| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 143 | | Review Date: February 14, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, but great "good-old-days" build quality | | Cons: | M42 - hard to swap with K-mounts in the field. Can be hard to focus. | |
In my opinion, this M42 screw mount is sharper than either the kit DA18-55 or the SMC M5/f2. Its main drawback is that you need to be focused to get sharpness, and it's hard to focus. Must be the crop factor. I would think that at f8, everything from 10 feet to infinity should snap in, but that didn't happen for me.
So I would rate around a "5" for useability because it's easy to lose a bunch of shots at the wider apertures unless one focuses carefully. On the other hand, optically, I think it's far better than that, maybe a "7 or 8" by my calibration. So let's call it a "6".
So why would I use this lens over a bayonet mount zoom? It allows for a small package on a K100D and it works out as a equivalent 50mm normal lens.
Super Takumar Serial # 1784xxx, You tell me if it's early or late model. I dunno.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2007 Location: Toronto/Victoria Posts: 460 | | Review Date: April 22, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Very compact, very solid, decent optically | | Cons: | Slowish, hard to focus without an aid | |
I like this lens. Very tiny lens. Wide open the centre is very sharp, the corners a bit blurry but that's gone at F/5.6.
It would be nearly impossible to focus with the default screen, but I have a prism installed, and it couldn't be much easier, even in low light!
It's smaller than my FA35, and its bokeh is less harsh if you have out of focus things in the frame. Recommended.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 728 | | Review Date: May 17, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | No SMC = less expensive | | Cons: | No SMC = not as good color/contrast as coated lenses | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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I'll say it up front, the lens I have is a fairly tired NON - SMC "Super Takumar" version. I kinda wish it was multi-coated.
Colors are not as vibrant or contrasty as my SMC Takumars. It also lacks a small degree of sharpness wide open, which you run into a lot with this lens because it's only a f3.5. That said, the lens has the Takumar look and feel, takes very acceptable images and is very compact.
I agree with the other reviews for this lens, it can be hard to focus. I found myself opening up wide, getting critical focus, then counting back the clicks to my desired f stop.
As M series 35mm 2.8 lenses seem a bit rare and therefore pricey on auction sites, jump on one of these to play. If you like the FOV but want a bit more in image quality, trade up to an SMC Takumar or SMC M series. But for a "starter" 35mm lens this one is hard to beat considering it's price.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: Grand Junction Colorado Posts: 209 | | Review Date: September 11, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp when stopped down | | Cons: | For me, none | |
Pentax produced some remarkable lenses during this period and the 35mm f3.5 is one of the best. Small size and extremely sharp when stopped down to F8 make it one of my favourite landscape lenses of choice.
When used with the K mount adaptor, I find it more convenient to use than my SMC Pentax K-mount version of this lens on my K10d (no green button required and works in Av mode).
Bob
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 30 | | Review Date: September 20, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Exceptional. Small, Sharp, Great general lens | | Cons: | Only that it's f3.5 | |
I have owned a Super Takumar version for Many years and have found it to be a truly superb lens.
It IS sharp and to be Honest, 'By Design', all General Pentax lenses, do Favor a slightly More 'Centre Weighted' Sharpness,..when Wide Open at Infinity!
BUT,..the effect is Very Minor and Provides Unsurpassed sharpness towards the centre, contrast etc
when stopped down even just a bit, in it's middle ranges it's superb,.
A Lovely, small light and very easy and satisfying lens to use.
It is Nice for architectural and in fact general allround work, it's a Nice lens, I ain't selling Mine !!,..
I have somewhat very recently acquired a Super Multi Coated version of this lens, and there is a noticeably different Internal Coating.
Now i can compare,..(will get back to you on that,...)
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: NJ USA Posts: 13,072 | | Review Date: February 29, 2008 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | concentrated, sharp image | | Cons: | 3.5 aperture | |
I got this 'free' with a $20 Spotmatic/ Mine's a Super Multi Coated Takumar.
A small, well made lens.
It is capable of exellent sharpness and a real 3d sense of depth in landscapes.
I would characterize the rendering of this lens as clean, calm, organized. That is, the photographs are even handed across the frame, detail is presented in a very matter of fact way. This is a good thing!
In comparison to other 35's I have - the Yashica T4's Zeiss lens can be as sharp but has more distortion and will vignette at wider apertures. I also have a Yashinon DX 2.8, which is physically larger though not necessarily heavier. Apart from the difference in speed, I think the Yash is more susceptible to flare and CA. It has a bit more glamour in its rendering. I haven't tested out the relative performance of the two lenses as yet - though I suspect they will be very comparable in sharpness at least in the center. I also suspect the Tak will prove better in the corners.
Focusing with film bodies is a breeze, with digital (K100D) it's harder, but not a whole lot harder than the other mf lenses I use.
When I went out for the (sunny) day with this lens on a Fujica ST605 and a polarizer, the drawback of the 3.5 max aperture became apparent: at f5.6 the image is dim and the split prism of the 605 got half dark. For polarizer / other filter work, I'd recommend a 2.8 or faster lens instead. So far this is the main limitation of this lens for me.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 478
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 10, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $28.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Tack Sharp @ F8 & Tiny Size | | Cons: | Dark in DSLR Viewfinder | |
Tiny. This is a tiny lens with a big heart. Great street shooter. Sharp as can be stopped down a bit. It is hard to focus with the stock focusing screen on my K100D. I'd give it an 8.5, but since there are no half-numbers it's an 8 with a bullet.  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891 | | Review Date: September 8, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | compact, colour rendition, clarity, affordability | | Cons: | None so far | |
What can I say ... I cannot fault this lens at all ... it's a great walkabout lens. The colour rendition and clarity are beautiful. I take it out while at work and shoot while driving (it is that easy to use on the K10D). Has a nice FOV as well ... not too wide and frames subjects nicely.
I really should use this lens more than I do .... i highly recommend this lens ... it is must have in your Takumar line-up.
Mine is a Super Takumar version ... glass is in prety much excellent condition of it's age ... and focus barrel is smooth and well damped. Aperture ring snicks through all apertures.
| | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 30, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, well made | | Cons: | | |
Nice compact lens. It is a bit slow but then it wouldn't be compact. Excellent build quality. This was for the Auto-Tak f3.5 version.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: Langen, Germany Posts: 106 | | Review Date: January 17, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | build, IQ, weight, sharp | | Cons: | none | |
One of my favorites. I use it a lot on my K10D.
I have the s-m-c version.
It is sharp wide open and stopped down it ist excellent.
I love the colors and the FOV and the haptic of the lens.
I think it is a MF Limited. Small, well build and fun to use.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 789 | | Review Date: February 16, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | small, sharp | | Cons: | slow aperture | |
I have used my Super Takumar 35mm 3.5 on my K10D and Spotmatic SP. It's a very small, easy to use lens. I do prefer a faster aperture but for daylight shooting, I would never leave this lens at home. I initially tested it on my K10D (original screen) and it was easy enough to focus and very sharp.
Spotmatic SP + Fujifilm Neopan 400
 | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4 | | Review Date: July 22, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good contrast, sharp, small, 49mm filter ring | | Cons: | M42 (but you know it) | |
My most used M42 lens. Mine is a SMC version. Very good contrast and sharpness even wide open compare to my super takumar 28/3.5.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409 | | Review Date: September 10, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, lightweight, great build quality, flare resistance and sharpness, fantastic color saturation. | | Cons: | Slow max aperture and not a great lens for smooth bokeh. Not horrible in this aspect, but not fantastic. | |
My review is based on an Super-Multi-Coated version of this lens. I was given it for free by a fellow photographer who shot Nikon and couldn't find a use for it. It started me off on M42 and Takumars, and it's given me some of the sharpest shots I've ever taken.
Skies are deep blue, greens are vibrant, and reds and oranges and yellows really pop with this lens. It's got great micro-contrast, so stonework and tree bark really look alive and detailed. I use it on a Canon 40D and a Spotmatic, and I like the FOV it gives on the Spotmatic more, but I haven't processed any rolls of film so I can't say beyond what the digital files show, which is nothing short of superb.
My only complaints would be the slow max aperture, being that I shoot at dusk or night a lot, and the it's not mind-blowing in it's bokeh rendering. Easy to work around the first point by using a tripod, and easy to work around the second by tailoring your shots to give the best results with the tools you are working with (stop down and watch your OOF highlight areas...).
Overall, I'd gladly pay $100 for this lens versus $350 for the Canon 35mm f/2.0, even though the latter has AF, auto aperture and is a decent bit faster.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 30
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 21, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Tiny & solid, rich colors, sharp, good flare resistance | | Cons: | Slow f/3.5, my copy has a strange defect | |
This is for a "minty" Super Takumar on a 1.5X crop digital.
A 35mm lens on a 1.5X crop DSLR is technically more like a normal lens, but the images from this lens look like they are cropped from a wide angle. Of course, they are... but it's the combination of rich colors, fine detail, and handling of depth of field that give it away. Despite the narrower angle of view, this is still a lens you want to stop down (to f/5.6-8) and shoot landscapes with. The colors are really outstanding for landscapes, easily the most intense of my many lenses, yet natural looking.
There's really nothing to complain about other than the slow f/3.5. Looking for a faster version of this lens, I purchased an f/2 S-M-C. It is actually better than the f/3.5 for general use, but the f/3.5 colors are much stronger -- I still use it where that's what I want.
However, as the images above show, there is something odd about my copy: under just the right lighting, there is some "puffy" appearance at the edges of the glass inside the lens. Closer viewing reveals a crystalline pattern that looks more like what's left when salt water evaporates. At first, I figured this might be fungus or mold, then I thought it might be caused by an odd internal reflection off the mounting of the front element, which has an unusual angled shape at the edge where it is mounted. I next thought it might be a glue problem, but it isn't separation of a glued pair because the front element isn't a pair. Separation of edge black is a possible explanation, although there is no obvious paint-flake structure.
As of May 2011, it has been suggested to me that the problem is aluminum hydroxide (AlOH) caused by moisture reacting through flaws in the coating of the metal surface. This seems very feasible, because I've seen many people do overly wet cleanings of lenses. A little seepage is likely in such a case, and the cleaning fluid used (water?) easily could be held in contact for an extended period.
I'm still open to suggestions. In any case, the problem has no visible effect on images or even on the PSF, so I'm leaving it how it is.
| | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 | | Review Date: March 27, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
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This is a well built compact lens that is good for general landscape photography etc, especially on film. This review is for the Super Tak version prior to the S-M-C version. This is a good wide angle lens for film and a usable focal length on APS-c. If there is a downside it is the f3.5 maximum aperture. However, the 35mm f2 taks are a lot longer than this lens so its a trade off. I like its rendering. However, I prefer the Auto-Tak 35mm f3.5 to this lens because the Auto Tak 35mm f3.5 is smaller! The Tak 35mm f4 is also smaller.
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