Super‑Multi‑Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Sample Photos & Optical Performance
Asahi Super Multi Coated 50mm f/1.4 Sample Photos
The Super‑Multi‑Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is one of those vintage lenses that keeps photographers intrigued decades after it was made. My copy, with its yellowed thorium glass, has a character all its own and that unique look is exactly why so many vintage lens enthusiasts and buyers search for this lens online. In this post, I’m sharing real‑world impressions of how this lens performs optically, from sharpness and contrast to color rendering and that distinctive glow that many photographers love.
Sharpness & Clarity - From Soft to Stunning
Wide open at f/1.4, the Takumar isn’t razor sharp in the modern sense, but that’s part of its charm. There’s a gentle, almost film‑like softness, especially wide open, that slowly transitions into pleasing clarity as you stop down. Between f/2.8 and f/4, the lens noticeably tightens up in terms of micro‑contrast and detail, making it great for portraits and walk‑around shooting. In my shots, the center sharpness is often stronger than the corners, typical of classic fast 50mm lenses, but stopped down slightly it becomes quite usable edge‑to‑edge. This lends a nostalgic rendering that can feel both classic and expressive.
Color & Contrast , Warm, Film‑Like Rendering
One of the most talked‑about features of the thorium glass Takumar is its warm rendering. Because of the slight yellow cast caused by the thorium element in the glass, images can come out with richer skin tones and warm hues straight out of camera. Some photographers even use this to their creative advantage, embracing the warmth for autumn scenes or golden hour portraits.
It’s worth noting that the yellowing can be reduced, or even reversed, by exposing the lens elements to strong UV light, but many vintage shooters choose to leave it as is because it adds an aesthetic quality that’s hard to replicate with modern glass or post‑processing. I’ve decided to leave the glass yellow as it is part of the lens’ story. It’s cool piece of photography history.
The Super‑Multi‑Coating on this Takumar also helps maintain good contrast, even in backlit situations, without the washed‑out look common to many older lenses.
Sample Photos
Bokeh & Background Rendering - Creamy with Character
While not as dramatic as the “swirly” bokeh you see in some other vintage lenses, the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 produces a pleasing, smooth background blur when shot wide open. Highlights tend to fall off gently, with a soft, organic quality that many photographers describe as film‑like. The bokeh pairs beautifully with shallow depth of field at f/1.4, making this lens ideal for portraits, street photography, and creative shots where you want your subject to stand out against a softly rendered background.
Flare, Highlight Handling & Quirks
Because this lens was designed and coated long before modern multi‑coating techniques, bright highlights can sometimes bloom or flare in noticeable, but visually interesting, ways. In some shots, especially with strong backlight, you’ll see softness and highlight glow that feels uniquely vintage rather than technically “perfect.” Chromatic aberrations (color fringing) and slight vignetting wide open are also part of the Takumar’s character, not flaws to correct, but traits that contribute to its distinctive visual signature.
Shooting With the Yellowed Thorium Glass Version (My Experience)
My copy’s yellowed thorium glass gives photos a warmer tone, especially when shooting JPEGs with auto white balance. Some photographers prefer to correct the color in post, while others embrace the warmth as part of the lens’s charm. Personally, I find it adds a unique look that can’t be replicated with modern coatings or presets. Whether shooting landscapes, city scenes, or portraits, that warmth and light rendering make the lens feel more expressive, almost like a mild built‑in filter that leans toward cinematic tones.
Practical Tips for Using the Takumar 50mm f/1.4
Here are a few things I’ve learned while shooting with this lens:
Auto white balance can somewhat neutralize the yellow cast if you want a more neutral color.
Shooting in RAW gives you the most flexibility for color correction later.
Using the lens on mirrorless cameras with focus peaking makes critical focus at f/1.4 much easier.
Embrace the character of the lens, part of its charm is how it renders, not just how sharp it is.
Final Thoughts on Optical Performance
The Super‑Multi‑Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 isn’t a clinical, modern lens and that’s exactly why it remains popular. It offers a distinctive vintage look with warm color, smooth bokeh, and expressive rendering that feels alive. Whether you’re considering this lens to add to your collection or picking one up to shoot with today, it offers a creative experience that many photographers fall in love with.
🤓 Read Next:
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Build Quality, Design, and Vintage Craftsmanship
How to Set Up Your Camera to Shoot With Vintage + Manual Lenses
