S u p e r T a k u m a r - Z o o m 1 : 4.5 / 7 0 - 1 5 0
Produced 1964 to 1971. Serial Numbers 934xxx - 4901xxx. AOCo Product No. 362 (43620). Updated Jan. 2024.
Produced 1964 to 1971. Serial Numbers 934xxx - 4901xxx. AOCo Product No. 362 (43620). Updated Jan. 2024.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 2.51% (329 copies) of the total estimated 13,100 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
This Super Takumar-Zoom lens has always received high praise, photographically since it's launch. It has low chromatic aberration and high contrast; a remarkable feat for a first of it's kind at the time. It was replaced by a longer Super-Muti-Coated successor (43770) that is held in similar regard and is numerically more common.
Even today it competes very well; but for its bulk, weight and speed. Remarkably it matches any single focal length Super-Takumar within the range.
It was supplied with a hood, tripod attachment and a close focusing lens with storage inside the case to extend it's versatility. Left unused, the sliding zoom movement can seize or become difficult to use, but good copies are still available for those who can enjoy it's capabilities.
This Super Takumar-Zoom lens has always received high praise, photographically since it's launch. It has low chromatic aberration and high contrast; a remarkable feat for a first of it's kind at the time. It was replaced by a longer Super-Muti-Coated successor (43770) that is held in similar regard and is numerically more common.
Even today it competes very well; but for its bulk, weight and speed. Remarkably it matches any single focal length Super-Takumar within the range.
It was supplied with a hood, tripod attachment and a close focusing lens with storage inside the case to extend it's versatility. Left unused, the sliding zoom movement can seize or become difficult to use, but good copies are still available for those who can enjoy it's capabilities.
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
Three styles of lens hood are available. The first two with print, or (later) cursive, lettering used in the name of this lens. The third is the same as the latter but carries the additional information 100-270mm. This suggests a longer zoom lens was being contemplated at the time, but never made. The information seems to have been added prematurely to the later third hood because the successor (43770) eventually took the range 85-210mm.
Three styles of lens hood are available. The first two with print, or (later) cursive, lettering used in the name of this lens. The third is the same as the latter but carries the additional information 100-270mm. This suggests a longer zoom lens was being contemplated at the time, but never made. The information seems to have been added prematurely to the later third hood because the successor (43770) eventually took the range 85-210mm.
NOTES
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 329 Serial Numbers observed in 52 batches covering 8,685 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 17,555 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 52 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two cosmetic styles;▼ Large oval print lettering, SN before the name and large blue ♾️. Zoom scale left of f22 on aperture scale. ▼▼ Small oval cursive lettering, SN on nameplate after the name and small blue ♾️. Zoom scale above f22 on aperture scale.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 52 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two cosmetic styles;▼ Large oval print lettering, SN before the name and large blue ♾️. Zoom scale left of f22 on aperture scale. ▼▼ Small oval cursive lettering, SN on nameplate after the name and small blue ♾️. Zoom scale above f22 on aperture scale.
▼ 934653 (1/ 1) 937765 (1/ 1) 943584 to 943839 (9/ 255) 1211709 to 1211881 (6/ 172) 1211806 1278132 to 1278382 (10/ 250) 1278451 to 1278767 (8/ 316) 1351874 to 1352166 (15/ 292) 1411920 to 1411958 (4/ 38) 1436468 to 1436487 (2/ 19) 1436555 to 1436570 (2/ 15) 1436595 (1/ 1) 1436640 to 1436642 (2/ 2) 1436667 (1/ 1) 1436778 (1/ 1) ▼▼ 1537628 to 1537813 (8/ 185) 1537870 to 1538128 (9/ 258) 1618874 to 1618881 (2/ 7) 1618888 to 1619331 (21/ 443) 1693294 to 1693642 (11/ 348) |
Serial Numbers in 52 Batches
(n /SN range) Collection 1796145 to 1796213 (2/ 68) 1810770 to 1811059 (11/ 289) 1889618 to 1889631 (3/ 13) 2037233 to 2037355 (5/ 122) 2037398 to 2037411 (2/ 13) 2037450 to 2037609 (4/ 159) 2225949 to 2226047 (4/ 98) 2228611 to 2228635 (4/ 24) 2279832 to 2280037 (7/ 205) 2460375 to 2460672 (11/ 297) 2460713 to 2460811 (3/ 98) 2722276 to 2722373 (5/ 97) 2767102 to 2767131 (2/ 29) 2792862 to 2792883 (3/ 21) 2849776 to 2849941 (9/ 165) 2849833 2952316 to 2952791 (15/ 475) 3070930 to 3071491 (21/ 561) |
3520323 to 3520524 (10/ 201) 3525567 to 3525587 (2/ 20) 3535193 to 3536011 (21/ 818) 3539370 (1/ 1) 3620417 (1/ 1) 3789779 to 3790171 (11/ 392) 3790258 to 3790364 (4/ 106) 3790288 3821846 to 3822136 (5/ 290) 3881555 to 3882039 (13/ 484) 3882395 to 3882594 (7/ 199) 3883540 to 3883728 (6/ 188) 3885523 to 3885679 (8/ 156) 4102650 to 4102853 (9/ 203) 43772 SN starts 4391116 (1/ 1) 4391243 to 4391527 (3/ 284) 4901945 (1/ 1) 4901985 (1/ 1) |
MARKETING
TAKUMAR LENSES for the ASHI PENTAX 68pp 66009 (1968)
ASAHI PENTAX SL OPERATING MANUAL pp48 06061 (1970)
LITERATURE
Robert FUHRING (1967) "PENTAX and single lens reflex photography" p45.
K.L.ALLINSON and S.L.JORDAN (1971) ASAHI PENTAX MANUAL. R.Morgan Publishing, England.