Super Takumar Serial Number Year Rating: 4,4/5 3673 reviews

Apr 05, 2017  Super Takumar (Introduced in 1969) Super Multi Coated Takumar (introduced in 1971) SMC Pentax (Introduced in 1989) In my research I have found that there are at least two different “versions” of the SMC Pentax 105mm. An earlier serial number version has a strong purple/red coating cast on the lens, while a newer serial numbers appear to.


geordie01
Member

9 years
Northumberland


davidwozhere
Member

5 years
Slap in the middle of England
OOOH Envy, envy.
More seriously, Since you've got an 8 element and I only have a 7 element, what is your opinion on the argument about which is better? Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass
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geordie01
Member

9 years
Northumberland
I have not had a chance to really use this yet due to the crap weather around here but will put in a report when available. first impressions are very sharp though.

Horst
Plus Member Auto trol tech illustrator.

8 years
Melbourne, Victoria
I believe there is no different in quality.
the 8 element was to expensive to make and the back element stuck out further.
So Pentax redesigned the optics and came up with the 7 elements.
The advantage of the 8 element lens is that it is of course more rare and fetches a higher price.
Regards, Horst

johnriley
Pentax User Team

18 years
Tyldesley, Manchester
According to the Screw Mount Guide the newer 7 element lens also has improved optical quality.
The 8 element lens should not be used on anything earlier than a Spotmatic because of the protuding rear element. There are some exceptions to this. Best regards, John

davidwozhere
Member

5 years
Slap in the middle of England
Thank you John.
Do you mean anything later than a Spotmatic? Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass
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johnriley
Pentax User Team

18 years
Tyldesley, Manchester
No, I meant what I wrote. The Spotmatic was the first camera to be designed with the new mirror that will clear the rear element. Earlier models will foul the rear element. he exceptions are some late models before the Spotmatic with I think an orange R on the rewind crank. Best regards, John

davidwozhere
Member

5 years
Slap in the middle of England
Oh good. I was concerned that I had had a narrow escape having failed to secure one. I shall now try again. Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass
My page on Photocrowd - link

Horst
Plus Member

8 years
Melbourne, Victoria
The Pentax SV models also known as H3 Honeywell Had on the early models a green R on the rewind knob.
They could not be used with the 8 Element 50mm f1.4.
The later Modes SV and now H3v had a red R on the rewind knob and where able to use this lens.
Regards, Horst
The Pentax slrs from this period were the loveliest ever, I reckon. I would have loved to have owned one. Best wishes,
Andrew
'These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is.'
Robert Adams
'The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.'
Ernst Hass
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Horst
Plus Member

8 years
Melbourne, Victoria
I have to agree with you.
My first Pentax was a Spotmatic. I believe it was the most beautiful and elegant of all cameras ever made.
It had everything. Smooth outlines which did not collect dust. it was technically on top.
Mine came with a 55mm f1.8 Super Takumar lens. I was told, it was better than the 50mm 1.5 when making close ups.
Both Items, the lens and Camera where a joy to use and look at. The Spotmatic fitted in my hands perfectly.
The Spotmatic and My Leica M3 both has a similar feel which would have given me at least 1 F-sop extra.
Now I have a bunch of Takumar lenses , which I only where able to look at in the leaflets in thouse days of bringing up a family ,
Now I slowly collect them to enjoy the super craftsmanship and feel which went in to this lenses.
Also Humans actually created this lenses. Each type of lens had some individuality.
Having Said all this and ended up in tears and self pity . I have to say, I do prefer the modern digital age where I can experiment with all the various lenses old and new and gadgets and see instantly the results.
My K5 and K20 are also a work of art. (just the bloody viewfinder is to small) I am waiting for the second generation FF's.
Regards, Horst

OldTaffy
Member

9 years
South Cambridgeshire
How does one tell if a Super-Takumar 1:1.4 50mm is a 7 or 8 element lens? Serial number, or some detail in the finish?
I still have the Spotmatic which I bought new in the USA in 1965. It is branded Honeywell Pentax. Years later I bought a near-identical used one from an English dealer, for my wife to use. It is branded Asahi. Both cameras have fairly close serial numbers and both have 1.4 50mm lenses. The serial numbers of these lenses are 1344681 and 1401735. How do I know if they are 7 or 8 element?
Thanks,
Martin A few of my photographs in flickr.
Lizars 1910 'Challenge' quarter-plate camera; and some more recent stuff.

johnriley
Pentax User Team

18 years
Tyldesley, Manchester
Small changes in the colour of the coating from purple blue to pink blue indicate the Model II 7 element version.
The 8 element version has a protuding rear element.
The only other difference I can see is that Model I weighs 245g and Model II weighs 230g. Presumably the extra element accounts for most of the extra weight. Best regards, John

OldTaffy
Member

9 years
South Cambridgeshire
Many thanks, John. I have just weighed our two Super-Takumars. At 247 and 248 grams I assume that they must be the Model 1 version. The rear element does protrude slightly. Both seem still to be in good condition, with no fungus or bloom, though the diaphragm on one is not quite as brisk as the other. They certainly yielded excellent Kodachrome slides in their time. I have tried one in an adapter in my K-x but haven't made any serious tests with it on a digital camera.
Martin A few of my photographs in flickr.
Lizars 1910 'Challenge' quarter-plate camera; and some more recent stuff.

johnriley
Pentax User Team

18 years
Tyldesley, Manchester
Another clue is that later models have a dot on the aperture ring to denote f/2 as opposed to the figure 2. However, early Model II lenses don't have the dot but look identical to the Model I. Best regards, John
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This is one of my favorite lenses, so a must to add some more samples. This lens was passed on from my dad to me. He bought this lens before I was born and used it to take pictures of me as a newborn in the hospital. So I can truly state that this lens has been a life-long companion.It is regarded as one of the best Takumar lenses made, possibly even from all Pentax lenses.

I would state without to much doubt that it's within the 10 best.The lens feel like good old quality. Not only is it a solid metal build, but is also butter smooth for focus and aperture. It's very small, so combines well with the Sony a6000, but looks ridiculously small on the A7II, even with an adapter. Especially with the adapter being wider then the lens. With the APS-C crop factor of 1.5 (resulting in 82.5mm), it makes an outstanding portrait lens and a good street photography lens on full frame. I like the extreme sharpness, beautiful color rendition and a very pleasing bokeh.This single coated 55mm Takumar lens existed in minimum 8 different versions, based on the same optical diagram. The version tested here is the second version of the Super-Takumar and was manufactured until 1965.

This version can be recognized on its fine ribs on the aperture ring and that the smallest F-stop (F16) is to the left on the ring. This was also the first Takumar lens where at least one of the glass elements was made from radioactive glass which yellows over time. The yellow tint of the lens helps achieve a very warm glow of the pictures. I think this lens is underrated by much, and can still be found for a good price, even when adding an adapter.

Fully recommended and a pleasure to use!Takumar was Asahi's Optical's lens name, named after the Japanese-American portrait painter, Takuma Kajiwara, whose brother founded Asahi Optical. The Takumar name was used until 1975, when Asahi switched from the M42 screw mount to the bayonet K-mount.The Super-Takumar lenses include an early form of lens coating to prevent flare and a sophisticated stopping-down mechanism. A switch on the lens enabled 'Auto' or 'Manual' modes. The Takumar lenses have a good build, feel solid, and enjoy an excellent reputation amongst users, and are even quoted to be the best series of photographic lenses ever produced, equal or beyond the best, and more expensive German lenses.Lens Specification:Focal Length: 55mmMaximum Aperture: F1.8Minimum Aperture: F16Image Format: 35mmLens Mount: M42Optics: 6 elements, 5 groupsBlades: 6 bladesFocussing: ManualMinimum Focus: 45cmMaximum Magnification: 0.17xFilter Size: 49mmWeight: 215gLength: 38mmProduction: 1962 until 1965. Welcome to my blog about playing with old or legacy lenses. My goal is to have fun with old lenses, but under a small budget.

My restriction is that any lens I try must be gifted, or purchased at low cost in a pawn shop, thrifty store, antique store or yard sale. No cheating and buying from eBAY or an actual photography store!Doing so, I hope to proof that good photography on a low budget is very possible by repurposing old equipment. Each blog will list my experience and some history on the lens and the manufacturer.