| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2013 Location: Cuenca Posts: 647
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 6, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, great color and contrast, nice bokeh | | Cons: | aperture ring is a bit stiff | |
I have all three 55's, the f1.8, the f2, and the f2.2. The f1.8 is a Super Takumar, and the other two are auto-Takumars with a 46mm filter size, 10 aperture blades and a minimum f22 aperture. They all have the same 6 elements in 5 groups design and so perform similarly except perhaps at maximum aperture where the ten-blades would affect the out-of-focus rendering. I have the impression my f2.2 vignettes slightly, so my preference is for the f2. The attached photo was taken at f2.
An interesting technical evaluation of the Takumar 55mm f2 is here: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/asahi-super-takumar-55mm-f-2-0-m42-vintage-lens-review-32105
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: October, 2014 Posts: 85 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Ancona - Marche - Italy Posts: 6
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great colors, nice bokeh, quality build, handling | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5
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I have used many Takumar lenses and I love them all, but this is one that I always have with me because it's very practical and versatile. This lens, like all Takumar, is really well built and a joy to handle, focus and aperture rings are silky smooth and I find it easy to lock focus on my subjects. The colors straight from the lens are remarkable and bright, the bokeh is simply lovely. I recommend it to everybody... moreover, it's also easy to find one 
PENTAX K-5 + Super Takumar 55 f2 @ f8
PENTAX K-5 + Super Takumar 55 f2 @ f11
PENTAX K-5 + Super Takumar 55 f2 @ f2
PENTAX K-5 + Super Takumar 55 f2 @ f2.8
The photos was resized to 600px... for more details see my Pentax Gellery: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/Toonik | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 20 | | Review Date: July 23, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $16.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Cheap | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
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I have the rubber grip version, so 70s with the chrome rings. If you can get your fingers around the manual focus aspect in the right conditions it rivals modern lens. Pentax went out of there way to make this a 2.0 vs 1.8 as one can see a stop down ring. Sharp, actuate colors and grit. One of the last Takumars that can be had for on the cheap.
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 4
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 28, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great colors, sharp, nice bokeh | | Cons: | did not find any, yet | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
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I got this lens yesterday and installed it on my K5 using my M42 adapter ring. I was really surprised by the quality od the images.
The bokeh is great and the images are very sharp. This lens loves the blue and purple colors, Beautiful!!
I am not going to switch it for the next couple of weeks, I'm sure!
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 94 | | 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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Great little lens with great image and build quality.
Also like many m42 takumar this also have really nice feel to it.
Image quality filming
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2012 Posts: 37 | | Review Date: November 20, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | One example I have is super sharp | | Cons: | Another example I have is mediocre | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: EOS 10D, K-30
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I have two copies of this - both Super Takumars. One is as sharp as my Leica-R 50/2 Summicron. Yes - as sharp as that at all apertures. The other is quite mediocre and soft wide open. Both bought off ebay.
So, I guess the process is to get a few until you get a real gem - clearly they do exist out there. If you get a good one it's pretty stunning.
I read reviews of he 55/1.8 which say it's soft wide open. My "good" copy of this lens is completely sharp at f2. The other one isn't as sharp as that at any aperture.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Melbs Posts: 1,240
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | cheap, fast, quality, looks the balls mounted on a dsrl. | | Cons: | if we keep talking about it ppl may work out its ok... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K10d, K1000, Me Super
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The more people forget about this lens the better for you and me.
I stumbled across mine on a Spotmatic I purchased. They are probably forgotten next to the 50mm 1.4's every seems to be after. As for quality, handling etc etc Its wonderful. Like all the other 50ish mm Takumers out there optically great, But don't tell anyone. Just secretly buy them up and cherish them as long as you promise to dam well shoot with them!
I find it so very hard to justify purchasing "new" fan-dangled lenses with auto this and that when these old forgotten things work a treat!
This skyline shot at f2, infinity, during dusk last spring I think on the k10d, iso 100.
http://tromboadsclicked.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/imgp0919.jpg
The bottom of the frame that looks like film guides, well that's a train  but I was hoping it would look like film guides  | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,757
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 5, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, build, smooth aperture movement, light | | Cons: | for the price? none! | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I had 3 copies of SMC Tak 55/1.8, which I sold. (Why? I was ignorant. I was testing lenses instead of using them, and my testing was poor.) Anyway, I can see no difference between the 55/1.8 and the SMC 55/2 I have now. As far as I'm concerned, we are talking about the same lens. I hope someday someone will open my eyes to the practical difference btw. f1.8 and f2.
The lens is slightly lighter than the 50/1.4, whose bokeh is a little creamier. However, I personally prefer the 55mm range, and the slightly more pronounced bokeh produced by the 55's. (I can get more easily 'highlight discs' with a 55. For absolutely creamy stuff I have my Cosina 100mm 3.5.)
Sharp enough wide open, very sharp at f2.8, razor sharp from f4 on. Very pleasing bokeh, with just a bit of fringing. What else can I say? This lens is an amazing value for the buck. There is no reason one cannot use it to create photos that compete with, say, the FA 77. If it had AF, I bet it would cost 10 times more.
Not the most artistic set, but here are a few pics that may give an idea of the lens' capabilities:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/164511-macro-fall-bokeh.html#post1703646 | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 15 | | Review Date: March 14, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small and light and well-priced | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: ME Super K2
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A nice lens on all counts, but seriously over-exaggerated by some folks who worship the Takumar brand. Beyond that, some tend to sneer at the f2 and dance with joy around f1.8 or f1.4 versions. As all of the Takumar 55mm lenses all give best image quality at f4 to f11 the f2 lens is as good a buy as the f1.4 or f1.8. So the f2 is a pretty good lens on par with the others. Do a comparison and see for yourself.
Some f2 lenses are in superb condition 50 years on, but some are awful. Keep this in mind when ordering online. A very good lens with the potential to be excellent in the right hands and with a good film camera. Digital applications will obviously have the processor/sensor having a huge influence in image quality, so don't fall into the trap of assuming lens quality is the only variable with a digital camera. For the secondhand costs of the f2 Takumar, this is a lovely lens that everyone should try in an M42 mount camera, or with an adaptor. If you are buying one for digital use, also think about the Pentax M or A Series 50mm bayonet mount lenses. The 5mm extra on a Takumar gives no real added benefit except in perception, but the sometime ridiculous prices often asked for old Takumar lenses really shows why more recent Pentax 50mm bayonet lenses are a wiser buy.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2017 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: May 26, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, Smooth handling, Good colors special to it | | Cons: | 49mm filter thread | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Canon EOS 350D
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Got the lens from Ebay India and is in quite Good condition.Am so much impressed with its rendition of great colors which i found typical to it and could not compare to my any other lenses of Nikkors, CZJ Pancolar, Vivitar & Helios etc.It became my favorite lens among all my AF & Manual lens exclusively for its colors rendering characteristic.Wide open is somewhat soft and DOF is quite shallow at closeups and wide open, needs more skill of adjustment for a better shot.After getting this lens and seeing its performance felt like having at least one Super Takumar is must to any serious hobby photographer.
My Lens is similar as 4th image
Image Shooting Data : 1/400. ISO 100, F2, Day light, close up at about 1 1/2 feet
Is a plant called "Tulasi" which is found in most Indian homes
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2017 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: January 10, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | well built, smooth, sharp, bokeh | | Cons: | not really | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Lumix GX-80
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Mine is a Model2 late. I started photography not so long ago so, you might knowing it while reading my review. I used it on my Lumix GX80 (micro 4/3 sensor) so the "perceived" focal length is 110mm.
The aperture and focus rings are very smooth and easy to use. It's very well built and robust. The sharpness is very good even at full aperture and the bokeh is super nice.
Lumix GX-80 at F/2
Lumix GX-80 at F/2
 | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: April 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $31.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, smooth handling, metal build quality, cheap price | | Cons: | None so far | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon T3i
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I bought this lens after lots of research.
I figured it would be a very good bang for my buck.
I was actually very surprised how sharp the photos are with this lens. (Maybe because I've only been using the kit lens on my T3i so far?)
I was also expecting more of a learning curve with this lens because it's using an m42 to EOS adapter.
However, it works pretty much straight out of the box; very easy.
I figured there would be more fiddling with settings, etc.
I love this lens.
It has started me on a path of obsession with the old Pentax lenses. 
I'll definitely be buying more in the future.
They are perfect for the cash-strapped photography newbies.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2013 Location: Royalla NSW Posts: 3 | | Review Date: April 2, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | smooth focus and quality build | | Cons: | too many people discovering how good they are | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Olympus E1
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 Love this lens, cheap, great Pentax quality, so good I bought 2.
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