| Author: | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: California Posts: 67
8 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 13, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size Build, Reasonably Sharp, Excellent Color, Slight Vignette wide open. | | Cons: | Now Screw Mount | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Spotmatic
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This is the most confusing jumble of nonsensical reviews I've ever read. You can't tell which of the four or five lenses people are talking about, they use them on digital cameras and make crazy suppositions, they never say if they scan using auto or take it to the camera store for development, or stick it in Picasa for RAW or Jpeg adjustments. I read most of the post and received nothing for my time.
So I use my Super-Takumar 28mm F3.5 49mm (filter) on my Spotmatic and have for 46 years. The only problem I've ever had with this lens is a sticking aperture on closing. I had it fixed and am still using it. You can read my ratings above.
I love the slight vignette.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2015 Posts: 62 | | Review Date: August 13, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Outstanding mechanical quality | | Cons: | Soft, not suitable for digital | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7 and A7r
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I owned the Super-Multi-Coated version. The harsh rating is for use on a modern digital camera (Sony A7 and A7r). I can't speak to how this lens does on film.
Mechanically, this was the nicest lens in my bag. The build quality is outstanding. The ergonomics are incredible. It's a joy to hold. I loved it, and I really wanted it to be a lens I could use. Unfortunately, I had to sell it again because it was just terrible on my camera in comparison to the SMC Pentax K 28mm and the Canon FD 28mm, which I also had.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 1,384 | | Review Date: February 23, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Great colours, quite sharp, contrast | | Cons: | corner sharpness | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K200D, K20D
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I have SMC version. Maybe it is not my most used lens, but I like it - especially the coulours (which seem to be significantly better sooc compared to M28/2.8 lens).
Many people complain about the soft corners and it is true. But if you stop the lens down to f9.5 - f11 it is more then acceptable for me also in the corners. Even if this is a weekness it is still great lens for live view/mirrorless use, I really like its rendering. Anyway it is good for static distant subjects like landscapes or buildings.
Center is quite sharp even wide open.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Warsaw Posts: 32 | | Review Date: January 22, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Compact build, colors. | | Cons: | (M42?), slow. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 8
Camera Used: K-3
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I have a SMC copy. In comparision with Kiron Kino 28mm f/2, Hoya HMC 28mm f/2.8, or SMC-K 28mm f/3.5 - Tak is in medium of scale, clear winner is SMC-K 28mm, last position going to Hoya HMC 28mm. Good for landscapes, or "static" street.
In some situation problems with distortion.
Now I using this lens only with analog with M42.
@3.5
@8
 | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 6,381 | | Review Date: August 4, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build quality | | Cons: | Slower than some M42 mount competitors; rear face of lens does not cover contacts on camera mount. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-5 with genuine M42/K adapter.
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Bought this lens secondhand near the start of a vacation and it ended up spending a lot longer on the camera than I first intended. The image quality and sharpness are IMO very good when I get the focus correct and supply adequate depth of field. Most failures of sharpness have been failures to focus.
Aperture is not as wide as an M42 lens of this focal length could be, but I think this is probably a deliberate decision made at the design phase. Nevertheless I have rated this as a "con" as it's the only Takumar lens in this focal length and there isn't an f/2.8 variant to give the user choice without going to third parties. Asahi Opt. CO probably realised this, as the deficit was rectified in the K series of lenses.
Build quality is excellent and focus is smooth. Unlike my SMC Tak 55mm f/2.0, this lens has the "classical Takumar" deeply grooved and knurled focus ring and it is a pleasure to use - experience so far is that the focus controls make fine adjustments around the focus point easy, and it doesn't "creep" away from its set point when the ring is released. In addition, the nature of the aperture system means that any "stickiness" or slowness of the blades is irrelevant on a DSLR as they're not racing to close at the moment of the shot (and on an M42 camera, one can always override the automatic stop-down if there's a problem).
One thing that potential buyers should be aware of is that with the lens screwed into the adapter all the way, the base of the lens does not cover the data contacts on a DSLR camera's mounting ring, whereas at least one other M42 lens I own does. Thus, one has to pay particular attention to not exposing the camera to moisture or other potential sources of damage. If you mostly shoot indoors or in mild environments this is probably not an issue, but this isn't a camera/lens combination to risk in inclement weather. If showers are forecast, bring a rain-proof camera bag or leave this lens at home.
Edited to add: I noticed a tendency to underexpose in AV mode (which I always use with the Takumars), specifically at wider apertures and in lower light. One is advised to select a half-stop of EV compensation under these conditions unless the underexposed appearance is specifically sought.
For what it is (M42 mount, requiring adapter, manual focus and manual aperture control), I recommend this lens.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2015 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 16 | | Review Date: August 4, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $69.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Small, solid build, good color, resolution and contrast, no distortion | | Cons: | CA and soft in corners | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-500
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This lens makes good pictures. Distortion is well corrected but the CA and softness in the corners can be noticeable, even pronounced at f3.5 to f5.6. Slight CA is still detectable in the corners at f16 with extreme enlargement. Anyway, it takes pleasing pictures and is built to last forever.
Hand held, 1/100 sec, f11, ISO 1600, using K-500 body.
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Location: 48599 Gronau Posts: 26 | | Review Date: July 25, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $38.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | great lens, sharp, good contrast and image rendering | | Cons: | nothing | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Better than I expected! I got the SMC Takumar 35 3.5 and I was surprised by the image quality I could get whith my K 7. Then LBA caught me and I bought the 28 3.5. All the images I got whith this lens I can name in two words: colourfull and contrasty!
Handling is easy and the lens is a fun to use in the field. Very important: you have to use the genuine hood to get the best of the lens!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 41 | | Review Date: July 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality - Quality of the image | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k30
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I have the SMC version (last one) and probably it is very different from the other two versions cause mine is extremely good!
At f3.5 it is not so sharp and edges are not so good. When stop down you will have great result in terms of sharpness.
Reccomanded.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 2, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Accurate, strong-body, confortable grip handling, small and with the very good performance | | Cons: | slow at low light | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K10, K20, K7, EOS
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I Believe miss me a few mechanical Pentax 28mm lenses that I still do not have the opportunity to use. All I could already test or shoot with them, I liked most was this Super-Multi-Coated 28mm f/3.5. Lens with excellent tonal balance, color fast and don't lump together the hues, and wonderful sharpness already at the maximum aperture. It was clearer, will be perfect wide . Because of this, however, isn't very suitable for use on cameras with small / poor viewfinder, or in lowlight where focus precision in first plan is crucial. I have the four versions of this lens mentioned in this article. The first is weak, but, is better in black and white photos, it has dynamic line is very open; the second has amazing colors, like all Super-Takumar Torium and still favoring of the largest filter diameter (58mm) which causes receive more light ; the other two, with filter 49mm, almost equivalent, with better colors in Super-Takumar and better sharpness in Super-Multi-Coated Takumar.  | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Berlin Posts: 9 | | Review Date: May 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $85.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Takumar build, small | | Cons: | so so performance | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: ESII, MX, 5Diii
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I have owned 3 version of this lens, the early 58mm filter version, and both the Super Tak and S-M-C 49mm versions. I've also owned the 28/2.8 M and A Pentax lenses and they are all reasonable similar - decently sharp in the the center but soft and dark corners, even when stopped down. I think the SMC Takumar has the nicest overall look and feel and the best build quality.
But then there is also the K28/ƒ3.5 and that lens is a beast, head and shoulders above the rest...
| | | | | Loyal Site Supportaxian Registered: September, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 503
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 27, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | superb mechanicals, close focus, small size | | Cons: | color shift with aperture change, veil/flare | | Sharpness: 6
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 3
Handling: 10
Value: 6
Camera Used: Multiple Crop Sensor Canon EF
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This is for the Late first model (58mm threads, and f16 smallest aperture) - still fairly early, though, as it it came in an AOCO case:
Optical: Lens hood is necessity with this earlier model, there is major contrast loss when the sun shines anywhere on the outer element. If you use a crop sensor camera, use a hood made for a longer focal length. Sharpness is only fair. My example is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic shape, so I have no reason the think the lack of sharpness is due to age or rough treatment. It's just not that sharp. This lens has a major fault that interferes with my workflow -- that is, it exhibits color shift according to the aperture selected. Colors are significantly warmer at f3.5 than they are at f11. Note that this does not exhibit in the same way as you might see with some fast Super Takumars where you'll get diffuse warm "glow" all the sudden when wide open. The color shift is progressive instead, and seems independent of sharpness. Anyhow, if you're using gray cards/expodisc/custom white balance, be aware that you'll need to calibrate at the same f stop that you intend to shoot at. The color shift isn't real bad, but it will probably drive anyone with OCD crazy.
Mechanical: An absolute dream to use. Mechanically, this lens is a solid 10. Better than most of the 30+ other Takumars I've used. In fact, one of the best I have ever used, any brand, any model.
My favorite use of this lens is intentionally making major flare to recreate the "washed out" dreamy classic look.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2013 Location: Port Angeles, WA Posts: 505
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 7, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $23.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great colors, near perfect FOV on digital (42mm equivalent) | | Cons: | Not as sharp in corners, even on digital | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K100d, K-X, MX, ME Super
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Another solid 8. I picked this up with caps, case, and the genuine M42 to PK adapter for $22. Another fantastic value. 
Usefulness is great. Very close to the perfect 43mm FOV when you use this on digital. I've found it to be great for people shots in tight spaces, and pretty good for landscapes... Though I may have to shell out some big bucks for a modern lens that has sharpness and resolution to keep up with modern sensors. F/3.5 wasn't even that big of a deal for me, but it's a pain to focus using a split-prism with any filters on the front. Indoors, I left it at 4 or 5.6, ISO 200, 1/180, and a bounced 285HV at 1/2 or 1/4 power, while shooting a family event and loved the results. (once you get good with bouncing a flash, you'll *feel* like a lighting master!). While shooting individuals, it distorted faces/noses, but for candids/group shots it's great.
Bokeh is..... so-so. Being a 28mm it was too much DOF, even at f/4 to give much Bokeh, and when it does, there's still a lot of detail. Nothing beats loading up a faster longer lens for this and taking a few steps back, but for tight spaces this was nice.
Handling is excellent-- Leave it on Manual, focus wide open (or f/4-f/5.6 if you're shooting that close to open), then twist it down and snap. My copy paired with the K100d needs +1.5 EV compensation at wider apertures, and plus +0.5 at f/11-f/16. A little bigger than the 35mm f/3.5, but it's actually a little easier to focus on a big digital body,
Have yet to see any abberations, but when shooting lots of straight lines, there's a tiny bit of barrel distortion. Flare is an issue shooting landscapes on a sunny day, but you could get away with a pretty big hood and be fine... or just use your hand to shade. I couldn't get this to make as nice of sunstars as my 35mm f/3.5, and it flared a bit more. (My 28mm is an SMC, my 35mm is a Super Tak! I have heard, though, that the 35mm f/3.5 Super Tak had better flare resistance than most multicoated lenses of the day, though).
Pictures coming soon!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Posts: 3,348 | | Review Date: August 29, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small size to carry, very sharp, smooth focusing, very bright image | | Cons: | Small size when setting | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 5
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-30
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This review is for the SMC version.
This lens makes excellent wide angle shots. At f/8 the image is remarkably sharp, almost to the edge depending on the distance to the camera of what's there. Considering that this lens is available for well under $100 any small big of fuzziness at the extreme edges can be easily forgiven.
Colors come through reasonably well but you may find yourself wanting to develop your own JPG images from the raw DNG data. Then your images can have simply stunning color! I'm guessing that the lens was designed with film's sensitivity curves for color and that may be the source of this comment. The image through my K-30's OVF is bright and clear.
I find that my K-30 meters a bit dark so I need to add somewhere between +0.7 to +1.3 of exposure compensation, especially when using Av mode through the OVF. Be sure to check your histograms. Again, this could be coming from the fact that the lens was probably designed to work with film rather than a digital camera's image sensor.
The lens is fairly small but pretty far from a pancake. Still, it can be awkward to handle if you have large hands and fingers. On the other hand, it does reduce your camera's footprint and physical presence!
I could not get interesting bokeh from this lens
Get one in good condition, get ready for some minor post processing, and I think you will be very satisfied with this lens!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,056 | | Review Date: March 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image quality, size, craftsmanship | | Cons: | Speed (but see size, above), wish it were a 24mm! | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-30, spotmatic
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This lens refers to the S-M-C Takumar version. (I have also owned the 49mm filter thread version of the Super-Takumar 28/3.5, but the S-M-C surpasses it in every regard.)
This lens is an incredible little jewel. The image quality (especially at f/8) is unbelievable, sharing the podium with the FA31/1.8 (at least to my mind). Yes, it is slow, but with the low noise of newer DSLRs that is becoming less and less of an issue in a practical sense. The handling is terrific: small size, high quality materials, breathtakingly smooth focus and aperture rings. There is an equally gorgeous metal hood available (currently ~$12 at KEH) that helps shield the front element from flare and dings.
In short, this lens produces magical images and is a joy to use. I just wish it were a tad wider, but then it wouldn't be so cheap!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, small size and great build. | | Cons: | No SMC coatings and a bit slow. Minimum aperture of f16. | | Camera Used: Spotmatic and Pentax 67ii
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This review is for the 1966: Super-Takumar 1:3.5/28 - second model with a 49mm filter thread.
I’m basing my review of this lens against my 50+ Pentax K-mount lenses, specifically the K28/2.5
The ST28/3.5 and the K28/3.5 are very close optically (the K version has one extra lens element) and are equally sharp. However the K28/2.5 has the better SMC coatings so it will handle flare better.
The K28/2.5 also has a better minimum aperture of f22.
Overall the K28/3.5 is a slightly better lens, mostly due to the SMC coatings. I gave the K28/3.5 a score of 9 and the ST28/3.5 gets an 8.5, rounded down to an 8.
Note: The price I indicated is for a ST28/3.5 in EX+ condition, with the lens case, lens hood and lens hood case.
Sample shots taken with the ST28/3.5. Photos are medium resolution scans from original negatives.
Camera: SP Film: Kodak Gold ISO: 200
Camera: SP Film: Kodak T-Max ISO: 100
Camera: SP Film: Kodak T-Max ISO: 400
Update:
If you own a Pentax 6x7 film body and want high magnification for macro work, the Super Takumar 28/3.5 is a perfect lens. You can reverse it using the Pentax 6x7 49mm reverse adaptor & the 6x7 Helicoid extension tube and get close to 5x magnification.
Sample shot using the Super Takumar 28/3.5 & Pentax 67ii shooting Fuji Provia 400x slide film:
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