Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42

2008-04-14
Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount

Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount
LBA (Lens Buying Addiction) has crept up on me in getting many unused lens for months after purchase. This Super Takumar happens to be first one to go. I only managed to use it the weekend before I packaged it for my friend.

Now that it is gone, I missed the small size and silky smooth focusing ring. I previously owned a Super Takumar 35mm f/3.5 and I sold it too to my another good buddy of mine in photography forum. Perhaps, I have no luck in keeping two different Super Takumars. I love those old glasses and they are one of a kind in small and lightweight, compact like a pancake in its own charming way. Had I been more careful with my buying, I would have been able to justify keeping my two Super Takumar. Some test shots taken with Pentax K100D.

Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount Test Shot
Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount Test Shot
Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount Test Shot

Pentax Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 mount Test Shot
Initial Impressions:
  • Lens is small and compact, very charming in its own way
  • Focusing ring is silky smooth
  • Matching lens hood and case make it extra sweet to have one in possession
  • Lens is quite sharp wide open. Many test shots are done in f/2.8 and sharpness is very reasonable.
  • Metering is definitely a difficult task with the lens. In Av aperture priority, I need to tune in +2.0 Ev in f/2.8 setting in my K100D.
  • Bokeh seems pretty decent to me.
  • Ringed lights are in circles as seen in last test shot.
  • Though the lens is small, I find it difficult to hold with my K100D. The small size of the lens makes it a bit awkward to hold and turn for adjusting focus
  • Overall, I would not hesitate to buy this lens again. I would not mind having the following in my collection:
    • Super Takumar 35mmm f/3.5 or f/2.8
    • Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8
    • Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8
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2 comments:

Yalçın AYDIN said...

Your review helped me to decide buying a Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8, thanks ;)

Hin Man said...

Thanks! This is small and cute little lens with good bokeh. I sold it too early. I like lens with a bigger barrel for fine adjustment to MF.

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