| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 928
10 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 11, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, colourful, exquisitely engineered | | Cons: | f4, more fragile than S-M-C's | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3, K-01
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The Macro Takumar 50/4 celebrates its 50th birthday this year.
Recently, I used the early 1:1 preset version every day for a month on the Single in Challenge, and all I can say is ‘wow’. What a great lens Takumar made back in 1964. Physically the lens is a small gem, and it’s a joy to use. The end results are beautiful, even by the standards of today’s macros.
It’s not the easiest lens to master, and that’s part of the fun. First of all, f4 is a bit slow for some kinds of macro work with only natural light. With live view/zoom it’s really not a problem seeing/focusing. But I’d have liked a faster lens to combat very slight movements in small objects. Secondly, my K-3 and K-01 simply can’t meter the very deep-set glass accurately for up-close shots outside, and tends to over exposure across the frame, resulting in blow-outs. However, that's not a con worth dwelling on for me, as macro is much better manually metered.
After some trial and error on subjects and settings, you’ll find the lens produces stunning images. Very sharp and very colourful. At f4 the 50mm it can deliver very artistic images with surprisingly narrow DoF and super-smooth bokeh (see photo below). 10 for bokeh wide open, but closed down the blades become much more noticeable in the background and maybe not to everyone's taste.
The quality of build and engineering is outstanding. Having said this, there is one downside to the preset version, given its age. It has more moving parts, and is undoubtedly more fragile than later, and to me less desirable, S-M-C Takumars (not 1:1). So you have to be careful buying one unseen off the web.
I highly recommend the lens to anyone who wants a cheapish entry into macro photography, and a piece of history. It cost me around US$100. It’s worth every cent IMO. It’s one of those lenses you’ll want to return to again and again. It is also a more than adequate walk around lens. Not quite in the same league as the Takumar 50/1.4, but close enough.
Here are a few photos of and by the lens, and if you're interested, a link to my Mac Tak 50/4 photos on Flickr. www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/sets/72157644855700903/
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2010 Posts: 759
8 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 19, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, rendering, build, value, compactness | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This review is for the Super-Multi-Coated version (I also have the 1:1 Macro-Takumar version, which I will briefly compare). At first glance, it may seem like a lens full of compromises: f4, 1:2 reproduction, 5 bladed aperture, but the designers chose to make no compromises in optical performance. You won’t find an optically better lens in my opinion. The sharpness of this lens is simply outstanding from f4 on—I do not have a sharper lens. With my K100D, I cannot tell if I am looking at a 100% crop or the full image—the sharpness is always there. With faster lenses, you inevitably get aberrations, but this lens is remarkably free of aberrations at all apertures.
The bokeh on the lens is surprisingly excellent. Perhaps because of the conservative optical design, the lens doesn’t have the usual spherical aberration over-correction, but it is extremely neutral. In close focusing range (2 feet and under), in particular, the bokeh is excellent--nearly as good as the Bokina (which I also have), very smooth and creamy. The only complaint with the bokeh is of course you can see hexagonal spectacular highlights when stopped down, but at least these are rounded hexagons that look a little better. I’d also point out that you get a fully circular aperture at f4 (wide open), something you won’t get with another Pentax 50mm lens—which actually can be quite the photographic advantage, as you can get those round highlights with more depth of field than with other lenses.
The colors and rendering of this lens are fantastic as always from the SMC Takumars, but I must say this is the best rendering lens I have. Contrast and micro-contrast are, in my opinion, ideal. Because of the tessar design, this lens has very few air-glass surfaces, and with the SMC it has ; contrast is excellent but it does not lose any subtlety of the tones. There is just something about the way it renders that keeps making me want to shoot with this lens. It also has fantastic light transmission (97.5% when Modern Photography tested it). I understand that this lens has an extremely flat field of focus, and I would think it ideal for copy work. This lens’ performance is optimized for closer range photography. As my style is more suited to close focus photography (and macro work), I find the lens ideal, and it really delivers in my usual shooting range of 3 feet and under. But I have also had great results in landscapes for it. I have no less than 5 other dedicated macro lenses, but this one not only holds its own, but seems to have that little extra bit of magic over the others. I have every fast 50mm (f1.2, f1.4, f1.7, f2) that Pentax ever made, but I find myself taking this lens for my general walk about photography. It is simply my favorite (and dare I say best) lens, and is on my camera more than anything else. It is also very compact and light, just a touch more than a regular 50mm prime, but you get a deeply recessed front element so you don’t need a hood. By the time you add a good hood to the others, they end up bigger and more awkward than this. Build quality is top-notch, as always for the Takumars, but again this lens just feels to have slightly tighter tolerances and be slightly more solid than my other Taks.
In short, this is the forgotten gem of the Takumar lineup (and indeed it’s K and M series siblings). There is no better macro lens for the money than this; it is an incredible value.
I also have the 1:1 Macro-Takumar version (basically, I loved this lens so much I wanted to go 1:1 natively with this tessar formula). I have not used it too extensively but it seems pretty close, although I still prefer the S-M-C version, which I think has a slight edge. Of interest, the aperture of this lens forms a star shape at the middle aperture values, which can make for some interesting effects.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2009
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 17, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, extremely low CA, even resolving power (APS-C), contrast, macro, build | | Cons: | | |
S-M-C Macro Takumar is one of the best 50mm lenses I have ever tried. It's based on Tessar optical formula, which is known for very high resolving power combined with extremely low (APO-like) CA. Like all slower Tessars, even S-M-C Takumar offers great macro performance, good contrast (very few inner air/glass surfaces) and compact dimensions.
At least on APS-C sensor, S-M-C Takumar 50/4 offers very even sharpness at f/4. Difference between center and corners is lower than e.g. S-M-C 50/1.4 (at f/4) demonstrates, so this lens is also very good for panos made by stitching techniques.
S-M-C Takumar 50/4 embodies very slight radioactivity (significantly lower than S-M-C 50/1.4). This level of radioactivity indicates optical element made of lanthanum glass or optical element with very low concentration of thorium (250 nSv/h compared to 1670 nSv/h of S-M-C 50/1.4 - measured by rear element; local background is 120-180 nSv/h)
The lens has no real weak points. Maybe 1:1 Macro would be fine (only the old pre-set single-coated model reaches it)... Some users poins at speed of f/4, but lower speed is a nature of Tessar optical formula. One shouldn't forget, that majority of optical formulas, which provides higher speed, suffers from significantly higher CA and/or less even resolution.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut Posts: 223
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Practically everything!! My favorite lens, period! | | Cons: | A bit slow for some things but there's always a trade off. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-x and K-01
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When I returned to photography after 35+ years, I began the search for that special combination that I once had with my K-1000 and the old Pentax 50mm (don't even remember which one it was now) that I simply wore out. I am embarrassed to admit how long I searched and how many 50 and 55 mm lenses I bought to find that magic. The SMC Macro Takumar 1:4/50 (with the Auto feature) has brought me home to that feeling of wonder and creativity that I'd lost in my photography. Where once I had eagle vision (think Ted Williams), I'm now over 70 and although I don't need glasses to drive, I find that I can't focus as well, as accurately as I once did.
Enter the K-01. The focus peaking feature is fantastic! Never mind that the K-01 is a brick and everybody loves to hate it. Focus peaking combined with a hood* and a stunning manual lens like the SMC Macro Takumar 1:4/50 is a combination that puts this old lady back in the game. Thank you Pentax and Takumar for fantastic engineering. I'm a very, very happy woman!
Clarification: By "hood", I meant an external hood on the LCD when it's very sunny. This lens doesn't really need a hood because it's recessed so deep.
* | | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2013 Location: Kent Posts: 159
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 1, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $115.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | excellent in all respects | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon eos 50D
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This review is for the the first (preset) version. I purchased this lens in good used condition in 2014 and have rarely taken it off the camera over the last year.
I have owned a lot of different macro lenses in the past but none of them have performed as well as this one.
Being the 1:1 version makes it incredibly versatile and I find the preset diaphragm really easy to use with my Canon digital camera.
With a little practice using it handheld even when very close is very easy.
I haven't done a direct comparison with the SMC version but I cant believe it would give any sharper, brighter or more contrasty results than mine.
I think the 1:1 is probably a better feature to have rather than SMC.
I would suggest to anyone if you see the first version at the right price then go for it, you won't be disappointed.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 12, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Greatest Macro Ever - Sharp and 1:1 | | Cons: | None so far | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Kx, K5, K3
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I had both versions of the lens the SMC Tak50/4, and the Macro-Tak50/4 (preset). I am evaluating both, although the preset is my main guide. I have had both lenses for several years, and I am surprised that I only use the preset when I need some special real macro, things too small or so. It is the best. I also use it with added tubes and bellows (and of course flash). For walks around, I use the Vivitar 105/2.4 or the Tamron 90/2.8 AF. If you find the Macro-Tak preset, get it.
 Macro-Takumar50mmf4=ExtensionTubes-Tornillo1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Macro-Takumar 50mmf4-MacroPreset+ExtensionTubes@f4-PlugTerminals1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 S-M-C Takumar 50mmf4-Macro@f4-Buganvilia-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
you can also use this lens for product photography, it is so sharp:
 S-M-C Takumar 50mmf4-Macro&Refconverter-A@f4-frutas1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2015 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 16
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 13, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | SHARPEST, color saturation, contrast, no CA, no distortion | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-500 and 5 older bodies
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I bought this Macro Takumar 50mm f4 in 1979 and have used it on M-42 film cameras,
PK-mount film cameras, and now two DSLRs. I commend the corporate culture of Pentax
for considering backward compatibility as having value. I appreciate efficiency, which
includes getting full use from assets. Top quality and top performing lenses are assets.
I have every intention of using this lens as long as I have a camera with the ability to
mount it. Mine is the old one that goes 1:1 without tubes on 35mm format, and even beyond
on current DSLRs like my K-500.
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: October, 2014 Posts: 85
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build quality, sharp, no aberrations on APS-C | | Cons: | small MFD, 5 aperture blades | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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The Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Macro-Takumar 1:4/50 is an excellent macro lens. Mechanically and optically the lens does not leave to be desired for anything more - the lens is ergonomic, easy to use and very sharp all over the APS-C frame at any given aperture. The background blur is soft and smooth even taking into account that this is not a fast lens. There are no visible optical aberrations with the APS-C sensor. The maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 is the same as that of most of modern macro lenses with similar focal lengths of 40-60 mm.
If you will ask me how can you compare this lens with 1:4/100 model, then, in my opinion, the image quality that can be obtained when using these macro lenses is more or less the same. Thanks to twice the minimum focusing distance the 1:4/100 model is better suited for professional macro shooting: the housing of the lens does not cast a shadow on the subject and is far enough to not to scare the insects and make them run away from the frame.
My review of S-M-C Macro-Takumar 1:4/50 (ultimate version) with test pics at different apertures:
http://aflenses.net/reviews/a-subjective-look-at-asahi-super-multi-coated-ma...ujifilm-x-pro1
And this is my review of this lens on a full-frame camera:
http://aflenses.net/reviews/a-subjective-look-at-asahi-super-multi-coated-ma...0-m42-canon-5d | | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 166
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, colorfull | | Cons: | Slow in some conditions | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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I bought this lens as i came up on ebay for a ok price.
Had no expectations of what so ever, but now it´s one of my favourite lenses to create art from the "little world" or beautiful details.
Also it´s very sharp even for non close ups.
Sharpness, bokeh, Colors..
I let some pictures talk for it.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2020 Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago Posts: 40
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 15, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tack Sharp, great build, bokeh | | Cons: | F4 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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After many years enjoying the fast fifties in the Takumar line I came across one of these on a visit to WA at Kenmore Camera for a great price given its condition and inclusion of a set of extension tubes! I wanted to hold out for the earlier preset 1:1 version, but I couldn't pass up a pristine copy of this lens for a fair price.
I'm usually all about wide open shooting with a good amount of bokeh and often prefer to shoot in low light. This lens made me take a very different approach to shooting every time I took it out. Sometimes a bit of a challenge in one area can help you to grow overall. So, my time spent with this slow, but SHARP lens has been a learning experience for sure. I'd suggest this lens mainly for product photography, but some light macro work and flowers, bees, etc would also be good uses of this glass. If you're interested in trying out macro the macro Takumar 50mm f4 is a great introduction!
So, here's my collection of images through this lens so far.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157717028814188 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2019 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 1, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Takumar build quality. Superb handling. Great color rendition, highlights and shadows. | | Cons: | 5 blades iris | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony a7iii
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I have the SMC version. Excellent macro lens. Very sharp and colorful. Butter smooth focus ring. Very precise.
50mm Macro at F4
 | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2018 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 26, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | High sharpness and contrast, vivid color, excellent build and handling | | Cons: | 5-bladed diaphragm and pentagon bokeh | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: SP-F, X-T3
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I have the Super Multi Coated version. WOW, this lens is by far my favorite Takumar. Super sharp and contrasty even at minimum focus distance. It resolves very well on 26 megapixels APS-C and has some of the best color contrast and micro contrast I've seen in any macro lens. In terms of raw optical performance it outperforms the 100mm f/4 (as well as most modern macro lenses) in both sharpness and contrast. The simple Tessar-anastigmat design of this lens is very effective. This is one lens that will never leave my collection.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2018 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 30, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $95.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very solid built, easy to use, small size | | Cons: | Only f/4 aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Fujifilm X-T3
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I use this lens as my only macro lens and enjoy it very much. Very easy to use, metal construction, small size. I use m42 adapter for my Fujifilm x-t3 camera.
As this is only 1:2 magnification, I use also extension tubes if needed.
This lens is incredible value for money so highly recommend for anyone.
Please take into account that this is manual focus lens so focusing is a challenge. I use it with focus peaking feature which helps a lot to get proper focus.
Check out my latest macro photos through the links below.
https://flickr.com/photos/161489971@N05/sets/72157697122730530
https://flickr.com/photos/161489971@N05/sets/72157703670662814
https://flickr.com/photos/161489971@N05/sets/72157703620084741 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2009 Posts: 983
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, 1:1, Sharp, deeply recessed front element | | Cons: | Sensitive to moire, tends to underexpose | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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This is the 1:1 preset version. It should probably have it's own thread, as it skews the average purchase price for the rest of the lenses. At time of this review, prices for the 1:1 version can be over $300.00 depending on the cosmetic condition, while the 1:5 versions can be had for $50-75.00.
This is a lovely light little lens. It's sharp. My copy tends to underexpose a half stop to a stop. Not a huge problem with the K-1 if you forget to compensate.
When I get a lens, I always take a picture of my laptop LCD screen. Pictures had a slight a rainbow moire pattern at 1:1. I don't see the issue with my newer 1:1 macro. Would probably go away if one uses the filter simulator when using the K-1. So you might need to be careful shooting patterns.
It has a nice long throw, so critical focusing is easy. Assuming you already have the M42 to K mount, it's probably the least expensive way to get a nice 1:1 macro lens.
Macro-Takumar 50mm f4 1:1, on Flickr
Macro-Takumar 50mm f4 1:1 - Crop, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 2, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent sharpness from f/4 | | Cons: | Comparatively slow lens | | Sharpness: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7
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The SMC Macro-Takumar 50mm f/4 is a great lens optically and mechanically. As expected for a macro lens, it is very sharp across most of the frame at f/4, and even sharper at f/5.6. FF edges and corners are just a tad worse, but at f/8 the entire image is sharp.
The biggest downside to this lens is that it is only f/4, which makes it less attractive as a normal lens when macro capabilities are not needed.
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