Super Takumar 55mm f2

Ballu · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 3:58 am Post subject: Super Takumar 55mm f2

Tiny but sharp lens.
Very resistant to flare, but some yellowing issue.

Although I had this with me from a long time, never able to use. Today I took this gem out, as my city is not as "photogenic" as some Italian Mad

Just some test shots of little wildflowers...
No external sharpening, just contrast handling with dynamic range tool in Picture window pro.. and some color balancing (again in PWP).
(Clicking on these pictures will take you to bigger size)

Bokeh test, wide open... showing some CA (strong at some points).. but this is extreme situation...

One more.. was very low contrast... was underexposed... just little playing with curves...

If you get this cheap.. pick this gem... although, I am sure, most of people's rooms are full with this range Wink

... still worth trying Twisted Evil

Attila · Expire: 2021-11-18

I have too this cute little lens, very sharp and it has nice bokeh. I would sell it from the first time and I changed my mine. Recommended lens to everyone.

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

Seems to be a friendly and classy lens!

Kamerer · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 388 Location: Russia Moscow

At me was SMC Takumar 55/2, I join good responses about this objective, but it has appeared is slightly radioactive, therefore I it have replaced on SMC Pentax-K 55/1.8, at which the same figure, but without radiation.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Is the SMC Takumar 3.5/135 radioactive, too?

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Are you sure Peter?
I have a SMC Takumar 1.4/50 and I read it was radioactive also.

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

peterm1 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 225

There is much to be said for the "ordinary" or "average" lenses of that era. By ordinary or average, I mean the average cheaper, modestly spec'ed lenses that were usually bundled as part of a basic kit or as the first choice of people wishing to put together a larger kit of lenses. Typically these were the 35mm f3.5, the 50-55mm f 1.8 and f2, the 135mm f3.5 and perhaps if you were really keen and regarded yourself as an enthusiast, the 28mm f3.5. All of these lenses, no matter what the make, tended to be of exemplary optical quality when made by the "bigger" named makers. And I would say that the Takumars are up there amongst the very best of these. The 55mm f2 and the f1.8 equivalents are lovely lenses that works well on digital cameras. They are sharp and have nice bokeh with good color rendition. For many years I concentrated on collecting and using Takumar screw mount lenses and have built up a nice collection of lenses - including some of the rarer ones such as the 85mm f1.8 and of course the not so rare but excellent 105mm f 2.8. But the ordinary lenses are amongst my favorites due to their ability to render images beautifully

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Thanks Peter,
I will check the spelling on my lens

Kamerer · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 388 Location: Russia Moscow

Puplet · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 410

What a coincidence! I have had this lens for a long time now and only tried to use it yesterday - I am very pleased with it:

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

I remember having read somewhere that 55mm f1.8 and 55mm f2.0 Takumars are actually identical lenses:
Pentax simply mechanically limited the 55mm f1.8 to go to f2 when they needed a lens for a new camera sold cheaper than it's predecessor
- and that one can make the 55mm f2 into a 55mm f1.8..maybe it's aperture even simply can be set one step beyond the f2 markings?

but then Ithere is quite a few 55mm Takumars: http://www.m-fortytwo.info/ViewAllTakumars.php and I am not sure to which one the above mentioned supposedly applies. - just trying to find this link...

Most of you will know them, but as a reminder, two other very good sources on Takumars:
http://whitemetal.com/pentax/index_pentax_lenses.htm
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_main.html