Gentlemen, just looking at either 28mm f3.5 or a 35mm f3.5 SMC Takumars. Very very reasonably priced lenses. Comparatively speaking, I was offered a minty 28mm with a cap for 12.000 yen. The ones I am looking at are almost as minty at around 6.000.
Obviously, I don't need both and would rather choose the best IQ-wise performer.
Could you advise by any chance?
Additionally, there are SMC 105mm, 200mm and 50mm for around same money. If you have any comments regarding those, please do not hesitate to speak up.
IMHO, all the Takumars have good IQ (I have all the lenses listed here) The mirror on FF Canon 5D hits the 35/3.5 and 50/1.4, does not hit 28/3.5, 105/2.8, 200/4.
I cannot decide which has better IQ, 28 or 35. The 50/1.4 has legendary excellent IQ. The 105/2.8 is compact & bright, & such a deal for same price as others, usually goes for much more money. The 200 has good IQ; some say it makes an excellent macro lens mounted on bellows, and I agree; the 200 is a big lens.
On crop sensor camera 28 and 35 are like normal lens (44, 55 equivalent FL), the 50 makes excellent 80 equivalent portrait lens, and the 200 becomes 320 (with excellent IQ!).
The best deal here is the 105 which usually fetches a higher price than others.
I realised that ladies are indeed present as I pressed "post"...hehe.. my apologies - I'm not really a sexist pig...much...
Thank you a lot for the feedback. I am planning to get the 5D or a 1DS later and the mirror comment is much appreciated!
I took some sample shots in the store and will definitely get some more Taks to play around. Only pain is keep changing the lens especially when Canon Japan now introduced the charge for cleaning the sensor (was free before)..hehe..but I must say the shots are definitely worth it.
In regard to f2.8 Takumars, the 135 2.8 has really clearly pronounced CA across the frame! It isn't the case with 105?
Here are the sample shots of the 35 and 28. Unfortunately I can't remember which is which. To be honest they look equally good IQ-wise. Only default sharpening in CaptureOne pro appled...
I have both the 35 and 38, but in super takumar versions. They're both seem pretty equal on image quality, so I don't think there is a strong distinguishing factor between them.
I also have the 200/4 and I don't think this lens is as strong a performer as most other takumars. The 135/3.5 is brilliant. The 135/2.5 has a peculiar soft glow and smooth bokeh. The 50/1.4 is good, but so are alot of other 50/1.4 lenses.
50/1.4 is quite frequently encountered here in 2nd hand shops. In many cases a tad scratched and I would expect some mold.
I have the Canon 50/1.4 and probably skip the Tak equivalent for now.
I have posted previously in regard to Asahi Takumar 135/3.5, and I must say so far I haven't seen much difference between plain and SMC version. Plain does not differ a lot from Super version either. However, the plain one got amazing bokeh.
Shame the focusing distance is quite large..
