Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4

Today I would like to talk about this special lens. The Asahi Optical Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4, 7 element version. That’s a mouthful. I inherited this lens from my Grandad a couple years back. He bought this lens in the late sixties when he was stationed at the Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan. He traveled the world with it and many decades later it made its way to me.

There were several versions of this lens and the most sought after is the slightly older 8 element version. This 7 element is nearly identical in every way and it would be very hard to tell these versions apart by looking at the images they produces. Again, nearly identical. Admittedly I haven’t used it as much as I should, but it was the lens that ignited an obsession with vintage glass. Once I saw the potential in the visual character it produced, I was hooked… and forever will be.

I believe the creative process should be inspiring every step of the way. At least… as much as it can be. The tools you use to create your art can be beautiful as well. It’s important that these tools inspire me to keep creating, not frustrate me or diminish my passion for the craft of photography. That is what vintage glass does for me. It makes me want to pick up my camera and go shoot. In the cold wind, in the hot summer, and in the pouring rain. Every day.

This season in my life has been a little rough and having that encouragement to get outside, enjoy the natural light and create something has kept me sane. I have often felt most at peace being alone, outside with my backpack and camera. So much so I feel it is my baseline. It’s who I really am. Deep down. A man who is alone, sitting on that hillside, smiling and enjoying the rocks and trees around him. Camera in hand. I plan to keep this lens until the very end and I’m sure you can understand why. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the images.