Review Of Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT ...

According provided by Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT lens. CO., JAPAN many thanks to Ivan Koronevsky.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN. The lens is shown in film mirror Nikon EL2 camera. Installed with an adapter M42-Nikon F

In short

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN - an old classic 7-aperture lens on the Planar 6/XNUMX scheme. Nowadays, it can act as a creative, inexpensive lens.

From previous version Super-Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in Japan (production codes 378, 37800, 37801, 37802, indicated on the MAN./AUTO switch) The Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 model (from this review) features more aperture blades, updated Super-Multi-Coated coating and two additional connections for automatic iris operation with compatible cameras.

One reason for the update Super-Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 up to Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 became the camera's release in the same year Asahi Pentax Electro Spotmatic (or Asahi Pentax ES), aka Honeywell Pentax Electro Spotmatic (or Honeywell Pentax ES), which required upgraded lenses with M42 mounting thread to operate in automatic aperture priority mode. Modernization touched not only Super-Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50, but also many other Takumars.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

There is a small 'family' of Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 lenses from which four main models can be distinguished: Super takumar with 8 lenses Super takumar with 7 lenses, Super-Multi-Coated Takumar (from this review) and S.M.C. Takumar.

All major versions of similar lenses Asahi Opt. Co., Takumar / Pentax:

1.2/50

1. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.2 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20947, 1975-1984)
2. SMC PENTAX 1:1.2/50 ASAHI OPT. CO.,JAPAN'GOLD' (7/6, 1981)
3. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.2 50mm (7/6, 20987, 1984-2004)
4. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.2 50mm Special (7/6, 2000)

1.4 / 50 (video)

1. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (8/6, 358, 1964-1966)
2. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (7/6, 37800, 1965-1971, F/2 in number)
3. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (7/6, 37801, 1965-1971, F/2 dot)
4. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (7/6, 37802, 1965-1971, comma after 'CO.')
5. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37902, 1971-1972)
6. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37908, 1972-1975)
7. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20847, 1975-1977)
8. SMC PENTAX-M 1: 1.4 50mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20867, 1977-1984)
9. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20887, 1984-1989)
10. SMC PENTAX-F 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20827, 1987-1991)
11. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20817, 1991-2023)
12. HD PENTAX-D FA * 1: 1.4 50mm SDMAW (15/9, 21260, 2018->)
13. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm Classic (7/6, 2023->)
14. HD PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 2023->)

1.8 / 55 (video)

1. takumar 1:1.8 f=55mm Asahi OPT. CO., Japan (6/5, 1958, zebra)
2. Auto-takumar 1:1.8 f=55mm Asahi OPT. CO., Japan (6/5, 1958-1960, zebra)
3. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1960, with 'R')
4. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1960-1962, no 'R', oblique lines of the depth of field)
5. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1962, no 'R', straight lines of depth of field)
6. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1962, fine ribs, f/1.8 left)
7. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, before 1965, fine ribs, f/1.8 right)
8. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37106, before 1971, large ribs)
9. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37104, 1971-1972)
10. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37108, 1972-1975)
11. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 20747, 1975-1977)

2 / 55 (1.9 / 55)

1. Auto-takumar 1:1.9 f=55mm Asahi Opt. Co.,Japan (6/5, 1958-1959)
2. Auto-takumar 1: 2 f = 55mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/5, 1958-1959, zebra)
3. Auto-takumar 1: 2 f = 55mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/5, 34100, 1958-1959)
4. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, small fins, F/2 left)
5. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, small ribs, F/2 on the right)
6. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37103, 1962-1973, large ribs)
7. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37107, additional aperture pins)
8. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 2 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37109, 1973-1975)
9. SMC PENTAX 1: 2 55mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 1976-1977)

1.7/50

1. SMC PENTAX-M 1: 1.7 50mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 20877, 1977-1984)
2. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20897, 1984-1989)
3. SMC PENTAX-F 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20837, 1987-1991)
4. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20907, 1991-2004)

2/50

1. SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. (5/5, 20677, 1979-1985)
2. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 2 50mm (5/5, 20697, 1985-1998)

2.2/55

1. takumar 1:2.2/55 Asahi Opt. CO., Japan (6/5, 1961-1963)
2. Auto-takumar 1:2.2/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1961-1963)

2/58

1. takumar 1:2 f=58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/4, 1957-1958)
2. takumar 1: 2 f = 58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/4, 1957-1958, labeled 'R')

DA (APS-C: 1.4/55 DA* + 1.8/50 DA)

1. SMC PENTAX-DA * 1: 1.4 55mm SDM (9/8, 21790, 2008->)
2. SMC PENTAX-DA 1: 1.8 50mm (6/5, 22177, 2012->)

Asahi-Kogaku (M37x1, 3.5/50 + 2.4/58 -> M42)

1. takumar 1: 3,5 f = 50mm Asahi-kogaku (4/3, 1952, M37×1)
2. takumar 1: 3.5 f = 50mm Asahi-kogaku (4/3, 1952, , M37×1, pre-set)
3. takumar 1: 2.4 f = 58mm Asahi-kogaku (5/3, 1954, M37×1, silver)
4. takumar 1: 2.4 f = 58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (5/3, 1957-1958, M42)

The lens names in this list correspond exactly to the lens name label on the lens barrel (except for the serial number and/or filter diameter).

Please note that the lens / lens bleaching from the viewing lens or the optical glass itself has turned yellow (closer to orange or brown), as shown in the picture below. Most likely this is due to thorium enlightenment or to the addition of thorium to the rear lens, which, or because of which, the initial transparency degrades. During real photography, such yellowing significantly affects the image quality, automatic white balance coping is not always good.

Important:

1. There is a lot of information about its radioactivity (this is due to thorium enlightenment or the addition of thorium to the rear lens).
2. Not all Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 lenses so terribly paint a picture in yellow / green (warm) color. Most likely yellowing depends on age or some other factors.
3. The level of radiation, most likely, can not do anything bad to its owner. Bad can only happen if you wear Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 as a pendant a year or two.
4. Automatic white balance copes well with yellowness, but using preset values white balance (daylight, shadow, etc.) make the picture just awful. Shooting with automatic white balance under mixed lighting conditions also produces very poor results.
5. Some users try to fight yellowness with strong ultraviolet radiation, or in other ways. Look for information on the net, leave useful links in the comments.
6. Despite the yellowing, the real apertureexpressed in T-steps fell weakly.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Main technical characteristics of Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN:

Review Instance Name	Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN 6481645 (inscription on the switch '37902')
Basic properties	M42x1 / 45.5 - common landing thread 'M42'. manual focus only. aperture control ringas well as semi-automatic iris control using the ring aperture and pusher aperture cameras that have it. MAN/AUTO - aperture control mode switch Super-multi-coated - special coverage of optics transfer of aperture value to the camera (for compatible cameras, such as Electro Spotmatic, ES, ES II, Spotmatic F) lens suitable for full frame cameras metal casecompact size thorium enlightenment (source link)
Front Filter Diameter	49 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length	50 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x
Designed by	for film cameras with a frame size of 24 x 36
Number of aperture blades	8 non-rounded petals. At F / 2, the diaphragm blades form an opening with small notches.
Tags	focus distance scale in meters and feet. The depth of field scale for F / 4, 8, 11 (not explicitly), 16. Label for working in the infrared spectrum.
Diaphragm	from f / 1.4 to f / 16. The lens has an aperture control ring. There are marks on the ring for F / 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. You can set one additional value between each pair of numbers (except between F / 1.4 and F / 2, as well as between F / 11 and F / 16). The aperture ring has a MAN./AUTO switch (automatic aperture only works on the respective cameras).
MDF	0.45 m
The weight	250 g
Optical design	7 elements in 6 groups The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design. The same optical scheme is used by many other lenses.
Lens hood	Threaded, screwed into the front filter thread
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (lens made in Japan)
Period	From 1971 to 1972. Later it was replaced by a version SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN
Price	About 80 cu for used option. Prices for modern Pentax lenses can be viewed here.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 well assembled, has full metal case. The focus ring has no rubberized inserts, rotates approximately 180 degrees. The ring travel is smooth and pleasant. For many Takumars, the smoothness of focusing is one of the best among all lenses of the past era. The original front cover without latches, just snug against the frame of the case, it can easily be removed with a random movement.

During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Manual Takumaras with M42 x 1 / 45.5 thread can be divided into 4 types:

1. Completely manual (in terms of installation exposure). Only one aperture control ring. Everything is done manually.
2. Pre-set. Also manual (in terms of installation exposure), but with two aperture rings: settings and presets. Everything is done manually.
3. Semi-automatic. Aperture ring + protrusion (pin) for aperture pusher + can be M / A (Man./Auto) aperture mode switch. In automatic mode, focusing is carried out at a fully open aperture. When the shutter is released, the aperture closes to the desired value and opens again. Endurance set manually.
4. Fully automatic. Aperture ring + aperture mode switch + protrusion for the diaphragm pusher + additional protrusion (pin) + additional driver for transmitting the aperture value to the camera. Measurement exposure and focusing is carried out with the aperture fully open, the camera understands the value of the set aperture and sets the exposure corresponding to it. During shutter release, the aperture closes to the desired value and opens again.

On the mount side, fully automatic lenses such as the Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 from this review have an additional very small pinwhich is associated with the MAN./AUTO switch. This pin should not be confused with a conventional pin for automatically setting the desired aperture value when the shutter is released. The MAN./AUTO switch works only when this pin is pressed, for example, when the lens is attached to the camera, or when the rear protective cap is attached to clamp it. It is not necessary to try to change the position of the MAN./AUTO switch by force, otherwise it may cause damage.

1. Projection for reading the aperture value by the camera 2. Additional pin connected to the MAN./AUTO switch 3. Main aperture setting pin on the Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT lens. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Sample Photos

Most of the photos in the gallery below are on-camera JPEG without processing. On camera Canon EOS 5D I used a lens with an adapter M42-Canon EOS.

Source photos can download from this link... One more photo here и here.

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

F / 2.0 aperture notches on the Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT lens. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT aperture blades. CO., JAPAN

Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN. The lens is shown in film mirror Nikon EL2 camera. Installed with an adapter M42-Nikon F

Video review

You can watch the video review at my humble Youtube channel by here to place a catering order., or below:

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.