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.

[@MarcoAries]

As you said, they are really close in terms of performance! Very detailed comparison, well done!

[@nuovofresco]

Thanks Marco!

[@gerryhardman9060]

Thanks for sharing this video, I just bought the 7 element version thinking that I bought the wrong one but now I am glad I have that version. Excellent review, nice actual comparison instead just a lot of fluff and opinion.👏

[@nuovofresco]

I don't think there is a wrong version because they are all great!

[@simonc4764]

The later version of the 8 element has thorium so you notice a sharper image

[@wayneandrews5977]

I agree with your findings. I have all the 1.4's (8 element, 7 element, early and late versions) I struggle to see any difference. It takes some serious pixel peeping and to be honest I don't think anyone viewing an image cares. In my testing I've found the f2 to be the best overall and use that one the most of my Takumars. My three go to vintage lenses are my OM 50 1.4, Canon FDn and Pancolar 1.8. I use them far more than the Takumars. Great review, enjoyed watching it.

[@nuovofresco]

Thanks! I've been looking at adding a Pancolar to my mix. I find that I use a Minolta MC Rokkor 50mm f1.4 more than my 50mm Taks. My favourite 50...ish lens is a Topcor 58mm f1.4. I love it for portraits on my Fuji APS-C bodies.

[@FotodioxInc]

Nice demo!

[@nuovofresco]

Thanks! I love the mirrorless system; it acts as a digital back for a long history of lenses! Thanks for making the tools that let us mess with them!

[@damiendehorn6350]

great work, wonder if you have a Pentax-m 50mm f1.4 to compare?

[@nuovofresco]

Thanks so much! I had one for a while, and stupidly traded it for another lens before testing it properly. I probably should have. I have tested many others lenses in other mounts, but not the Pentax-M, or any K-mount lenses so far.

[@redbeardproductions-kevind9806]

"Circles of confusion"... 😂

[@tri86]

How do you distinguish early and late 8 element version ?

[@nuovofresco]

I was using the serial numbers and the fonts used on the two versions I have. The older lens has a lower serial number.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Put it in sunlight for a week or two in a row e.g. on the windowsill on sunny days , to get rid of the yellow color on the lens and in the image.
It will come back over time but repeat it then.

[@nuovofresco]

Thanks! I might give it a go... when we have a few days of sun in a row. Vancouver has been wet for months!

[@RS-Amsterdam]

@@nuovofresco It's not so much about the sunlight itself but more the UV (which is higher when the sun shines), but you can also try a UV lamp.