Super-telephoto prime · Full frame

Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6

The Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6 is a full frame prime lens (400 mm, f/5.6) for M42 screw mount. It belongs to the super-telephoto prime class — ideal for birds, wildlife and field sports from a distance.

400 mmf/5.6M42 screw mount
400 mm
Focal length
f/5.6
Maximum aperture
6°
Diagonal angle of view (Full frame)
Full frame
Designed for

Specifications#

Brand
Pentax
Model
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6
Lens type
Super-telephoto prime
Focal length
400 mm
Maximum aperture
f/5.6
Image circle
Full frame (36×24 mm)
Projection
Rectilinear
Lensfun correction profile
Yes — distortion/vignetting/TCA

Equivalent focal length on different cameras#

Field of view and depth-of-field equivalence when this lens is used on bodies with different sensor sizes (natively or via an adapter).

Camera formatAt 400 mmEquiv. aperture (DoF)
Full frame400 mm · 6°f/5.6
APS-C600 mm · 4°f/8.4
APS-C (Canon)640 mm · 4°f/9.0
Micro Four Thirds800 mm · 3°f/11.2

Depth of field & background blur#

Computed on its native Full frame format (CoC 30 µm). “Blur @2 m” is the size of an out-of-focus point at infinity, as a percentage of frame width, with the subject at 2 m — a simple bokeh index. Full table: 400 mm f/5.6 on full frame.

FocalApertureat 1 mat 2 mat 5 mat 10 mHyperfocalBlur @2 m
400 mmf/5.60.1 cm0.7 cm4.8 cm20.2 cm953 m49.6%
400 mmf/80.2 cm1.0 cm6.9 cm28.8 cm667 m34.7%

Handheld & night-sky limits#

NPF assumes typical 20–24 MP sensors (≈6 µm pixels on full frame, ≈3.9 µm on APS-C, ≈3.3 µm on Micro Four Thirds).

BodyMin. handheld shutter (longest focal)500 rule at 400 mmNPF at 400 mm, f/5.6
Full frame1/400 s1 s1 s
APS-C1/640 s1 s1 s
APS-C (Canon)1/640 s1 s1 s
Micro Four Thirds1/800 s1 s1 s

Adapt it to other systems#

Frequently asked questions#

Is the Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6 full frame?

Yes — it covers the full 36 × 24 mm frame.

What is the Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6 equivalent to on APS-C?

On a 1.5× APS-C body it frames like 600 mm, and like 640 mm on Canon APS-C.

What is the Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6 good for?

As a super-telephoto prime it suits birds, wildlife and field sports from a distance.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources