| Author: | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: January 22, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $88.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Metal construction, smooth focus and aperture rings | | Cons: | Weight, adapter cost, rattle, long minimum focus distance | | Sharpness: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-50
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Picked up a nice example of the SMC version from KEH, along with the dedicated hood. The optics look perfect and the lens has no obvious signs of wear or damage. It fits perfectly on the K-50 with an Asahi Pentax M42 adapter, and is easy to focus using Live View magnification. Saying it's heavy is meaningless, because it was made when every lens was heavy metal. What concerns me is that when the lens is shaken there's a noticeable rattle that isn't coming from anything obvious - no loose lens elements, mount seems okay, focus barrel is tight, and the aperture diaphragm works properly as does the Manual/Auto switch controlling it. Thought it might be the actuator arm, but it still rattles when the stop down pin is pressed. I'm not overly concerned about it, as this lens is going to be used wide open on a tripod taking night sky photos, but it anyone has encountered this, I'd appreciate your feedback.
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2016 Location: British Columbia Posts: 41 | | Review Date: August 17, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, well built. | | Cons: | None for what it is. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: KP
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I was astonished at how sharp this lens is. I took a handheld shot (w/IBIS) indoors at f4 and produced a snapshot that was so sharp that Topaz Sharpen AI could not make a noticeable improvement. It is heavy as were all the lenses of the day, but still felt manageable handheld on a KP. Colours were also pleasing. $20 Canadian for a pristine copy in an original case was a no brainer. One step closer to justifying a K-1. :-)
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2021 Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color, build quality | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7iii
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I wasn't looking for this lens as I've always been satisfied with my Auto Chinon 200mm. But I was looking for a Spotmatic camera, and this Takumar 200mm came with it for a good price, so why not. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by this lens. The colors are so beautiful, and this lens is very sharp. I made a video comparison between the Auto Chinon 200 f3.5, and this Takumar 200 f4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51XBeVd0InE | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,710
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Color rendition, smooth controls, build | | Cons: | Long minimum focus, not sharp until f/8 | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5iis, K3, K-r
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Great colors and contrast with less than stellar sharpness until f/8. The Super Takumar 200/4 Can make stunning images in good light on the right camera. Use a 10-16 megapixel APS-C DSLR like the K-r, K30 and K-50, and it’s is an “f/8 and be there Lens”. More modern 18-24 megapixel cameras highlight the lenses flaws, especially aberrations.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2020 Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 25, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Color, sharpness at f8, bokeh | | Cons: | Long minimum distance, not sharp at f4 | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 5
Camera Used: EOS 60D
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Paid it 180 USD (imported it from Japan), 15 years ago. It is still in mint condition.
Built like a tank, excellent bokeh and colors. Sharpness is good from f5.6 above. Does not suffer from CA too much Focus ring is perfect (it is easy to focus with it).
A few pictures…
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2017 Posts: 3
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 11, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Quite handy, sharp, nice colors, bokeh | | Cons: | Chromatic aberrations, a bit soft at full aperture, screwable hood | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: Lumix GX-80
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A great lens easy to use. It looks very robust and the colors are very contrasted. The chromatic aberrations are quite annoying on a MFT sensor and made me convert shots to B&W to avoid it and it is a bit soft at full aperture. Instead of that, the bokeh is super cool and the sharpness too.
I'm not very used to tele prime lenses and this one is pretty handy to use even for a novice like me !
Here's a little set of shots I made with it : https://www.flickr.com/photos/145675450@N05/sets/72157687314042645 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2017 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 6, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, good contrast, not too heavy for a 200mm prime, great build quality | | Cons: | Nit picky, but I don't like screw on hoods, like to be able to remove them quickly | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Fuji XT-1
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I use this lens with a Fuji XT-1 which has great options for manual focusing, like colour peaking. I mostly just use the 'focus check' though, a magnified view for checking sharpness.
The focus ring on this lens is a joy, feels much nicer than many modern lenses. It's nicely textured, easy to find when looking through the VF, and smooth as butter.
I have used this lens for shooting birds in the garden, and also for portraits.
For the money it's hard to top, and there's nothing to complain about really.
  | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2017 Posts: 1
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 2, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $32.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solid build, beautiful colors rendition. | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Fujifilm X-E1
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As usual with Takumar lenses, the build quality of this lens is excellent.
I have the second version Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 200mm F4, paid €30 (approx $32) for it.
Mounted this lens on my Fujifilm X-E1, the focus peaking feature of this camera makes the use of manual lens like this very easy.
(Smartphone photo)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65545813@N07/33210563125/in/photostream/
Since I also own a FA* 200 F2.8, I have a good reference for comparison. The image quality of the Takumar is very good but it can't reach the level of a FA* lens. (Obviously it's not fair to compare lenses from totally different leagues like this).
In good day (sun)light, the Takumar delivers very good results with the well-known beautiful colors rendition.
Nowadays, with the good low light behavior (high ISO behavior) of DSLR and mirrorless camera, shooting in low light situations with relative slow lens (F4) like this Takumar is no longer a real issue.
On my X-E1, I can shoot at ISO range 500-1000 while keep the shutter speed at 1/250 sec (or faster) without compromising (much) on IQ.
Attached image is shot at ISO-800, F/8 and 1/400 sec.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65545813@N07/32395895333/in/photostream/ | | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2015 Location: Sydney/ London Posts: 38
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 28, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $56.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Rendering, well built | | Cons: | None really. Not to be used in low light obviously | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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As with the Takumar 50mm F1.4, I use a Fuji X-T1 body for this lens, the build, EVF, focus peaking and manual controls make it a perfect body for this lens. I will let the images speak for themselves.
 Takumar 200mm F4 by Otim, on Flickr
 Boxing Day by Otim, on Flickr
 Boxing Day by Otim, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2016 Posts: 11
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 11, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | colours, sharpness | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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Have had this lens for years, with very little use, but used it on full-frame for the first time today. I really underrated it. Let me preface my opinions by saying that this is a very old lens, and i'm not expecting the speed, useability or IQ of a modern tele.
Most obviously, I'm blown away by the colours that this thing produces. Nicer than almost any pentax-M/A glass i've used, especially in the telephoto range. Test-shot of test-chicken straight out of the camera, no edits:
Sharpness is very good.
CA is meh but well controlled when stopped down a bit. In saying that, I wouldn't use this thing wide open anyway, but 5.6-8 is very good across the board.
I think the bokeh is very nice.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2016 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 10, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Contrast, Amazing Colour and bokeh, Handling | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony NEX-7
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Nice lens, but heavy, result with new digital camera is very good.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 18, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Economical | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-50, K-2000
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I have two copies of the Super-Multi-Coated version (mfg 1971). There is a small sharpness variation between them and also in the stiffness of the focusing ring.
Build quality & durability is superior. Heft is substantial.
My most success using this manual focus 200mm (manual focusing aids/screens may be advisable for some users) is for near to medium distance work.
https://flic.kr/p/pS6VcJ
[IMG] IMGP4803 by André Rivard, on Flickr[/IMG]
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Berlin Posts: 9
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 17, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 5D
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I don't use this lens a lot but I love it. It's pretty huge, but not too bad for a 200mm. Its great to hold, as all Takumars. Its nice and sharp from ƒ4, has great colours. Flares a lot into the sun but also in a lovely warm way. The pictures that come out of it are just great. And the price these go for is crazy cheap. An excellent lens.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2014 Posts: 29
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 21, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | availability, build quality, looks, sharpness | | Cons: | CA (for astronomical imaging) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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I like this lens, it;s just a great lens to have in one's kit bag. Can be a bit of a handful handheld but can reach p=out with surprising sharpness if focus is worked at.
http://www.mindburner.webspace.virginmedia.com/astroimages/images/M42%20widefield.png | | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2014 Posts: 43
6 users found this helpful
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