A Brief History of the Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 6x7 150mm f/2.8
The Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 6x7 150mm f/2.8 was designed as a fast, medium-telephoto workhorse for the legendary Pentax 6x7 system. Sitting in the sweet spot between standard and long telephoto on 6x7 film, it became a go-to lens for portraits, editorial work, and location photography where shallow depth of field and gentle compression were essential.
Built in an era when mechanical precision mattered more than speed of production, the Super-Takumar 150mm combines solid brass and metal construction with a large, beautifully damped focus ring. It was aimed at photographers who needed a reliable, bright lens in the field—studio portraitists, fashion shooters, and landscape photographers who liked to isolate details in wide scenes.
Today, the lens occupies a special place in the second-hand market: it is affordable compared with modern premium lenses, yet still robust enough to keep working decades after it left the factory. For film shooters using analog cameras, it is one of the most characterful ways to step into medium-format portraiture.
The first time I mounted vintage Pentax glass onto a digital body, I noticed how deliberate everything felt—long focus throws, weighty metal, and an image that looked less “clinical” and more like a memory. Compared to modern autofocus lenses, it slowed me down just enough to make each frame count.
Key Characteristics That Define Its Look
Rendering and bokeh
The Super-Takumar 6x7 150mm f/2.8 is known for its smooth background rendering and gentle falloff from sharp to soft. Wide open, it offers a pleasing separation between subject and background without the harsh “cut-out” effect seen in some ultra-modern designs. Highlights melt into each other, giving portraits a cinematic calm.
On 6x7 film, the focal length offers flattering compression: noses do not protrude, faces stay proportional, and backgrounds are nudged closer, making location portraits feel cohesive. Stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6, the lens becomes strikingly sharp in the center while keeping some of that classic softness towards the edges.
Color and contrast
The Super-Takumar coating gives colors a rich but natural tonality, with a slight warmth that flatters skin and evening light. When paired with ISO 100 or 400 films such as Portra or CineStill, you get rich skin tones and subtle gradations in shadows.
- Experiment with ISO 100 or 400 films (Portra, CineStill) for rich skin tones.
- Try ND or diffusion filters (67mm thread) to soften light transitions.
Handling and build
The lens is hefty, as you would expect from a medium-format optic, but its balance on a Pentax 6x7 body or a modern camera with a solid adapter is reassuring. The long focus throw makes precise manual focusing easier, particularly for portraits and close-up details.
How Modern Shooters Use This Classic Lens
Adapting to digital bodies
In 2026, many photographers mount the Super-Takumar 6x7 150mm f/2.8 on digital medium-format bodies like Fujifilm GFX or on full-frame mirrorless systems such as Sony E or Nikon Z. With the right adapter, it becomes a unique portrait or character lens.
- Use manual focus assist or focus peaking when adapting to digital cameras.
- Mount securely with an adapter featuring a tripod foot for heavier setups.
Focus peaking and magnified live view dramatically reduce the challenge of manual focusing, especially at f/2.8. For video shooters, the long, smooth focus throw is an asset rather than a drawback, allowing controlled, cinematic focus pulls.
Portraits, video, and creative work
On digital bodies, this lens is often used for environmental portraits, moody short films, and product detail shots where a bit of vintage flare and softer contrast feel intentional. Pair it with modern photography accessories such as variable ND filters and diffusion filters to expand its look even further.
Photographers who are tired of ultra-sharp, clinically perfect glass often reach for the Super-Takumar 150mm when they want images that feel more like they were shot on film—even when they are not.
Second-Hand Buying Guide for the Super-Takumar 150mm
What to inspect before you buy
Because this lens is several decades old, careful inspection is essential when buying on the second-hand market. A well-kept copy can deliver results comparable to far more expensive modern lenses, while a neglected one may suffer from haze, fungus, or mechanical stiffness.
- ✔️ Check for smooth focus motion, no grit or stiffness.
- ✔️ Examine aperture blades—snappy, clean, and oil-free.
- ✔️ Inspect elements for haze or yellowing.
- ✔️ Prefer copies with original caps and case.
Optical condition and coatings
Mild cleaning marks on the front element are common and usually have minimal real-world impact, but internal haze or strong yellowing can reduce contrast. Always look through the lens against a bright background to check for these issues. A clean, clear view indicates good internal condition.
Mounts, adapters, and system planning
Before buying, make sure you understand how it will fit into your existing system. For a Pentax 6x7 film body, it is a straightforward native lens choice. For digital, you will need an appropriate adapter and, ideally, a support system such as a tripod collar or a plate that balances the combined weight.
If you are starting from scratch, browsing our curated selection of camera lenses can help you build a coherent kit around the 150mm, pairing it with wider options for travel or landscape work.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In a world dominated by autofocus zooms and computational photography, the Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 6x7 150mm f/2.8 represents a different way of working. It is slower, more deliberate, and unapologetically tactile. That slowness is precisely why many photographers keep reaching for it.
On the sustainability front, choosing a second-hand classic like this reduces waste and extends the life of beautifully engineered equipment. Instead of chasing every new release, you can invest in tools that have already proven themselves for decades.
Creatively, the lens delivers something difficult to simulate in software: organic transitions, gentle flare, and a feel that encourages you to work with light rather than overpower it. When you combine it with carefully chosen film stocks or modern sensors, the results are timeless rather than trendy.
FAQs
Is the Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 150mm f/2.8 compatible with modern digital cameras? Yes—with proper adapters, it can be used on digital medium format or full-frame mirrorless systems like Fujifilm GFX, Sony E, or Nikon Z.
What makes the Pentax Super-Takumar 150mm suitable for portraits? Its medium telephoto focal length and f/2.8 aperture deliver flattering perspective and smooth background separation that suits headshots and half-body portraits.
What should I check before buying this lens second-hand? Pay close attention to focus smoothness, the clarity of the glass, clean and responsive aperture blades, and minimal haze or coating wear.
Why choose this lens over modern autofocus options? Its unique rendering, soft tonal transitions, and tactile manual focus experience provide creative qualities that many modern lenses, designed for sharpness above all else, simply do not offer.
Ready to explore more characterful gear? Browse our hand-picked camera lenses, discover compatible analog cameras, and finish your setup with essential photography accessories at DutchThrift.com.