| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 1,126
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 7, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, even wide open; very sharp in the corners; good colors; light; fast; easy to focus; cheap | | Cons: | chromatic aberration in out of focus areas; | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-30
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I got SMC Takumar. It is manual focus, so it will not be as convenient as an autofocus lens. However, optically, it stands the test of time. It is better than most new lenses and as good as top of the line new zooms. Stopped down, it is even sharper, although at the price of some chromatic aberration. It also won't handle flare nearly as well as the modern pentax lenses, so watch out.
For the price, you can't go wrong. It is an excellent choice for landscapes.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | | Review Date: August 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build Quality, Speed, Usability, Handling, and | | Cons: | None to speak of | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: H1A, H3, H3V, Spotmatic, SP 1000, SPII, SPIIA, Spotmatic F
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A good, fast, and reliable standard lens. It does very well on film, especially black and white, and digital.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Berlin Posts: 9 | | Review Date: June 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | cheap, beautifully made, beautiful glass. | | Cons: | None, if you can handle a manual lens | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 5D mkiii
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It's awesome. It's as sharp as the more highly regarded 50/ƒ1.4 and in most ways just as nice (the bokeh is a little less smooth, maybe because it has fewer aperture blades??). It's a whole heap cheaper too!
I have the SMC version and also an early Auto-Takumar version. I love the hazy low-contrast look of the Auto-Tak, while the SMC has amazing coatings, is contrasty and punchy. Both great lenses, highly recommended.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: December, 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 2,437 | | Review Date: May 8, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent IQ and build. Nice focus, amazing value | | Cons: | All manual | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-x
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Mine is a SMC. I found the overall rating quite hard to set because it all depends how much you take the value into consideration.
I took a middle line (full manual versus low cost) and ended up with a 9. I don't mind manual focus but the manual aperture is a negative - although with M42 lenses you can use Av mode for larger apertures (mine needs quite a bit of exposure compensation though).
I now have a SMC A 50 f1.4 which is more convenient to use and has proven itself to perform better at equivalent apertures (in fact, except for contrast, the A at f1.4 is only a tiny bit worse than the 55 at f1.8). But then the A 50s are getting harder to find in good condition and they cost quiet a bit more. Another disadvantage with these M42 lenses is you do not get to see what aperture you used in the photo meta information. That all said I'm very reluctant to let my 55 go - its build and feel are superb.
This lens is a value king and if you are on a tight budget it is highly recommended!
Examples:
1. Stopped down (f8 I think): http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwi_jono/6237153306/sizes/l/
2. Wide open: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwi_jono/6140055906/in/photostream/ | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 928
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Value for money! Very, very sharp stopped down. Gorgeous colors and contrast | | Cons: | M42 screwmount, but its more jewel-like than the k-mount K55mm | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K20D
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Before seeing any on-line reviews/prices of the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8 I inherited, I thought it was my best lens, by some margin. A more attractive focal length for me than my Takumar/FA 50mm f1.4s. Easily fast enough for taking indoor (daylight) pictures without flash. And light-years better images than my Pentax and Canon zooms/point and shoots.
Then I read more on-line about the "legendary" Pentax lenses, and started collecting other old and new primes, some well over ten times as expensive as this one. But quite frankly I still think this lens, or more accurately my "new" SMC Takumar version, is my best lens considering its performance, size and cost.
Its good to read all the very positive reviews of Pentax's great 55mm lens legacy here and elsewhere. There's little I can add except to share my experiences of the 55mm versions I own. I find the SMC Takumar produces slightly higher resolution images than the S-M-C (starting from a very high level!) and Super Takumar. The K-series/k mount lens is larger and heavier than the Takumars, and doesn't quite have the wonderful jewel-like feel of the Takumars.
The perfect lens for experienced and budding photographers alike to develop their manual skills - and outrageous value for money. Rather than continue with a thesaurus of superlatives, I'd like to submit these two SMC + K20D images, one being a crop of the other - to show just how cleanly this lens can resolve images/lines/in and out of focus areas.
Plus two others, using a K-3:
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 11, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, small size and great build. | | Cons: | No SMC coatings and minimum aperture of f16. | | Camera Used: Spotmatic
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This review is for the 1965: Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (late version).
I’m basing my review of this lens against my 50+ Pentax K-mount lenses, specifically the K55/1.8.
My K55/1.8 shots seem to have a bit more “impact” than the ST55/1.8, which is more likely due to the SMC coatings than sharpness.
The K55/1.8 also has a better minimum aperture of f22.
Overall the K55/1.8 is a slightly better lens. I gave the K55/1.8 a score of 10 and the ST55/1.8 gets a 9.
Note: I got my ST55/1.8 as part of a camera kit, so I can’t estimate the individual price for the lens.
Sample shots taken with the ST55/1.8. Photos are medium resolution scans from original negatives.
Camera: SP Film: Fuji Superia ISO: 200
Camera: SP Film: Kodak Gold ISO: 200
 | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 6, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Smooth feel, softness | | Cons: | Yellowing | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: canon eos 100d
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I have had this lense for over 30 years. I used it with my spotmatic to make portraits of my children. It's been in storage for 20 years since I no longer had a darkroom or much time for film photography.
Enter 2013 I decided to get my first DSLR and an entry level camera to test the waters. I have been happy with the Canon kit lens for action and everyday snap shots but it just didn't do what I wanted for portraits.
I went to buy a portrait lens and happened to mention my old pentax lens as something I wanted to emulate. Sales guys eyes lit up and he told me I could get a converter for my Canon EOS. I am so glad I did! Converter cost a third of a new, low end, portrait lens.
I said softness was a positive in the boxes to fill out and the reason is that I actually enjoy that quality in this lense. I tested it against my kit lense which can be very sharp - and so can the old pentax with smaller aperture and a tripod - but I feel the softness I get with the pentax when it is handheld is flattering to the subject and very atmospheric especially with the exceptional bokeh in front and behind.
The slight yellowing is also good for atmosphere and can be corrected easily in post production.
I am an amateur but I am remembering why I loved this lens and so happy I can fit to my digital camera.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 9
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 5, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Color, feel, contrast, bokeh | | Cons: | Focal length, screwmount | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-x
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I love this lens. It is probably my cheapest lens, yet it never fails to deliver satisfying images. I think it’s mostly the way this lens renders color, rich and punchy across the spectrum. It sees colors I didn’t even notice in the scene, like an artist drawing subliminal colors out of shadows and highlights.
I am pretty thrifty when it comes to lenses, I don’t really spend more than $100 on a lens, so I look pretty hard for the bargains. I browse through the lens reviews here, looking for good rating/price ratios. This one popped out right away as being a great bargain. Of course it’s the focal length, not very desirable I guess, or maybe there’s just too many of this length or similar. I can tell you that the feel of this lens is wonderful, nice throw on the focus, not touchy at all.
My approach with the focal length is to let the lens decide the relationship to the subject, and how it treats the visual context. To get a certain shot, you need the use the focal length that will get that shot, but you can also turn that around and explore what a specific lens will give you. Find what the lens does well and work with that.
This one is clearly good at getting close to the subject, but I like what it does with backgrounds and things around the subject. Some might not like the bokeh, I love it, I really like the splash of little hexagons, adding a kind of psychedelic quality at times. It’s great. I like the ability to turn off the auto-iris so you can see it’s effect on the image, you can see exactly what the bokeh is going to do.
The lens is pretty darn sharp, not so much at wide apertures, but stop it down a notch or two and it’s great, grabbing the subject and putting a good wash over the background. At f/8 it’s stunning, but you’ll need the background to be further away to keep it from distracting.
The color thing: I don’t have enough experience as a photographer to say why it’s so intense. It certainly has some fringing, but it’s not your typical chromatic aberration, more like a color-enhanced edge. Some might find this objectionable, but I don’t expect this lens to be highly accurate, it’s not for that. You certainly won’t need to enhance the color in post-processing, so the depth of color and saturation feels natural, not artificially pumped-up.
It does tend to meter a little dark, but if you’re capturing raw format,you’ll be able to compensate for that if you forget to set the compensation in the camera like I always do. It gets great contrast, so it’s pretty forgiving on the exposure.
This one comes highly recommended: won’t cost you much of anything, but definitely get the Pentax adapter ring, which may cost more than the lens!
I have the ‘62 version on a K-x body.
Same shot cropped 100%
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2012 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 2, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp from the opening, good quality performance, beautiful bokeh. | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-x
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I have the SMC version of this lens. It is a beautiful buildings in sufficient
sharp is an open aperture. The lens is very well executed. Very good for portraits. IMHO the only one drawback - not very convenient aperture ring, otherwise it's an excellent lens.
Here examples from my copy. filmed on K-x
https://picasaweb.google.com/113830004396908134834/SMSTakumar5518?authuser=0&feat=directlink | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 94
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 29, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image, build quality and great feel | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 550D, Chinon CS
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A great lens with great image and build quality.
Like many m42 takumar this have a really great feel to it.
Image quality filming
 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2012 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: November 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Sharp and Sharp, Picture Quality, Build | | Cons: | little soft at wide open, yellowish (Super Takumar version) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 550D
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Sharp. Picture quality is absolutely stunning. Bokeh is amazing.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2011 Location: Quezon City Posts: 4 | | Review Date: November 23, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, nice bokeh, smooth focusing, build quality, very good price/quality ratio (very cheap) | | Cons: | None.. It's just that the 50mm f/1.4 is little better.. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon EOS 60D, Asahi Pentax Spotmatic
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I've had this lens a few months ago when I picked up a Spotmatic.. I thought of selling it at first because I already have a 50mm f/1.4 which I use with my Canon 60D, but I decided to just keep it and I was never wrong with my decision..
The Takumar 55mm f/1.8 produces sharp images and with its fast aperture it is also good in low light and bokeh.. Focusing is easy even at f/1.8 and I don't notice any chromatic aberations in any of my photos taken with it.. And with my Canon 60D's 1.6 crop factor, this lens is equivalent to 88mm in full frame, just imagine having an 88mm f/1.8 lens for about $30.. It's great for portrait and DSLR video!
I am a big Takumar fan and this lens is one of the reasons why.. Compared to the 50mm f/1.4, this lens is a lot cheaper but produces images that is almost as good as what the 50mm f/1.4 does.. I think this is one of the most underrated lenses.. I would never trade this for a modern autofocus plastic lens..
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 2 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,465
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | GREAT | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Spotmatic, K-x
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GET ONE TODAY.
Seriously, this and the f/2 might be the most underappreciated Takumars. In contrast to the 50/1.4 which is way overappreciated. That's coming from someone who currently owns 3 copies of the 55/1.8 and 2 of the 50/1.4.
This lens is small and a real jewel in handling. It unfortunately suffers from the distance scale syndrome - the glue fails after 40 years and needs to be redone. This is its only drawback from an otherwise awesome lens, but it can't really be put at fault after so many years.
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21A_0058.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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_9A_0046.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP6433.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP6174.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP6173.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP4792.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP6559.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
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IMGP3963.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: Rochester Posts: 73 | | Review Date: September 6, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | great color rendition | | Cons: | nothing that it was not built for | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I actually had to add an update to the lens info section.
I own both the auto takumar ((1960: Auto-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (second model) - 3rd photo above - despite the name Auto-Takumar this lens has a fully automatic diaphragm like the later Super-Takumar lenses. The aperture ring turns the opposite way compared to all later lenses!))
and the ((1962: Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (first version) - fine knurls on aperture ring))
My update is the first versions of the super takumar still have the aperture ring that turns the opposite way as the auto takumar before it. That being said it can not be the only one as stated.
I have 5 different versions of these makes of lens to post against and can post pictures  Though not the end all be all, I know that many of us like to know every little add on detail we can for each of our lens and cameras.
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