Testing and comparing the 8 element 50mm Super Takumar (evaluating the legend along with other Taks)

The 8 Element 50mm f1.4 Super Takumar has legendary status amongst users and collectors alike. It was manufactured for a brief amount of time in the early 1960's as a competitor to the Planar design lens by Carl Zeiss.

The rumour was Asahi Optical Company lost money on every copy it made, as it was a very expensive lens to make.

The lens was incredibly well received when released, it was crowned as king; dethroning the Planar in the process. Once the accolades rolled in, Asahi changed the optical formula from 8 element to a more inexpensive 7 element design. The later design made use of thoriated glass, which is radioactive. The decay of the thorium in the lens case a yellowing which, for better or worse, adds warmth to the image.

In the video, I compare the performance of several 8 element 50mm f1.4 lenses from different stages in their manufacture, with a much later 7 element Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm that has the superior multi coatings Asahi was known for. The comparisons continue as I also look at a 55mm Super Takumar f1.8 that was likely made in the same time frame as the 8 Element 50mm. To round out the review, I'll look at the Super Multi Coated 55mm f1.8 lens that would have been available as the budget option at the time the Super Multi Coated 50mm f1.4 was available.

The comparison images were made using an Fuji XS10 camera and a Fotodiox m42 to Fuji-X mount adaptor. On that camera, the 50mm lens has an equivalent angle of view to a 75mm lens on a Spotmatic or full frame camera. The 55mm has an angle of view that would be closer to 83mm.

Because I primarily work as a portrait photographer, the 50-60mm focal length on an APS-C sensor is quite flattering for the subject and allows the photographer to stand outside of the subjects personal space.