T a k u m a r 1 : 4 f = 3 5 mm or T a k u m a r 1 : 4 3 5 mm
Produced Dec.1957 to Sept.1959. Serial Numbers 156xxx - 214xxx. AOCo Product No.329. Updated March 2025.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 4.80% (208 copies) of the total estimated 4,300 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
This is the first accessory lens made for the original Asahi Pentax camera. It was released on the domestic market in December 1957. A tiny elegant lens of black nickel with one aperture ring; it is best suited to use outdoors. Sherfy (1994) states "unpublished information indicates that approximately 4,200 units of this lens may have been produced." This information is now independently validated. Almost immediately, AOCo set out to make another 35mm; a much faster lens (355).
Today it is a sentimental choice. It was produced in 20 batches for export, each of approximately 50-1000 units with serial numbers in the range 151XXX - 214XXX (including the earliest prototypes). Two names found on the front bezel are, either Takumar 1:4 35mm (batches 1-3), or Takumar 1:4 f=35mm (batches 4-15). On assembly lines the smallest (3-12) batches were made alternately with small batches of the earliest standard Auto-Takumar (332) which hints at the gearing up of early suppliers of parts.
An early pre-production copy (SN 151250?) is illustrated in the Asahi Pentax K manual (J). It has a distance scale in meters and two opposing raised finger grips on the front rim of the manual aperture ring. Such grips were a contemporary feature used by other lens makers. Distance scales on later export versions are dual (in feet and meters) and front grips are absent. Gone also is the old Asahi Kogaku style round font for the lettering in "Meter", replaced by a different "square" font which better serves both "Feet" and "Meter" combined.
It is the first wide-angle lens made for Japanese SLR cameras by Asahi Optical Company (AOCo.) and the lightest (135g) of the three earliest wide-angle lenses. AOCo used the recently patented “retro-focus design” which also improved focus at the corners of images it produces.
Production started 12 months after the Asahi Pentax camera was launched and it was marketed overseas from May 1958. Thus the lens is listed in operating manuals (En, J) of successive camera models (S, K, S2/H2, S1/S3, H1/H3). It was superseded by two faster, semi-automatic, 35mm “Auto”-Takumars in September 1958 and September 1959, respectively, and disappeared from Asahi Pentax literature.
This lens and the Fisheye Takumar f11/18mm are the only manual Takumars with focal lengths < 300mm. Most copies today are in good condition considering their age because they are so well made.
This is the first accessory lens made for the original Asahi Pentax camera. It was released on the domestic market in December 1957. A tiny elegant lens of black nickel with one aperture ring; it is best suited to use outdoors. Sherfy (1994) states "unpublished information indicates that approximately 4,200 units of this lens may have been produced." This information is now independently validated. Almost immediately, AOCo set out to make another 35mm; a much faster lens (355).
Today it is a sentimental choice. It was produced in 20 batches for export, each of approximately 50-1000 units with serial numbers in the range 151XXX - 214XXX (including the earliest prototypes). Two names found on the front bezel are, either Takumar 1:4 35mm (batches 1-3), or Takumar 1:4 f=35mm (batches 4-15). On assembly lines the smallest (3-12) batches were made alternately with small batches of the earliest standard Auto-Takumar (332) which hints at the gearing up of early suppliers of parts.
An early pre-production copy (SN 151250?) is illustrated in the Asahi Pentax K manual (J). It has a distance scale in meters and two opposing raised finger grips on the front rim of the manual aperture ring. Such grips were a contemporary feature used by other lens makers. Distance scales on later export versions are dual (in feet and meters) and front grips are absent. Gone also is the old Asahi Kogaku style round font for the lettering in "Meter", replaced by a different "square" font which better serves both "Feet" and "Meter" combined.
It is the first wide-angle lens made for Japanese SLR cameras by Asahi Optical Company (AOCo.) and the lightest (135g) of the three earliest wide-angle lenses. AOCo used the recently patented “retro-focus design” which also improved focus at the corners of images it produces.
Production started 12 months after the Asahi Pentax camera was launched and it was marketed overseas from May 1958. Thus the lens is listed in operating manuals (En, J) of successive camera models (S, K, S2/H2, S1/S3, H1/H3). It was superseded by two faster, semi-automatic, 35mm “Auto”-Takumars in September 1958 and September 1959, respectively, and disappeared from Asahi Pentax literature.
This lens and the Fisheye Takumar f11/18mm are the only manual Takumars with focal lengths < 300mm. Most copies today are in good condition considering their age because they are so well made.
DESCRIPTION
The optical design is retro-focus tessā-gata (Tessar type) with 5 elements in 4 groups as illustrated in the repair manual (Asahi Pentax 1967). (The last group is a tiny doublet often counted as one element.) The tiny aperture has ten sickle-shaped blades. All short focal length Takumars and Auto-Takumars are equipped with apertures composed of at least 10 blades. Five, six or eight-bladed apertures were used from Super-Takumars onwards.
The barrel, front bezel and focussing ring are black metal with white engraving, except for two silver rings with black engraving. Its muted black/white lettering belies its Asahi-Kogaku Takumar heritage (multi-coloured lettering was adopted in 1960).
Exported copies have six digit serial numbers in the range 156XXX - 214XXX after the prefix (“No”). This prefix (i.e. lacking a stop) is used on this lens only. Serial numbers of all Asahiflex and Asahi Pentax cameras and all their other lenses bear either "No","No.", or, (for Takumars from the early 1960's) no prefixes. The last cameras carrying a SN prefix were early copies of Asahi Pentax S1a, before the transition from six to seven numerals occurred.
The optical design is retro-focus tessā-gata (Tessar type) with 5 elements in 4 groups as illustrated in the repair manual (Asahi Pentax 1967). (The last group is a tiny doublet often counted as one element.) The tiny aperture has ten sickle-shaped blades. All short focal length Takumars and Auto-Takumars are equipped with apertures composed of at least 10 blades. Five, six or eight-bladed apertures were used from Super-Takumars onwards.
The barrel, front bezel and focussing ring are black metal with white engraving, except for two silver rings with black engraving. Its muted black/white lettering belies its Asahi-Kogaku Takumar heritage (multi-coloured lettering was adopted in 1960).
Exported copies have six digit serial numbers in the range 156XXX - 214XXX after the prefix (“No”). This prefix (i.e. lacking a stop) is used on this lens only. Serial numbers of all Asahiflex and Asahi Pentax cameras and all their other lenses bear either "No","No.", or, (for Takumars from the early 1960's) no prefixes. The last cameras carrying a SN prefix were early copies of Asahi Pentax S1a, before the transition from six to seven numerals occurred.
2216 11 8 5.6 4
The aperture adjusting ring is finely-knurled with 6 available aperture stops, marked (f=4-22), opposite a red dot on the barrel and has no half-stops. (The front edge of this ring on the earliest domestic version has protruding finger grips).
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22 16 11 8 5.6 4 ▲ 4 5.6 8 11 16 22
22 16 11 8 5.6 4 ▲ 4 5.6 8 11 16 22
An expansive depth of field guide is engraved on the fixed rear silver ring. The centre of the guide is a thin red line rising from a fine red triangle. Depth of field limits for aperture stops are marked by vertical lines on either side of this line, except for the f=4 lines which are bent centrally.
Feet ∞ 30 15 10 7 5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2.25 2 1.7 1.5
Meter ∞ 10 5 3 2 1.5 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.45
Meter ∞ 10 5 3 2 1.5 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.45
The focussing ring is inscribed with a small infinity symbol and dual distance scales, Feet (30ft-1.5ft) above and Meter (10m-0.45m) below, a convention adopted for all successive Takumars made to export. The copy illustrated in the (J) operating manual for the Asahi Pentax K carries only a meter scale. The earliest batches of preceding Takumars made for Japanese (m) or foreign markets (ft) carry single distance scales. Exported copies of this lens carry both. The focussing ring bears twelve concave finger grips each with 10 grooves. This is standard for all normal preset Takumars of the time, but not for larger or later models.
Illustrations of the lens hood elsewhere are few. The slip-on hood illustrated is similar to that for the later Auto-Takumar 1: 3.5/35mm but with lettering on the silver metal. The former has inscribed on the silver ring a red dot for aperture use when mounted (not needed for the Auto-Takumar) and the maker's name. The latter carries the names of both lens and maker inscribed in white on the black section.
Illustrations of the lens hood elsewhere are few. The slip-on hood illustrated is similar to that for the later Auto-Takumar 1: 3.5/35mm but with lettering on the silver metal. The former has inscribed on the silver ring a red dot for aperture use when mounted (not needed for the Auto-Takumar) and the maker's name. The latter carries the names of both lens and maker inscribed in white on the black section.
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VARIATIONS
NOTES
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The "Asahi Pentax Repair Manual" illustrates a copy from the last batch made.
(Note: The red dot on the barrel is set to the limit opposite the black dot on the aperture ring.)
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LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 208 Serial Numbers (SN) observed in 22 Batches covering 3,743 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 4,944 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 22 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: ▼ SN prefix "No" ▲/▼▼ Takumar 1:4 35mm ▲▲;▼▼▼ Takumar 1:4 f=35mm ▲▲▲.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 22 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
Styles: ▼ SN prefix "No" ▲/▼▼ Takumar 1:4 35mm ▲▲;▼▼▼ Takumar 1:4 f=35mm ▲▲▲.
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151250 illustrated prototype in K manual (J) ▼/▼▼ 156342 to 156533 (9/ 191) 335 SN starts 166214 to 166466 (10/ 252) ▲▲/▼▼▼ 168450(1/ 1) 169535 to 169868 (22/ 333) 169872 to 169889 (2/ 17) 169901 to 169998 (7/ 97) 170042 to 170066 (2/ 24) |
Serial Nos in 22 Batches (n /SN range)
Collection 170087 to 170108 (4/ 21) 170123 to 170146 (2/ 23) 170163 to 170207 (5/ 44) 170236 to 170269 (5/ 33) 170296 to 170307 (3/ 11) 170360 to 170385 (3/ 25) 170431 to 170452 (5/ 21) 170495 to 170520 (2/ 25) 170527 to 170535 (2/ 8) |
182015 to 182430 (17/ 415) 185513 to 185602 (11/ 91) 185665 to 186015 (9/ 350) <EP> 193646 to 194067 (21/ 421) (dots start) 199039 to 199500 (20/ 461) 199147 214000 to 214879 (46/ 879) ▲/▲▲▲ 336 SN starts |
MARKETING
An early test version or prototype is illustrated in the Asahi Pentax K manual (J).
Rather than describe it as a "manual lens" in a competitive sales environment Asahi Pentax brochures (En) emphasised the lack of a pre-set diaphragm ring. Operating manuals for Pentax S, K, S2, H2, Heiland Pentax H1/H3 and Honeywell Pentax H1/H3 cameras for export (En) all contain the following description.
“Same size as standard lens: can be put into the camera case together with the PENTAX. Light in weight: easy to use. You do not usually need an aperture brighter than f4 for general daylight outdoor picture taking.
Lens elements …………5
Minimum aperture….f/22
Minimum distance….1.5 ft.
Angle of view………….63°
Weight……………….4.8 ozs. (approx. 136 g)
Helicoidal lens barrel: without pre-set diaphragm ring.”
An early test version or prototype is illustrated in the Asahi Pentax K manual (J).
Rather than describe it as a "manual lens" in a competitive sales environment Asahi Pentax brochures (En) emphasised the lack of a pre-set diaphragm ring. Operating manuals for Pentax S, K, S2, H2, Heiland Pentax H1/H3 and Honeywell Pentax H1/H3 cameras for export (En) all contain the following description.
“Same size as standard lens: can be put into the camera case together with the PENTAX. Light in weight: easy to use. You do not usually need an aperture brighter than f4 for general daylight outdoor picture taking.
Lens elements …………5
Minimum aperture….f/22
Minimum distance….1.5 ft.
Angle of view………….63°
Weight……………….4.8 ozs. (approx. 136 g)
Helicoidal lens barrel: without pre-set diaphragm ring.”
LITERATURE
Published information is sparse, sometimes unsourced or misleading. Recent guide books (Sherfy, 1994 ; van Oosten, 1999) and websites offer opinions or information on using or servicing this lens.
Production was discontinued in September 1959 before its existence was noted in general literature. Murphy (1960) compared it with its 35mm Auto-Takumar successors. Sherfy (1994) states (from an unpublished source) that 4,200 copies were produced.
"35mm TAKUMAR, f/4: Though it does not have the automatic feature of the f/2.3 this lens is a good general category optic. Unless you anticipate frequent dim-light shooting situations without flash or other supplemental lighting, this lens is for you. Consisting of 5 elements, it is equipped with click-stops down to f/22. Minimum focusing distance, as with the f/2.3, is 1.5 feet; 63° angle of view. In a leather case, $64.50."
Retail prices quoted by Murphy (1960) show it was the least costly of the three available 35mm lenses. The most expensive (in the U.S.A. market) being the Auto-Takumar f/2.3 priced at $124.50 in a leather case. Sherfy (1994) added that it was sold by mail order in the U.S.A. market for between $47.00 and $33.00 and heavily discounted in 1960 for as little as $27.00. Murphy (1960) compared the Takumar f/4 to the just released Auto-Takumar f/3.5. In a confusing post-publication endnote he implies the latter lacked a cocking lever and referred to it as the f/3.5 Takumar (corrections in brackets below). Though aware of the new lens, he had yet to see it?
"35mm [AUTO-] TAKUMAR, f/3.5: For those who want a faster lens than the f/4, but don’t need the automatic feature and extreme lens speed of the f/2.3, the f/3.5 [Auto-] Takumar, just introduced, yields excellent results. It is designed with 5 elements, stops down to f/22, and will focus down to 1.5 feet. In a leather case, $84.50."
Emanuel (1960) explains how the manual aperture control of this lens operates differently from those with preset and automatic aperture controls and that the lens can be fitted with screw on 46 mm filters. Tydings (1961) also provided the Heiland catalogue number 783 for the lens hood and Tydings (1961, 1966) states 46mm Pentax filters are available for the Takumar 35mm/f4. Cooper (1964) provides the Honeywell Pentax catalogue numbers of its accessories (p 34) but makes no other comment on the lens.
"Cat No 759 Lens cap for 35mm f/4
Cat No 761 UV Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 762 Light yellow Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 763 Light orange Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 781 Rear Lens Cover
Cat No 783 Lens hood for 35mm f/3.5 (Auto-Takumar) and 35mm f/4 lenses."
The lens tables in Emanuel (1964) published in June that year and all subsequent editions to 1981 show the lens as discontinued. Honeywell Photographic Products (1965) also announced that the lens was discontinued in January 1964. There is no mention of the lens in later publications (eg. Keppler 1967, Cooper 1970).
Published information is sparse, sometimes unsourced or misleading. Recent guide books (Sherfy, 1994 ; van Oosten, 1999) and websites offer opinions or information on using or servicing this lens.
Production was discontinued in September 1959 before its existence was noted in general literature. Murphy (1960) compared it with its 35mm Auto-Takumar successors. Sherfy (1994) states (from an unpublished source) that 4,200 copies were produced.
"35mm TAKUMAR, f/4: Though it does not have the automatic feature of the f/2.3 this lens is a good general category optic. Unless you anticipate frequent dim-light shooting situations without flash or other supplemental lighting, this lens is for you. Consisting of 5 elements, it is equipped with click-stops down to f/22. Minimum focusing distance, as with the f/2.3, is 1.5 feet; 63° angle of view. In a leather case, $64.50."
Retail prices quoted by Murphy (1960) show it was the least costly of the three available 35mm lenses. The most expensive (in the U.S.A. market) being the Auto-Takumar f/2.3 priced at $124.50 in a leather case. Sherfy (1994) added that it was sold by mail order in the U.S.A. market for between $47.00 and $33.00 and heavily discounted in 1960 for as little as $27.00. Murphy (1960) compared the Takumar f/4 to the just released Auto-Takumar f/3.5. In a confusing post-publication endnote he implies the latter lacked a cocking lever and referred to it as the f/3.5 Takumar (corrections in brackets below). Though aware of the new lens, he had yet to see it?
"35mm [AUTO-] TAKUMAR, f/3.5: For those who want a faster lens than the f/4, but don’t need the automatic feature and extreme lens speed of the f/2.3, the f/3.5 [Auto-] Takumar, just introduced, yields excellent results. It is designed with 5 elements, stops down to f/22, and will focus down to 1.5 feet. In a leather case, $84.50."
Emanuel (1960) explains how the manual aperture control of this lens operates differently from those with preset and automatic aperture controls and that the lens can be fitted with screw on 46 mm filters. Tydings (1961) also provided the Heiland catalogue number 783 for the lens hood and Tydings (1961, 1966) states 46mm Pentax filters are available for the Takumar 35mm/f4. Cooper (1964) provides the Honeywell Pentax catalogue numbers of its accessories (p 34) but makes no other comment on the lens.
"Cat No 759 Lens cap for 35mm f/4
Cat No 761 UV Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 762 Light yellow Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 763 Light orange Filter 46mm for 35mm f/4
Cat No 781 Rear Lens Cover
Cat No 783 Lens hood for 35mm f/3.5 (Auto-Takumar) and 35mm f/4 lenses."
The lens tables in Emanuel (1964) published in June that year and all subsequent editions to 1981 show the lens as discontinued. Honeywell Photographic Products (1965) also announced that the lens was discontinued in January 1964. There is no mention of the lens in later publications (eg. Keppler 1967, Cooper 1970).
