This time, I review Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8.
I purchased this vintage lens in June 2017. At that time, when I investigated the popularity of vintage lenses on Instagram, I thought Helios 44-2 was No. 1 and Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 was No. 2.
Perhaps in today’s Japan, Super-Takumar 55mm f / 1.8 may be the most popular vintage lens.
Despite the low price, you can enjoy a good image or enjoy a vintage image. This lens is recommended for beginners who want to use vintage lenses.
About Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 and its yellowing
Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 seems to have been released in 1962 as a set lens for SLR PENTAX SV from Asahi Optical Industry (PENTAX).
The lens cap of this lens is made of metal and has a high-class feeling.
At the time, this lens was a lens with high-end brightness. Thorium was used for the lens.
For this reason, most of the current lenses are yellow. As a treatment to reduce the yellowing of this lens, there is a method of exposing it to ultraviolet rays.
I also tested my Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 against ultraviolet light (sunlight) and found that the yellowing was reduced.
If you are concerned about the yellowing, try that method.
Select a mount adapter (to use Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 with a digital camera)
Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 is M42 mount lens. A mount adapter is required to use the vintage lens with current digital cameras.
If you want to use Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 with PENTAX digital SLR, you need a mount adapter called M42-PK. It is a thin adapter.
If you use this lens with a SONY mirrorless camera, you will need a mount adapter called M42-NEX.
I’m introducing the mount adapter installation procedure on YouTube video, so please refer to it.
Use a mount adapter suitable for your digital camera.
Movie smple: Flare created by Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8
One of the features of Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 is the flare that this lens creates.
In order to make this situation easier to understand, I shot Youtube movie in a situation where this lens is backlit. I used SONY Alpha 7II as the camera body.
By watching this Youtube, you will know how to create a Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 flare. The flare gives a nostalgic impression.
I took this video at Yoyogi-koen (Yoyogi park). A very large park in Tokyo.
Yoyogi-koen (Yoyogi park) location
the flare Photo samples
This is a sample of a photo with flare generated by Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8. With this lens, you can take very photogenic photos.
Photo sample with Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 attached to PENTAX K-7
I attached a Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 to the SLR PENTAX K-7 and took a walk while photographing my neighborhood.
The bokeh of the photos by Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 was very beautiful. I found out why this lens is so popular.
Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 Review Summary
This time, I reviewed Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8.
This vintage lens is very popular in Japan. The photo with this lens creates beautiful bokeh and flare. I recommend this because it can feel like a vintage lens.
Thank you for reading to the end.
