| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2022 Posts: 9 | | Review Date: April 17, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, light | | Cons: | Aberrations | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3, K1
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I am somewhat new to the vintage lens game. Sure, I still own and use a 50 F1.7M I have owned since the early 80s, and a 135 F2.5 since the mid-80s, but I only recently started purposely buying old lenses. The 150 F4.0 Super-Takumar is my third such purchase. I went in knowing what I was getting, and as such I did not knock the lens for its slow maximum aperture. I am not only fine with the slow aperture, I sought it out because buying it meant that I would have a seventh lens that uses my 49 mm filters.
Build quality is superb, and the copy I got is in extremely good condition given its age. Glass is fine, without even any dust inside. There are a few marks on the barrel, but that's fine. The aperture ring works flawlessly, and the focusing is precise and smooth, and better than the manual focus for every AF lens I have ever used. (And it's not the best focusing Takumar I own, either.)
My copy is a bit finicky in use. If focus is not spot on, the images are not usable for me. That's a me thing, I know, and when focus is on, some images are very nice indeed. Sure, contrast in particular is not the best, but it can be enhanced after the fact. Aberrations are pretty bad, as expected, but they can also be fixed after the fact. Bokeh can be superb (as in one linked shot) or so-so, so I rated in an 8. For $40, not only can I not complain, I can only say positive things.
Three images are linked below.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119228821@N02/51978090847/in/album-72177720297460470/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119228821@N02/51959318237/in/album-72177720297460470/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119228821@N02/51960956297/in/album-72177720297460470/ | | | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: February 4, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp sharp sharp | | Cons: | Hard to use with certain adapters | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7R II
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This is the sharpest lens I have ever used. I use it on Sony A7R II with Fotodiox adapter, hard to use. I have to unscrew the lens a little to be able change the aperture and rescrew. | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2013 Location: NE England Posts: 13 | | Review Date: September 16, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, good colour rendition, build quality. | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: KP, S1a
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I had a damaged SMC version of this lens that wouldn't focus to infinity. I took a chance and got another copy from eBay that turned out to be the early 60s Super Tak version. Superb lens: very sharp and easy to manual focus with the KP. I use the Pentax M42 adapter ring and in-camera focus confirmation. A 'must have' if you collect old Takumars.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,369
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 28, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Smooth focusing, bokeh | | Cons: | non-SMC versions can be a little "flat" | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-1
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I received this lens in a Spotmatic kit I won on an auction which included the Spotmatic, 35 3.5, 150 4 and a case for $50. I put it on the K-1 and took it to work with me for a three day weekend.
I have the early Super Takumar version.
I have been very impressed with this lens. Takumar smooth focussing was a pleasure to use. The lens is quite sharp from f/4 and edge sharpness nearly reaches center at 5.6. Aberrations were well controlled for a non-SMC lens, but did require some added contrast in post. The biggest surprise was the bokeh from this lens, it was much nicer than I expected.
All shots done in manual mode. I found the best exposure to be -.5 to -.7 exposure compensation.
 _IMG0958 by Tony Wilhelm, on Flickr
 _IMG0965 by Tony Wilhelm, on Flickr
 _IMG0955 by Tony Wilhelm, on Flickr
 _IMG0949 by Tony Wilhelm, on Flickr
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2010 Location: MD Posts: 991 | | Review Date: November 20, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | small, sharp, solid, sublime | | Cons: | nothing reallly | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-30
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I have the Super Takumar version, and it is a lovely little lens. Mine came in excellent condition with caps and the original leather case.
I use Av mode, and it meters well. Wonderful to handle with plenty of focus control. Small and lightweight for 150mm. It is very sharp across the frame even at f4. Even better at f5.6-8 and slowly diminishing to f16.
150mm is a bit unusual on a APSC (= 225mm), but I'm finding good use for it.
To compare it w/ other lenses I have, it is better than my Pentax M 75-150mm f4. The DAL 55-300 (which is at 4.5 at 150mm) can compete, but its only image advantage is bettter contrast. I can touch things up in post-processing with the Super Tak.
Simply a wonderful lens. And an obligatory cat picture...
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 140
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 3, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, great feel and build quality, different focal length | | Cons: | manual focus (i guess that is a negative) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I have had this lens for a few weeks now and love it. Got it super cheap online ($25 with hood and case, all in near perfect condition) and if looks like it was hardly ever used. The only issue was that the ring showing the lens i.d. was somewhat unscrewed so that there were no exposed threads for a filter. I posted a message in the forums and a user advised how to get it screwed back in (rubber sink stopper works great). I did so and now it is perfect. Super sharp (when you nail the focus), and very nice bokeh. The lens feels great in the hand, and the focus ring is silky smooth. Also, great size for the focal length. Barely bigger than most 135's, (and smaller than some). My only complaint, and it is a very minor one, is that the hood doesn't mount on backwards like the bayonet-style hoods, and you can't take the hood on or off with a lens cap on. But these are minor gripes that don't really count anyway (why impose modern standards on what i know is an old lens?) and don't really detract from what is a great lens.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Melbs Posts: 1,220
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 18, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | LIGHT! | | Cons: | its just has a bad rap being 150mm | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10D
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It seems I'm forever scoring highly for any Tak I come across.. perhaps its more the Tak then me. Anyway... this arrived today. Gob smacked by how light it is. I was worried at f4 it might be a little slow to use handheld and low shutter speeds, but its not. You could shoot at 1/15 and be happy.
This focal length will be interesting to get used too. Its only odd because I haven't really shot at 150mm before. So I'll sit down and work out how big things are going to be on my sensor so I can get some appreciation for this wonderful little thing.
Sharp at f4, like any Tak to handle smooth and wonderful. Mine came with a hood (just to gloat) and its all a wonderful size / weight combo.
This is going to be fun 
Oh. f4 is fast enough to dissolve fly screen doors that may be in your way 
Straight outa camera, scaled down to 1600x1200
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xNhYsCdJn-k/UJsglWBKDFI/AAAAAAAAETs/H74jL...0/IMGP4378.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-STcV2EmorfU/UJsgkv5O2HI/AAAAAAAAETo/DxrFz...0/IMGP4354.JPG | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550 | | Review Date: October 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Image quality, Size | | Cons: | F4 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
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I just purchased a Super Takumar variant of the lens and took it for a walk in the park. My initial impressions are that it is a superb lens. I also own a SMC 135mm f3.5 and between the two the 150mm is awesome.
The size between the two is nearly identical. The 135mm is a little bit faster but the 150mm is sharp even wide open at f4 so the advantage is somewhat mute.
The only down size in the 150mm is the close focusing distance isn't as good but that is a given at 150mm.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Ohio, USA/ India Posts: 478 | | Review Date: June 7, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
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Some photographers overlook this lens because of the "neither here nor there" focal length. For me this odd focal length is a plus - the glass is not heavy like the 200, in fact the lens size is comparable to the 135. This means I can handhold this for some fun macros when mounted onto the bellows.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: Dundas, Ontario Posts: 28
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 27, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact, sharp, great colour and contrast | | Cons: | Excellent lens | |
Review for SMC Takumar 150 F4 - Very good performing prime. A bit slow at F4? Maybe...but depends on application. For outdoor use it's perfect, sharp and contrasty wide open with very life like colour output. Highly recommended if you can find one. I found one in a photo shop just tucked away...
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Slovenija Posts: 145 | | Review Date: September 6, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, size and weight | | Cons: | not the best bokeh | |
Wide open already razor sharp. Built quality just like all Takumars excellent.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: montreal Posts: 136 | | Review Date: November 17, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness,built quality and focusing | | Cons: | none for me | |
I don't use it much (i should) because i have lenses in the same range.It's a very good lens like all my Takumar,i have the Super Takumar version.It's quite sharp and the focusing is sublime like old lenses should be.The only thing is the minimum focusing distance that is a bit long.You can't go wrong with this one.Didn't have any problem with PF or CA up to now.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Posts: 8,237
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 24, 2008 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Beautiful, rich colors, sharp even wide open | | Cons: | Close focus | |
This is a wonderful lens, so very sharp stopped down one, but even very sharp wide open. Focusing is so precise, and of course it has the Super Tak build.
A bit longer than the 135, better FOV than the 200, this is a perfect telephoto for street shooting, and a very nice long portrait lens. Highly recommended.
 
  | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 728
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 16, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp wide open, Takumar build quality | | Cons: | Slightly oddball focal length on a DSLR | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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This lens offers the classic Takumar build quality and feel we've come to expect from these early 1970's lenses. The silky smooth focus and all metal body with very tight tolerances make this a classic lens. The image quality is excellent, with the lens being very very sharp wide open at f4. It jumps to total razor sharpness as you move towards the middle stops. The bokeh is not as creamy as a Tak 85, but is certainly smooth and pleasant to the eye. The image is sharp corner to corner with little evidence of CA in the photos I've taken. It also yields that classic color rendering of SMC glass. This lens makes really nice images.
The lens is physically large on the camera, resembling a skinny modern zoom lens. You can work with it handheld.
The biggest issue I have with the lens is it's oddball length... 150mm is a little long for portrait work (unless you talk to your subject via cell phone) and a little too short to sneak up on that unicorn in the backyard. But if you have need to use something with a bit more reach than a 135mm but not quite a full blown telescope, then this one is for you.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2008 Location: Antwerp, Belgium, Europe Posts: 125
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 14, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great IQ, great bokeh, very sharp lens | | Cons: | Compactness | |
Really superb lens both optically and mechanically. Focusing is a very easy, alhough the lens body is much smaller then the 135mm. I recommend the SMC Super Takumar version of this lens as a very good alternative to the almost dubble priced 135 f2.5. I can't notice any chromatic aberration even at the widest aperture.
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