Pentax SMC Takumar 28mm F/3.5 full review

[@Spykyportable]

You have a way of talking that is both calming and smooth, listening to you feel like a meditation! Love the vid, man!

[@danielgebert4556]

Super takumar lenses are hidden gems for sure. Great review, great video as always.

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks Daniel, I'm really curious about the 50 1.4 I'm just not sure about the radiation and the way it gets yellow over time.

[@davidmiller8530]

Is there some recognition and consensus about vintage lenses, particularly Pentax's design and build quality, that considers vintage glass may actually cure, ripen, age and mellow like fine wine? All my vintage Takumars just have gorgeous color saturation, resolution and bokeh that is unmatched.

[@ViktorGabyshev]

​@@Raychristofer Perhaps you could try SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 instead of radioactive takumar. Thanks for the video

[@Raychristofer]

@@ViktorGabyshev hello thank you, and I have lots of Pentax lenses and adaptors. Good idea. I need a full frame digital though. M43 can be limiting with vintage lenses

[@pacoreguenga]

@@Raychristofer m43 is the most versatile mount out there! And with a Focal Reducer you can use your full frame lenses as originally intended. I suggest the Mitakon Zhongy Lens Turbo II for manual vintage lens as well as for any modern manual cine lens.

[@flylooper]

I am building a whole family of Taks for my cameras. I still shoot film on my Spotmatic but have discovered the joys of shooting vintage glass on my Canon DSLR. What pictures I'm getting! Takumars just feel right in the hand. The build quality is just tops and the glass of course is the best. I think the 1960's and 70's were the golden age of lens grinding. The big guys like Asahi, Nikon, Leica, Zeiss and dozens of others were putting out extraordinary products. They are so affordable now! I could never afford to buy what I've accumulated (9 Takumar lenses) if I had to buy them when they were new.

[@TyroneDeise]

This is my favourite street photography lens. Everything looks epic through it.

[@Raychristofer]

awesome thank you

[@timskinnercanada]

Great overview Ray. I agree, the Taks do not disappoint. Was nice to see the FF field of view from the film camera shots.

[@Raychristofer]

What's up Tim? Good to hear from you I haven't seeing you on the grid in a while. Strange enough I'm coming to Canada in June for a graduation. One thing I do know this is to get the most out of these lenses I think you have to almost shoot it on digital because you get so many nuances in Greater detail than you would with film.

[@timskinnercanada]

Raychristofer I shoot my vintage glass on digital. Fuji and Sony A7. Canada in June is far better than Canada in February, so ya, good timing. :)

[@mariofazioli7534]

Hello Ray, What a wonderful video description you did on the Pentax 28mm 3.5 lens. I have been using it for years, and you were right on. Started watching, and listening to you, i will continue. QUALITY presentation. Thanks, HAPPY HOLIDAYS

[@casadepistola]

Something about film photography, images look so organic and rustic. It's a good thing. Thank you for sharing this review.

[@johncarter7643]

Good point about 'getting a scene.' I bought mine in 1971 and I still use it. It has a little vignette at f3.5 but I like it.

[@jb678901]

I have quite a few vintage lenses as I had a bit of a binge a few years ago. Now I have them all (about 30 of them) on glass display in the home, as I figured the display case would bathe them in light and thereby avoid any chance of fungal attack on the lens coatings. Honestly, they really look good in the display cases (3 cases) along with some vintage camera bodies (Japanese, Russian, etc.). I have couple of mint Takumars ( 50/1.4/5 element and 55/1.8) which are lovely to use. Also, a small army of Canon, Nikon, Konika, Helios, and Jupiter lenses, to include some that go back to the late 50's and mid-60's. Glad I started this collection six years ago, when prices were still fairly low. Even today, plenty of deals still can be had. Great for mirror-less use.

[@jb678901]

Not to forget...a focal reducer is also a nice thing to have in the bag with these vintage lenses. Also, the thoriated glass on the Takumars is a non issue (IMO, as a radiological controls officer on a nuclear sub in my youth). Yes, it is radioactive. However, these are non penetrating Alpha's (and one low energy gamma at the end of the decay chain) easily shielded by the camera and lens body itself. Just don't sleep with the rear element pasted to your cornea for hours on end and you will be fine. You may also note that some of these lenses have a yellowish tinge after decades in storage. This is from stress within the glass matrices from the rad. decay. Easily reversed thru exposure to sunlight for about a week...or alternatively a direct UV lamp. This will relax these internal stresses.

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks for stopping that's a serious collection you make me look like a kindergartener lol. What cameras are you using them on and where can I see some of your work?

[@Raychristofer]

@@jb678901 I found that out the hard way, I actually did a review of a focal reducer a couple years ago on my channel. It's actually mandatory for micro 4/3 in my opinion also

[@jb678901]

@@Raychristofer I am using M4/3 bodies, an Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk 1, and a couple of LUMIX's. I bought the Olympus because at that time it was doing the in-body stabilization and I needed this for the vintage lenses. Of course, today there is much more (and better) choice on that front. In any event, it is a great little camera. I am no pro by any means, just tinkering with photography as a hobby and doing my best to keep up with the kids in the process. I chose the vintages to learn OJT, read a couple of eBooks and follow some of the KZbinrs on the subject: some famous...some just great to listen and learn from. This is why I also follow your channel...it is enjoyable to watch as you are doing a bang up job IMO. I probably have another ten years before retirement, so I figure I have some time to get there.

[@ianthomas465]

Hello Ray Christopher, I absolutely agree to your findings about the built quality and the optical quality of the Takumar lenses. I use the SMC-Takumars with my screw mount Pentax cameras, but a few weeks ago I adapted the SMC 4.0/55mm Macro to my Pentax K1 for using it to scan negatives and slides. And the results are outstanding. Best regards, Greg from analog insights

[@Raychristofer]

Wait a minute, this is Greg? What's up my man! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your input. You Max and Jules are the best analog channel period but some may argue. You know I tried dslr scanning and built a rig but for some reason I still keep going back to the epson scanner. Maybe the problem is im using a zoom kit lens instead of a macro. I think in a recent video Max mentioned you had a camera from it was new decades ago and I thought it was very apt that you've been passionate about photography for so long. Keep up the good work on the channel. Respect

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Really interesting this Ray there seam to be a lovely richness to the colours and also very cinematic in the video 👌🏻👌🏻🎥

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Paul how are you and things in England? That unique look it's something I noticed also and the weird thing is it's very hard to explain in words but it's definitely something missing from Modern lenses with all their corrective elements

[@twoowls5570]

Nice review, really informative. Your relaxed presentation style is excellent!😊

[@TeKnoVKNG23]

Just revisiting this one a few months later. While I can't get my hands on one like this, I was able to get two vintage 60s Nikkor lenses, a 28mm 3.5 and a 50mm 1.8. While they are great on my D7100, it's even more fun to use my K&F adapter to put F-mount on my Sony A6000 and shoot with these. Something I wouldn't have ever considered if I hadn't seen your video. Thanks for opening up another horizon and I hope you get a chance to do more of these in the future!

[@Raychristofer]

Yeah man no problem, thank you. As matter of fact I used this lens on my film camera last week shooting long exposure night and Beach shots and when I recently explored an abandoned prison. I just love using it. But even with a speed booster in our crop cameras you don't get the full effect as with a full frame sadly

[@TheCruisinCrew]

The Takumar lenses are pretty much all fantastic... so far I have tried the 135 3.5 (my favorite so far) and the 135 2.5 (bigger and heavier and not much different IQ than the 3.5 except maybe some super low light situations) as well as the 300 f/4 (really too big and heavy) and recently I got the 28 3.5 as well, which also impressed me. But the 135 f/3.5 is amazing, great for portraits (beautiful bokeh) and other situations where you need a bit of reach, while being quite compact and light...

[@MaxV11]

Great review, I'm a Takumar fanatic and I'm glad you like one of these lovely little lenses :)

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Massimo, thanks for taking the time to comment and check this out. yeah from what I see lens design needs no more advancement I think we need to focus on the gear we have and using itore creatively. Im curious how the radioactive 50mm performs also. are you from italy?

[@MaxV11]

@@Raychristofer I'm from Italy, yes! I'm constantly searching old lenses because I love the personality they had compared to the perfect coldness of modern lenses (also if I have to admit that the new Sigma Art are truly wonderful). I often use a very old Leica Summicron 5cm f2 and it's just lovely! I own the 50mm 1.4 Takumar but not the radioactive one - I preferred the 8 elements older versione (not SMC but simply "super") because the coating is different, is more prone to flare and has less micro-contrast and to me all this means more character and freedom in post (if I want I can add contrast, and I love flares). Another thing I'm starting to investigate is the anamorphic on a budget using projector lenses: did you ever tried one?

[@Raychristofer]

Hello no , anamorphic gives me a headache trying to understand it all lol. feel free to look at my Meyer optik trioplan review and the Voigtlander color ultron review, you might appreciate them also. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4m6hp2XnrqHqqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5PVYox9baenarc

[@noegdoer]

Try the SMC Takumar 1.8 55!

[@Raychristofer]

I know thats the legendary one. very impressed with these, the japanese put their all into them

[@burstongreye7090]

@@Raychristofer i got one it's one of my top 3 of all time.

[@Kelkschiz]

Love the feel of these vintage lenses. They feel so right in your hands. They feel a hundred times better than the current day 'cheap' AF lenses... that cost 10 times as much as one of these old beauties. Not sure if i liked the colors of the Kodak colorplus 200 film. Lovely review.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello how are you thanks my man. I think the only way to get that good feel in a modern lenses to buy a voigtlander. I know what you mean about the Kodak film, especially since it's 35 mm I don't have as good results for some reason as medium format. I also think a digital camera brings out more nuances in these old lenses than film. Thanks for checking it out, you might actually like some of my other vintage lens reviews

[@burstongreye7090]

About time for another vintage lens review hahahahaha..glad to see the Takumar love..such a great build to most of their vintage lenses and quality exceptional.When you can get a chance check out the prakticar pentacon 28mm and the Konica hexanon 28mm 3.5..stellar.

[@Raychristofer]

Thank you my man. Interestingly I bought a Konica for $5 at a yard sale in beautiful condition I need to find there's no speed booster that I can adapt to it for my micro 4/3. I've seen those Praktika lenses also and were curious about them. You know the strange thing is when I review modern digital lenses those videos are great for monetizing and I make a decent commission from people clicking on the Amazon link but I don't really enjoy reviewing those lenses, these vintage ones are pretty much zero monetize ability but I much prefer making them. It's a conundrum

[@burstongreye7090]

@@Raychristofer Raychristofer ahhh I hear ya, hmm.. Well in any case feed your soul..😂 I got a few lenses I can lend for reviews, before I was in Europe so it was more difficult but in South Florida atm so it's much easier now, lemme know .

[@Raychristofer]

Thats very generous of you my man. im super nervous about borrowing others lenses though lol. what models do you have?

[@mddc.memories]

One of the underrated vintage lenses having a slow aperture. I'll never trade for the image quality using this lens for my projects.

[@fernandocosta00]

Very nice review, Ray! Keep it going (and always real!).

[@Raychristofer]

Lol word up Fernando thanks

[@tommitchell7993]

Great review, love the film images. By the way, that’s the SMC (Super Multi Coated) Takumar. The Super Takumar is the earlier single coated lens. Same build quality but the SMC is a little less prone to flaring.

[@Raychristofer]

Thank you I get the models mixed up sometimes. I've actually been using this to shoot much more film lately. I feel stupid that I've been avoiding wide angle all this time.

[@phasephoto3265]

Another fab review. I am a big fan of these vintage lenses. Try the 50mm f1.4 wonderful character and when stopped down a touch on par with the best modern lenses. All the best and keep em coming.

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks Phase im tempted but im scared of that radiation bro lol. my voigtlander ultron that I Reviewed is very high performing im curious how it would compare. the only thing I didnt like about this lens is theres not a particular character to it but its color accuracy and clarity are outstanding.

[@Ranveer_Singh_Kahani]

Should i buy it tomorrow?

[@johnbleeker6258]

Totally agree, bro. i got a whole collection of the pentax and takumar lenses, 60% from the 1970ties and the rest is from the sixties. like you showed: robust and lovely. great image quality. i still use them on film cameras, mostly pentax cams, and on my dig full frame P-K1 as well. after 50 years still my favorite lenses. Thanks for your video and for your ode to the pentax/takumar lenses. Dont worry about radioactive takumar lenses. the radiation so so low, it wont hurt you unless you bind it on your face 24/7. seriously. Thanks bud.

[@johnbleeker6258]

@@Raychristofer I would offer to test it if you to send it to me but i live across "the pond" (Netherlands) so thats not really an option. Perhaps you can find a kind person among your viewers who lives close by and willing to lend you his/her cam? insert: hmmm i mean to say i can do a quick test using my own lens. hehehe, sorry my reply turned a bit weird. I got distracted half way so broke off writing it in the middle and guess i kinda lost track of what i was really saying. so : if you want i can do a test on my lens of the same model. I'll let you direct it if you want: like pointers what you do and dont want in it. I own a pentax 135 3.5. I use it a lot on my Pentax K-1000 (great mechanical camera btw) but also on my pentax digital K-1. really a great lens. for film (135) or full frame it's a sweet focal length even for portraits even though a 100mm is more practical for portraits, still, it got great qualities, not in the least for the great quality multi coating.

[@johnbleeker6258]

my previous reply is editted, due to hmmm ... my confusion overhere ? ....

[@Raychristofer]

hahaha thanks bro sorry for the late reply, yes theyre great, yes youre right i still have yet to try it on full frame

[@philipbarlow8029]

Hi Ray. Good to see you doing other kinds of reviews etc. I was wandering what the bokeh was like with this lens ( I guess a little obviously) !!!! Hope you are keeping well. Philip

[@Raychristofer]

Hello big brother thanks for passing through, yes these wide angle Taks don't have alot of characterful bokeh but are very well controlled and civilized. The 50mm versions are better for that. Actually if you're looking for bokeh inspiration the meter optik Trioplan I reviewed a few years ago makes very unique bubbly highlights. Take care

[@philipbarlow8029]

@@Raychristofer hey thanks Ray, appreciate it

[@carls.2649]

HA! You read my mind and likely others! "FINALLY, a vintage lens review." :) I own the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 which is my favorite vintage lens. I'd send it to you to review but I use it all the time. :/ And yes, you have to feel the focus ring to understand how wonderfully smooth it is. Also own the Takumar 200mm f4 but don't take that out much.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Carl, haven't spoken in a while. I'm starting to feel I really need to get a full frame camera to maximize these lenses the speed booster is not 100%. I understand what you mean about sending out lenses, I'm getting ready to mail this one back before anything happens to it. LOL

[@MrVangassen]

Good vid. Calm relaxing and to the point.

[@Raychristofer]

I really appreciate that boss. Ironically this is my least thorough lens review I usually do a lot more segments and I shot a roll a film at the beach with this lens and it turned out my developing chemicals were expired so that old roll I was not able to include. Thanks for checking it out

[@MrVangassen]

@@Raychristofer you should carry on doing old glass reviews. With this style it's a pleasure to watch and listen. Not sure why but I guess we share the same sentiment. :)

[@Raychristofer]

@@MrVangassen thank you I really appreciate the kind words. I'll see what I can do. My favorite lens reviews so far was the voigtLander color Ultron and then Meyer Optik trioplan. I hear a lot about Leica lenses I would like to see for myself if they are as special as the thousands of dollars they cost.

[@MrVangassen]

@@Raychristofer the charm of them old lenses lives in a low price. Leica is not for me. I bet if Leica made napkins they would cost a fortune haha.

[@Raychristofer]

@@MrVangassen Lol! Leica toilet paper, I can see it now.

[@Jason-td9jw]

What did you shoot this review on? Looks very high production

[@Raychristofer]

Thank you, in the description I put Amazon link to my camera and lens that I used it's a Lumix G7 wma 25 mm lens and I also use the kit lens that I reviewed on this channel. The secret to the good look man is making sure your white balance is correct, making sure your focus is correct and most importantly making sure your exposure is correct before pressing the record button. That G7 is incredible. Thanks for taking the time to comment

[@Rabixter]

Very nice video. I like the relaxed / chill style 😊

[@chrisosh9574]

I have wanted a Super Takumar for some time but as soon as I wanted one the prices went up. The quality and appearance is a lot like my Konica Hexanon lenses, I have seven of them but the favourite on my G3 is the 35mm F2.8. although the 50mm F1.8 is a close second.

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks for checking out Chris, I bought one of those Monica 50mm at a yard sale for 10 bucks and my dumb behind didn't test it first, and it had some problems. Yeah man feel free to share some of your Pentax images

[@zatoichiable]

I love to have this lens... so much character.

[@Raychristofer]

Me too thanks.

[@BradJ-k5i]

Hello Ray great video! I have been shooting Takumar lenses for years. If I can think of one that would be good for you to review I will let you know.

[@milodermick2981]

a hidden gem

[@AKATEATime]

Hey Ray, what song did you use in this? I love chill music. 👍

[@Raychristofer]

What's up Tim long time no speak speak, how you been? They're jams I found on YT. It's hard to find decent music that matches what you're doing. The first one is a song by a group called thbd kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpWbp2xoirxloLM Second is by a YT music channel called Sapheiros called celestial, most of my vids feature his songs but you just reminded me I need to put their info in the credits. Thanks man

[@AKATEATime]

@@Raychristofer Yeah, it's been a while. I'm doing good, enjoying the fact that it's still only Saturday and there's one more day left in the weekend. LOL Cool, thanks for the info!

[@smashtime1904]

This is such a good video and this shout out is long overdue - I'm so sorry I took so long getting around to this! I had started writing back when i first saw this but I'm not sure if i had mentioned some of the personal hardships I was experiencing but I do think I told you I was trying to move us down to Mexico... That was a bust but everything is so much better now and I'm finally getting around to making some content and setting up a new studio at home. Actually have an xt3 showing up in the mail, so excited! Please get back to me, and I truly hope you and your family are safe and healthy ☺

[@smashtime1904]

Oh and I think that quality of the lens is called hyperfocal - seriously pronounced one or two clicks down... literally everything from minimum focusing distance Infinity is in focus. I love those pics with that Kodak film, like the alligators look like the pictures were taken back in the 70s!

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Sam how are you? Man I was wondering what happened to you bro I'm glad you're okay. Just sent you an email thanks for checking this out.

[@Raychristofer]

@@smashtime1904 thanks man, I develop my own color also. I think my scanner is the limiting factor for 35mm tho

[@batex3]

Very nice review! I’m curious since you had your choice of Takumar lenses to borrow what made you pick this one? I’ve been looking to buy the 28mm but wasn’t sure whether to get the f3.5, f2.8 or f2, the M or the K it’s very confusing. I also noticed the prices have been going up. That’s the down side of great reviews like yours, I guess, now everybody wants vintage lenses, including me!

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thank you. Well I have so many 50mm and 35mm vintage lenses I wanted to try something different. Let me know what you choose

[@ccoppola82]

85 1.8 S-M-C Takumar is my absolute favorite portrait lens. Give it a shot if you can find it. I like it better than my canon 135L

[@Raychristofer]

Hello, if the color and Clarity of that 85 is anything like this 28 I can imagine what you mean. I definitely plan to try more of these. Good looking out.

[@ccoppola82]

Raychristofer it’s seriously incredible and i think can rival my Leica or Canon L glass. It’s one of the more expensive Takumars, but very very worth it

[@Raychristofer]

@@ccoppola82 you're definitely not a Leica snob lol

[@ccoppola82]

Raychristofer no, I like Leica. The 50mm Rigid Cron and the 35mm 2.8 summaron are probably my best lenses in terms of build, ergonomics, and I.Q. If they are a 10/10, the Takumars are an 8.5/10 imho

[@cj64films]

I own the SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4 and I absolutely love footage I’m getting on it. I actually shot a test scene recently and I love the image. Def want to add this to the collection.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thanks man, a few months ago I reviewed lamography metropolis film and I used this lens to shoot inside an abandoned prison and it was amazing being able to get a good view of the tight spaces. when I look at the images from the lens I really can't find any thing to criticize and you're right it's excellent for video because it gives that nice slight vintage flare.

[@cj64films]

@@Raychristofer that’s awesome! I bet those shots turned out great! I love shooting in abandoned locations, there is a few I’ve shot at in my area. I did an atomic blonde shoot at this abandoned Pecan Company.

[@Raychristofer]

@@cj64films you're a renegade man lol

[@cj64films]

@@Raychristofer I can be sometimes 🤣

[@MrSouzy]

Hi Ray Christoper, greetings from Germany. I am a big Pentax fan (a pentaxian lol) -. I use the super takumars all the time.. I dont care about the radioactivity as I heard that it is pretty low. I have the 50mm and the 35mm. The image quality is fantastic. Great for that movie look with photos. I use mine both on my crop sensor dslr and also on my analog cameras. I just love using them... Ps... that leather case I know what you mean.. I bought a Spotmatic II with a leather case.. when you take photos you can smell the leather... what a feeling when taking photos :) ... great video ! thanks

[@Raychristofer]

Hello big Tom, thanks for stopping through. You know it's a shame that these lenses are built so well they put modern lenses to shame. Plz share you Instagram or Flickr I like to see others work also. Cool

[@MrSouzy]

@@Raychristofer Hi Raychristofer sure.. www.flickr.com/photos/40118330@N08/with/49007200276/ the ones with untitled in the name at the analog ones.. the others were taken on either a Pentax KP or a Sigma sd15

[@DrErickLopez]

I recently purchased this lens and love it! I agree, the wider focal length is something to get used to. Im slowly building my Takumar collection. 2 other SMC Takumars I recommend are the 135mm f3.5 and the 50mm f4 macro! (my personal favorite!).

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thanks for checking out my video. You're the third person to tell me that is 135 mm is something not to be missed. The only problem is I'm shooting with a micro four-thirds camera and even with my speed booster there is somewhat of a crop. I definitely plan on moving up the full frame Sony one of these days

[@DrErickLopez]

Raychristofer yes sir! Definitely!

[@bss6273]

You mean the 50mm f/1.4 macro? The 135mm f/2.5 is a little better in my opinion especially when you stop it down The 85mm f/2 is a must try.

[@DrErickLopez]

@@bss6273 no, check out SMC Takumar 50mm F4 Macro. It’s actually extremely clear and sharp. The 135mm 2.5 was a bit too soft at 2.5 and even 3.5 The 135mm f3.5 is slightly sharper but hazy. I always have to de-haze in post. Other than that, they’re all good lenses. The 50mm f1.4 was great but stopped down to f2.0 gave me the best results. But as always, it varies.

[@skeeveskeeve]

I just ordered one from ebay, thanks for the review!

[@pavlatoar]

Thank you. Very nice review, pleasant to watch. 2 days ago I bought this one and I can´t wait to test it out (on my old pentax spotmatic sp II). Untill now I was using VERY nice portrait objective TAKUMAR 55mm/2. I simply love it. I can recomend it to you. Take care and have fun:)

[@Raychristofer]

awesome thank you

[@williamg.6283]

Man you should really really check out the takumar 135mm f2.5 (6 element version, not the 5 element one). I now have about a dozen quality vintage lenses and this one is hands down my favorite. It's tack sharp corner to corner wide open, colors and rendering are beautiful, images just pop. It's relatively compact as well and the handling is great. I love it because I got a bit tired of fast 50mm primes. Having a longer, slightly slower lens means the plane of focus is larger, but you still get that awesome bokeh. It's not so zoomed in that I feel restricted to shooting only wildlife or sports, so I like it for landscape, portraits, street and pretty much everything.

[@Raychristofer]

interesting, thanks man. with the small sensor of my m43 I tend to run from long lenses but they have their place. thanks for that detail, I usually talk about lens history and stuff but this time I tried to keep it simpler.

[@carlfranz]

How do you know which version (5 or 6 elements) is which? There is a bayonet version and also screw mount -- the former is quite a bit cheaper on ebay. Thanks, BTW, for your description of the 135mm.

[@williamg.6283]

@@carlfranz Hi, sorry for the delay, youtube notifications failed to notify me. On the 6 element version, under the distance scale, you can read 22 16 8 4 8 16 22. The 5 element version doesn't have the 4 in the middle. If you look on ebay, the cheapest ones don't have it and the really expensive ones do. Then it's just a matter of finding the cheapest one that has a 4. I got mine for about 220$ cad. (screw mount all metal one I'm talking about, not sure if there's an equivalent in bayonnet mount, but the cheapest ones are definitely not the ones you want (they're less good than than even the 5 element model). Also the 5 element model would be a nice option as well as far as rendering and artistic value ect. just don't expect sharpness corner to corner unless you stop down.

[@burstongreye7090]

@@carlfranz had the 5 element version and it's outstanding..though i tend to use modern lenses if i want corner to corner sharpness ,retro lenses are primarily for that artistic render i've found.

[@carlfranz]

@@burstongreye7090 I just received the 5 element version and really like it, especially the quick smooth focus. A pristine copy, inexpensive, just what I wanted. Great results so far but I'm not a pixel peeper.

[@ScudoCamper]

Love the old lenses. More organic some how. Awsome vid. Thanks mate. 😉😁

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks my man, if you like this lens feel free to check out my highlander ultron or Mir 37mm reviews, they actually have more character than this one

[@williammann9176]

One minor detail. Your video is called "Pentax Super Takumar 28mm F/3.5 full review" But the lens you are showing is a SMC Takumar. (SMC = Super Multi Coated) Super Takumars were the previous serious. Aside from that I enjoyed the video. I am a long time Pentax User both film and digital. I have that lens you reviewed and works amazingly well on any of my Pentax DSLRs.

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks for the correction my man, yes when I do these reviews I try my best to look up some historical information but sometimes it slips by. I reviewed the Mir 37 mm and mention that it won a prize in the 1958 Brussels World's Fair in Germany and it took over a year for someone to remind me Brussels is in Belgium lol. One of my subscribers was kind enough to send me a 135mm to keep but using it even with a speed booster on my micro 4/3 it is super long and it's really hard to do anything other than portraits with it

[@alexandrdemidov4372]

Dear Ray, your videos as always is awesome) watching with big interesting. Becides, the video picture is very good. Is this your G7?

[@Raychristofer]

Welcome Alexander and thanks for checking in. yes the entire vid was shot on the Lumix G7 in 1080p, 4k is for posers but you didnt hear that from me lol.yeah man much respect, wish I had more vintage lenses but check out my older ones if you havent already and Ill work on some more. peace

[@DapperDop]

Man, you make me wanna go out and get some vintage lenses!

[@Raychristofer]

Hey brother Dopp thats a serious compliment thanks. Honestly if you get one especially if you're doing portraits or abstract stuff you will reach for it more often than you think you will. If you decide to get one I would recommend starting with thre Helios, they're very affordable but also have the most character

[@FlashMediaStudiosTV]

Nice review - I gotta give this lens a try . Informative and good !

[@noegdoer]

I unfortunately swapped this lens for a mamiya sekor a few years ago

[@Jnewtonwright]

There’s an eBay auction for this lens that ends in 2 hrs your the reason I’m bidding. I have a 50 1.4, a 135 mm 2.5 (this was my first one). I have a 55mm f2 in the mail amazing lenses. These lenses make you feel like an artist

[@redbeardproductions-kevind9806]

I just picked up this one and a 55 1.8

[@AgnostosGnostos]

The radio decay of Thorium gives a brown tint to the lenses. This brown tint is an intication of radioactivity. The super Takumar lenses are well known for the use of Thorium dioxide and were initially sold with clear elements. After some years they got a brown tint that can be removed temporary with a week exposure to ultraviolet spectrum of Sun's light. The radioactivity is minimal but I don't trust such lenses near my brain or near small children. However away from the head with the use of live view instead of EVF these lenses are safe. I am not a doctor but according to mesurementa the radioactivity is negligible in a foot distance.

[@Raychristofer]

Hello how are you I really appreciate your technical comment. yes I feel the same as you I would like to try them, I would probably store it differently and not hike long distances with it in my backpack but then again I dont know much about radiation. ironically I love looking at images from Chernobyl shot by urban explorers.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Raychristofer Thanks for the reply.

[@burstongreye7090]

Excellent footage btw!!

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks for taking the time, I just wish I had more footage to include. I shot a beach day through this lens but when I went to self develop I didn't realize my chemicals had expired and the entire roll was blank so this review came out a little lighter than I planned LOL.

[@edwardnoble9897]

Looks like a lovely lens! I will definitely try to hunt this one down as I have the Takumar 55/1.8 on a Spotmatic. I like vintage lenses on digital too as they play nice with infrared photography, as well as being super cheap for what they are. The metal construction is great isn't it? 🙂

[@Raychristofer]

Hello Edward you are right, I've been doing a lot of wide-angle film photography lately and I can remember when I first use this lens I was very bored with it because I couldn't get any super background blur, it took me awhile to realize that the wide look is priceless and beautiful in its own way on the other end of the spectrum. I recently explored at abandoned prison and that takumar allowed me to get shots that I never could have gotten with a 50. The only time I really use my modern lenses is when I need super sharpness or if I'm doing product photography . What I'm noticing is this race for greater and more expensive modern lenses is kind of a scam because there are outstanding images from before world war II on folding cameras. I think quality gear is quality no matter what year it was made.

[@godofhope]

Times they made everything with care and pride are unfortunately long gone...

[@Raychristofer]

I know right, I shoot a lot of vintage film cameras for that very reason

[@okiebyemext]

Can this fit on a pentax mx ?

[@abbycasanova1380]

Nice review If you want to use that lens to shoot video. Just de click the lens by Removing the small ball bearing

[@pacoreguenga]

Great video. I just subscribed! I own a 50mm f2 Pentax branded smc and love it. Just looking for a 28mm and 35mm as well as the 17mm and the 40mm

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thank you. That 17 must be awesome. I explored an abandoned prison with this 28 and the width really helped. I think 35mm is ideal if I only had one lens to use

[@villemononen5303]

This is a great lens indeed! I have the Pentax-M version, and it's a lovely lens to look at and use (like most Pentax-M lenses anyways). Great Pentax colors and nice sharpness. I just haven't been wowed about it yet, maybe i need to use it more. Some say it performs the best in film, i wonder... But, it's the lens i can't sell away. It's the Pentax that stays. One day i'll use it enough. and find the right camera / format for it. I've had the f2.8 version, but the f3.5 is no doubt superior. Quickly sold the f2.8. But through-out last fall i found my first true favorite lens i can't depart from... The Canon 35mm f2.8 nFD. The images it gives... i love them! Performs very well on aps-c, haven't tried much on m4/3 yet. Eventually, i need to get f2.0. Waiting for the right opportunity... All good in due time.

[@Raychristofer]

What's up my man how are you? You have discovered something many photographers never discover, the importance of just using your lenses and organically finding which ones are best for you in certain situations. I also wasn't wowed by this but it's mostly because I didn't see much character not because the lens is deficient in any way.

[@villemononen5303]

@@Raychristofer Pretty alright, as per usual! I now want to get back to work life, it's time! Lately i've also started to repair and maintain cameras and many lenses. Learning how to clean fungus, re-lube, document properly along the way, sharpen the smarts... It's been a learning experience so far, and mostly a fun one (and surprisingly successful!). I'll keep on doing it as it feels right. These kinds of old simple primes are quite fun to work with! Delightfully simple, yet complex in operation so that they run so perfectly smooth. Work of art. With this experience, i know dare to work with bicycles etc. more deep. Some barrier or doubt has now been lifted, inexperience turned to experience. I just know i can do it! I have the skills, i have the tools, i have the lubes / liquids... I have the common sense and certain sensitivity about it. Anyways, how about yourself? How is the family doing? About the Canon 35mm f2.8 nFD still. Here's one picture from last fall: - Canon nFD 35mm f2.8 from last fall -> imgur.com/a/K7ou3zf - Mathieu Stern in Iceland with the 35mm -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWWppHV3fc2Sb9k (posted the picture there aswell) Hmm, well it's exactly due to the character that i'm still keeping the Pentax-M 28mm. It's something about the warmth of Pentax-M colors, the punchy lovely contrasty pictures. Nice sharpness too. Bokeh can be busy though, so i consider it more for landscape / street / close-ups. I just need to use it more, have to find the right combo.

[@Raychristofer]

@@villemononen5303 dude that mushroom looks like something out of Mario Brothers like if you eat it you can jump off a building lol. Fixing lenses and cams is a lost art. Very proud of you. If I ever need your help I'll let you know.

[@villemononen5303]

@@Raychristofer Alright, cool! *boing boing* and have good day!

[@hkrsbrg9088]

nice video. keep it up!

[@Raychristofer]

Thanks Kylo. Respect

[@BradJ-k5i]

Them gators are cool! It reminds me of a song "Gator Country by Molly Hatchet

[@noegdoer]

And fyi: SMC Pentax A 4 35-70 zoom. No focus shift while zoom from 35 to 70

[@Raychristofer]

Oh theres a word for that,, parfocal yeah, thats important especially for video also

[@jmoss99]

Ray, you should be very aware that this lens is a SUPER-MULTI-COATED version. It makes a big difference. From what I have read, the SUPER-MULTI-COATED version is different from the SMC version. You might check that out. I think the SUPER-MULTI-COATED version was first. There is a history to these lenses. Check that out too. I didn't like the film shots. I think Digital is much better, maybe just do to the processing. I just ordered this lens and have a few other models. For me it is SUPER-MULTI-COATED and FUJINON vintage lenses. I have a Jupiter 9 85mm and a Helios 44-2 58mm f2 making their way through the Russian countryside. I don't mind the Radioactive lenses. I think I have a couple here. That is thorium just like the Kodak cameras and your old camping light filaments. I wouldn't want a camera with a radioactive viewfinder though. :-) Jim

[@Raychristofer]

Hey thanks for those details Jim. Yes the Takumars have a technical history to them. I always try to do it thorough historical research for these videos but sometimes things can fall through the cracks.

[@arnonart]

oh, man! this lens was a part of my first ever barrage. it was 1981! 40 years ago... I bought a second hand Pentax Spotmatic with 3 lenses. 28 3.5, Takumar 50 1.4 and a Mamiya Sekor 135 2.8. the build quality of these lenses is superb! the optical quality is also very high. i'm having a huge operation at the moment. i'm shooting all my old slides with a digicam (instead of scanning). the results are amazing. the only thing is that some of colors faded away. otherwise, the overall quality is outstanding. Keep the good work!

[@HuaWei-hh4vp]

I thought all the Takumar were radioative.

[@bss6273]

Just got one...F yeah

[@jpr-tech]

I have and love this little lens, but unfortunately it is just sitting and decorating my desk. The reason being that I do have a similar built Rokinon 28mm f2.8 that is just as compact and sharp, but it is a lot brighter with the F2.8. I even have an old Vivitar 28mm f2.5 which is just as bright as the Rokinon, but just a little heavier than the other two lenses. So I find myself using the Rokinon a lot more. Thanks for the review!

[@Raychristofer]

Hello thanks for stopping by, I also have several lenses that I dont use much for the same reasons. its hard to sell them though because of attachment to it and sometimes when I list them I dont get much of an offer so I guess we both have a collection lol.

[@Telewaifus]

Radioactive Takumars are the best Takumars :) Try the Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f1.4 :)

[@Raychristofer]

Bro I heard about them I believe you. Wait a minute, dude your face is like glowing LOL

[@Telewaifus]

@@Raychristofer having 4 arms is useful :>

[@Raychristofer]

@@Telewaifus aaaaaaaaahh!!!!! Don't come any closer lol. And then a two-headed zombie dude steps Out of the Shadows behind me LOL

[@Telewaifus]

@@Raychristofer hahahaha

[@johnbleeker6258]

Okay, one serious reply is acceptable, right? Like i mentioned in my reply to Ray, radioactive radiation from takumar lenses wont hurt a fly. the Leitz lenses from the same era are like 6 times more radioactive and even those wont hurt you provided you use 'm in a normal sense and dont carry them around in your underware or use as a hat 24/7. . The radioactive takumar lenses are great lenses. the reason why newer models were no longer radioactive is because Thorium, the metal that is the cause of the radiation , was obsolete since the lens production techniques were much improved by mid 1970ties. I know those things since I'm old enough, and not so old to have forgotten my own name.

[@MichaelRusso]

The Pentax Takumar lenses are not in reverse, your non-Takumar Pentax lenses are in reverse ;)

[@Raychristofer]

Lol good one bro, Nikon's also 😎

[@camilorodriguez9111]

Yours looks like was made yesterday.

[@Raychristofer]

Yes it really does, it's crazy because these lenses will probably last a thousand years and will only need to be regreased.

[@thatquietasianguy9582]

Mowako Time-lapse brought me here.

[@Raychristofer]

thank you, i didnt know they featured me there

[@bradleyjacobson6551]

@@Raychristofer Hello Ray the video review is awesome! I have been shooting Pentax lenses for a long time. I own several cameras. I bought the Pentax digital cameras but still have the film cameras too. You should try to review the 50mm F1.4 8 element lens that one is non radioactive. I love the shot you took of the gators!

[@yanick00]

give the radioactive ones a try. specaly the 1.4 50 ist a superbe lens.

[@Raychristofer]

I believe you, right now I'm shooting with a Nikon f with a 50 mm 1.4 and it's outstanding also

[@Raychristofer]

I just don't want to grow a second head LOL