| Author: | | New Member Registered: August, 2014 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 29, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast, Sharp, Solid, smooth focus | | Cons: | you cant lick the glass due to all the radioactivity. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony NEX 5R
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A smashing wee lens that every photographer should try. The phrase "they don't make them like they used to" was actually (well possibly) originally coined when talking about this lens. Its a little tank of a thing that feels and handles beautifully. Acceptably sharp wide open with excellent colours and bokeh. Highly recommended, I prefer it to my OM Zuiko 50mm f1.4 and my Yashica 50mm f1.4.
I think this lens is a 7 element with some 8 element markings must have been a transitional one.
A few photos
 Kelvin Walkway by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Osteospermum (again) by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Autumn Bokeh by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Kelvin Walway by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Great Western Road by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Great Western Road by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Botanic Gardens by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Autumn Bokeh by Caledonia84, on Flickr
 Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 by Caledonia84, on Flickr
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: So Cal Posts: 2,080 | | Review Date: October 28, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | good build | | Cons: | only sharp in the center | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 6
Camera Used: k10d, 36mp full frame sony a7r
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this review is for the 1972 version: SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50 - rubberized focusing ring.
i got this lens years ago, after listening to hype that it was better than the super tak 8-element version that i had.
it never quite gelled for me on the k10d, and now that i've tested it against other 50mm primes, on the 36mp full frame sony a7r, i can see why.
wide open, at least 50% of the image plane, from the sides in, is not sharp... that improves as it's stopped down, but it never comes close to any of the other 50mm primes that i tested it against.
the center is good, so on a crop sensor camera, you wouldn't notice the sides as much... it has less veiling glow wide open than the super tak mentioned above, which is good.
the most extraordinary thing about it is the warm color, which can probably be attributed to the radioactive element.
at this point i have to wonder if there is a problem with my copy of this lens, but given how good the 8-element super tak is, i'm not spending any more money to find out... i gave it a risky "buy" recommendation, but ymmv.
see full-width landscape crops of this lens, against other 50mm lenses: SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens test | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: October, 2014 Location: Tandil, Argentina Posts: 13 | | Review Date: October 25, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Solid, Focus Grip, Weight, Bokeh, Color | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Canon 50D
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I have the SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 serial number 7401478. Amazing solid peace of metal!
The F has 8 blades and the focus grip is excellent. You feel like you are using a professional lens.
I can say that the Takumar focus system is the better. The precision and smooth... so many better then canon or nikon.
I think this lens has a very particular character. The colors and bokeh are very different and outstanding compared to any new lens.
Here on my 50D, Takumar 50mm f1.4 at 1.4. Just Check the bokeh and sharpness
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2011 Location: Niagara Posts: 3,907 | | Review Date: September 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $65.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | smooth smooth focus ring, 49mm threads! | | Cons: | People try to sell them as "rare 8element" and over price | |
Adapter rings are a P.I.T.A. - that out of the way... Love this lens. Quality built... like a tank. Even my copy in its scratched condition makes wonderful photos, on film and digital. The focus ring is so smooth. Mine has yellowed somewhat too, but the digital camera manages the white balance pretty good considering - to correct I just "cool it off" in LR.
Great bokeh
Excellent sharpness
Good fun on film too
Mine is Super-Takumar Serial #3293050
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: April 17, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $34.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ethereal, rich, incredible rendering with lovely OOF | | Cons: | .45m close focus | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax SP2, Canon 650D, Nikon D600
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This is my favorite lens...
I have 30 other really nice, mainly maual focus lenses including a Nikkor 50-1.2, Pancolar 50-1.8, Olympus 50-1.2 and a Takumar 55-1.8....it lives on my Canon 650D
It is so good. The feel of photos taken wide open is unexplainable. There is just something. A glow, a dimension........
I use it often on my Nikons even though it only focuses a couple of metres away, I don't bother doing this with any other M42 lens.
Takumar 50 1.4's are so cheap, it makes no sense to not try one out.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503 | | Review Date: March 27, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great bokeh, built like a tank, large aperture, | | Cons: | doesn't have autofocus, kind of a pain to use on DSLRs | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K200D, K100D, ME, ME-F
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They just don't make lenses like they use to. This thing is probably one of the best prime lenses I own, and I own several pentax and nikon primes. Now if only they could make a lens like this in the K mount with autofocus, that would be great 
This lens is great for shooting artsy photographs and shooting in low light. Its pictures just have a different personality and the 3d effect is great.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: March 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color, build, IQ | | Cons: | none so far | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I tried both the SMC and the Super version. It was hard to say which one is better but eventually I choose the Super Takumar (not prone to yellow decay).
Sharp even wide open (razor from 1.7 onwards). Very nice colors. Smooth bokeh. Extremly solid build: it's a tank. Smooth, silent and handy focus ring, very good for video too.
Luckily I've got a mint collectible version with case, hood, hood case, original multicoated Asahi-Pentax filter and caps, plus three extension tubes, from a local shop.
It beats many modern lenses, especially with the hood, and lets you work in manual mode. With an adapter ring you can usually have focus confirmation, auto ISO, and body stabilization on a modern camera. It is definitely one of the best lens around in this range. I use it everyday indoor and outdoor, while my modern AF 50mm 1.4 waits in its case..
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2014 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: January 16, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | build quality, image quality, fast | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon EOS 700D
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Changing from the Canon Kit lens to this piece of glass and metal just blew me away. It looks almost like new and feels so sturdy and smooth. The images it takes are outstanding.
I still need to upgrade to a focus confirmation adapter which sometimes could be quite helpful.
I haven't indicated a price because that wouldn't be fair. The Tak came mounted on a Spotmatic F accompanied by a cheap Revuenon zoom lens. I paid 50€ (68$) for the whole set and I was able to sell the Revuenon for 30€ (40$). So effectively I've paid 20€ (28$) for a superb 50mm lens. I felt a bit like stealing it from the original owner.  | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: August 5, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | build, sharp | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k-30
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i love the sharpness on it, my favorite lens right now...
 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: July 1, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Incredible quality glass | | Cons: | Fully Manual | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 5d mark ii
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A great all around lens. A must have fro filmmakers or videographers. Here is a video I filmed using just the Super-multi-coated takumar 50mm f1.4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITz6D1lbZ-0
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2013 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 114 | | Review Date: May 24, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | feel, bokeh, sharpness, color, contrast, fast, manual focus | | Cons: | screwmount, no auto exposure on digital body | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-01
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I grew up with this lens on my dad's old ESII. I recently got my first nice digital camera, a K-01, and then just the other day got an M42 adapter ring with no flange so it'll infinity focus. It's truly an amazing lens, not just technically with regards to low distortion, aberration, contrast, bokeh, color, contrast, speed, etc., but this lens, as many have reported, has something magical to it. Something vibrant and lifelike and 3D. Images come alive. It was a hint yellow, but after parking it right up against a fluorescent black-light for a week and a half, it turned clear again. It's just a truly magical and amazing piece of glass. I'm having to get used to the crop factor because now it behaves like a 75mm, but even still, it's just astounding. Hands down the most beautiful looking lens I own.
Here's an old garage door that I found yesterday. I'm including a crop because when I zoomed in, I was amazed at the detail and sharpness. I was probably at f4 or so.
I realize now how spoiled I was all my life shooting film with this lens and it being my only lens all those years.
 
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2012 Location: Ajman, United Arab Emirates Posts: 55 | | Review Date: May 6, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, artsy look | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-30
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Build quality is phenomenal. Pictures speak for themselves. DoF is shallow, therefore focusing it is challenging, but attainable (don't blame the lens please), especially if you have poor eyesight. Live View is my savior, with highlighting enabled.
The rare SMC FA f/1.7 I have, is crazy sharp but not artsy, I prefer this lenses artsy look.
Samples
 | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: March 7, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, small | | Cons: | Screwmount | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10D
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Bought at local thrift store from a bin of film lenses and equipment. Offered 10 bucks for the lens and took it home. After cleaning it up quite a bit and being disappointed in it not being an 8 element version I took it out for a few shots. I was surprised at how sharp it was, and decided to keep it. Best money i've ever spent. If you come across any super takumar lens I would recommend picking it up, you can never go wrong. Plus they will mount on anything with the right adapter. Even my weird Mamiya ZE-X.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | | Review Date: February 1, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bright in the viewfinder, nicely weighted, smooth, great image quality | | Cons: | Requires very precise focus screen adjustment wide open | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-7, KX, SPII, SP1000, H3V
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Excellent lens with great image rendering on film or digital.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Pamulang, Tangerang Posts: 1 | | Review Date: January 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp.. sharp (did I said it twice?) oh yeah, I love this super-tak | | Cons: | build design, bit flare.. rest are minor.. ;) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5 + 550D
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One of mine has yellowing optic due to aging, some said it's lathan material or something else, others are nice. But I'm very much enjoying the yellow effect specially on oldies scenery. Optically this lens near to perfect, sharp at max wide open, joy to handle (on apsc sensor or smaller), just a bit hard to handle it when use on full frame (even you use AF chip adapter). This lens has to be "a must" in collector list.
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