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S-M-C Macro Takumar 50mm f4
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lovely duck Smile


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:37 am    Post subject: Warming up this thread ;-) Reply with quote

My intention was: find and buy a Takumar 1.4/50. It was a decision to be made in a few seconds.
Package arrived: donk! a 1:4/50 - not the fast one.
I realized what I got and was not very happy because I did not get the item I expected.

After some days of usage and research I am happy again. More than happy. What a luck! This is the lens that must be the reason for the term "tak sharp".

It gives very fine rendering of detail, nice colours and near perfect handling.



While playing around I tried the 1:1 adaptor of my Vivitar 2.5/90 with the Takumar. It gives a 1:0.8 ratio Surprised
Given by a 36x24mm sensor, EOS 5D



BTW I will keep the Spotmatic that came with the lens as well. Nice camera.


Last edited by mflex-on on Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:30 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi mflex-on

yes, lucky! the Macro Tak 50/4 sells more expensive than the 50/1.4 ( at least used to, don't know about how prices developed these last few months ) and is an exceptionally sharp lens
but do get the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4 too Wink

amazing avatar Shocked


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

this is my next SMC Taks lens.


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Macro-Tak (1:1) and S-M-C Macro Tak (1:2) are near the top of my favorite lenses list, especially for walk-around here in forest. I hope someday to reach the same quality of images kuuan has posted here! As the great example images here show the lens is a solid performer from maximum macro through infinity landscapes and IQ is superb even wide open! Only maybe not the best for portraits of people; not soft enough, it is too sharp and images show every skin pore and "blemish" in great detail!

The distortion correction is excellent; great for copying documents. It is my preferred lens for photos of paintings.

Great contrast; can be too much if not careful! With sunlit subject a shade background can be black; sometimes that is advantage.

One thing I encounter after using the 1:1 for a while the 1:2 takes some getting used to as it doesn't get quite as close or able to photograph as big the tiny subjects!

The 100/4 Macro-Tak is of same qualities; gives more working distance; gets to 1:2.

All the macro-taks performance continues into true macro ranges using bellows/extension tubes -- can almost see individual plant cells!

Through effort and much time and not too much money (only enough for a couple of Canon L series) I have managed to assemble a complete set of S-M-C takumars, from 17mm through 500mm. I would dearly like to have the rectilinear 15mm! There is one on ebaY now, but for BIN $2380US, too much for me right now...someday, perhaps.


Last edited by visualopsins on Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:23 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

djmike wrote:
this is my next SMC Taks lens.


Very good decision.

Rino.


PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

siriusdogstar wrote:
...I hope someday to reach the same quality of images kuuan has posted here!..


thank you for the flowers, but you must be kidding me..these were taken about one month after I had bought my first dSLR ( had used an analog SLR before but over 20 years ago ) and during the first days I had the Macro Tak


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like Tomioka Macro Yashinon 2.8/60 but design is different. Maybe earlier model? Tomiokas macro are very good performers but you can find just average copy very easy. I have 4 and one is optically slightly worse then others. There are no average price. You can find a bargain and pay below $100 and you can loose with bid $280+


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of my most used mf lenses. I love it.

http://forum.mflenses.com/panasonic-g1-novoflex-and-macro-tak-4-50-t19071.html


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anybody compared the takumar with the volna and the industar macro lenses?


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

voytek wrote:
Looks like Tomioka Macro Yashinon 2.8/60 but design is different.


Well I don’t think they look the same. The Takumar has maximum aperture of 1:4 and has a focal lenght of 50mm. Filter diameter is 49 mm, it is a Tessar-style lens with 4 lenses in 3 groups.

Voitek, which data has this Tomioka Macro Yashinon 2.8/60?

Edit: Found an information about the Yashinon that it has 5 lenses. Must be very different to the Takumar.


Last edited by mflex-on on Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:21 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

estudleon wrote:
Anybody compared the takumar with the volna and the industar macro lenses?


I had one Industar-61 for a short time. I think that is not as good as the Takumar Macro in any respect – except maximum aperture.


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mflex-on wrote:
voytek wrote:
Looks like Tomioka Macro Yashinon 2.8/60 but design is different.


Well I don’t think they look the same. The Takumar has maximum aperture of 1:4 and has a focal lenght of 50mm. Filter diameter is 49 mm, it is a Tessar-style lens with 4 lenses in 3 groups.

Voitek, which data has this Tomioka Macro Yashinon 2.8/60?

Edit: Found an information about the Yashinon that it has 5 lenses. Must be very different to the Takumar.

I am confused now, because I responded to post with photos of macro lens similar to Tomioka design. Or I was dreaming? I don't see this post any more.
All Tomioka Yashinon look the same - information
I know difference between takumar and yashinon, have both.


PostPosted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

voytek wrote:
I know difference between takumar and yashinon, have both.


Thanks Voitek for your answer - you know I was a little bit confued.

Cool to know that you have both, the 2.8/60 Yashinon and the 4/50 Tak. Which one do you prefer?


PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Found this old thread for the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 4/50.
Thought that I would use it instead of starting a new one.
Incidentally, I tried searching for a thread in the "Best of lenses" gallery and a 404 error came up - ???
Anyhoo, here are some samples.
OH






PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And one that I have just taken.
I have never seen an insect like this before - perfectly camouflaged for living among eucalypt.
OH



PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice shots, I have both the 1:1 and the S-M-C 1:2 versions, both are very nice macros.