The Story Behind the Asahi Pentax Takumar 135mm f/2.5
A classic telephoto from the golden age of SLRs
The Asahi Pentax Takumar 135mm f/2.5 was born in the era when metal-bodied SLR film cameras ruled the streets and studios. Built for the M42 screw mount, it combined a versatile medium-telephoto focal length with a relatively bright f/2.5 aperture, making it a favourite for portraits, sports, and stage photography long before autofocus existed.
Takumar lenses were known for two things: precise engineering and beautiful rendering. The 135mm f/2.5 is a perfect expression of both. Its smooth, long-throw focus ring and solid brass-and-alloy construction give it a reassuring heft that modern plastic lenses rarely match.
The first time you pick up a classic Takumar, the weight and perfectly damped focusing ring instantly slow you down. Focusing stops feeling like a chore and starts to feel like a deliberate, tactile part of composing the image.
Over its production run, the lens appeared in both earlier non-SMC versions and later Super-Multi-Coated (S-M-C) variants. The core formula remained a fast, compact telephoto with a reputation for reliability and a classic Pentax colour signature.
Optical Character and Key Performance Traits
Sharp where it counts, gentle where it matters
Wide open at f/2.5, the Takumar 135mm offers a pleasing balance: enough sharpness on the subject combined with a gentle falloff that flatters skin and textures. Stopping down to f/4–f/5.6 significantly boosts contrast and edge-to-edge resolution, making it perfectly usable for landscapes and detail work.
Background blur is one of its big draws. The lens creates smooth bokeh with rounded specular highlights, especially at closer focusing distances. This makes it a strong option for environmental portraits and isolating small details in a busy scene.
Coatings, flare, and contrast
Later Super-Multi-Coated versions handle bright sun and backlighting better, with reduced ghosting and higher microcontrast. Earlier non-SMC variants can show more veiling flare, but many photographers enjoy this for a softer, dreamy look in direct light.
Real-world strengths
On both film and digital, the Takumar 135mm f/2.5 shines in:
- Portraits with compressed perspective and flattering separation.
- Street details and architecture from a comfortable distance.
- Nature and close-up scenes where you want clean subject isolation.
- Video close-ups with a subtle, cinematic rolloff from in-focus to out-of-focus areas.
How It Fits Into Modern Photography Setups
Adapting the M42 mount to digital
Even though it was designed decades ago, the Asahi Takumar 135mm f/2.5 slips easily into modern workflows. With the right M42 adapter, it can be used on many popular mirrorless systems and some DSLRs, preserving full manual focus and aperture control.
- ✅ Choose a reliable M42 adapter for your camera mount.
- ✅ Enable focus peaking for improved manual focus accuracy.
- ✅ Use a lens hood to minimize flare, especially on non-SMC versions.
- ✅ Pair with a variable ND filter for outdoor wide-aperture shooting.
On APS-C sensors, the 135mm behaves more like a 200mm equivalent, becoming a tighter telephoto ideal for distant details and compressed landscapes. On full-frame digital and 35mm film, it remains a classic short telephoto, very comfortable for portraits and stage work.
Manual focus in a fast-paced world
Compared to modern autofocus camera lenses, the Takumar’s long focus throw might seem slow, but that’s precisely what makes it reliable. The fine-grained control helps you place the plane of focus exactly where you want it, whether you’re shooting portraits or video.
Videographers in particular appreciate the smooth, even resistance of the focus ring. It allows for controlled focus pulls with minimal breathing, giving footage a classic, filmic feel that pairs well with today’s high-resolution sensors.
Buying Vintage: What to Check Before You Purchase
Key inspection points for a used Takumar 135mm f/2.5
Buying this lens second-hand is a sustainable way to expand your kit while keeping a classic piece of engineering in use. As with all vintage optics, a careful inspection will ensure you get the best performance.
- 🔍 Check for clear optics with no visible haze or corrosion.
- 🧠 Confirm focus and aperture rings move smoothly.
- 💡 Verify compatibility with your camera system using M42 adapter.
- 📸 Inspect mount threads for clean engagement.
Minor cosmetic wear—faded paint, small exterior marks, or light brassing—is normal and rarely affects image quality. Internal haze, fungus, or oily aperture blades, on the other hand, can impact contrast and exposure consistency, so they’re worth checking carefully.
Coatings and versions
When browsing at a second-hand shop like DutchThrift, you may encounter both earlier and S-M-C versions. Super-Multi-Coated copies usually command a small premium because of their improved flare resistance and contrast, making them particularly attractive for digital shooters.
Whatever the version, buying from a trusted seller who checks optics and mechanics beforehand will save you time and surprises. It’s a simple way to enjoy the charm of vintage glass with modern reliability.
Why the Takumar 135mm f/2.5 Still Inspires Creators Today
Character over clinical perfection
In an age of ultra-corrected optics, the Asahi Takumar 135mm f/2.5 offers something different: character. It’s sharp enough for demanding work, but it doesn’t strip away the small imperfections that make images feel human. Colours lean natural and rich, contrast is gentle yet solid, and the bokeh carries a distinct vintage signature.
For many photographers and filmmakers, that combination is exactly what they’re looking for. It’s a lens that rewards intention, slowing you down just enough to think about framing, focus, and timing.
A sustainable, creative choice
Choosing a classic like the Takumar 135mm f/2.5 from a second-hand source keeps gear in circulation and out of storage—or worse, landfill. It lets you explore new focal lengths and aesthetics without the environmental footprint of newly manufactured hardware.
Whether you mount it on a vintage SLR, a mirrorless body, or both, this lens bridges generations of image-making. It’s a reminder that good tools age well, and that a thoughtfully chosen piece of vintage glass can still compete creatively with the latest releases.
FAQs
Is the Asahi Takumar 135mm f/2.5 compatible with digital mirrorless cameras? Yes. With a simple M42-to-mount adapter, it can be used on most modern mirrorless systems while retaining full manual focus and aperture control.
What makes the Super-Multi-Coated version of the Takumar 135mm desirable? The S-M-C coatings significantly reduce flare and improve contrast, which is especially valuable for digital shooters working in bright or strongly backlit conditions.
How can I tell if a used Takumar lens is in good condition? Inspect the optics for clarity, ensure the focus ring is smooth, check that the aperture clicks firmly through each stop, and look for any signs of fungus or yellowing. Light cosmetic wear is normal.
Is the Takumar 135mm good for video use? Yes. Its long focus throw, smooth rotation, and classic rendering make it excellent for cinematic close-ups, narrative work, and creative b-roll.
Ready to explore classic optics? Browse more vintage camera lenses, pair your Takumar with a matching SLR film camera, or complete your setup with essential photography accessories at DutchThrift.com.