JAPAN (not for export)
T a k u m a r 1 : 2 / 100
Produced 1964 domestically. Serial number range 1303xxx - 1308xxx. Updated April 2025.
Produced 1964 domestically. Serial number range 1303xxx - 1308xxx. Updated April 2025.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 5.19 % (45 copies) of the total estimated 900 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
A new fast lens suitable even for indoors and the last preset Takumar. It was marketed only in Japan during 1964-65 coinciding with the October 1964 Summer Olympic Games. These were the first Olympics to be held in Asia, telecast internationally and in colour, at least domestically.
A very bright lens of new telephoto construction featuring 5 elements in 5 groups. No product number is known. It was produced before Super-Takumars were inscribed with model numbers (manual and pre-set Takumars were not inscribed). Production spanned a short period of several months; seemingly proscribed as an 'opportunity' project, and, or an irresistible final challenge to designers of preset Takumars.
All known copies were made in four batches. They were all made in almost alternate batches between Super-Takumars (four 345-5 and one 348) over a very short period of time; the first containing most copies (approx. 600).
Though a preset Takumar, uniquely, it shares some Super-Takumar cosmetics. The lens is advertised domestically with two new Super-Takumars; 1:4 /150 mm and 1:4 /200 mm that also made their debut in 1965. Prices advertised were ¥19,600 - ¥21,000, midway between the prices of the 1:1.9 / 85 and 1:2.8 /105 Super-Takumars, it's two closest rivals. Three copies sold in Japan during 2015 for ¥194,009 and ¥226,111. The asking price of another in 2016 rose to US$9999.99 on Ebay. In early 2022 the asking price on Yahoo (J) increased to ¥550,000.
A new fast lens suitable even for indoors and the last preset Takumar. It was marketed only in Japan during 1964-65 coinciding with the October 1964 Summer Olympic Games. These were the first Olympics to be held in Asia, telecast internationally and in colour, at least domestically.
A very bright lens of new telephoto construction featuring 5 elements in 5 groups. No product number is known. It was produced before Super-Takumars were inscribed with model numbers (manual and pre-set Takumars were not inscribed). Production spanned a short period of several months; seemingly proscribed as an 'opportunity' project, and, or an irresistible final challenge to designers of preset Takumars.
All known copies were made in four batches. They were all made in almost alternate batches between Super-Takumars (four 345-5 and one 348) over a very short period of time; the first containing most copies (approx. 600).
Though a preset Takumar, uniquely, it shares some Super-Takumar cosmetics. The lens is advertised domestically with two new Super-Takumars; 1:4 /150 mm and 1:4 /200 mm that also made their debut in 1965. Prices advertised were ¥19,600 - ¥21,000, midway between the prices of the 1:1.9 / 85 and 1:2.8 /105 Super-Takumars, it's two closest rivals. Three copies sold in Japan during 2015 for ¥194,009 and ¥226,111. The asking price of another in 2016 rose to US$9999.99 on Ebay. In early 2022 the asking price on Yahoo (J) increased to ¥550,000.
DESCRIPTION
A very bright lens of new telephoto construction featuring 5 elements in 5 groups. The last preset Takumar made, uniquely, it shares some Super-Takumar cosmetics. All black with one narrow silver band on the barrel instead of the leading edge on the focus ring as in Auto-Takumars and Super-Takumars.
It was furnished with a named black leather case with green lining and a screw on hood. The filter thread diameter is 58mm. Brochures stated that only Skylight filters were available. A weight of 350 grams with a length of 70mm and maximum diameter of 62.5mm make it slimmer but heavier that the better known Super Takumar 1:1.9 / 85. It's diaphragm is composed of 8 blades.
It has a 24º view compared to 23º for the Takumar 1:2.8 /105 (Model 2) but has 3 more aperture settings available; 14 positions altogether. Aperture setting range covers from f=2 to f=22; like a 1:1.8 / 85 Auto-Takumar but with a larger aperture range.
A very bright lens of new telephoto construction featuring 5 elements in 5 groups. The last preset Takumar made, uniquely, it shares some Super-Takumar cosmetics. All black with one narrow silver band on the barrel instead of the leading edge on the focus ring as in Auto-Takumars and Super-Takumars.
It was furnished with a named black leather case with green lining and a screw on hood. The filter thread diameter is 58mm. Brochures stated that only Skylight filters were available. A weight of 350 grams with a length of 70mm and maximum diameter of 62.5mm make it slimmer but heavier that the better known Super Takumar 1:1.9 / 85. It's diaphragm is composed of 8 blades.
It has a 24º view compared to 23º for the Takumar 1:2.8 /105 (Model 2) but has 3 more aperture settings available; 14 positions altogether. Aperture setting range covers from f=2 to f=22; like a 1:1.8 / 85 Auto-Takumar but with a larger aperture range.
Feet ∞ 50 30 20 15 12 10 8 7 6 5 4 3.5
Meter ∞ 15 8 5 4 3 2.5 2 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0
Meter ∞ 15 8 5 4 3 2.5 2 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0
22 16 • 11 • 8 • 5.6 • 4 • 2.8 • 2
depth of field guide
▲
22 11 5.6 11 22
▲
22 11 5.6 11 22
VARIATION
None known.
None known.
NOTES
Available briefly, prior and during the 1964 Olympic Games in Japan.
Available briefly, prior and during the 1964 Olympic Games in Japan.
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 45 Serial Numbers observed in 4 Batches covering 680 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 1,055 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 4 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: F(10/12)
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 4 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: F(10/12)
|
1303551 to 1304139 (41/ 588) |
Serial Numbers in 4 Batches
(n /SN range) 1304475 (1/ 1) |
130756x to 1307650 (2/ 90) 13085xx (1/ 1) |
MARKETING
This lens features in an Asahi Pentax brochure printed especially for the 1964 Olympic Games held in Tokyo.
Contemporary 1965 manuals (in Japanese) for the Spomatic (SP), the Asahi Pentax SV and several Takumar Lens booklets describe the specifications and add;
" We are proud of the high speed (f=2) telephoto lens of new design that captures rich sharp images. Of course it's useful for snapshots, portraits and scenery, but it's f=2 speed in particular means that it can capture figures in a room and on stage without lighting."
Double click to enlarge pages below.
This lens features in an Asahi Pentax brochure printed especially for the 1964 Olympic Games held in Tokyo.
Contemporary 1965 manuals (in Japanese) for the Spomatic (SP), the Asahi Pentax SV and several Takumar Lens booklets describe the specifications and add;
" We are proud of the high speed (f=2) telephoto lens of new design that captures rich sharp images. Of course it's useful for snapshots, portraits and scenery, but it's f=2 speed in particular means that it can capture figures in a room and on stage without lighting."
Double click to enlarge pages below.
The one illustration is used in most of the official publications (lens SN 1303551).
Despite the brief saturation domestic marketing carried out during the Olympic Games there was limited uptake, or availability. Competition or conservative design kept it in the realm of 'a good idea at the time'.
LITERATURE
Unpublished information accessed by Sherfy (1994) "indicates that AOC produced approximately 220 units of a 100mm f/2 Takumar lens in March and April of 1964."
No first hand estimates are available in the literature.
Unpublished information accessed by Sherfy (1994) "indicates that AOC produced approximately 220 units of a 100mm f/2 Takumar lens in March and April of 1964."
No first hand estimates are available in the literature.
