99.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, neat, small, user friendly, nice bokeh, easy to focus | | Cons: | It is not superfast | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This lens is a small little gem that I carry around and does all kind of photos. One of the best Super Takumars ever. I have the Super Takumar, not the SMC and I do not miss the SMC, this lens does not have a problem with sun light at all.
Here are some of the photos taken with it. I will post more later.
Vito by Palenquero, on Flickr
Flores by Palenquero, on Flickr
Salvia by Palenquero, on Flickr
Pinkies by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 813 | | Review Date: July 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, sharp, contrasty, beautiful colours | | Cons: | all manual | |
I bought this to use with my ancient Spotmatic, and I'm not disappointed at all.
With the M42 adapter it is just as good on my digital cameras.
Centre is sharp at f3.5, edges sharp at 5.6, critically sharp all areas at F8.
Safe to develop 6x4 and 10x8 at F3.5-5.6, can develop 11x16 at F8
I have a few 40year old Takumar lenses, and I'm confident they will see out my life expectancy of another 30 years.
Highly recommended.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 4 | | Review Date: July 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp and Compact | | Cons: | None that I can think of | |
I tried this lens on Canon 5d and I thought it was an ok lens but the result turns out to be really sharp. I am quite surprise that this lens is really sharp even at its widest opening on full frame camera. I really recommend this lens for somebody who don't want to spend a lot of money on 35mm auto focus lens and want sharp lens.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2009 Posts: 35 | | Review Date: April 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $70.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, excelent construction, low CAs | | Cons: | lack of auto anything | |
I have the last version of this lens, multicoated. Till a couple of days ago I wasn't able to get my hands on a good adapter to use it with my K5.
Finally got the original Pentax adapter, and the fit camera/adapter/lens is perfect. Feels like a Limited. I use it with a small metal 50mm hood, and the whole thing is perfect.
The lens is sharp but dreamy wide open. at 5,6 it's very sharp, and at 8/11 there's no difference with the m50/1.7. Not that there isn't any, it's just both lenses on a tripod at those apertures top the sensor, I think.
What's awesome about this lens, which I think is common to other 3.5 max aperture lenses, is what others already mentioned: a very even exposure. at good aperures exposition and sharpness are sweet and even all over, corner to corner. Low CAs, for landscapes it seems to be a winner.
One intangible quality: some lenses, like the kit lens, seem quite sharp, but I think it has to do with contrast, very contrasty lenses look sharp. This is quite the opposite, it looks creamy, but when you zoom in there are tons of subdued detail. This, for demanding applications like landscape, (when speed isn't really an issue anyway) produces very PS-friendly files. You can upres them and sharpen them A LOT. On the other side, very contrasty lenses react in very diverse ways, you get ugly stuff and artifacts, evident mushy corners, etc. This 35 with proper use produces window-like images, there's no local deterioration anywhere. And I'm starting to think in this era of feasible high ISOs the big aperture lenses produce too much unevenness in exposure and aberrations to compensate for an extra stop (let alone weight!)
The lens is a 10, or a 6, depending on how much you rely on auto settings.
One bad, one good thing: hard to switch lenses in the field, it works great in Av with the stop down switch, you open, focus, close down, shoot, and the red focus confirmation light is quite reliable, at least in my outfit.
This photo and the cropped corner sampled illustrate most aspects I'm talking about here.
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| | | | | Giveaway winner! Registered: December, 2007 Location: beantown Posts: 944 | | Review Date: February 1, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $7.50
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, all metal | | Cons: | only in M42, sharper than DA 16-45 at 35 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I got it cheap.
On a film camera the lens is crisp and contrasty. The edge sharpness in my version seems a little soft when wide open, but hard to notice really. When shot with Ektar or Portra it is wonderful.
On my K20D it seems to be a sharp lens and for a Super-Takumar, it is a very well behaved lens in bright light. Some expected contrast loss was evident in a bright side lights and thanks to its good contrast, it is hard to see right away. The issue with glare was easy to control enough by using a hand to shield and then the slight loss cleared up. So a side to side test against my DA 16-45mm set at 35mm@f4 and the images looked sharper and cleaner with the Sup-Tak 35mm@f4. At 5.6, things start to get even better. I am very happy with this lens so far.
The film test also yielded super results![/FONT]
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2009 | | Review Date: October 18, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness, low CA, contrast, small, build | | Cons: | | |
S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5
Probably the most ballanced 35mm Asahi-made M42 lens. Contrasty, sharp, low-CA.
On APS-C optical quality is quite comparable to good copy of Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35/2.4. Bokeh is a bit less smooth, but that's not a real problem for wide-open lens, which was designed for landscape photography.
Auto Takumar 35/3.5
I'd say, that Super/S-M-C Takumar is based on recalculated optical formula of the Auto Takumar. The earlier Auto Takumar performs slightly different. I'd say, that lateral CA is slightly lower, but sharpness in corners too.
Both f/3.5 Takumars don't contain radioactive elements (f/2 models do).
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623 | | Review Date: July 13, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very, very sharp and is TINY! | | Cons: | At this focal length, accurate focusing is tricky. | |
(My copy is the S-M-C version.)
Superbly sharp lens - almost the sharpest I own (the Rikenon 50mm/f2 just about beats it). An absolute joy to have on the camera, because it's so small and light - almost pancake-like.
At 35mm focal length, accurate focusing is a real problem. If my experience with my K-m (K2000) is anything to go by, DSLR focus-assist facilities are (much) worse than useless, so be prepared for some very careful manual focusing. Best solution is to use a focusing screen with a focus aid (like a split-prism).
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,757
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp, colors, small, sturdy, goooood-looking | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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I can't believe this lens received grades of 6 and 7. For the price, it's a 10. I have the non-SMC version, and, as someone else said, from f5.6 it's as sharp as can be (and I mainly use it at 5.6 and 8) for street shots. But it's very sharp wide open, too, with just a bit of border softness. Beautiful colors. Bokeh isn't great, though. Haven't noticed a lot of flare--perhaps mine is one of the later Super Taks, which are said to have some SMC even if not mentioned on the front ring.
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