Auto Takumar 55mm f2 - first shots

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

ever since I could take a few test shots with an Auto Takumar 2/55 a few weeks ago I had wanted that lens because I found it's colors very unique, cold but fascinating.

here it also could be a case of missed WB?
original:

after PPing:

I like how it renders reds, also blues:

here wide open ( and high ISO, maybe not exactly focused or camera blurr )

anyway enjoying this little lens Smile

here the link to all uploaded photos taken with this lens ( original sizes viewable ) http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/sets/72157622525555050/

best greetings,
Andreas

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Seems a very nice lens and beautiful absolutely.

hexi · Expire: 2011-11-18

Great samples. I like the first, but not retouched.

Bought this lens some days ago and received yesterday. Its not the same version as yours, but is still amazing looking. Compact and focusing is a joy !

Will be tried soon Cool

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

this certainly is a very attractive lens Smile

wide open:

both on Pentax K-x

best greetings,
Andreas

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

wow Andreas! have you more like this one Razz

andyw · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 624 Location: Surrey. UK

Super shots!! great high quality.

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

more from the Auto Tak f2/55mm on APS-C ( Pentax K-x )

frangipani

easy chair detail, wide open:

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Nice colors on the frangipanis,this lens is on the bay at the moment I may look into it.Hows the K-x going have you gotten used to it? (it looks like you have Very Happy

)

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

oh Mo-Fo, I wholeheartedly would recommend this lens.
it not only is the most beautiful of all my lenses ( ok, together with a f3.5/135mm Prest Takumar ), it also is an outstanding performer. According to a test at Taunusreiter is outresolves any of the other Takumars tested, including the 1.4/50mm: http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/EarlyPentaxTakumarPrimesTest.htm
from my own tests I can confirm that is has the best corner sharpness of my 10 tested 50/55mm lenses. So far I was shy to say that, because I did not want the price for this little lens, it's smallness is another point I much like about it, to rise, now it still can be had for little!

yes, I am very happy that by now I mostly like the colors produced by the K-x. Check out e.g also this one ( also taken with the Auto Tak f2/55 ):

my earlier dislike really mostly must be due to having to get used to the colors of a new camera.

as for the K-x:
sorry I have not posted more coments on my experiences as promised elsewhere. My earlier comments already do cover most of my findings, here again in short:

small body handling nice
great high ISO performance
great jpegs, to my surprise I mostly now shoot jpeg.
movie mode quite useable, smearing artefacts on panning ( as with any dSLRs ) - if video is a priority, because of it's mini stereo mic plugin, I much would recommend the K-7 instead though. The builtin mic sounds thin and is noisy, though I have read reports that it is better than most other built in mics of other dSLRs.

one use with M42 lenses:
- use M mode, press green button to meter, which is surprisingly accurate
- set metering to 'center weighted', not 'spot' to ensure better metering
- focus confirmation work surprisingly precise. I did get tired of not seeing well where I focus and instead relying on the confirmation and finally, just yesterday, installed a split focus screen. If that influences metering I am not certain, first impression says that it 'may' lead to some underexposure.
- live view great and very useable for critical focusing, specially e.g. @ f1.4, for me even at low light.

some shortfalls:
- no switch for 'shake reduction', to turn it on/off one first has to press 'info' and there scroll to the function to set it
- change from RAW - jepg also must be set in the menu, this is no issue for me though
- build quality seems much more fragile than my earlier camera, the *istDs. I handle it much more carefully.
- I don't like that by default, after switching the camera on, the LCD always shows the settings, only pressing the 'info' button twice blanks the LCD. I thought there should be a way to change that behaviour, but I haven't found any.

hm..hope I still get around doing a more rounded critic once I have more experience with the movie mode..resp. if this is enough I should repost it in the thread about the K-x

best greetings,
Andreas

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

great, that's stunning macros, glad you resolve your issues with the K-x

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Olivier, what happened?
virus? maybe law of attraction, sweet smell attracting sweet shape?

Olivier · Expire: 2015-08-06

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

rbelyell · Expire: 2014-01-31

andreas im so glad you are getting more used to and happy with your new k-x. nice photos!

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

thank you Tony

I am very happy too that I am doing alright with the K-x now. My old camera, the *istDs feels much more solid however and has a better viewfinder. Advantages of the K-x I have been ejoying are it's stellar high ISO performance, the more precise focusing at lowlight using live view and not having to use RAW exclusively. Focus confirmation and metering also appear to be more precise, other advantages must again be the live view for tripod / macro work and the video mode.

dream100cc · Joined: 27 Apr 2014 Posts: 39 Location: Vietnam

Hi Andreas, I just collect a copy of Auto Tak 2/55 with a few of circle scratches (just like cleaning marks) on the front element. I found that my copy is prone to flare. When I cover the front element by hand, the colour is more contrast. The question is the flare caused by scratches or the lens itself with single coating? I'm very appreciated with your reply. I'll post some photos for illustrating my problem soon.

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Chao Dream, this is difficult to say. One could easily say that this lens, for having been made in the late 50s, will have weak coatings and that therefore flaring easily is to be expected. However I have had no issues of flare with the Auto Takumar 2/55. Generally I consider old Takumars to have astonishing good coatings and with the exception of a few, mostly due to big front element, not prone to flare. I do not know how easily scratches in front element can cause flare, hopefully somebody else can comment an that

btw. I find the AUto Takumar to have amazing color renditions, most noticeably of reds

Untitled by Andreas, on Flickr

also to be very sharp from wide open

[url=https://flic.kr/p/a2CK9b]
passion flower[/url] by Andreas, on Flickr

it's attractive, right?

[url=https://flic.kr/p/8qn7to]
Untitled[/url] by Andreas, on Flickr

dream100cc · Joined: 27 Apr 2014 Posts: 39 Location: Vietnam

Haha, chao Andreas,
I agree with you that the colour of Auto Tak is quite good, cold tone and not yellowish like some Super or SMC copies. Red and blue are good,too. But my copy seems to be decreased contrast that caused by the direct or undirect light. So I think that I have to get a lens hood for it. My first test indoor light @2 may be. How do think about it?

dream100cc · Joined: 27 Apr 2014 Posts: 39 Location: Vietnam

Ghost or flare ?

Pic #1 with the ray comes from the left side.
Pic #2 I cover the front element with my left hand Very Happy

.
Anw, I think the pic #1 is artistic like some kinds of photographer who add effects to their photos to make a vintage look. Very Happy

#1

#2

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Mr. Honda lover, from first pic of the caterpillar I'd have said look like a just a tiny bit of 'wide open' glow, last two pics show how much good a hood can do and I'd call it 'contrast loss'. right, the first version has 'something' that is likable, the darks of the second look harsh. Hoods are very much recommended when using a lens of this vintage, I confess that I never do, mirrorless cameras show in the viewfinder what the sensors sees and I use my hand to shield when deemed necessary, trying for the desired effect.