Vintage lens modern camera 2: Pentax Super-Takumar 35mm 3.5

[@raymeedc]

Coincidentally, EyE just returned from a neighborhood walk around with this very lens mounted on my Fujifilm X-T20 body. I also use it on my full frame Sony. These slow 35mm Taks have long been a personal favorite of mine for decades. Consequently, I have & use every version of the M42 line, from the original preset f4 to the SMC. My original f4 is a particular gem, my mint copy being CLA’d a year or so ago.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I only have a few Takumar’s and their all great.

[@raymeedc]

I also use it mostly as you do, a walk around quick to the eye & down again street shooter set at f8 - f11 at 15 ft. On my APS-C it gives even deeper depth of field than my Full Frame for its cropped focal length, of course, increasing its usefulness for that purpose. Even more so when used on my micro 4/3 Olympus as a virtual 70mm.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the review. The 35mm is my personal favorite focal length for one-lens/one-full-frame body situations. I own and use the following 35mm lenses: 35mm f/3.5 Takumar for my Pentax Spotmatic SLRs 35mm f/2.8 Vivitar lens with M42 lens mount 35mm f/2 Nikkor for my Nikon SLRs 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor for my Nikon SLRs 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon for my Leica rangefinders Most of the time, I use the f/1.4 lenses and carry the slower lenses as backups. However, I rarely need backups.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I always wanted a 35mm 1.4. You have a nice collection.

[@ohjajohh]

I also have this lens. Wide open it's not great, but stopped down I love this lens.

[@reinhartreuschel5499]

Got it last month (2023.07) and use it on my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic 'black beauty' from 1970 as the lens is;-)) People mostly want 'big' apertures, but: the slower the allover better in contrast. Basically I'm a Nikonian since 1971, and in parallel to the Pentax 3.5/35 I like the Nikkor 2.8/35 (newer version from the 1980s). I estimate Pentax and Nikon likewise. Pentax is always pretty smaller and lighter and with the distinctive Pentax colours made by the lenses; so do Nikkors in another way, but are bigger, heavier, and most notably more suitable for heavy duty work. That's why only Canon and Nikon have been best estimated by pros since the early 1960s. However the sturdy Pentax 6x7 has shown that Pentax may be definitely able to produce such reliable gear. Hope new Pentaxes will as well.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I love the vintage all metal manual focus lenses, and although smaller I think the Pentax lenses are just as well made as the Nikkors.

[@justnoted2995]

Whining me.... you did not mention my mirrorless cropped sensor camera, a Fujifilm, that works beautifully with both Nikon and Minolta lenses. I must try the Pentax lenses though

[@1960ceramic]

I feel your pain as I have Fuji mirrorless too! Hey, that is why I have a Takumar 24 3.5: so it can act like a 35mm full frame lens! LOL!

[@ramf5162]

How can I get this lens....eBay does not have this lens What to do? Did you buy this item new or used product? Which website did you buy from?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I got it from a seller on EBay. Keep searching one will turn up.

[@wendysburgers4326]

Is this Lens radioactive? Hopefully not

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I don’t believe so. The 50mm 1.4 Super Multicoated Takumar is.

[@tinger20]

My 35 and 28 f3.5 are not.

[@mikepxg6406]

I have this lens it is far easier to use on a Pentax DSLR.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Hi Mike, Why is it easier to use on a Pentax DSLR?

[@mikepxg6406]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 You don't need a bulky adapter Pentax make a dedicated K to M42 that fits flush into camera mount. Focus confirmation still works. It's far easier to manualy focus accurately on a DSLR. And it just looks right....