Brief overview of ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24

According provided by lens ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 many thanks to the store FOCUSFILM (subscribe to INSTAGRAM). There you can find many interesting film cameras and manual lenses.

In short

ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 is an old manual focus wide-angle prime designed for M42 x 1/45.5 film cameras. For its time it was a very good lens.

ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 is primarily interesting as an inexpensive wide-angle lens for full-frame cameras. There are not so many old fixes, originally from the 70s with a focal length of 24 mm. To create such a lens for that time was quite a challenge, hence the small relative aperture of 1:3.5.

ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 is well put together and produces quite sharp images even at f/3.5.

Of the obvious shortcomings - the lens gives very strong vignetting at F / 3.5 and has a mediocre aperture, which is at the level of autofocus standard zoom lenses like SMC Pentax-FA 24-90/3.5-4.5 AL or SMC Pentax-F 24-50/4.

History

There are two main versions of the Takumar 1:3.5/24 lens:

1. Asahi Opt. Co. Super-Takumar 1:3.5/24, 1967-1971, switch code MAN./AUTO 43961
2. ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24, 1972-1976, switch code MAN./AUTO 43962

Main technical characteristics of Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24:

Review Instance Name	ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 3.5 / 24 5964565
Basic properties	M42 - the lens uses an interchangeable mount / shank for the popular M42 x 1 / 45.5 thread manual focus only aperture control ring MAN. / AUTO - aperture control ring operation switch lens suitable for full-frame cameras 43962 - model identifier code
Front Filter Diameter	58 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length	24 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	for film cameras with a frame size of 24 x 36
Number of aperture blades	5 petals. Matte petals
Tags	focusing distance scale in meters (yellow) and feet (blue), there are values ​​in meters: 3, 1.3, 0.8, 0.6, 0.45, 0.35, 0.3, 0.25 and infinity mark depth of field scale for f/4, 5.6 (dash only) 8, 11, 16 red mark-line for working in the infrared spectrum aperture value MAN./AUTO marks for automatic or manual iris control 43962 - model identification code, printed on the back of the MAN./AUTO switch
Diaphragm	from f / 3.5 to f / 16. The lens has an aperture control ring. On the aperture control ring there are marks for F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. The aperture control ring rotates with clicks. There is one intermediate value between all pairs of numbers (except F/11<->F/16)
MDF	0.25 meters Maximum magnification ratio 1:8.33
The weight	243 grams (measured)
Optical design	9 elements in 8 groups The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design.
Lens hood	Must be screwed into the thread of the front filter.
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (lens made in Japan)
Period	1972-1976
Price	About 50 cu for used option. Prices for modern Pentax lenses can be viewed on the E-Catalog.

ASAHI OPT version. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 from this review, with an M42 mounting thread, is easy to install on almost any modern digital camera. How to do it - ask in the comments.

Assembling, focusing

ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 well built.

The focus ring is not rubberized, metal, with large ribs, rotates approximately 90 degrees (1/4 of a full turn). The movement of the ring is smooth and pleasant. During focusing, the front retractable part of the body frame does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.

On the bayonet side, the lens has an additional very small pin, which is responsible for the operation of the MAN / AUTO switch. The MAN/AUTO switch only works when this pin is pressed. As a result, the MAN / AUTO switch only works when the lens is attached to the camera, or when the rear protective cap is attached. This pin should not be confused with a regular iris pin.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

Pictures in the gallery were obtained using legendary camera Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II (Full Frame, 17 MP) and a simple adapter M42 -> Canon EF. Converting and processing original RAW files with the original Canon Digital Photo Professional 4 utility.

The lens is sharp in the center of the frame at f / 3,5, works well in backlight and has a well-corrected distortion. A significant drawback is vignetting at F / 3.5 and chromatic aberration, which show up strongly at the corners and edges of the image.

RAW '.CR2' original photos can be download / watch this link (20+ photos).

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