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takumars 85 mm. Which?
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mal1905 wrote:
Am waiting for the 1.9/83 - hopefully not for much longer Wink


did you already buy one? Wink

Mal1905 wrote:


In date order, the 8Xmm variants are:

Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 1.9/83 (Asahiflex mount)
Takumar 1.9/83 (rare, if available)
Auto-Takumar 1.8/85
Super-Takumar 1.9/85
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1.9/85
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1.8/85


thank's Mal.
I only have a S.T. 1.9/85, and long more for a f1.9/83 than for the f1.8/85. Instead of the S-M-C f1.8/85 one always could get a Samyang

Attila wrote:
kuuan wrote:
estudleon wrote:
It seems that the SMC is the best for all.


possibly 'SMC is best for all' could be said about Takumars generally,
an earlier Takumars may be doing something in particular

+1 this was my conclusion too based on several lenses, but have to say Super-Takumar is really close.


some of my Super Taks were sharper at corners wide open than S-M-C, but I have been considering that as being a sample variation.

estudleon wrote:
After have read some opinions in takumars lenses, except the 2/35, the old 8 elements 1,4/50 and the 3,5/28 almost no S.T. are chosen over the SMC (S-M-C) version.

Althought I heard and read some users in favor of the pre-set takumars.


I really like my presets, for once simply for being presets and I like using presets on dSLR, and for being smaller. Some Auto Taks are also smaller than later Taks and I specially like the colors they render, though I find colors of any Takumar to my liking.
Generally the S-M-C may be sharper though the Auto Tak 2/55 may well be the sharpest Pentax normal lens.
S-M-C certainly should be better protected against flare, but bokeh of earlier Taks often is preferred.

Early versions I choose for fun and some specific characteristics and 'fortes', but grab my S-M-C 1.4/50 for any 'serious' shoot. I guess I often would prefer the f1.8/85, did I have one, over my f1.9/85 for the same reason.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Seventeen (or so) years ago I read in the Shutterbug magazine, an article made by Roger Hicks (columnist) about used lenses and how chose them.

In takumar lenses, he said that the ST.1,9/85 was the only first class lens of the pentax 85s in M42.

In this moment I didn't pay attention to takumars lenses. But it stay in my mind from then.


PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have recently acquired a very nice condition and very early Auto-Takumar 85mm f1.8 complete with original black lenscap stamped TAKUMAR and the original rear lenscap.
From my research so far on the web, the very earliest 85mm f1.8 Auto-Takumar lens that is documented is 303001
In searching the web I have seen some very nice photographs taken with the 85mm Auto-Takumar,in particular it produces a very nice "bokeh" and also whilst probably not as bitingly sharp as the later 85's it certainly exhibits a nice roundness to the image it produces with a slight 3D effect.
It should be a very nice portrait lens.I am looking forward to using this lens in the very near future and will post some results.

Last edited by M42user on Sun Feb 27, 2011 7:42 pm; edited 4 times in total


PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome and congrats! I had this lens it was very good for animals, plants I didn't like it for human portraits., it's skin rendering didn't meet with my taste.


PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It has indeed a very good bokeh. Some sample with mines :
http://kajiwara.weebly.com/takumar-8518-v1-54.html


PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mal1905 wrote:
From the more modern family of lenses, my favourite Takumars are the S-M-C 1.8/85, followed by the S-M-C 2.5/135 (I & II), with the S-M-C 2.8/105 and 2.8/120 as runners-up. Yes, the 1.4/50 and 1.8/55 lenses are really great, but the performancce of these telephotos is something special, in my humble opinion.


+1! Imho, with the S-M-C 1:1.8/85 and 1:2.5/135 II, even the bad photos look spectacular. Cool

I have both Super- and S-M-C 1:1.9/85 and S-M-C 1:1.8/85.

On 5D1:

The Super- is softer, might have more pleasing bokeh, is harder to control, best in low contrast situation.

S-M-C 1.9 has more contrast, still hard to control.

S-M-C 1:1.8/85 is too sharp from wide open for forgiving portrait, fine if you like to see pores! More '3D effects', maximum contrast, and best bokeh imho.

Later I will sell the S-M-C 1:1.9/85, not sure yet if the Super 1:1.9/85 will get sold Wink I want to try that with film, I think it may be easier to control with better viewfinder. The S-M-C 1:1.8/85 I'm keeping! (at least until somebody gives me a 645D with complete lens set Laughing)
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