Wide Super-Takumars
Lenses with a wider viewing angle (or shorter focal length) than our own eyes are popular. Among Super-Takumars the most popular viewing angle in the 1960's was considered to be the 35mm (63 degrees), despite the 28mm being the first launched in early 1962. This popularity was echoed in general literature at the time (Keppler H. 1966), but the maker, Asahi Optical Co., followed the market and 28mm (75 degrees) sales grew to finally dominate over the next decade. The 28mm field of view (75 degrees) best matches what human eyes see.
Consequently, in the 1960's Asahi Optical Co. designers used their skills to tackle the restrictions a moving mirror in Single lens reflex cameras placed on lens design. They first introduced the large, faster second version of the 35mm Super-Takumar and thus produced two new 35mm Super-Takumars before updating the first 28mm. There is a detailed exposition of the contemporary need for, and advantages of, a faster wide angle lens design in Keppler H (1966). This is reproduced on the Super-Takumar 1:2 / 35mm (368) lens page and applies to the first models of both focal lengths; 28mm and 35mm.
Alongside these two focal lengths, other, much more complex, wider lenses were constructed to become fashionable or more specialized accessories.
Super-Takumars have an aperture control switch behind the aperture setting ring. Labelled (A/M), (Auto/Man) or (AUTO/MAN). This switch lets the operator change the aperture continuously (in manual mode) or to fully open the aperture diaphragm until the shutter is released (in automatic mode). Whilst focussing through the lens this feature enabled sufficient light to enter the lens to allow the eye to focus the image easily before releasing the shutter.
Wide angle Takumars that have the greatest depth of field of any lens type can have "snapshot" or "fixed focus' markings. Chosen numerals on diaphragm and focus rings are coloured red, When aligned they indicate where the greatest depth of field occurs. This setting permits rapid shooting when fine focussing is not a priority. Snapshot markings appear on wide angle lenses made from the 1962.
Product numbers consisting of 5 numerals are inscribed onto aperture control switches from 1966-67.
Consequently, in the 1960's Asahi Optical Co. designers used their skills to tackle the restrictions a moving mirror in Single lens reflex cameras placed on lens design. They first introduced the large, faster second version of the 35mm Super-Takumar and thus produced two new 35mm Super-Takumars before updating the first 28mm. There is a detailed exposition of the contemporary need for, and advantages of, a faster wide angle lens design in Keppler H (1966). This is reproduced on the Super-Takumar 1:2 / 35mm (368) lens page and applies to the first models of both focal lengths; 28mm and 35mm.
Alongside these two focal lengths, other, much more complex, wider lenses were constructed to become fashionable or more specialized accessories.
Super-Takumars have an aperture control switch behind the aperture setting ring. Labelled (A/M), (Auto/Man) or (AUTO/MAN). This switch lets the operator change the aperture continuously (in manual mode) or to fully open the aperture diaphragm until the shutter is released (in automatic mode). Whilst focussing through the lens this feature enabled sufficient light to enter the lens to allow the eye to focus the image easily before releasing the shutter.
Wide angle Takumars that have the greatest depth of field of any lens type can have "snapshot" or "fixed focus' markings. Chosen numerals on diaphragm and focus rings are coloured red, When aligned they indicate where the greatest depth of field occurs. This setting permits rapid shooting when fine focussing is not a priority. Snapshot markings appear on wide angle lenses made from the 1962.
Product numbers consisting of 5 numerals are inscribed onto aperture control switches from 1966-67.
SUMMARY
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