Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

For the Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co. many thanks AlexanderWhich sells many different interesting lenses.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

In short

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co. - old fix with manual focus, short telephoto, designed for film cameras with M42 mounting thread.

The Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 is primarily interesting as a portrait lens, and can also be used as a creative lens wherever a short telephoto lens is appropriate.

Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 is very pleasant to use, gives a sharp image already from F / 3.5, has some optical disadvantages inherent in old similar lenses.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

History

There is a huge family of Takumar / Pentax class lenses 135/3.5:

  1. Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1953-1957, diagram 5/3, model in silver / metal case
  2. Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1957-1961, diagram 5/4, model 324 and 43240
  3. Auto-Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1959-1963, schematic 5/4, model 343
  4. Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1961-1966, diagram 5/4, model 353 and 43530
  5. Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1963-1965, schematic 5/4, model 354 and 43540
  6. Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1965-1971, scheme 4/4, model 43541
  7. Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 135 / 3.5, 1971-1975, schematic 4/4, model 43542
  8. SMC Pentax 135 / 3.5, 1975-1977, schematic 4/4, model 23440
  9. SMC Pentax-M 135 / 3.5, 1977-1986, scheme 5/5, model 23460

Later the 135 / 3.5 line evolved into the Takumar / Pentax line 135/2.8:

  1. SMC Pentax-A 135 / 2.8, 1983-1989, schematic 4/4, model 23497
  2. Takumar Bayonet 135 / 2.8, 1984-1987, schematic 4/4, model 23437
  3. SMC Pentax-F 135 / 2.8 IF, 1987-1991, schematic 8/7, model 23417
  4. SMC Pentax-FA 135 / 2.8 IF, 1991-2000, schematic 8/7, model 23427

Takumar / Pentax lens line is located separately 135/2.5:

  1. Super-Takumar 135 / 2.5, 1965-1971, schematic 5/4, model 43801
  2. Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 135 / 2.5, 1971-1972, schematic 5/4, model 43802
  3. Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 135 / 2.5, 1972-1975, schematic 6/6, model 43812
  4. SMC Pentax 135 / 2.5, 1975-1985, schematic 6/6, model 23840 (two sub-versions with different spelling of the lens name)
  5. Takumar Bayonet 135 / 2.5, 1980-1988, schematic 4/4, model 23830

And there's another Pentax lens on the side. 135/1.8:

  1. SMC Pentax-A * 135 / 1.8, 1984-1989, schematic 7/6, model 23530

The Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 comes in two versions: the 135 Super-Takumar 3.5 / 1963 with a 5/4 scheme, and the newer 135 Super-Takumar 3.5 / 1965 with a 4/4 scheme (shown in this review). In the new version, the back gluing of two lenses has been replaced with one lens. Outwardly, these two versions are very similar to each other, but there are several visual differences between them:

  • 1963 version has 354 or 43540 on the aperture control mode switch
  • on the 1963 version the aperture control modes are labeled 'A' and 'M', on the newer version the words 'AUTO' and 'MAN.'
  • the 1963 version has an additional F / 4 mark on the aperture control ring, which the 1965 version does not
  • on the 1963 version, the diaphragm control ring has continuous notches, on the newer version, the notches alternate in places without notches
  • the 1963 version has fewer values ​​on the focusing distance scale
  • there are many other, less noticeable differences
Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Appearance

Came to my review in very good condition, with a native tube, a native back cover and a native original hood.

Main technical characteristics of Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Name of instances from review Near the front lens' Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens Made in Japan 2971766 '
Basic properties
  • M42x1 / 45.5 - common 'M42' seating thread.
  • MF (Mannual Focus) - manual focus only
  • AUTO / MAN - mode switch aperture control
  • SUPER - special optical coating
  • Metal case
Front Filter Diameter 49 mm
Focal length 135 mm
Zoom ratio 1 x (this is fix)
Designed by for film cameras with a frame size of 36 * 24 mm and a M42 mounting thread
Number of aperture blades 6 straight (not rounded) petals
Tags
  • marking on the focus ring with the focusing distance in meters and feet
  • depth of field scale for f / 5.6, 11, 16, 22
  • infrared label (red letter R)
  • ring with aperture values, there are labels for F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, other intermediate values ​​cannot be set
Diaphragm from F / 3.5 to F / 22, at values ​​from F / 5.6 to F / 22, the petals form a regular hexagon
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 1.5 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:9
The weight 343 grams
Optical design 4 elements in 4 groups

Optical design Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.Other Takumar / Pentax lenses use the same optical design.

Lens hood Screws into the thread of the front filter
Period 1965-1971, later replaced by Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 135 / 3.5
Manufacturer country LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan).
Price New do not sell. In a variant B. at. about 40-50 cu

Prices for modern Pentax lenses are available see here.

The Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 utilizes the common M42 mounting thread and can be easily mounted on any modern digital interchangeable-lens camera.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Assembly, control, focus

Lens body made very high quality.

Original metal hood, marked 'ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN 49Ø Takumar 1: 3.5 135mm 1: 4 150mm 1: 5.6 200mm '. The hood is screwed into the thread of the front filter. The hood can be installed backwards for shipping. When installing the lens hood with the back side, it does not need to be screwed in, it just fits snugly against the lens trunk. On the inside of the hood, in the appropriate place, there is a fabric seal for installing the hood in the opposite direction.

The front cover has no snaps, just fits snugly against the frame of the lens barrel; for this, the cover is covered with a special fabric on the inside.

The focusing ring is metal with ribs and notches, without a rubberized insert.

The focusing ring does not slide forward with the lens barrel as it does with some similar lenses.

Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 uses small filters with a diameter only 49 mm.

The Super-Takumar 135 / 3.5 focusing ring rotates approximately 315 degrees (7/8 of a full turnover). During focusing, the lens trunk extends forward but does not rotate. Focusing is done by moving the entire lens unit. The rotation of the focusing ring is very smooth and pleasant. Working with the lens is comfortable.

On the case there is a focus distance scale, a depth of field scale and a mark for working in the infrared spectrum.

There is an AUTO / MAN aperture control mode switch. The diaphragm consists of only six blades.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Image quality

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co. behaves badly in side and backlight, losing contrast. At the same time, unlike some other old and inexpensive lenses, it does not create a yellow-green color of the image.

Sharpness at F / 3.5 is quite satisfactory, and at F / 5.6-F / 8 it is excellent. There is a small amount of chromatic aberration. Nearly zero distortion and slight vignetting. At closed apertures, you can trace hexagons from point light sources in the out-of-focus area.

Overall Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co. Is a classic representative of an old high-quality 135-piece.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

Full Frame Sample Photos

Sample photos with original RAW files prepared by the photographer Natalya romanenko (instagram).

Sample photos on APS-C

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500... All photos are on-camera JPEG. All examples were shot without a hood, but using protective filter Toshiba 49mm S L39 3 (UV) Japan.

Original JPEG '.JPG' photos can be download from this link (16 photos, 100 MB). Original photos in format RAW '.ARW' can download from this link (16 photos, 300 MB).

How to use with modern cameras?

Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.

The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.

For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.

For SLR cameras

  1. Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
  2. NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
  3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
  4. SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
  5. OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.

For mirrorless cameras

  1. SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
  2. OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
  3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
  4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
  5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
  6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
  7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
  8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
  9. SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
  10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
  11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
  12. LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.

If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 38, on the topic: Super-Takumar 1: 3.5 / 135 Asahi Opt. Co.

  • UstasFritZZZ

    Thanks for your review. I have been choosing my favorite manual 135mm lens for a long time, went through probably a dozen different ones and the best one for me was Canon FD 135 F2.8. There, the sharpness on the open and the bokeh is beautiful and he does not catch hares, a gorgeous lens

    • Pokemon

      There is somehow little information in the Russian Internet about Canon lenses for FD mount and their work on ff cameras with EF mount.
      I understand that an adapter is needed (the question is what).
      Maybe there is info about which of the FD lenses were interesting and can be used on modern cameras now.

      • Sergei

        The Canon FD mount is very specific - at one time Canon tried very hard to make its DSLRs tied only to proprietary optics.
        Therefore, you can put FD on EF only after a very expensive alteration of the lens shank, or using an adapter with a lens (which spoils the picture quality).
        Or use FD optics on mirrorless cameras, which is much easier (full of adapters).

        • Pokemon

          Thanks for the info!

      • Incog

        On Penta-club.ru a lot is chewed about it

  • Sergei

    A popular alternative to this subject in Russia and Ukraine is Jupiter-37A.
    Which on the secondary will be cheaper.
    Therefore, it is more relevant to compare both in terms of picture and convenience.

    • Rodion

      I bet Jupiter will be at least as good as optically, and mechanically more convenient and more compact.

      • Victor

        Rodion, there will be no Jupiter, as you put it “more convenient and compact”. Worked AR 135 / 3,5 in the second half of the 80s. I will say this: if this Takumar was constructively friends with the Nikon - F system - he would definitely take it - he would be back in his arsenal.

        • alexey_laa

          Last year I was choosing a 135mm lens and figuring out if it could be converted to a Nikon mount. There are simple adapters for the M42 on Nikon, but without focusing to infinity. I read about the Takumar 135mm f / 3.5 that they have a rather large helicoid stroke, and by rearranging the helicoid to other threads, you can get focus to infinity with a simple adapter.

  • 123

    I also considered myself a super-takumar, only a poiltiynik, but those who read how they fonit (radiation), if Thorium 232 is included in the coating, did not dare to buy.

    • Trueash

      People in the know say that thorium glass lenses can only be damaged if the lenses are crushed and eaten: D
      More seriously, such a lens will emit approximately 0,01 millirems per hour. The average American gains about 620 millirems per year. In general, to have noticeable negative consequences, you need to live in a room for a month, which contains two million lenses.
      I'm not even talking about the fact that Takumaras are * Japanese * lenses. Someone who, and they know about radiation.
      Source: https://www.diyphotography.net/can-radioactive-lenses-harmful-health/
      On the other hand, it is better not to bring an eyecup with radioactive lenses to your eyes.

    • Sergei

      You don't have to worry about 135mm lenses.
      No manufacturer in the world has used thorium for this focal point.

    • Rashit

      Then lanthanum ones, too, must be avoided! And not only! )
      https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Radioactive_lenses

      • Rodion

        It is better to bypass the lead ones, otherwise you will suddenly swallow the lens "made of crystal" and die from the poisoning.

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Nowadays photography has become a health hazard. Better tick-tokes on the phone to cut

          • Victor

            Plus!

  • B. R. P.

    Wow, there is even a native hood)

  • Stanislas

    135k and 6 aperture blades are sadness and nuts. I have long wanted this focal point for myself, strangled the toad and took the “maer”.

    • Rodion

      Daaaaaa)))

    • Victor

      Stanislav, there is no trace of sadness! To remove the "nuts" you have to try very hard by introducing the sun into the frame. But, he has such a deep hood that it will not work to get a "parasite" ... only by taking this step deliberately!

  • Rashit

    Of these 135 heels, the TAIR-11A with its f / 2.8 is closer, although it also loses contrast with the side and back. )

  • Bogdan

    My love 135 - Carl Zeiss Jena MC Sonnar 135mm f3.5
    Structurally, it is even more handy, I have MC and a built-in hood.

    https://staf.org.ua/carl-zeiss-jena-mc-sonnar-135mm-f3-5/

  • atr

    Of course, thanks to Alexander, but if he packs the lenses in the same way as he packed the equipment for me, then I do not recommend dealing with him.
    bought from him https://www.olx.ua/obyavlenie/topovyy-proigryvatel-vinila-70-h-metz-tx-4963-direct-drive-quartz-IDKtpxi.html#91e073a733;promoted
    Two boxes arrived that were simply filled up with a bunch of garbage instead of normal packaging.
    Well, take 30 bucks more and pack it humanly. What kind of people. I just threw heavy pieces of iron into the box on top of each other, as a result, everything was beaten. The cover of the player is cracked.

    • Sergei

      And where does the turntable (vinyl) and photographic equipment?

      • Victor

        Do you think Alexander is much more careful with photographic equipment?))

        If the review is not a fake from a competitor, I would be thoughtful.

        • atr

          Not a fake or from a competitor. I am a regular blog reader, I fell for the ads above. All my life I order from ibey and amazon, there have never been any problems.
          I attach proof.

          • Andrei

            Hmm, it's a shame, of course.

          • Arkady Shapoval

            I will write to him for this disgrace, thank you for sharing and indicating

          • Jury

            The most offensive thing is that a roll of pimples, 50m2, costs about UAH 200 ($ 7-8), in such a roll you can pack several similar parcels.

    • Gregor

      @Atr
      I sympathize, but if you received a damaged product - why take it?
      On the other hand, there are a lot of optics under the film in the ads.
      It is sad if this “entrepreneur” saves money on packaging and a broken lens comes to you.

      • atr

        It was not me who took it, but the assistant, I had no idea that the person selling the lenses might pack badly. And then for me this is a small amount, I already ordered a new one with Ibei, I had to do it right away :)

        • Andrei

          Is this for sale or a museum about how you can't pack?

  • Semen

    Tell me, is it suitable for Zenith-11 without any problems?

    • Michael

      Yes

  • Lensmaster

    Excellent build quality and design. In the 60s, it was not at all obvious that Pentax would stumble in the big race of Japanese giants. Yes, the m42 interfered with the impossibility of building lenses close to unity in luminosity, and by and large there were no clean pro cameras. But the optics were great!
    In terms of workmanship, it is head and shoulders above the zebra from the GDR, Minolt and Konik of that time. Canon and Nikon, here it can be compared with them. But I like him more.
    Aperture automatic.
    Quality - once again, everything, even the repair 4/4s that I had, were mechanically perfect. The problems were mainly after poor-quality repair attempts, or after serious falls, or for cleaning.
    In general, these are some of the best, by and large, 135 / 3.0-3.5 that I had.
    After 60 years, many of them, visually, are in new condition.
    Optically, photographing, as usual, on the floor / foot, a characteristic, light or something, frivolous picture.
    Again, remarkably sharp on film.
    And very sharp on ff. 5.6 is already a studio, hair to hair, ringing. I don’t know about crop, not mine.
    Of course, there are differences from SMC, but Pentax’s enlightenment has clearly improved only closer to the bayonet mount, so a blender, like on Jupiter, and go ahead.
    In short, I will say a strange thing))), but as for me, it is better for me and conic, and minolta, and nikon with canon, and everyone else, in 3.5 format.
    Although the Nikkor 135/3.5 is the sharpest in the 135ok company, in general, everything I tried to photograph, from 1.8 on the list, I consider it my favorite lens from Pentax. In general, both from MF and from af.
    Once again, for the piercing sharpness already on the first half-foot, for the quality, for the picture in general. For I love portrait optics, and portrait optics must love people. He loves them and I love him. Them. I have a couple of them. One is like new, the other is refurbished. In a nutshell, here it is.

  • SALMAN

    Thank you so much for sharing this post. This helped me a lot in saving time.

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