Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 | Review Date: January 14, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Unique, simplest design, easy to fix, clean, etc. | Cons: | Expensive | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3
| | This review is for the Asahi Kogaku Takumar 100/3.5 (all chrome) that was built for the Asahiflex and preceded the Takumar 100/3.5 (black with some chrome). It is the same lens. Only the AKT construction is a bit better and heavier. I only use this lens wide open, no need to stop it down. That is why I bought it with all the blades removed. However, you can open it and place the aperture you want with the artistic form you want for special effects. Great lens. Most people who have one of the few in the market do not use it. Just keep it as collector item. Mission San Luis Rey by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr Takumar 100/3.5 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
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Veteran Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: capital city, the land of eh (Ottawa, Canada) Posts: 329 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: September 2, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Collector's item, simple design, rare | Cons: | Hard to find | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| | This is a very particular lens I am lucky to own.
Supposedly, it has never been officially offered for sale, however there seem to be a few collectors owning these. The very simple three-lens design creates sharp yet retro-looking photos. It is sharp in the center with the corner sharpness slightly off while stopped down. This is complemented by a fairly a nice bokeh.
Wide open this lens is quite "dreamy" as any bright surfaces tend to have a slight magic "glow" (likely due to the vintage coatings and the overall lens design).
Due to the rareness of this piece I am actually a little afraid to take it along for a serious photoshoot
This lens, despite being over 50 years old, works fine on today's DSLRs with the Pentax m42 adapter in the M (manual) mode.
What else is there to say ... it's a "cool" rare Takumar meant mostly for collectors and enthusiasts alike. | |
Junior Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: Dundas, Ontario Posts: 28 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: February 19, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Bokeh, magical rendering, simple 3 element design, size and weight | Cons: | 1957 design, does not deserve "negativity" | | Takumar 100 f/3.5 pre-set https://www.flickr.com/photos/pentax-takumar/albums/72157679446517672
I'm not sure how to rate this lens so I'll give it an 8 because it's over 50 years old. I have yet to fully utilize this lens. I plan to use it mostly for portraiture and occasional landscape/nature.
At the moment I have this lens looked at due to slightly stiff focus ring. Maybe I'll pop in here to give a more detailed summary after I receive this lens from service. It's a very unique lens but then which lens from the 50's isn't unique? This is a portraiture lens due to contrast, bokeh and sharpness - a bit soft for distant (infinity focus) subjects, sharp enough for portraiture or near subjects. Low distortions, both geometric and optical....hopefully more later after I get it back. | |