Brendan McGinty

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Asahi SMC Takumar Flare Test

Three classic stills lenses from the 1970's.  

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SMC Takumar 35mm F2, SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4 and SMC Takumar 85mm F1.8... the only three real fast lenses in the Asahi Optics line up (the wide lenses drop way down to a sluggish F3.5.)

Asahi Optics were of the first to use multi coating technology on their lenses (the SMC indicating the 'Super Multi Coated') and these lenses were ahead of the SLR optics curve in their day.

They still hold up well offering a retro creamy look, a distinctive bokeh, tons of flare and a stellar build quality. The focus throw is very smooth, ideal for motion application.

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All three lenses are radioactive, employing Thorium coatings on the glass...  

I should have taken these to Chernobyl.

Despite what was then state of the art flare suppression, they still flare enormously by contemporary standards... here is the 35mm F2 wide open.

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Here is the 50mm F1.4 wide open

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 And here is the 85mm F1.8 wide open.

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Just waiting for the right motion project to put them to use on!