| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: November, 2015 Posts: 3,868 | | Review Date: July 4, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Optical quality | | Cons: | Large | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K1, H1a
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I bought this after being disappointed with my Super-Takumar 135mm f3.5 (my copy was pretty beat up).
I have the first variant, the five-element Super-Takumar. It is obviously a step up from its slower companion.
It is a big, heavy thing, though, not nearly as compact as the slower one... but I really like the results.
I used my K1 to compare it to other lenses I have in 135mm: the M135 f3.5, a Vivitar close-focusing 135mm f2.8, a F70-210 (at 135mm), and a DA-L 55-300 at 135mm.
Of the five, the Vivitar was surprisingly the best across all apertures in terms of resolution and lack of smearing and such, with the M second, and the Takumar third, but there wasn't as much between them as I expected. The F70-210 was closer than I expected (though it is obviously much slower, with f4.5 its fastest aperture. The DA-L is, by comparison, dreadful wide open (also f4.5) but redeems itself at f5.6 and smaller, where it is fine (yes, it does vignette a lot on the K1 at 135mm). From f5.6 they all look very good in terms of sharpness.
But there's more to it than just resolution... the Takumar is subject to more CA than the newer lenses, but I like the bokeh generally better than the zooms. Its rendering is wonderful for portraits, if you don't need to be super close. And as many others have pointed out, the focusing mechanics are outstanding.
And of course, of the batch it's the only one that fits the H1a, so it is by default the winner where a K-mount is unavailable...
I'll also note this lens is not the same as the K-mount Takumar 135mm f2.5 from the 1980s. This one is much larger/heavier and, in my experience, much better.
-Eric
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2020 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: January 21, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp wide open, no need to stop down | | Cons: | vignetting, but fixable in post | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon R5, Pentax Spotmatic
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Overall excellent lens, sharper than the 105mm f2.5 and 135mm f3.5. Beast of a lens for value money!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2020 Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago Posts: 37
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 15, 2021 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, bokeh, build, handling | | Cons: | CA | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-1
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You'll see people saying all over that it's impossible to make a bad 135mm lens. I've certainly used a few, but this isn't one of them, in fact, this is the best 135mm lens I've used. Every lens in this focal length before the 2.5 was a total let down and left me completely uninspired by this focal length. I was gifted a copy of this lens by a friend at the end of last year. It's probably spent more time on my cameras over the last few months than anything else. I went from completely overlooking 135mm lenses to having this one practically living on one of my bodies for months. I thought I had the 5 element version for the first month or so because that's what he told me it was. I got to thinking about it one night though as I'm want to do instead of sleeping after midnight and inspected it more closely. 8 aperture blades....hmmmm distinct difference looking into the front element as well...and the last thing to check....yup, the numbers on the auto/man switch confirmed it was the 6 element version and I couldn't be happier.
Here's my collection of images from this beauty!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157717463484146 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 7
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 3, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, contrast, build quality | | Cons: | Some CA’s | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7Rii
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I have the 6 element version 2.
There are a lot of good 135mm lenses and I tried a lot of them, but the SMC takumar is already very sharp and contrasty wide open (even on the 42+ mp A7Rii) whereas most other 135mm’s i have to stop down to f/4 for comparable performance. Mechanically, there are no better lenses than these takumars; an absolute joy to use.
Only drawback is some CA under certain conditions, but that is easy to correct in RAW post processing.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: October 6, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp tele lens with nice bokeh | | Cons: | very small CA's | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: k-s1 k-x k200d sfx mz5n z20p
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 version 2 is an extreme sharp lens at f 5.6-8 with shutter speed 1/500 sec.
one of my sharpest tele single lenses for portraits !!!
 very highly recommended !
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2019 Posts: 86 | | Review Date: October 2, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax k-5ii
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I have the first version of Super-Takumar (5 elements). I bought it several years ago and didn't use it because it had multiple fungus spots on all the glass elements. Recently I disassembled and cleaned. This is a photo after repair. I am very pleased with the quality of the picture.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2019 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: October 1, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $299.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Takumar build quality. Superb handling. Great color rendition, highlights and shadows. | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony a7iii
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This is the SMC 6 elements version. Another great Takumar lens.
135mm shot at F2.5
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2011 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posts: 482
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 7, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Character, sharpness, fun to use, build quality | | Cons: | 6-bladed aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3, K-3 II, X-T2
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This review is for a good condition S-M-C TAKUMAR 135mm F2.5, model 1.
PROS- Character (bokeh, transitions)
- Build quality
- Image quality (contrast, sharpness)
- Fun to use
CONS- 6-bladed aperture (no issue wide open, but can be unflattering stopped down)
- A bit long on APS-C for general portraiture
- Difficult to focus with optical viewfinder (K-3, K-3 II)
I USE IT FOR- Portraits (full body, half-body, headshots)
I have a lot of M42 S-M-C TAKUMARS, including the 85/1.8 and 105/2.8 that are two other nice portrait lenses. Also a lot of Limited lenses, e.g. both FA77 Ltd and DA70 Ltd. I shoot a lot of portraiture, and enjoy using manual glass when possible. Mainly for fun, but have used the S-M-C TAK 85/1.8 for paid work as well.
Lets start with the negative. The 135mm focal length is fine on full frame, but becomes too long imho on APS-C (200mm equilv.). That together with the OVF of the Pentax DSLRs' makes it tricky to nail focus (I have not tried it on K-1 so might be a different experience). I have used it a lot on my Fujifilm X-T2 with a speedbooster (both Mitakon Lens Turbo II and Kipon Baveyes) with great results, as it gives back the full-frame properties, easy to focus with EVF + focus peaking, and the extra benefit of 1 stop brighter. Image quality wise the only issue I have is the 6-bladed aperture that will look unflattering if stopped down in portraiture work, fortunately I shoot it mainly wide open
The rest is only positives. Build quality is great, solid construction of glass and metal, smooth focusing, proper aperture ring and so on. I take care of my things well, but this lens is the only one I've accidentally dropped, 1 meter to a wood floor - no harm done! Image quality is very pleasing, with good sharpness, character without being "gimmicky" as some russian vitage glass, good contrast (use the hood!).
Fujifilm X-T2 w. speed booster, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 135mm F2.5. 1/950 sec at f/2.5, ISO 200.
Fujifilm X-T2 w. speed booster, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 135mm F2.5. 1/640 sec at f/2.5, ISO 200.
Pentax K-3 II, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 135mm F2.5. 1/180 sec at f/2.5, ISO 100.
My pictures on flickr with this lens | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2017 Posts: 428 | | Review Date: January 14, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $169.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Wide open sharpness, contrast, colors and the handling! | | Cons: | CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-50
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I have the 6 element version! & it's a beautiful lens! Just amazing! The bokeh, the sharpness wide open! Other than the CA everything else is perfect. I love it!
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: November 14, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness & Bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: A6000
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I've had a SMC 135mm 3.5 for a couple of years and really enjoyed using it. After reading post here about the 135mm 2.5, Started to search for a good copy. Just received my it today and it didn't disappoint.
Nice all around. this is the eight blade six element version! Very happy with it so far!   | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2016 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: January 29, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Color rendition, sharpness, characteristic bokeh, solid build | | Cons: | CA but easy to remove in pp | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7 + apdater
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I was looking for a 135mm because some says "you can never go wrong with a vintage 135mm, just some better than others" and come across this lens. I'm kind of a fan of SMC Takumar lenses and this one is one of the best. I figure out this is a version 2, in good condition so I bid for it.
Best investment ever, the lens' barrels move swift but solid as you should expect it, and the feel of barrels are better than most of modern lenses. The focus barrel have a long throw, almost 270 degree, so it's very nice for portrait but not easy to focus on moving object.
The color is natural, impressive and beautiful. The lens is sharp at f/2.5 and fantastic sharp from f/3.5 onward. The bokeh is so Takumar characteristic.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2017 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 8, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ, heft, reasonably sharp for portraits wide open | | Cons: | CA, manual focus takes practice | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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It was this very thread which made me take a closer look at this lens. I knew that the original 5-element model was the way to go, so a few months later, one arrived from Japan in absolutely mint condition, despite being older than me. I was so stoked that I bought it before I even got my Pentax camera.
What I'm not so impressed with?
It's heavy. Really heavy. The manual focus really puts your brain hands and patience to work, because you will burn through a lot of pictures with missed focus, until you "learn" to work this glass, but practice makes perfect.
What I like about this lens?
Everything else! The image quality and color rendition are astonishing to me. Yes, it's not tack sharp wide open, yes, there is fall off at the edges, yes, it has pretty pronounced CA wide open in bright backlight, but when you somehow add it all together it creates pure awesomeness. The pictures have this welcoming warmth to them, the bokeh is not overdone, yet so creamy. The focusing ring is massive with a very long throw, and make no mistake, you will need that long throw to get good focus, because wide open and up close, this thing has razor thin DOF.
This one is a keeper, no matter how hard it makes me work for my pictures.
If you are looking for the 5-element model, which is supposedly far superior to the later models, look on eBay and look at the Auto switch - its engraving has to say 42812, if it doesn't, it's not the 5-element model
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2016 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: May 19, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | profoundly sharp, reasonably fast, sold construction, great feel | | Cons: | heavy-ish | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 5D Classic
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Wonderfully sharp, nice bokeh, fantastic feel and heft to the lens. Will be taking much more with this lens for sure.
6/6 element, version 2 configuration, 48312 model
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: August, 2007 Location: Coquitlam, BC, Canada Posts: 621
13 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 27, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $149.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Smooth Focus, Great Handling, Solid Build | | Cons: | Minor CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3
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My copy is a version 2 and it is a great lens, rather than repeat what has already been said by other reviewers, I agree with all of the previous positive comments.
I did have a little trouble identifying the Version 2 copies on eBay and after reading a lot of various forum posts I have compiled a table of differences that make it easy to identify and find one.
Version 2 --------------------------------------- Version 1
Weight 470g --------------------------------------- 444g
A/M Switch Marking 43812 ------------------- 43802
Aperture Blades 8 ----------------------------------- 6
DOF Scale "4" --------------------------------- "Diamond"
Before infinity on focus scale 35m ------------ 30m
S/N Range 6138465 - 8203248 ------- 4723512 - 5848208
Some might say I paid a little too much, but mine is pristine, and I think this lens is bargain at even higher prices !
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2015 Location: Bern Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 5, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Very nice colors, good sharpness at f2.5 = ideal for Portraits | | Cons: | At "infinitely" not real sharp > 30 Meter | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Canon 5D Mk1 (13MP)
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Sample picture: 2500 x 1670 Pixel (Windows: right click for higher resoltion)
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