Pentax portrait lens from 1964 with f/1.8–2.8 aperture; thorium-coated front element (until 1973) produces warm vintage aesthetic with distinctive bokeh.
Technical Details
The lens features a maximum aperture range of f/1.8 to f/16 in half-stop increments, controlled via a preset aperture ring with an automatic diaphragm. The optical construction utilizes high-refractive glass with special Super-Multi-Coating from 1971 onwards; early versions (1964-1971) received a simpler single-coating treatment. The lens weighs 420 grams with a length of 71mm and a diameter of 67mm. The characteristic thorium-containing front element of the early versions (up to 1973) imparts the lens with its distinctive warm rendering style, but leads to a slight yellowing over the decades.
History & Development
Asahi Optical introduced the Takumar 85mm in 1964 as part of the professional Takumar series, concurrent with the launch of the Pentax Spotmatic system. In 1971, it was renamed "Super-Multi-Coated Takumar" with improved coatings. From 1975, the thorium-containing front element was replaced with conventional glass, slightly altering the optical characteristics. Production ceased in 1977 with the introduction of the K-mount; approximately 180,000 units were produced in various versions.
Practical Use in Film
The Takumar 85 established itself in the 1970s as a preferred portrait lens for 16mm productions, particularly in documentaries and independent films due to its affordable price and high optical quality. The wide aperture produces a distinct bokeh with slight spherical aberration, and skin tones are rendered warmly and organically by the thorium-containing front element. Modern film productions like Spike Jonze's "Her" (2013) have used adapted Takumar lenses on digital cameras to achieve its characteristic vintage look.
Comparison & Alternatives
The Takumar 85 differs from contemporary alternatives like the Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 through its softer imaging characteristics and warmer color rendition. Modern adaptations to Sony E-mount or Canon RF-mount are possible via M42 adapters, though without electronic communication. Direct successors are considered the Pentax-M 85mm f/2 (1977) and later the Pentax-A 85mm f/2 (1983), which, however, cannot fully replicate the characteristic optical signature of the original Takumar.