SMC Takumar 85mm F1.8 M42 Sharpness?

Started Nov 27, 2022 | Discussions thread
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pundit Senior Member • Posts: 1,489
SMC Takumar 85mm F1.8 M42 Sharpness?

I have a SMC Takumar 85mm F1.8 M42 which I started using more recently adapted to Fuji X-Mount.

While this lens has a reputation for being sharp my copy isn’t particularly.

It has lower contrast and some glow wide open at F1.8 (not unusual at the widest aperture for a vintage lens) and although the contrast improves and the glow is mostly gone by F2.2 it never gets particularly sharp even stopped down at F4 through to F8 which should be sharpest aperture range.

It definitely lacks micro contrast and, for instance, has trouble resolving fine detail such as fabric fibres in clothing unlike say the SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4

It’s a very decent copy overall condition wise with no fungus.

Shining a light through the lens reveals some dust particles but I’m wondering whether the lens might by slightly hazy possible due to a very light deposit of lubricant evaporation on the internal lens elements causing slight halation of the image.

My SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4 M42 is much sharper and so is my SMC Takumar 135mm F2.5 M42.

Does anyone else have a similar experience with this lens?

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