Description, Notes & Specifications
| Manufactured: | 1965—1971 |
|---|---|
| Camera Mount: | M42x1 |
| Lens Elements / Groups: | 5 / 5 |
| Diaphragm Type: | automatic / manual |
| Diaphragm Blades: | — |
| Angle of View: | 6° |
| Maximum Aperture: | f/5·6 |
| Minimum Aperture: | f/45 |
| Minimum Focus Distance: | 8 metres |
| Magnification Factor: | — |
| Filter Size: | ø 77 mm (screw) |
| Length: | 276 mm |
| Largest Diameter: | 85 mm |
| Weight: | ≈1245 grams |
| Product Number: | 370 / 37000 |
| Serial Number Range: | — |
| My Serial Numbers: | 1369214 3906274 |
Tele-Takumar 400mm f/5·6 — Especially designed for those professionals who specialize in outdoor sports, news, and nature-life photography. Because of its f/5·6 aperture, this tele-lens is extremely compact and light for its focal length of 400mm. Also because of its portability, it can be easily hand-held for fast and successive shooting, depending upon the shutter speed to be used. Equipped with click-stop manual diaphragm; supplied with special lenshood.1
Distance engravings in yellow (metres) and blue (feet); non-removable rotating tripod collar; built-in extending lens hood.
Review
I was always looking at the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens as the ultimate long prime that was missing from my kit. The Asahi Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/400 is very similar, lacking only the auto-focus and automatic aperture, and I tested it as both a poor man’s substitute and to see if my hunkering was justified. It wasn’t.
This lens has, in my opinion and for me at least, three flaws: the minimum focus distance of 8 metres is too long; the focus ring, although very accurate, has too much travel at what I estimate to be more than 300°; and 400mm is still not enough to photograph LBJ’s. And the test shots made with Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400 came out very desaturated.
Recommended: Yes
References
- Asahi Pentax: Lenses & Accessories [06106]
- van Oosten, G. 1999. The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide. Uitgeverij Jansz.