What was the price of the bitter horse lens in the 1970s?

Takumar (commonly known as Taiku Horse in China) is a lens series with a long history, which has a very close relationship with Pentax. Post the history of Takumar today. Immediately after reading it, I was interested in old photos and black and white photos, and quickly found one on the hummingbird.

Takumar lens series has a long history. Its name "Takumar" comes from Takuma Kajiwara, a Japanese photographer who lived in new york in 1950s. He is also a personal friend of george eastman, founder of Kodak Company. It is said that Takuma Kajiwara participated in the design of the early Takumar lens.

Takumar lens series has many versions and has been improving. It was not until Asahi Optical released the K-type bayonet lens that Takumar's name was used. But the Pentax 6x7 supporting lens series still retains Takumar's name. Moreover, among the K-type bayonet series lenses, there are some lenses without SMC coating that follow Takumar's name, such as Takumar 135/2.5.

Takumar lens logo and meaning:

Takumar: The lens matched with the early Asahiflex models and Asahi Pentax and Asahi Pentax S models.

Auto-Takumar: The feature of this series of lenses is that when the shutter is actually released, the lens aperture automatically shrinks to the selected aperture. This series of lenses actually began to be used after the introduction of K series models. The working procedure of the automatic contraction aperture system is: firstly, rotate the aperture ring to select the aperture, and then push the lever on the lens barrel, and the automatic contraction aperture device will be tightened. Press the shutter to narrow the aperture. Two early Super Takumar standard lenses were marked with the words Atuo Takumar: 55/ 1.8 Auto-Takumar and 55/2 Auto-Takumar. Later, Asahi Optical changed the aperture lever from the left to the right of the lens, and the lens logo was also changed to Super Takumar.

Super Takumar: With the Super Takumar lens, you don't have to manually open the aperture after pressing the shutter, and the aperture lever becomes an automatic and manual selection switch. When the switch is set to the automatic position or the photometric switch button is turned on, the aperture will automatically return to the maximum position after pressing the shutter. When the switch is set to MAN, the aperture action is the same as the previous Takumar lens-it is always in a shrinking state.

Ultra-multilayer coating Takumar: the earliest SMC Takumar lens. Pentax took the lead in using multilayer coating technology on their lenses in 197 1. The marketing department of the company said that Pentax invented multilayer coating technology, but it was not. This coating technology was actually invented by OCLI (Optical Coating Laboratory Co., Ltd.), an American company, and was originally used in the space equipment of NASA's moon landing program. Asahi Optical obtained a patent license from that company, and SMC technology was used in Takumar lens.

For SMC technology, please refer to Btiger's multilayer coating technology for glare control. Other reports show that the super multi-coating technology was jointly developed with Zeiss. In fact, Asahi and Zeiss were indeed partners in lens design. About a few months later, Zeiss also released multilayer coated lens products. It is also worth noting that the two lens designs of Zeiss and Asahi are very similar: 1972 15/3.5 and 1976 28/2.

Smc Takumar lens: the latest version of ultra-multilayer coating Takumar. The difference is that the focus ring is changed from all metal to rubber ring.

Special Takumar lenses usually use additional names (such additional names can be seen in various periods of Takumar, such as: 400/5.6 Tele-Takumar and 400/5.6 SMC Tele-Takuma;

Fisheye lens Takumar: 17mm and 18mm fisheye lens;

Macro-Takumar: 50 mm and 100mm macro lens;

Bellows -Takumar: 100 mm leather cavity lens, which can only be used for leather cavity;

Telephoto lens: A telephoto lens with a focal length longer than 200mm.

Achromatic Takumar and Shi Ying Takumar: Specially designed ultraviolet photographic lens, using timely glass.

Takumar-Zoom: used for zoom lens

Data and photos of Takumar's full series of lenses

Regarding Spotmatic and Takumar, I feel sorry and ashamed that I have never used any Spotmatic fuselage or Takumar lens so far, but only from the photos and historical materials, Pentax's enterprising spirit and superb design and manufacturing level at that time are really amazing.

The following are comments of Takumar player Pentax 67II on Spotmatic and Takumar:

SP really seems to be the brightest star in SLR in that era, and the Germans can't compare it, so Leica's SLR is also studying in Japan, which is actually Minolta's Dongdong. SLR is the Japanese strong point, Pentax is the best, SP is the first behind-the-mirror metering machine, which is of epoch-making significance in the history of cameras. As a result, it became the most popular camera in Europe overnight and has been passed down to this day. At that time, China was in a very poor age, and photographic equipment was undoubtedly a luxury, so it was rarely seen in China, so that we missed this wonderful lesson. I can see SP again today. I think it's time to make up lessons! Antiques older than us!

Takumar era is a peak of camera technology development and process improvement. At that time, the camera was still a luxury, so Takumar pan/tilt could be made of all metal in luxury, and the process cost of optical focusing ring was extremely high. At that time, Takumar directly faced Lycra and shredded vegetables in European and American markets, and he could not survive without the same technology. Facts have proved that Takumar achieved great success in Europe and America, and almost monopolized the market at that time. It is impossible for the Japanese to produce such a lens today. Because they earn a lot of money from plastic electronics and their output is extremely high, it is almost impossible to do such thankless things again. In the M-head era, the most expensive metal focusing ring was replaced by a rubber band. In the A-head era, the diaphragm ring was also replaced by plastic, and the silver ring was cancelled. In the era of F-head, the outer cylinder was replaced by plastic, and even the lettering of aperture value was saved and printed in the era of FA-head. In the past few decades, optics has not made much progress, and its ability to cut corners is still good. Even optical glass has been molded. . . . . .

Indeed, times have changed. Today's manufacturers have long lost the mentality of carefully making cameras and lenses as handicrafts. Now they just want to reduce costs and expand production. In the era of Luo Kou machine, the camera is really a luxury. The ingenuity of the products of that era is far from the products of large-scale automated production lines now.

In addition, when we are lucky enough to get these old products with perfect appearance today, while admiring their exquisite craftsmanship, we can't help but pay high tribute to the original owners who care for and use them so attentively! It is precisely because of their treasures that we, the younger generation, can get such a perfect beloved thing after nearly half a century.

Add a little Takumar lens with M42 screw recommended by others:

S-M-C Takumar 28 mm/F3.5-The test piece has not been made yet, but I believe the quality of this head is definitely not bad. There is a web page abroad, and many movie friends compare all the shots of Pentax PK 28 and make a ranking. K series 28/3.5 ranked first. Moreover, 28/3.5 of K series is evolved from S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5, so I believe the quality will not be much lower. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

S-ms-S-M S-M-C Takumar 35mm/f3.5——-this is a head I must take when I go out. Thin and compact, smooth to the touch, the front group of ultra-low dispersion lenses, small wide angle, can be used as a pan/tilt, and the imaging under full aperture is quite sharp. From the big eyes in front, it doesn't seem to be inconspicuous. When viewed from the tail, the color of the multilayer coating will definitely make you love it. The head is also a small wide angle, the resolution is much higher than that of Taikuma's head, the color is saturated and oily, and it has the taste of German head. After a photo I took in Zanzanlin Temple in Zhongdian was enlarged to 18 inch, the tape floating on the mountain a few kilometers away was still clearly visible. I remember someone saying, "When the photo taken with it is placed at the position of 1 m, I see myself from the eyes of the subject!" I believe that this sentence is absolutely not excessive for it. In Yahoo's Spotmatic or other forums, the evaluation of this head can almost be said to be internationally recognized. Low price and high market popularity. I accept almost all the good colors. Therefore, 35/3.5 in M42 members' hands should be well used or collected, and they will regret it after selling it. This is one of the best value-added avatars seriously recommended by Fox! Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

s-M-C Takumar 50mm/f 1.4 & amp； 55 mm/f 2-These two ptz are very cheap, and you can get a cheap ptz with rich saturation and oil painting color with ordinary negative. Japanese cinematographers made a comparison by shooting the starry sky with all the titles of Takumar, and the conclusion was: 55/2 >; 55/ 1.8 >50/ 1.4。 It seems common that Takumar's small aperture lens is slightly better than the large aperture lens. Later, it was confirmed by data that S-M-C Takumar 55/ 1.8 and S-M-C Takumar 55/2 were actually the same lens recommendation ★★★★★★★★☆.

S-M-C Takumar135mm/F3.5-This is the only shot in Takumar that makes me a little dissatisfied. Of course, the standard here is compared with CZJ MCS Sonnar 135/3.5. The imaging under the maximum aperture is not satisfactory, but the smoothness and color of the operation feel are definitely five stars. Recommended ★★★★★☆☆☆

S-MS-S-M S-M-C Takumar 200mm/f4——-sharp imaging and gorgeous colors, which is a sharp weapon for shooting lotus flowers and animals. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

S-M-C macro Takumar 50 mm/F4-The appearance is similar to that of Russian macro pan/tilt, and the lens is deeply immersed in the lens barrel. Friends who want to play macro must not miss it. Whether it's resolution or color, it will surprise you. Of course, you can only appreciate the taste if you have tasted it. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

Czj35mm/F2.4-Personally, it is the only M42 head that can compete with S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5. I used to shoot the same film with the same RA, the same scene and the same exposure coefficient, and it was difficult to distinguish the original film with a magnifying glass. However, the feel of the focus ring is completely different from that of Takumar. Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

Czj135mm/f3.5-I bought this from Zieko, almost new. At that time, I asked him how his head was, and he replied with the word "quietly elegant". After real shooting, I feel that the imaging under full aperture is quite sharp, which is better than S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5. The color is quite real, which completely restored the real scene I saw at that time. But there is a comfortable and delicate feeling in the real color, which is not completely "what you see is what you get". Personally, I think it might be better to change it to "beautiful and elegant". Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

Voitland color Ultraron 50 mm/f1.8-produced by Singapore Lorai Company, with the same lens as Lorai HFT Plannar 50/ 1.8. The HFT coating of Luolai has a dignified color, which is a little different from Takumar's rich saturation. If you want to experience the charm of HFT coating and the film-making effect of Luolai 35S, it is definitely a good choice to find it. The market is well-known and the price is around 800 yuan. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

S-M-C Takumar 20/4.5-A good shot that can only be met. The feel follows Takumar's consistent style, which is smooth and comfortable. Filters with a front aperture of 58mm and 77mm must be connected with adapter rings to avoid black corners. The image is clear and the color is saturated. Full aperture has good performance. Under the same aperture, it is sharper and brighter than CZJ 20/2.8. Disadvantages: The maximum aperture is too small. The front lens group is too convex, which will scratch the center of the lens if you are not careful. Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

S-M-C Takumar 24/3.5-This focal length is easier to control than 20 heads, and the deformation is not serious. This is one of my favorite focal lengths. Imaging is similar to S-M-C Takumar 20/4.5. Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

S-M-C taku mar 35/2- Rare, small and charming. Because the focus is wider than all wide angles, even the header is wider, so it feels excellent. My 35/2 image is yellow, and the sharpness is not as good as 35/3.5. Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

S-M-C Takumar135/2.5-relatively rare. There are two kinds. The previous 5 yuan 4 groups, automatic manual dialing, the following number is 43802. Later, it was changed to 6 tablets and 6 groups, numbered 438 12. Mine is 6 tablets and 6 groups. Imaging is the best 135mm lens I have ever used (including the famous Carl Zeiss SONNAR T* 135/2.8). Recommendation degree ★★★★★★★

S-M-C Takumar 300/4-I have only made one roll, but I probably feel that the color is not too sharp and neutral. Disadvantages: The recent focus distance is 5.5 meters, which is too far! Recommended ★★★★★☆☆☆

Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon MC20/2.8-To tell the truth, CZJ's focusing touch is incomparable to Tacumar. But the imaging is also good, the color is beautiful, the feeling is not artificial, and the dark level is very good. And the aperture of 2.8 is really not easy. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200/2.8-a rare lens with a diameter of 77MM. It's big and heavy. Compared with western food 180/2.8, there is always a certain gap in mechanical properties, lens coating and PP, and the color is a little stuffy when it is reversed, and it always feels gray and light. Recommendation degree ★★★★★☆.

Explanation of several abbreviations

Super Takumar-Super Taikuma, single-layer coating, has been multi-layer coating in the later stage.

S-M-C Takumar- Super Multilayer Coating Takumar Super Multilayer Coating is too bitter, all-metal mirror body, excellent workmanship.

SMC Takumar-refers to the late Taikuma marked "SMC Takumar" on the lens. The original metal focusing ring was changed to rubber, and the imaging was comparable to S-M-C Takumar.

In the book "The Ultimate Mounting Guide for Asahi Pentax Screws 1952- 1977", the author mentioned the following masterpieces of Okuma lens: P ad J.

The aspheric mirror version of1) smtacumar1:3.5/ 15mm.

2) Takumar1:1.8/85mm, an ultra-multilayer coating.

3) Super multilayer coating Macrotakumar1:4/100 mm

4) Takumar1:2.8/120mm, an ultra-multilayer coating.

5)SMC TAKUMAR-ZOOM 1:4/45 ~ 125mm

6) Takumar-zoom1:4.5/85 ~ 210mm for ultra-multilayer coating.

7) Takumar-zoom1:6.7/135 ~ 600 mm for ultra-multilayer coating.

I was really depressed after reading it. As a collector and lover of cool horses, I don't even have the mirror mentioned above. And the poor "SMC Takumar1:3.5/15 mm aspherical mirror version", only 900 pieces, I am afraid it is even more impossible to meet each other.

However, for ordinary users, the following are too difficult for individuals to try:

1) TAKUMAR 1:3.5/24 mm ultra-multilayer coating

2) Super multilayer coating Takumar1:3.5/28mm

3) Super multilayer coating TAKUMAR 1:3.5/35mm

4) Takumar1:1.8/55mm, the ultra-multilayer coating.

5) Super multilayer coating Macrotakumar1:4/50mm

6) Super multilayer coating Takumar1:2.8/105mm

7) Takumar1:2.8/120mm, an ultra-multilayer coating.

8) Super multilayer coating Takumar1:2.5/135mm

9) Super multilayer coating Takumar1:4/150mm

10) super multilayer coating Takumar1:4/200mm.

Hehe, it seems that the series is over. But do not add 20mm/4.5, because this head is very controversial, called "Bow-Wow!" Takumar ",some people say the distortion is very serious, others say it won't, alas, it didn't happen, I don't know how. However, the above is just a personal opinion, don't believe it. Because someone once said that "a horse that is too bitter is not a good start", but I feel that "not all are good starts, but most are good starts". It should be said that only used ones know. I'm afraid it's not easy to find so many good lenses in the same series of modern equipment or other brands.

The above is a reference.

To sum up, takumar has a good brain, but it is not as good as it is now. At least I confiscated it. I wonder what it's like. I want to play sometime. After all, the lens in Japan is still not as good as that in Germany. My second-hand tessar fifteen years ago is also better than the new af-s now.