M42 135/3.5 Takumar?

[film_man]

What are the thoughts on the 135/3.5 super Takumar (M42 mount)? Plenty cheap ones around…was thinking of getting one as I currently have nothing longer than 50mm.

 

[Bill Burk]

Older M42 Super Takumar 135 f/2.5 is not that much more expensive (SMCT is a bit more).

 

[resummerfield]

I like mine... sharp and very well made. It is a joy to use. I just wish it was a little faster for natural light indoor use.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have this lens, got mine in 1966, have no ideas how many shoots I've taken with it, it is a fine 135, I have the 85, 105 and 150, I found that the 135 has nice reach, good for most situations, in door sports with fast film, not long enough for outdoor field sports or wildlife. Of the short teles I have in M42 the 150 is a length I use the lest often. Also inexpensive the 200, so the question is, what do you think you be shooting with it?

 

[film_man]

I have this lens, got mine in 1966, have no ideas how many shoots I've taken with it, it is a fine 135, I have the 85, 105 and 150, I found that the 135 has nice reach, good for most situations, in door sports with fast film, not long enough for outdoor field sports or wildlife. Of the short teles I have in M42 the 150 is a length I use the lest often. Also inexpensive the 200, so the question is, what do you think you be shooting with it?

Good question. What will I be shooting, I guess general family portraits outside and sometimes a bit of reach helps when at events, eg got some really nice shots with my M4 and the 135 Elmar-M at a motorsports event a while ago. I have an on off relationship with 135, it is the longest lens I like using, anything longer and it is just too remote. Will use it with an old Praktica, on a Canon EOS with an adapter and I’m lately having fun shooting my 55/2 Takumar on my Leica Monochrom, I’ll try it there too with some tubes for macro as well. (Sorry about mentioning the D-word).

 

[Kodachromeguy]

When I use my Spotmatic, my 135mm Super-Multi-Coated Takumar gets a lot of use. It is well-made, inexpensive, uses the same 49mm filters as many other Takumar lenses, and is an example of 1960s and 1970s Japanese optical excellence. Some examples:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2018/06/photographic-bargain-135mm-f35-pentax.html

Buy one. How could you go wrong? Use the appropriate hood.

Alternates: 105mm, 120mm (rare) and 150mm Takumars, both regular coated and multi-coated.

 

[film_man]

Buy one. How could you go wrong? Use the appropriate hood.

Well exactly! So I found a SMC with the hood for £40. SHould arrive tomorrow. Excited!

 

[Paul Howell]

Good price for a good lens.

 

[flavio81]

What are the thoughts on the 135/3.5 super Takumar (M42 mount)? Plenty cheap ones around…was thinking of getting one as I currently have nothing longer than 50mm.

All the big 4 japanese manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Minolta) made excellent 135/3.5 lenses and this one is no exception.