This telephoto lens exists with the same optical formula in one Takumar version, two Super-Takumar versions and one Super-Multi-Coated Takumar version. The Takumar has a preset aperture, the Super-Takumars have the stop-down pin, and the Super-Multi-Coated version supports open aperture metering with the Spotmatic F, ES and ESII.
The two Super-Takumar versions differ cosmetically: The early one has fine ribs on the aperture ring, the later one has coarse ribs (as shown on the first photo).
This set of four versions was preceded by an earlier set of two lenses: A Takumar with preset aperture and an Auto-Takumar. These lenses had a different optical formula (four elements instead of five). Please see the separate database entry for this set.
The five element 105 mm F2.8 Takumar (third photo above):
1: Takumar 105mm F2.8, chrome and black, 4 lens elements
2: Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 1
3: Takumar 105mm F2.8, all black, different optics than the predecessors, 5 lens elements (this lens)
4: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, fine ribs on aperture ring
5: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, coarse ribs on aperture ring
6: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, but multi-coated
1: Takumar 105mm F2.8, chrome and black, 4 lens elements
2: Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 1
3: Takumar 105mm F2.8, all black, different optics than the predecessors, 5 lens elements
4: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, fine ribs on aperture ring (this lens)
5: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, coarse ribs on aperture ring
6: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, but multi-coated
1: Takumar 105mm F2.8, chrome and black, 4 lens elements
2: Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 1
3: Takumar 105mm F2.8, all black, different optics than the predecessors, 5 lens elements
4: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, fine ribs on aperture ring
5: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, coarse ribs on aperture ring (this lens)
6: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, but multi-coated
The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar (second and fourth photo):
Notes
Open aperture metering with Spotmatic F, ES and ESII
Variants
1: Takumar 105mm F2.8, chrome and black, 4 lens elements
2: Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 1
3: Takumar 105mm F2.8, all black, different optics than the predecessors, 5 lens elements
4: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, fine ribs on aperture ring
5: Super-Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, coarse ribs on aperture ring
6: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm F2.8, same optics as no. 3, but multi-coated (this lens)
Good portrait lens, well built, fast and sharp wide open. Quality seems as comparable to the Takumar 85mm f1.8. Easy to handle, light weight, good performer.
Cons:
The Super-Takumar 105mm F/2.8 was introduced ca. 1963 and replaced the original early 4-element 2.8/105 design. The new design was a 4 group 5 element design which was very similar to the 135mm f/3.5. In fact most if not all of the moderate telephotos in the Takumar line at this time used this basic design. The basic design was improved with the advent of S-M-C coatings in 1971 and was maintained until 1976. This lens has six (6) aperture blades and a 49mm filter ring.
I recently acquired the S-M-C version of this lens and it is a special find, IMO.
It works great in low light at f/2.8 and is stunningly sharp when stopped down to 5.6 or 8. I find it easy to lock focus on my subjects. The focus ring is the smoothest i've ever had the pleasure of turning and puts all modern lenses i've owned to shame.
The colors straight from the lens are remarkable and bright. I do notice some CA in the high contrast areas. Bokeh is lovely.
Amazingly, today i was shooting right into the sun without a lens hood and had no issue with flaring at all. Must be that SMC doing its job.
I bought my version at a used camera store in Osaka, Japan after I saw Mike Cash post great photos from this lens on the Takumar Club thread. I don't use my Super Takumar 105mm often enough but the last time I used it was for some outdoor portraits and the lens was fantastic. A little soft wide open but nice for portraits and anything above f/2.8 it's quite sharp.
I can't wait for spring so I can use this lens again!
This one is my most used macro lens. I also have a macro zoom 16-50mm f2.8, but this one provides more distance to the object allowing better light. I use it with Pentax M42 macro rings and cheap flange-type adapter. Also used it for extreme macro reversed and coupled with SMC Takumar 200mm. I have used it as a portrait lens with most excellent results. If it was AF I would have it on camera all the time.
For the little money that I could get for it, I don't think I will ever sell such a gem.
Bought two years ago, it has been my preferred "short tele" lens until i got my 85 f/1.8. It has a really great color rendering, and a great bokeh, although personally i find it a little soft when used wide open. As usual, it is very well built, in the pure Takumar tradition.
I have a Super-Takumar version that looks to be Multi-coated also.Very nice like all my Takumars,smooth focusing.Works very well with my Ext. tubes and Bellows.
Sharp lens when stopped down,love the color rendition of that lens for intimate landscape!
can have harsh bokeh with out of focus pinpoint highlights
Sharpness:9Aberrations:7Bokeh:5Handling:9Value:9
I have a late super takumar version which appears to be multicoated even if not smc.
I find it quite sharp even at f2.8 (though with limited depth of field) and very sharp at f4 and higher. Color rendition and rendition generally are excellent. As little chromatic aberration or fringing as with any of my lenses (I have the smc 35 f3.5, 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.8 and this lens has no more fringing or aberration than any of them). This small and light lens is great for walking about and doing street shooting. I would rate it a 10 except for the fact that out of focus highlights, particular where there are pinpoint sources of light, can be quite harsh.
Sturdy. Good color reproduction on digitals. Sharp (see note).
Cons:
Uneven exposure profile with K100D
My comments apply to a 30+ year old "Super Takumar" lens. I like its build quality; it is sturdy with responsive focusing and aperture rings, like my other Takumars...
I tried it on my K100D. It is soft at f/2.8 but this can be an advantage for well thought of portraits. Like almost all lenses, it gets better from f/5.6 onwards and sharpness is no longer an issue. In fact, it easily surpasses most, if not all, commonly available zooms at this focal length. With narrower apertures, the sharpness even at the corners is great. CA is minimal to none.
Color rendition is excellent.
Focusing ring is like it should be, large and smooth...
It is difficult to estimate the amount of overexposure needed for a shot when using this lens on a digital body. It may change with the aperture. For one shot at f/5.6 a +1EV may be sufficient; for another at f/11 this results in underexposure. A value of +1,5EV seems to work most of the time. One should probably spend some time to get used to this. The lens does worth this extra trouble.
My copy is slightly prone to flare under certain -expected- conditions, even when the dedicated hood is on.
portrait soft wide open and tack sharp closed down
Cons:
a bit hard to focus on the matte screen until you get used to it
This is my first M42 lens and I've only had it a couple of days so far. I have already used it to turn out several very nice A4 sized portraits of my daughter. Wide open at 2.8 it gives that pleasant portrait softness and closed down even a couple of stops it turns in very sharp and detail rich photos.
I was pleasantly surprised not only at the sharpness but also at the rich and vibrant color reproduction.
Apparently M42 lenses only allow for center-spot metering in the K100D. I have found that shooting in Av mode (allowing the shutter speed to be set automatically as you rotate the aperture ring) I get best results when giving the exposure a 1.0 ~ 1.5 EV bump.
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