S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 2 / 35 M o d e l I
Produced 1963 to 1967. Serial Numbers 838xxx - 1900xxx. AOCo Product No. 368. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.877 Updated June 2024.
Produced 1963 to 1967. Serial Numbers 838xxx - 1900xxx. AOCo Product No. 368. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.877 Updated June 2024.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 3.19% (539 copies) of the total estimated 16,900 copies made.)
53INTRODUCTION
A large, heavy impressive looking lens. The first and least common Super-Takumar 1:2 / 35mm. Five years after the launch of the celebrated Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 / 35 (335) it represents a renewed effort to perfect a faster wide Takumar to suit single lens reflex cameras It was, itself, replaced with a new, smaller, much lighter and cheaper Super-Takumar after four years. In that period ten new lenses were commissioned; many second versions of other Super-Takumars amongst them. A comment about the need for this lens appears on the lens group page and an explanation of it's characteristics by Keppler H. (1966) is reproduced below.
Clean copies are prized and perform well. Out front is a threaded filter ring. The custom made circular metal hood slips over that and locks on with a screw. Though unmistakable, this lens is too early to have it's model number inscribed on the aperture control switch.
A large, heavy impressive looking lens. The first and least common Super-Takumar 1:2 / 35mm. Five years after the launch of the celebrated Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 / 35 (335) it represents a renewed effort to perfect a faster wide Takumar to suit single lens reflex cameras It was, itself, replaced with a new, smaller, much lighter and cheaper Super-Takumar after four years. In that period ten new lenses were commissioned; many second versions of other Super-Takumars amongst them. A comment about the need for this lens appears on the lens group page and an explanation of it's characteristics by Keppler H. (1966) is reproduced below.
Clean copies are prized and perform well. Out front is a threaded filter ring. The custom made circular metal hood slips over that and locks on with a screw. Though unmistakable, this lens is too early to have it's model number inscribed on the aperture control switch.
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
- The physical design is unchanged during the production period, even down to the numbers of grooves in adjusting rings.
- Variations in cosmetic detail reflect generic changes (see below) common to all contemporary Super-Takumars.
- Lens batch data well illustrates the timing and manner of those changes.
NOTES
- Batch data is further divided into the four consecutive (annual?) production runs (below).
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n =539 Serial Numbers observed in 26 Batches covering 14,712 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 19,131 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 26 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two styles involving a simpler lettering font and the relocation of SN:▼ i.e.; closed "4"and SN before name, comma following Co. ▲: ▼▼ open "4" and SN following name, no comma after Co.▲▲. (transitioning batch with comma and SN before name as before (using existing former nameplates rather than trashing them)
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 26 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Two styles involving a simpler lettering font and the relocation of SN:▼ i.e.; closed "4"and SN before name, comma following Co. ▲: ▼▼ open "4" and SN following name, no comma after Co.▲▲. (transitioning batch with comma and SN before name as before (using existing former nameplates rather than trashing them)
Serial Numbers in 26 Batches
(n /SN range) Collection
(n /SN range) Collection
|
▼ 838516 (1/ 1) 1000571 (1/ 1) 1004134 to 1004229 (8/ 95) 1005661 to 1006033 (20/ 372) 1010023 to 1010533 (23/ 510) 1015620 to 1016000 (16/ 380) 1015762 1018518 (1/ 1) 1018887 to 1019858 (46/ 971) ▲ |
▼▼ 1253306 (1/ 1) 1254045 to 1254401 (14/ 356) 1254812 to 1256116 (46/ 1304) 1256459 (1/ 1) 1257639 to 1258620 (35/ 981) 1259123 to 1263967 (154/ 4844) 1259141 |
1841330 (1/ 1) 1841476 to 1842646 (41/ 1170) 1842661 to 1842705 (2/ 44) 1842727 to 1842802 (6/ 75) 1842880 to 1842908 (3/ 28) 1843008 to 1843020 (5/ 12) 1843067 to 1843165 (5/ 98) |
1890673 (1/ 1) 1891601 (1/ 1) 1894156 to 1895415 (38/ 1259) 1895817 to 1897055 (44/ 1238) 1899427 to 1900388 (24/ 961) ▲▲ 43931 SN starts |
MARKETING
In August 1967 near the end of it's reign the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Operating Manual (61015 En.) stated;
"One of the fastest wide-angle lenses for 35mm single-lens reflex cameras. Edge-to edge sharp resolution at full aperture; unique lens design without distortion; perfect for architectural photography."
In 1964 the SV Operating Manual (6711 J.) advertised this lens at twice the price (23,300 ¥) of it's slower f3.5 cousin (12,400 ¥). In the earlier Spotmatic Operating Manual (6701 J.) it cost 24,000 ¥, versus 12,800 ¥). Overseas in January 1965, Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (Cat No 748) asked US$ 189.50 versus US$99.50 and commented;
" ......an extremely bright, fast lens, perfect for wide-angle available light pictures."
With so much fine glass cost was an issue, clearly.
In August 1967 near the end of it's reign the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Operating Manual (61015 En.) stated;
"One of the fastest wide-angle lenses for 35mm single-lens reflex cameras. Edge-to edge sharp resolution at full aperture; unique lens design without distortion; perfect for architectural photography."
In 1964 the SV Operating Manual (6711 J.) advertised this lens at twice the price (23,300 ¥) of it's slower f3.5 cousin (12,400 ¥). In the earlier Spotmatic Operating Manual (6701 J.) it cost 24,000 ¥, versus 12,800 ¥). Overseas in January 1965, Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (Cat No 748) asked US$ 189.50 versus US$99.50 and commented;
" ......an extremely bright, fast lens, perfect for wide-angle available light pictures."
With so much fine glass cost was an issue, clearly.
LITERATURE
In the earliest editions of his authoritative series The Asahi Pentax Way Herbert Keppler wrote lucidly on the need for this lens (Keppler H. 1966).
" In a reflex camera, there's an interior swinging mirror to reflect the len's image to the prism finder. The rear element of the wide-angle lens fitted to a single-lens reflex must remain far enough away from the film plane to allow this mirror to swing out of the way during exposure. Therefore the 35 mm. wide-angle lens cannot be as close as 35 mm. from the film plane.
However, the designers of the Takumar lenses have used a clever optical way around this problem. They used a special lens formula called an inverted telephoto, in which the back focus (distance from rear of lens to film plane) is far greater than the true focal length. Such lenses require large front elements. The greater the maximum aperture the larger must be the front element. That's why the 35 mm. F2 Super-Takumar is so large. It represents a remarkable achievement in high speed single-lens reflex wide angle lens design.
While the additional speed of the F2 may be extremely valuable to many photographers for use in low light, the large aperture also has an additional advantage. Wide-angle lenses are undeniably harder to focus than longer lenses. The short focal lengths have far greater depth of field at any given aperture and subject distance than the longer lenses. As a result it can be more difficult to find the exact plane of sharpest focus when focussing a wide-angle lens. However, the wider the maximum aperture, the shallower is the depth of field. If you view through the 35 mm. F2 Takumar you will quickly see that it is a faster and easier focusing lens than the f3.5. The subject "snaps" in and out of focus far more precisely than with the F3.5 lens.
Undoubtably, the much higher cost of the 35 mm. F2 Takumar will be a criterion as to which lens you may buy. For ease of focusing and versatility the F2 Takumar is preferable."
Both points still apply in today's (digital camera) world. SLR's aside, the build quality and operational ease of this film era lens endure.
In the earliest editions of his authoritative series The Asahi Pentax Way Herbert Keppler wrote lucidly on the need for this lens (Keppler H. 1966).
" In a reflex camera, there's an interior swinging mirror to reflect the len's image to the prism finder. The rear element of the wide-angle lens fitted to a single-lens reflex must remain far enough away from the film plane to allow this mirror to swing out of the way during exposure. Therefore the 35 mm. wide-angle lens cannot be as close as 35 mm. from the film plane.
However, the designers of the Takumar lenses have used a clever optical way around this problem. They used a special lens formula called an inverted telephoto, in which the back focus (distance from rear of lens to film plane) is far greater than the true focal length. Such lenses require large front elements. The greater the maximum aperture the larger must be the front element. That's why the 35 mm. F2 Super-Takumar is so large. It represents a remarkable achievement in high speed single-lens reflex wide angle lens design.
While the additional speed of the F2 may be extremely valuable to many photographers for use in low light, the large aperture also has an additional advantage. Wide-angle lenses are undeniably harder to focus than longer lenses. The short focal lengths have far greater depth of field at any given aperture and subject distance than the longer lenses. As a result it can be more difficult to find the exact plane of sharpest focus when focussing a wide-angle lens. However, the wider the maximum aperture, the shallower is the depth of field. If you view through the 35 mm. F2 Takumar you will quickly see that it is a faster and easier focusing lens than the f3.5. The subject "snaps" in and out of focus far more precisely than with the F3.5 lens.
Undoubtably, the much higher cost of the 35 mm. F2 Takumar will be a criterion as to which lens you may buy. For ease of focusing and versatility the F2 Takumar is preferable."
Both points still apply in today's (digital camera) world. SLR's aside, the build quality and operational ease of this film era lens endure.
