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Info on super takumar 85mm f1.9 please?
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:05 am    Post subject: Info on super takumar 85mm f1.9 please? Reply with quote
I'm looking for another 80-90mm portrait lens. I have the pancolar 80mm which is awesome.
As a backup I found a mint copy of de super takumar 85mm f1.9.
Is this a good lens? Can it keep up with the pancolar?
What is a normal price in Western Europe for a mint copy? Asking price is 230 euros which I find rather expensive.
thx,
Gert


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:15 am    Post subject: Re: Info on super takumar 85mm f1.9 please? Reply with quote
asterinex wrote:
I'm looking for another 80-90mm portrait lens. I have the pancolar 80mm which is awesome.
As a backup I found a mint copy of de super takumar 85mm f1.9.
Is this a good lens? Can it keep up with the pancolar?
What is a normal price in Western Europe for a mint copy? Asking price is 230 euros which I find rather expensive.
thx,
Gert


Hi,
I like mine very much! Can't say how it compares to the Pancolar though, when I bought the Super Tak from a member here I had been offered the Pancolar too but it would have been more costly, and I also liked the S.Tak for being smaller and lighter. Once I started using it I all forgot about the Pancolar Wink Yes wide open it is a bit less sharp than the later S-M-C Takumar 1.8/85 that I also have but I use the Super Tak 1.9/85 much more for it's beautiful, less clinical, very beautiful, specially oof rendering and stopped down just one click it's very sharp too.
I believe that the asking price is not expensive, specially for a near mint copy ( but I have not checked prices lately, and you can see my samples taken with it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/sets/72157622657739168/


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't know how much E230 is in Aussie dollars, but if you are going to pay top dollar for any of these early Takumars, then you should ensure that they come complete with ALL their original equipment including, original hood, front & rear caps, & original Pentax case.
Alternatively, if you just want a good "working" copy, you will pay a LOT less.
Cheers, Pickles.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
That last I would call a wishful dream. I'm with Andreas, EUR230 is an acceptable price if in excellent condition. Personally I prefer the 1.8/85mm, but maybe just because I have it... Wink


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
kds315* wrote:
That last I would call a wishful dream. I'm with Andreas, EUR230 is an acceptable price if in excellent condition. Personally I prefer the 1.8/85mm, but maybe just because I have it... Wink

No worries, I have the SMC 85 1.8 too, complete with hood, case, F & R caps,...in immaculate condition, except where, not from use, but just from being removed in & out of the case, the edge of the A/M switch shows a little paint wear, where it rubs against the case lining?
I just like collecting these early SMC takumars, but as I'm not using 'em, I guess one day, I'll sell 'em?
It's amazing how the values of these lenses have crept up over the years.
Cheers, Pickles.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Super Tak 1.9/85 is not as sharp as latest smc tak 1.8/85 at wide open.
Both deliver beautiful OOF rending, but slightly different. I keep both.

It is a bit sharper than Jupiter9 copy I have at wide open, http://forum.mflenses.com/from-russia-with-love-j9-many-samples-t52199,highlight,%2Brussia+%2Blove.html
and sure it is sharp enough for my use.

Can't comment on price, but it should come with original case, caps and metal hood.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
pickles wrote:
It's amazing how the values of these lenses have crept up over the years.
Cheers, Pickles.

It sure is. I am often amazed by the prices often fetched on eBay by these old lenses. E.g. Kiron 105/2.8 sometimes sells for more than today's Tokina ATX-PRO D 100/2.8, which is a much better lens (in my opinion anyway).


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think forget it , it will not offer anything above your Pancolar, if you have burn to cache buy something else instead. I had almost all 85mm Takumar, sold all kept Pancolar of course Smile, I did like Takumars of course. Try Samyang 85mm for this money if you wish to have another 85mm lens.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't know about the pancolar but if you ever get a chance to "feel" the exquisite mechanical touch
of a super tak, it would probably be hard to go back to the pancolar. I have owned both the 85/1.9
and SMC 85/1.8 taks and they are truly excellent lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
aoleg wrote:
pickles wrote:
It's amazing how the values of these lenses have crept up over the years.
Cheers, Pickles.

It sure is. I am often amazed by the prices often fetched on eBay by these old lenses. E.g. Kiron 105/2.8 sometimes sells for more than today's Tokina ATX-PRO D 100/2.8, which is a much better lens (in my opinion anyway).


Agreed. The Kiron is good, but not exceptional. In my opinion not as good as the micro-nikkor of the 80's either.


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have an 85 f/1.9 as well (my only 85mm Takumar). I like the rendering, the warm tonality in the color spectrum and the slight softness wide open. It is certainly not the sharpest tool in the shed - similar in a lot of ways to the 120mm Super Takumar - but it does a good job as a portrait lens.

As to price, +1 to the previous posters who have suggested holding out for an example with caps and shade if you are paying a premium. The average US Ebay price seems to be around $250 with case, caps and shade in EX+ condition.

All the best,

paul


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thx all for the info. This lens is in very good shape delivered with original box, caps and sunhood.
If i'm correct this lens is very good, not the best in his range, but very good with special old feel rendering.
That seems very nice to me.
Is the lens at 1.8 very soft and does sharpness increase a lot by f2. F2.4 or f2.8?


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
pdccameras wrote:
...I like the rendering, the warm tonality in the color spectrum...


yes! if the colors of the 85mm Pancolar are anything like those of the Pancolar 1.8/50 that I have than for me there would be no contest and I'd prefer the Tak. But this of course is hypothetical and a matter of taste.

pdccameras wrote:

As to price, +1 to the previous posters who have suggested holding out for an example with caps and shade if you are paying a premium. The average US Ebay price seems to be around $250 with case, caps and shade in EX+ condition.

All the best,

paul


don't even remind me of the prices in the US, I feel envy often enough Wink Even in Japan most prices are more expensive, though since the Yen has been going down that has leveled a bit. Unfortunately prices in Europe are another thing altogether..


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
asterinex wrote:
Thx all for the info. This lens is in very good shape delivered with original box, caps and sunhood.
If i'm correct this lens is very good, not the best in his range, but very good with special old feel rendering.
That seems very nice to me.
Is the lens at 1.8 very soft and does sharpness increase a lot by f2. F2.4 or f2.8?


hm..the S-M-C Tak 1.8/85 is sharper wide open than the S.Tak 1.9/85, but actually I find my copy of the S.Tak 1.9/85 sharp enough even wide open, plenty sharp just stopped down one stop and very sharp stopped down further. For me it has a more 'individual' rendering that I find very pleasing, most likely better portrait lens.

see the flickr search of photos taken with this lens ( oops, quite a few shown are taken by me when I used it to take 'portraits' of some of my lenses, stopped down it's very sharp! ) http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=super%20takumar%20f1.9%2085mm


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
kuuan wrote:
asterinex wrote:
Thx all for the info. This lens is in very good shape delivered with original box, caps and sunhood.
If i'm correct this lens is very good, not the best in his range, but very good with special old feel rendering.
That seems very nice to me.
Is the lens at 1.8 very soft and does sharpness increase a lot by f2. F2.4 or f2.8?


hm..the S-M-C Tak 1.8/85 is sharper wide open than the S.Tak 1.9/85, but actually I find my copy of the S.Tak 1.9/85 sharp enough even wide open, plenty sharp just stopped down one stop and very sharp stopped down further. For me it has a more 'individual' rendering that I find very pleasing, most likely better portrait lens.

see the flickr search of photos taken with this lens ( oops, quite a few shown are taken by me when I used it to take 'portraits' of some of my lenses, stopped down it's very sharp! ) http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=super%20takumar%20f1.9%2085mm


I'm sorry I ment the Super takumar f1.9.


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
asterinex wrote:
kuuan wrote:
asterinex wrote:
Thx all for the info. This lens is in very good shape delivered with original box, caps and sunhood.
If i'm correct this lens is very good, not the best in his range, but very good with special old feel rendering.
That seems very nice to me.
Is the lens at 1.8 very soft and does sharpness increase a lot by f2. F2.4 or f2.8?


hm..the S-M-C Tak 1.8/85 is sharper wide open than the S.Tak 1.9/85, but actually I find my copy of the S.Tak 1.9/85 sharp enough even wide open, plenty sharp just stopped down one stop and very sharp stopped down further. For me it has a more 'individual' rendering that I find very pleasing, most likely better portrait lens.

see the flickr search of photos taken with this lens ( oops, quite a few shown are taken by me when I used it to take 'portraits' of some of my lenses, stopped down it's very sharp! ) http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=super%20takumar%20f1.9%2085mm


I'm sorry I ment the Super takumar f1.9.


I know, I know...
sorry if i appear overly keen to recommend this lens, it's one of the lenses I'd never sell again..


PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kuuan wrote:
asterinex wrote:
kuuan wrote:
asterinex wrote:
Thx all for the info. This lens is in very good shape delivered with original box, caps and sunhood.
If i'm correct this lens is very good, not the best in his range, but very good with special old feel rendering.
That seems very nice to me.
Is the lens at 1.8 very soft and does sharpness increase a lot by f2. F2.4 or f2.8?


hm..the S-M-C Tak 1.8/85 is sharper wide open than the S.Tak 1.9/85, but actually I find my copy of the S.Tak 1.9/85 sharp enough even wide open, plenty sharp just stopped down one stop and very sharp stopped down further. For me it has a more 'individual' rendering that I find very pleasing, most likely better portrait lens.

see the flickr search of photos taken with this lens ( oops, quite a few shown are taken by me when I used it to take 'portraits' of some of my lenses, stopped down it's very sharp! ) http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=super%20takumar%20f1.9%2085mm


I'm sorry I ment the Super takumar f1.9.

No, on the contrary. It is nice to see someone keen. That's the whole point of the forum.
Thx alot for the input. You probably pushed me over the edge!

I know, I know...
sorry if i appear overly keen to recommend this lens, it's one of the lenses I'd never sell again..


PostPosted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was looking for an S-M-C 85/1.8 , but ended up with a Super-Tak 85/1.9 I didn't feel the need to continue looking for the S-M-C, as it was sharp enough wide open, has great color, and beautiful bokeh, it would be very hard to part with.


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Worth a try imho. Wink


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I sold my 1.9/85 because I thought it was good but not great and I preferred the rendering of the Jupiter-9 2/85 Sonnar copy. Honestly, I think the Pancolar 1.8/80 is a much better lens, it has amazing pop and bokeh.


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I sold my 1.9/85 because I thought it was good but not great and I preferred the rendering of the Jupiter-9 2/85 Sonnar copy. Honestly, I think the Pancolar 1.8/80 is a much better lens, it has amazing pop and bokeh.


+1


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I sold my 1.9/85 because I thought it was good but not great and I preferred the rendering of the Jupiter-9 2/85 Sonnar copy. Honestly, I think the Pancolar 1.8/80 is a much better lens, it has amazing pop and bokeh.


+1

Now I'm very confused. Some rave it, others are not enthousastic at all. Oh god. Surprised


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
asterinex wrote:
Attila wrote:
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I sold my 1.9/85 because I thought it was good but not great and I preferred the rendering of the Jupiter-9 2/85 Sonnar copy. Honestly, I think the Pancolar 1.8/80 is a much better lens, it has amazing pop and bokeh.


+1

Now I'm very confused. Some rave it, others are not enthousastic at all. Oh god. Surprised


Very Happy Very Happy I 'decode' the summary as follows:

It is buildt like a tank. Optically, it is sharp enough for most uses.
The sharpness is not as good as newer smc version at wide open, but better than Jupiter9.
Your given price sounds ok, but not cheap.
It is a good lens but there are many 85 out there too.
Also very hard to tell which 85 is 'best' or my most fav...


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've owned numerous portrait length lenses including the Pancolar and the 85mm f/1.9 Super-Tak and 85mm f/1.9 Super-Multi-Coated Tak. Of all of these I consider the 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar the best. Mechanically it's worst though, but the lens is surprisingly easy to service.

In the end I preferred the look of my even older 83mm f/1.9 Takumar over anything else, so I sold off everything including the Pancolar because I'm more of a user and not a collector.


PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I liked it better than my Jupiter 9, so much that I sold the Jupiter, but I wasn't much aware of the price difference.
I mean, you can easily get a j9 for less than half the price you've been asked for the tak, and except you are specifically looking for that particular rendering, probably the Jupiter is a better bargain - in terms of pure performance, if you consider collector value or possible resell price, it's a whole different story.
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