T e l e - T a k u m a r 1 : 5.6 / 200
Produced 1965 to 1971. SN 978xxx - 4394xxx. AOCo Product No.351 (43510). Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.719. Updated April 2023.
Produced 1965 to 1971. SN 978xxx - 4394xxx. AOCo Product No.351 (43510). Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.719. Updated April 2023.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 2.11% (766 copies) of the total estimated 36,300 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
This is the late version of the Takumar 1:5.6 / 200mm (347) re-branded under a new name and product number in 1965. Both versions are optically alike and by creating 351 (1965-1971) the total production period was extended to 10 years. The re-named version has all the advantages of the earlier one. Further development is mainly of cosmetic nature; generic styling shared with contemporary Takumars.
The purpose of re-naming was to differentiate it from the new Super-Takumar 1:4 / 200mm in a very competitive market. The adopted name was applied to a group of four lenses being re-branded for global market identification. The "compact 200mm" strategy worked again and twice as many copies of this lens were sold under the new name alongside the more sophisticated but significantly larger 200mm. It was discontinued in 1971 and in production terms outlasted both its faster competitors and contributed nearly a third of the 200mm Takumars sold.
Early copies had cases with the AOCo logo pressed into the top instead of the name. The original name of the lens (Takumar 5.6 / 200) in fine lettering was pressed into the tops of cases after 1964 and other lettering styles followed. The new name does not appear on any accessories; only the nameplate. Similarly, cases for all three of the other Tele-Takumars show the name “Takumar” only.
The 74mm long glossy lens hood dedicated to the early version 347 was discontinued and replaced with shorter examples. Three 54mm long screw-on hoods supplied for 351 were made to be shared with Super-Takumar 3.5 / 135mm lenses, or both 3.5 / 135mm and 4 / 150mm Super-Takumar lens. Three styles of lettering appear on those hoods with styles to match the lenses. The 74mm long glossy hood dedicated to 347 fits this version, also.
This is the late version of the Takumar 1:5.6 / 200mm (347) re-branded under a new name and product number in 1965. Both versions are optically alike and by creating 351 (1965-1971) the total production period was extended to 10 years. The re-named version has all the advantages of the earlier one. Further development is mainly of cosmetic nature; generic styling shared with contemporary Takumars.
The purpose of re-naming was to differentiate it from the new Super-Takumar 1:4 / 200mm in a very competitive market. The adopted name was applied to a group of four lenses being re-branded for global market identification. The "compact 200mm" strategy worked again and twice as many copies of this lens were sold under the new name alongside the more sophisticated but significantly larger 200mm. It was discontinued in 1971 and in production terms outlasted both its faster competitors and contributed nearly a third of the 200mm Takumars sold.
Early copies had cases with the AOCo logo pressed into the top instead of the name. The original name of the lens (Takumar 5.6 / 200) in fine lettering was pressed into the tops of cases after 1964 and other lettering styles followed. The new name does not appear on any accessories; only the nameplate. Similarly, cases for all three of the other Tele-Takumars show the name “Takumar” only.
The 74mm long glossy lens hood dedicated to the early version 347 was discontinued and replaced with shorter examples. Three 54mm long screw-on hoods supplied for 351 were made to be shared with Super-Takumar 3.5 / 135mm lenses, or both 3.5 / 135mm and 4 / 150mm Super-Takumar lens. Three styles of lettering appear on those hoods with styles to match the lenses. The 74mm long glossy hood dedicated to 347 fits this version, also.
VARIATION
- The main barrel install ring (BIR) is glued (instead of being screwed into place) which distinguishes it internally from 347. The first named copies begin at approx. SN 978500.
- The depth of field scale was simplified from Serial number 1247922. Four pairs of parallel lines now replaced the 5 pairs (including the former oblique sections) but the font and style of numerals remained unchanged. Cursive style lettering began approx. SN 1358244.
- Finally, changes to the position of serial numbers on the nameplate (moving from before the name to after the name) took place at approx SN 2252763 along with smaller font and changed style of lettering (round mechanical print to oval cursive). The outer flange of the light seal is flush with the seat ring and appears wider because the join is less visible. The groove between them has been removed.
NOTES
- In 1965 this lens was re-named “Tele-Takumar” and given a new product number (351). Twice as many copies were sold under this name until it too was discontinued. Product numbers are not inscribed on lenses of either name.The lens was discontinued in 1971; the final batch produced after the last of the Super-Takumar 200mm.
- The weight of the 347 version is usually given in official literature. This version is marginally heavier.
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 766 Serial Numbers observed in 64 Batches covering 31,031 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 41,715 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 64 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: Weight 405-409g. length 120mm. Red IR mark. Diaphragm with 10 blades. Eight aperture positions with 3 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 8mm wide.
▼ simplified depth of field indicator (4 pairs of parallel lines) ▼ ▼ cursive lettering ▼▼▼ Smallest font lettering and SN after name.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 64 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: Weight 405-409g. length 120mm. Red IR mark. Diaphragm with 10 blades. Eight aperture positions with 3 half- stops (white dots). Knurled rings 8mm wide.
▼ simplified depth of field indicator (4 pairs of parallel lines) ▼ ▼ cursive lettering ▼▼▼ Smallest font lettering and SN after name.
978517 to 979932 (36/ 1415) 1026117 to 1027094 (21/ 977) 1040352 to 1041093 (21/ 741) 1043414 to 1044034 (12/ 620) 1057558 to 1058708 (29/ 1150) 1106328 (1/ 1) 1106720 to 1107113 (11/ 393) 1114315 to 1114912 (22/ 597) 1114657 ▼ 1247433 to 1248151 (18/ 718) 1293622 to 1294119 (8/ 497) 1333683 to 1334547 (20/ 864) 1349998 to 1350960 (25/ 962) 1350241 ▼ ▼ 1358141 to 1359028 (15/ 887) 1433552 (1/ 1) 1436008 (1/ 1) 1436064 (1/ 1) 1436099 (1/ 1) 1436157 (1/ 1) 1436178 (1/ 1) 1436228 to 1436245 (3/ 17) 1436285 (1/ 1) |
Serial Numbers in 64 Batches
(n /SN range) Collection 1436301 (1/ 1) 1436326 to 1436390 (4/ 64) 1469320 to 1470270 (22/ 973) 1504256 to 1504867 (16/ 611) 1551440 (1/ 1) 1560722 to 1561970 (38/ 1248) 1638106 to 1638978 (26/ 872) 1704892 to 1705850 (26/ 958) 1806102 to 1806944 (17/ 842) 1886557 to 1887516 (25/ 959) 1958478 (1/ 1) 1990200 to 1992165 (48/ 1965) ▼▼▼ 2252660 to 2253084 (7/ 424) 2280066 to 2281094 (16/ 1028) 2435793 to 2436136 (9/ 343) 2472718 to 2473198 (16/ 480) 2485776 (1/ 1) 2507174 (1/ 1) 2507226 (1/ 1) 2507267 to 2507276 (2/ 9) 2507302 (1/ 1) |
2507358 to 2507395 (4/ 37) 2507544 (1/ 1) 2554612 to 2554999 (7/ 387) 2718031 to 2718492 (16/ 461) 2767294 to 2767710 (8/ 416) 2792983 to 2792989 (2/ 6) 2793717 to 2794100 (15/ 383) 2795029 to 2795430 (12/ 401) 2846594 to 2847000 (9/ 406) 2878814 to 2880297 (22/ 1483) 2880371 (1/ 1) 2995478 (1/ 1) 2997341 to 2997394 (3/ 53) 3147953 to 3150843 (60/ 2890) 3148882 3434055 to 3434911 (16/ 856) 3436388 to 3436963 (23/ 575) 3876683 to 3878097 (19/ 1414) 3879255 to 3879717 (11/ 462) 3879819 (1/ 1) 4393670 to 4393836 (4/ 166) 4393914 (1/ 1) 4394901 (1/ 1) |