T a k u m a r 1 : 3.5 f = 100mm
Produced September 1957 to May 1958 using serial numbers 147xxx -157xxx. Updated April 2025.
Produced September 1957 to May 1958 using serial numbers 147xxx -157xxx. Updated April 2025.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 5.85% (65 copies) of the total estimated 1,100 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
Before the M42 Asahi Pentax (AP) camera arrived this lens and the 1:3.5 /135 mm Tele-Takumar (M37) existed as chrome-plated 37mm screw mounted Asahi-Kogaku Takumars for Asahiflex cameras. The handsome black and silver M42 form of this lens was manufactured only for a short period. It was the first M42 accessory lens to be discontinued and, like Asahi-Kogaku lenses it has no product number; but it was still transformed into a full member of the new M42 stable. Meanwhile, its look-alike, the new M42 135 mm Takumar did receive a product number and evolved into the most enduring and popular accessory lens.
Approximately 1200 copies were made over a period of less than 12 months. It was advertised in instruction guides for Asahi Pentax, Asahi Pentax S and K cameras and displaced by a new faster 1:2.8 /105mm Takumar for the Asahi Pentax S2 and Heiland Pentax H2. AOCo revisited the 100 mm focal length, briefly, by launching a fast final preset model domestically, coinciding with the 1964-65 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Five batches of modest size were produced; the last coinciding with the final batches of the 58mm standard Takumars. According to serial numbers all were made during the reign of the AP; but only after two initial batches of both the 1:3.5/135 and 1:1.9/83 Takumars.
Before the M42 Asahi Pentax (AP) camera arrived this lens and the 1:3.5 /135 mm Tele-Takumar (M37) existed as chrome-plated 37mm screw mounted Asahi-Kogaku Takumars for Asahiflex cameras. The handsome black and silver M42 form of this lens was manufactured only for a short period. It was the first M42 accessory lens to be discontinued and, like Asahi-Kogaku lenses it has no product number; but it was still transformed into a full member of the new M42 stable. Meanwhile, its look-alike, the new M42 135 mm Takumar did receive a product number and evolved into the most enduring and popular accessory lens.
Approximately 1200 copies were made over a period of less than 12 months. It was advertised in instruction guides for Asahi Pentax, Asahi Pentax S and K cameras and displaced by a new faster 1:2.8 /105mm Takumar for the Asahi Pentax S2 and Heiland Pentax H2. AOCo revisited the 100 mm focal length, briefly, by launching a fast final preset model domestically, coinciding with the 1964-65 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Five batches of modest size were produced; the last coinciding with the final batches of the 58mm standard Takumars. According to serial numbers all were made during the reign of the AP; but only after two initial batches of both the 1:3.5/135 and 1:1.9/83 Takumars.
DESCRIPTION
A scarce preset lens composed of three separate elements that began life as the first accessory lens for Asahiflex cameras; completely silver and with a M37 mount. The M42 version took on the current black and silver look of Asahi Pentax style Takumars. The diaphragm is composed of 10 blades. The front, rear aperture and focus rings are black. The serial number has the prefix "No" and follows the name of the lens. There are no half stops between the 7 aperture positions indicated; on either of the aperture rings, which are decorated with fine knurling. An extra stop (f=22) is added to increase the available range from 6 to 7 positions. Aperture is preset by aligning stops on the rings with the adjacent red dot on the barrel.
A scarce preset lens composed of three separate elements that began life as the first accessory lens for Asahiflex cameras; completely silver and with a M37 mount. The M42 version took on the current black and silver look of Asahi Pentax style Takumars. The diaphragm is composed of 10 blades. The front, rear aperture and focus rings are black. The serial number has the prefix "No" and follows the name of the lens. There are no half stops between the 7 aperture positions indicated; on either of the aperture rings, which are decorated with fine knurling. An extra stop (f=22) is added to increase the available range from 6 to 7 positions. Aperture is preset by aligning stops on the rings with the adjacent red dot on the barrel.
2216 11 8 5.6 4 3.5
The focus ring has the standard early Takumar formula of 12 finger grips, each containing 10 grooves (F 10/12). The trailing edge carries either one of, or both, the following distance scales. Distances scales decrease from left to right and the depth of field gauge extends to f=22.
Feet ∞ 100 50 30 20 15 12 10 8 7 6 5 4.5 4
Meter ∞ 30 15 10 7 5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.2
Meter ∞ 30 15 10 7 5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.2
The depth of field guide is extended and simplified.
depth of field guide
▲
22 16 11 8 3.5 8 11 16 22
( 11 8 5.6 3.5 • 3.5 5.6 8 11 )
Asahi-Kogaku (Asahiflex M37)
▲
22 16 11 8 3.5 8 11 16 22
( 11 8 5.6 3.5 • 3.5 5.6 8 11 )
Asahi-Kogaku (Asahiflex M37)
Brown leather cases lined with red felt were designed for M37 Takumars from the Asahiflex era and sold with these early lenses until new cases arrived. Surviving early cases can be identified by their red lining and the three anchoring loops for the carrying strap, including the one on the base. They are usually found without straps but the one above is original. Most copies of this lens have red-lined cases.
Brown leather cases with royal blue interiors appeared in 1958 after this lens was discontinued; some without straps. The earliest of these continued to be made of brown tanned leather until black cases became available.
Universal lens caps (46mm) and the threaded hood are interchangeable with standard and shorter focal length Takumars of the time. Heiland Honeywell Cat. Nos. are; for the hood (#782), the rear lens cover (#781) and the front lens cap (#760).
Brown leather cases with royal blue interiors appeared in 1958 after this lens was discontinued; some without straps. The earliest of these continued to be made of brown tanned leather until black cases became available.
Universal lens caps (46mm) and the threaded hood are interchangeable with standard and shorter focal length Takumars of the time. Heiland Honeywell Cat. Nos. are; for the hood (#782), the rear lens cover (#781) and the front lens cap (#760).
VARIATION
NOTES
- Distance scales are either in feet or metres in copies from the first batch. Copies from later batches all have dual distance scales and are otherwise identical.
- On the early (M37) version of this lens (and the Tele-Takumar 1:3.5/135) distance scales decrease from right to left and the depth of field gauge and aperture ring do not include f=22. The central point of the latter has "3.5" to both LHS and RHS sides of a red dot (above). Lenses with a "Meter" scale use the infinity symbol "∞" while those that use the "Feet" scale have the abbreviation "inf".
NOTES
- The only available aperture positions are those marked by the numerals shown on the preset aperture rings. Takumar aperture setting rings were given extra positions (half stops marked by black dots) after this lens was discontinued.
- AOCo first introduced product numbers for Takumars when it produced Asahi Pentax cameras. These originally consisted of just three numerals. This lens and two other Takumars, the first 300mm and 500mm models that served during this changeover, do not have product numbers. All were designed during the Asahiflex period. Perhaps AOCo had plans to replace them and assigning product numbers to these lenses was considered unnecessary?
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 65 Serial Numbers (SN) observed in 5 batches covering 719 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 1,503 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 5 batches.
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: ▼ SN prefix "No" ▲
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 5 batches.
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: ▼ SN prefix "No" ▲
|
▼ 147048 to 147328 (20/ 280) |
Serial Numbers in 5 Batches (n /SN range)
Collection 149439 to 149602 (12/ 163) 152554 to 152664 (12/ 110) |
155852 to 155861 (3/ 9) 157641 to 157798 (18/ 157) ▲ |
