Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (8-element version) Lens Review 

I took a Pentax Spotmatic (almost like the SP500 you have there) and a 50/1.4 (8 elements, just like yours) to a trip in Japan. At one point we passed just next to an old wedding photographer doing a street session in Kyoto, as soon as the photographer realized the camera and lens I had, he stopped the session for a moment to see the camera and he told me when he was young he owned a Spotmatic with that lens too! He was really happy to see that kind of gear today. Great video as always man!

Man I'm 30 seconds into the video and already enjoying the calm way you're talking. On RU-vid you usually get yelled at in the first sentence with "WHAT'S UP GUYS, WELCOME TO ANOTHER VIDEO" It's so nice to see and hear something different and also much more fitting for photography in my opinion!

I have this version of the lens, recently acquired from thrift store that came with a spotmatic and a 200mm lens as well, all for $15. I almost passed out with joy when I saw the 1.4 stuck on the camera body. Absolutely my favorite lens to shoot although, on my 50d crop sensor the focal range is closer to 80mm. I also have the 35mm f3.5 that is very pleasant and closer to the 50 mm equivalent on aps-c. Best way to find these now is out on the street for sale in thrift stores or garage sales, even Facebook or craigslist from people selling their film kit. All the lenses on eBay or camera stores are price gouging or for parts only. Used to pick these up on eBay cheap like buying candy but those days are over. If you do get this lens...keep it and don’t let go, you’ll regret it.

i noticed your suit and shirt match the couch and pillow.

Great great video, once again I get amazed about the high quality videos you guys makes. Keep up with that !

I just found one of these lenses yesterday and wanted to get some good info about it. Thank you for your video with your comments about it.

I shot my first wedding in 1975 with a Pentax SP2 and the SP500 as my back up. I shot most of the wedding with the 50mm f1.8. I still have these cameras and an assortment of lenses. I took my SP2 on a recent holiday and shot a few images. Great cameras and great lenses. Thanks for the review.

just like to say, I have been following your channel for quite a wile , and as always it always very interesting about the history of the amazing cameras, thank you, just brilliant

I love B&W and film photography, it's like capturing "The Essense of 'That' Time". I also love the classic Nostalgia vibe I get with every video I watch on this channel. It brings me a sense of calmness, connection with the world, and its beautiful fine details projected onto the film. I never captured photos with any one of those but my father had a film camera, a Nikon one. Even so, I still have an emotional bond with that camera and childhood memories of that time. Imagine how it would be like if I was actually capturing photos with one. I have two souls in me, one for everything else, and one belongs to what your channel represents. Very inspiring. Danke schön.

great shots, expecially the ones where you stopped down the lens and let your research for form and composition take point (but your extreme bokeh shots are as tasteful as they can get). Keep up the good work!

From your excellent shots and insightful comments, it does appear to have a 60's 'look' with regard to rendering/handling of flare, bokeh, colour and contrast but at the same time a contemporary feel in terms of sharpness - Interesting lens.

You always illustrate your product reviews with dazzling photographs.

Thoughtful review with thoughtful images. Thank you.

Incredible video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for all you do!

Wonderful character in that lens! I may have to try and track one down myself, although I am mostly a Nikon guy. I've always wanted a black Pentax like Ringo was shooting in the film "A Hard Day's Night", but have never gotten off my duff and bought one. Now I have motivation! I REALLY enjoyed the photos you took! Thanks for the video!

I picked up 3 spotmatic bodies and 4 leftover Pentax lenses from an estate sale last year that no one wanted all for $200 USD. I didn't even know it until this video of yours, that one of the lenses I bought is the exact same lens you are reviewing here. I am quite surprised and excited not knowing what I had bought that day.

I loved the review and the samples shown, outstanding work!

I have the 7-element version (didn't realize it was a "modified" version until this video) and love it. The tack-sharp focus contrasted against the soft, creamy bokeh makes me think of it almost like the 35mm version of the 80/1.9 for the Mamiya 645.

fantastic fantastic review. the points explained, the rhythm, the images all perfect!

I have the second version of this lens, and although it's not the same as the original version, it is by far my favorite lens to shoot with. It's incredibly sharp, especially stopped down, and produces some of the most beautiful images I've seen--even on modern digital cameras, in color. I've even shot some fast-action environmental portraits (boxing bag work) with it, and the images produced are truly special. I will shot with this lens for decades to come. Excellent review, friend.

Lovely video from someone who clearly has passion for photography and cameras. I got a version 3 of this lens last week. Not quite the 60s version, but I still love it!

Thanks for the review. Back in the late 1960s, I fell in love with a black Pentax Spotmatic SLR body with an 8-element 50mm f/1.4 lens. I loved using it to shoot theatre on black & white film with a 28/50/105mm lens kit.

The images are fantastic! It kind of sad that Pentax is no longer in contention with the popular brands. Hopefully their new GRIII puts them "back in the game." Yea, this is the ANALOG INSIGHTS, however I love to see you review that camera.

I love this video, very well done...I need this lens now after watching this.

For some reason, RU-vid for the first time, just showed me your channel with this video. I checked and it appears your channel has been on RU-vid for 2 years? What a shame. I've been on YT since it's inception and photography is my main focus. I've watched thousands of classic cameras and lens videos so it's is very odd that I'm seeing you for the first time. So I guess the thing to do now is to watch all of them since this video is of excellent quality and we seem to share the same passion. I'll hit the thumbs up button to help your channel hopefully get a wider viewing audience. Cheers!

Btw, you made someone in Japan happy yesterday, because I bought a Spotmatic ES because of this video from them.

I regret to say I lost this lens while attached to an immaculate spotmatic f my grandfather had gifted me. never forgave myself for that!

Had that lens on my 3 Asahi Pentax Spotmatics back in the mid to late 60's. Excellent lens.

Great video, and information. Also worth mentioning, if you can't find this 8 element Pentax, is the original Olympus OM 8 element 50mm f/1.4 "silver nose". The OM has beautiful creamy bokeh and works well with colour and B&W film. It came out in the early '70s with the OM-1. I had the Pentax 50mm f/1.4 7 element version but prefer the Olympus silver nose.

Very well made educational video . I just bought a pentax smc 50mm 1/2 lens for 10 cd dollars. I'm using it on my k70 pentax. I want to upgrade and this lens will do the job . Thanks .

Very enjoyable video. From the images you shared this lens looks like it might be a great portrait lens if you like that dreamy look. I own a two Pentax cameras and thi slens would be a great addition.

Man.. I need to get my Spotmatic CLAd and take it out fot the summer! Great video, as always.

This is the most relaxing review I have ever watched 😂 Thinking of buying an adapter for the 55mm f/1.8 I have

This is one of the best explanations of the Pentax Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens. It is concise and well illustrated--love this video. I have this lens on a Spotmatic SPII, often using Ilford FP4, and gotten good results. Your video is inspiring me to pull out my Pentax Spotmatic for some shoots. These cameras and lenses were extremely well made and work well. Bravo for your video.

Amazing review, and also great photos :)!

The softness of it at 1.4 and the bokeh almost gives it a pictorialism look.

Wonderful review, got a younger 7 element 50/1.4 on an SP1000 and it produces fantastic results in b/w. Would love to get my hands on the 8 element to compare but this video has just done that for me. Thanks again.

I didn't realize what a classic and historical feel this lens and the film had together, until I noticed the modern cars in some of the photos toward the end and was kind of startled by their presence.

I have the 50mm 1.8 and the 3.5 135mm, buttery smooth and the Bokeh is superb, and yes i agree that these lenses are superb quality.

Images looked great. Wow that lens.

Great review Max and thorough as usual. I was expecting you to mention if this was one of the radioactive lenses because I know some of the 50 mm were treated with thorium. I reviewed the 28th mmm version on my channel but not being used to wide angle I did miss the depth and shallower Focus you can get with a 50 millimeter like this.

Beautiful and now I have to look for one for myself but to my digital olympus.

Great Video! I love this lens and owned 3 or 4 of them over the years. Perhaps a missed opportunity to use it on a portrait - it really shines there.

One of your best videos. Thank you so much.

Hello from Costa Rica in Central America, Thank you so much for your excellent review.

Nice content and a nice background acoustic music

love your reviews very thoughtful

I had the smc version once and I have to say that handling feels *so nice* that it is reason enough to shoot with it. K and M lenses are good in that regard,too, but the full metal construction makes a huge difference. Now I wonder if I should buy the super or the smc version again, as I miss it.

This is actually my favorite lens : )

The Spotmatic SPII is suited to use with this lens, although it has the green "R" mark on the film rewind unit. The earlier Pentax cameras could not accommodate the protruding back element. However, that was later rectified by newer models coming out with a orange "R" on the film rewind unit, indicating the lens could be used (the mirrors were shortened so that it would not knock the rear element, and thereby damaging it)

Another fine video; I found myself nodding in agreement throughout. I have the seven element version of this lens and can testify to its excellent performance. However, I always use a lens hood when shooting. And I am not letting my Planar lens go.........

I already change my camera for 3 times. And this sweet little super takumar always stick with me.

Thanks, I have all Takumars and I learned a few things here, like some nice points of view, literally, very interesting. It inspired me. I think I will go to the Châteaux de Courances, the next weekend if possible. There are some incredible gardens there, and one is japanese, they are really beautiful. Thank you.

Citations: "According to Urban Legend and the Internet..."

I have a Pentax Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 lens which came with a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic camera I picked up a year ago. Excellent lens..very sharp, contrasty, and rich color rendition easily one of my best 'normal' lenses. No idea of how many elements in it but I'm guessing it dates from about 1969-1970.

I have 2 of this lenses and a spotmatic. But I use it, since years, on digital camera with much success. I don't know if is because is the lens that my father use to shoot family picture in the early 70, but even now that I own a octu 55mm the takumar 50mm is my favorite lens for artistic pictures. BTW love your calm v-blogging style

I have a same lenses and I understand why you chose B&W films as a sample pictures. I recommend that you try portrait with color films and speed light then problem of color will be settled anyway this lenses is excellent thanks for introduce our Japanese lenses to other people

I still have the Pentax K1000, purchased in 1979, and the extra K1000 I bought in 1997. They are each built like tanks, and with some of your shots I can appreciate the bokeh. But on most of them, the bokeh seemed too strong, and very harsh. I still prefer the Summicron as the benchmark for bokeh & sharpness. The Pentax lenses are fine, especially when used with Ilford XP2Super (was only XP when I first started using it, and for a very short time, Ilford made color film 1997/1998). The color was never as good as Agfa. Looking forwaard to your episode on the Pentax KX,MX, and LX.

Once more: well done!

I use a Pentax Spotmatic SPII w the Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens. Likely my lens is the newer version and not the original Takumar 50mm. But to most shooters, it is a subtle difference. I still find this lens gives a very sharp image, especially when I shoot Fuji Provia F. I think Pentax made a superb SLR and users continue to enjoy this fine product. There are rumors that Pentax is coming out w a new film camera, given the resurgence in film. I always enjoy my film cams: Kodak Retina IIIC, Nikon FM2, Pentax Spotmatic and Leica M3. Each is slightly different but all fun to use. Happy shooting.

I have this lens on a Spotmatic I bought from one of our pilots at Danang AB, Vietnam in 1965. The lens is still in excellent mechanical and optical condition. I plan to use it on my deep black infrared modified Canon with an adapter. I've taken thousands of Kodachrome and Ektachrome transparencies with it. Those Pentaxes were (are) wonderful cameras although I lusted over a Nikon F back then. Those all-metal Japanese lenses were (are) wonderfully built.

Enjoyable , as always.

Definitely a good lens for B&W and not so much for color ! For color I recommend the SMC 50mm f1.4 K , the first I think that got the SMC coating on all glass elements vs the older m42 versions.

Very nice review. Wel done.

An 8 blade Takumar SMC 50mm 1.4 arrived today. Like everybody else, you're home, the light is going down, you're shooting the book shelf, highlights on a movie camera, anything you can do hand held just to see something something close to a table lamp.....and at 1.4. I had to check on my Fuji whether I had the sharpness up a notch. Nope. I had an X-H1 to give me a 30th of a sec wide open at 200 ISO. (what did happen to ASA?) It took me moments to realize the lens wide open was sharper than both the Rollei Planar C.Z. 1.8 50mm's I own. (my first model has a slow snug focus...it's trains me...it will get there, just chill....) I paid 120 for the Takumar, and the damn thing is in new condition. So, a nice Saturday evening. Now should I go out tonight and stand in the middle of traffic? Hmmm.....

I have both a Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 and a Super Takumar 50/1.4. The Tamumar did not kill my Planar, it is still alive and in constant use, as is the Takumar. Which do I prefer? Depends on the camera and the circumstances. Neither have ever disappointed me.

It's definitely a great lens but the 7 element version is nothing short of amazing as well! I love using it with my Spotmatic F and I can't wait to try it out with my X-T100 once the adapter arrives eheh

I guess I will buy it for my Pentax Me ! Photos are amazingly beautiful

The early Pentax cameras were a very beautiful design; the S1 S3 SV through to the Spotmatics and the first generation K series. Not too big and not too small. 'Just hold a Pentax' the advertisements used to say at the time. For over sixty years I've used (and owed) most of the famous camera brands and in terms of design beauty, I'd still give first prize to the Pentax Spotmatic.

I have both this camera and lens... sitting on a bookshelf. If only someone made a digital sensor for such retro cameras!

Would using a lens hood make a difference with the flare on this lens? I love the beautiful smoothness with these manual focus Pentax lenses.

Nice review, Thank you.

Давно присматривался к отожму объективу и вот после этого обзора решил найти себе такой. Спасибо.

I am lucky enough to have 3 of the 8 Element 50mm f1.4 versions and 6 of the 7 element 50mm f1.4 in various Takumar versions. My personal favorite is the 7 element SMC 50 f1.4

My dad got me a Spotmatic when I was 13 (1988) for x-mas. It got me into photography and probably steered me into a career as an optical engineer. I recently decided to get back into the hobby by buying a used mirrorless camera. Thought it would be fun to spend a few bucks to get an adapter for my old lens. Even I could immediately see how much better the Pentax lens was over the kit lens that came with my digital camera. It is nice to have the kit lens as it can autofocus and whatnot, but I have a feeling I am going to use my old Pentax lens much of the time. It has yellowed a bit over time which I understand means it is a little radioactive, but that just adds to the charm. Plus it now glows in the dark (kidding -- just don't eat the thing and you will be fine).

It definitely doesn't kill the Contax Planar 50/1.4!

I have this lens. Came in a Mamiya MSX 1000. The camera is broken, but thanks to you I was able to identify the lens. The front cover identifying the lens is missing.

Great video. I wish that Pentax had kept the focusing ring of this lens ❤when they went on to produce the SMC Pentax M 2.0 which I have. It’s just right, unlike the knobbly grip on my example. It has however happily shot a lot of Kodak Tri-X 400 attached to an MG that I also still have…✌️

I bet you are some kind of secret agent! Great video!

I too have an 8-element version. The lens looks like new and the glass is clear (not yellow like the one in this video). It does perform very well with digital sensor (colour and B&W) and appears to be a lot sharper than the copy in this video. It does have a later serial number starting with 12 .....

The first was this and by the way pretty good photos.

The real 'very special lens' is the replacement for the 8 element, the 7/6 optical design by Yasuo Takahashi. Simplifying the previous design to the point that a lens could be removed without losing performance made it a special lens. The 8 element is simply a scarce lens.

Great video. Thank you for your class presentation. You have a new follower in me.

Own a Pentax Spotmatic SPII w a later 7 element Takumar 50mm f 1.4 lens. no doubt there is a slight difference between the 8 and 7 element lens. but to even serious shooters, it would have to be detailed to spot differences. I love my Takumar 50mm f 1.4 lens, especially using Fuji Provia F and Ilford FP4. love the sharpness and color rendition. know some critics might have comments otherwise but am sure the original 8 element Takumar is hard to find.

I really like the metallic shiny look of your photos, especially the ones in the botanical garden. can you share the way you have achieve d this effect? for example: do you usually obtain a comparable metallic look with lenses other than the one reviewed? do you use any filter to reduce/increase reflections? which is the developer you usually use for those films? have you played with the contrast in digital post-processing? is there any particular illumination setting that you are exploiting? sorry for the many questions, but this look is exactly the one that I'm trying to achieve in my photographs :)

I have an M-series 50/f1.4. I wonder how that compares 2 the Super-Takumar? Word that comes 2 mind enjoying those images .. Perfection! And gr8 choice of music .. simple/classic

I would love to see a video on the SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8. It’s a less showy lens than the 50mm 1.4 but I think I prefer it to this one.

I have the Pentax ES, completely CLA'd to spec by a Honeywell expert. Lenses are pristine 55 f 1.8 and 135 f 2.5 (ranked second most desirable) . . . not the 'rare' jewels but outstanding lenses in their own right . . . the 55mm is thoriated.

I have 2 of these lenses. I love them. Wish they had made a f/1.2

This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. I really enjoyed it. I really like your mannerism in presentation and subject matter. I too have one of the later models of this lens I bought used sometime around 1993 for my Chinon SLR which also uses M42 screw mount. I have since adapted the lens to my Canon 6D with a fotodix adapter. I have both the Canon Nifty Fifty Plastic Fantastic 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon USM 50mm f/1.4 and this lens is sharper and has better color than either of the Canon lenses.

Thanks for the video. I have the second version (seven elements). Unfortunately, it's got a very stiff focusing ting, half of the joy has gone, and I am afraid of stripping and fixing it. While having a dozen of 50ish lenses, a person said, if you don't have the 55 1.8, you are not a true Pentaxian! Too harsh to hear, so, I got a beautiful 55/1.8 from Japan. I love that lens, and in fact I like the overall feeling of the photos it produces. Give a try to 55/1.8, lower specifications than the legendary 50/1.4, but cheaper and elegant for itself.

Just a quick hello from a few km West of München :-) Still holding onto my P67 and EOS 1V ;-) and 4 x F1's ... Nice to see a 'local' film afficionado! Have not reviewed all of your videos, and wondered if you have any pointers to good labs for processing both Dia and B&W film in 35 and 120 sizes? Viel erfolg, viel Spaß

I own an absolute mint Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm 1.4 and as you've mentioned the coating is way better on this lens. The coating seems to intensify certain colours and create a cinematic vibe. Therefore it is my absolute favourite lens for films stocks like Cinestill 800t, Portra 400 and Fuji Industrial 400. The bokeh is just as nice but with less lens flare. Also the handling is insane. Tight but smooth focusing. If you want you can test it too. Cheers, Geoffrey

I have this one, it's gorgeous! Especially for portraits, though on my APS-C body it's not getting used in its entirety (cropped) which is a huge shame.

Hi Max. Very nicely done video. I just purchased the 8-elements version. I snagged it at a good price. Condition is great! Now I need a Pentax body. I'm looking for a film body of the same production year (plus/minus a few years). As you mentioned, these 8-element copies were made during 1964-1966. I spent several hours today searching the web for information as to the precise production year of my 8-element lens so that I can date the lens and then find the corresponding camera body. No such luck. If you know if a good Takumar S/No. data base, please let me know. Then some blogs are saying not to use a Pentax body if the "R" on the rewind knob is painted green. Only rewind knobs that have the "R" painted in orange will be compatible. This is due to the protrusion of the rear element of the lens. If not compatible, then the rear element can be damaged - I suppose by the mirror flipping up and down. But every Spotmatic that I saw on eBay has the green "R". I'm thinking that I have the wrong information, so appreciating if you could help me out here. Meantime, it's good to know that the 8-element works well with the SP-500 body. That's a good start for me. Thanks! Steve (New York).

It would be cool, if you could do a video about the stereo adapter/3D viewer for the super takumar lense, i would send you mine just in case!

My first SLR was the spotmatic with that 50 F1.4. I was about 14 years old, bought it used. Loved that camera and lens.... My favorite film was Plus-X developed in microdol. Later I switched to Hasselblad (just watched your superwide review) I have on from the 80s......still love it! Great videos......thanks.

Great video! Can you tell me the difference between the A and M modes on the lens?

Amazing review, as always! Can you please tell me the name of the song that you used on review? Thank you! To adapt on a digital camera, you recommend the 8 elements or the 7 elements (even th 8 is better to shoot in BW)?

Keep in mind that this is a radioactive lens. It is slightly radioactive due to the use of Thorium oxide. It is quite safe for most people. Who wants to live for ever after all. Thorium offers great optical properties. After 80's for environmental and health reasons, all lens manufacturers replaced Thorium by the optically inferior but completely safe lanthanum. These kind of radioactive lenses have a brown tint. Originally the lenses were clear. After some years the radio decay of Thorium creates gradually the brown tint. The brown tint can be easily and safely removed after some days with exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation. However the radio decay of Thorium continues and the brown tint will reappear again after some years. Nearly all super Takumar lenses are made with Thorium and are best value for money. eBay is full of them at various conditions and prices.