Pentax Takumar 135mm f/2.5 telephoto lens prized for natural portraiture and creamy bokeh in 16mm film production from the 1960s–70s.
Technical Details
The Takumar 135mm series comprised several optical designs: The Auto-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 consisted of 5 lenses in 4 groups, while the later SMC Takumar 135mm f/2.5 featured a 6-lens design in 5 groups. The minimum focusing distance was 1.5 meters, and the filter diameter was 49mm. The lens weighed approximately 420 grams and measured 65mm in length. The Super-Multi-Coated (SMC) versions from 1971 significantly reduced reflections and flare through multi-layer coating. The aperture automation worked via a mechanical lever on the bayonet mount.
History & Development
The first Takumar 135mm f/3.5 appeared in 1957 for the M37 mount of the Asahi Pentax. In 1958, the K-mount version for the Pentax K-series followed. The faster f/2.5 model was introduced in 1962 and was considered a technical breakthrough for affordable telephoto lenses. In 1971, the series received the SMC coating, which significantly improved contrast and color saturation. Production ended in the early 1980s with the introduction of the Pentax-A series.
Practical Use in Film
Cinematographers appreciated the Takumar 135 for portraits with a natural perspective and creamy bokeh. The 135mm focal length allowed for expressive close-ups without intrusive proximity to the subject. In documentary productions, the lens proved to be a discreet alternative to longer telephoto lenses. Its compact dimensions and moderate weight made it a standard telephoto lens in 16mm film productions of the 1960s and 70s, often adapted via mechanical extension tubes.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to contemporary Zeiss or Leica telephoto lenses, the Takumar 135 offered a cost-effective alternative with respectable optical quality. Modern equivalents such as the Pentax-DA 55-300mm or Sigma 135mm f/1.8 achieve higher sharpness and aperture, but lose the characteristic "vintage look" with slightly softer rendering. For today's film productions, Takumar lenses are often used on digital cameras via adapters to reproduce the specific optical character of the era.