Pentax SMC Takumar 135mm 2.5 6 element version

Irishwiseguy · 09-08-2011, 03:54 PM

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I've been looking for a good copy of this lens for awhile now and its come to my understanding that the 6 element version is the best. But how do you know if it is a 6 element version? I'm currently eyeing one up on ebay: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/150642555356?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Does anyone know if this version is the 6 element one or the 5 element one?

MysteryOnion · 09-08-2011, 04:57 PM

I remember reading that the second version has a wider DOF scale than the first. Also, that the observable color of the coating of the first is blue and the second is green.

take a look from this person's flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebelbeb/5691359204/

calculator01 · 09-08-2011, 05:34 PM

That's some price to pay though. McBain Camera in Red Deer, AB, Canada has one for $49.99 Canadian. But, I do not know if that is a 5 or 6 element.

pickles · 09-08-2011, 05:50 PM

Easiest way to check is to examine the model number stamped on the A/M switch....6 element is 43812, 5 element is 43802.
Cheers, Pickles.

Quicksand · 09-08-2011, 05:59 PM

In addition to what pickles said, the OLD (5-element) version has "30m" as the highest metric distance on the focus scale, while the NEW (6-element) version has "35m".

And per MysteryOnion, on the OLD version the DOF scale says "22168 81622" while the NEW version has "22 16 8 4 8 16 22"

You can see both of these features in M.O.'s linked photo.

rhodopsin · 09-08-2011, 06:00 PM

Camera side of Auto-Man switch is a number. 43802 is first version, 43812 is second version. I am unable to discern which number from photo posted in auction. Ask the seller!

Here is photo of second version:

juno · 09-08-2011, 06:42 PM

Looking at the aperture scale in the picture from ebay, i think it is the 5 element version.

Lukias1 · 09-08-2011, 07:39 PM

See the orange diamond as opposed to a '4'... that's definitely the 5 element version.

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-08-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by calculator01

That's some price to pay though. McBain Camera in Red Deer, AB, Canada has one for $49.99 Canadian. But, I do not know if that is a 5 or 6 element.

The 5-element version is definitely worth that, for a lens you'll use. I've had both side by side, and the differences are not that big. That's about the price for a Super-Takumar, same formula but the older coatings.

rhodopsin · 09-08-2011, 09:14 PM

I've used both versions. The differences are similar to differences between S-M-C 1:1.9/85 and S-M-C 1:1.8/85 -- the first version of both 85 and 135 is soft wide open, maybe better for portraiture, while the second version of both is brutally sharp from wide open, and closing down only get sharper. I would say the first version is average, but he second version of S-M-C 135 is one of the finest 135s ever produced during film era. The Nikkor 135/2 (manual focus) may be a little better, the jury is still out on that. The modern Zeiss T* 135/2, Nikkor AF 135/2, and Canon 135/2 L are #1, #2, and #3 best 135s available.

That BIN price is okay for the second version, but way too high for the first...

Irishwiseguy · 09-09-2011, 11:50 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. Its definitely the first version. Dodged a bullet on this one.

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09-08-2011, 03:54 PM	#1
Irishwiseguy Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6	Pentax SMC Takumar 135mm 2.5 6 element version Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I've been looking for a good copy of this lens for awhile now and its come to my understanding that the 6 element version is the best. But how do you know if it is a 6 element version? I'm currently eyeing one up on ebay: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/150642555356?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Does anyone know if this version is the 6 element one or the 5 element one?

09-08-2011, 04:57 PM	#2
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	I remember reading that the second version has a wider DOF scale than the first. Also, that the observable color of the coating of the first is blue and the second is green. take a look from this person's flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebelbeb/5691359204/

09-08-2011, 05:34 PM	#3
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	That's some price to pay though. McBain Camera in Red Deer, AB, Canada has one for $49.99 Canadian. But, I do not know if that is a 5 or 6 element.

09-08-2011, 05:50 PM	#4
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	Easiest way to check is to examine the model number stamped on the A/M switch....6 element is 43812, 5 element is 43802. Cheers, Pickles.

09-08-2011, 05:59 PM	#5
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	In addition to what pickles said, the OLD (5-element) version has "30m" as the highest metric distance on the focus scale, while the NEW (6-element) version has "35m". And per MysteryOnion, on the OLD version the DOF scale says "22168 81622" while the NEW version has "22 16 8 4 8 16 22" You can see both of these features in M.O.'s linked photo.

09-08-2011, 06:00 PM	#6
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Camera side of Auto-Man switch is a number. 43802 is first version, 43812 is second version. I am unable to discern which number from photo posted in auction. Ask the seller! Here is photo of second version:

09-08-2011, 06:42 PM	#7
juno New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Shah Alam Posts: 9	Looking at the aperture scale in the picture from ebay, i think it is the 5 element version.

09-08-2011, 07:39 PM	#8
Lukias1 New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 2	See the orange diamond as opposed to a '4'... that's definitely the 5 element version.

09-08-2011, 08:22 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by calculator01 That's some price to pay though. McBain Camera in Red Deer, AB, Canada has one for $49.99 Canadian. But, I do not know if that is a 5 or 6 element. The 5-element version is definitely worth that, for a lens you'll use. I've had both side by side, and the differences are not that big. That's about the price for a Super-Takumar, same formula but the older coatings.

09-08-2011, 09:14 PM	#10
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	I've used both versions. The differences are similar to differences between S-M-C 1:1.9/85 and S-M-C 1:1.8/85 -- the first version of both 85 and 135 is soft wide open, maybe better for portraiture, while the second version of both is brutally sharp from wide open, and closing down only get sharper. I would say the first version is average, but he second version of S-M-C 135 is one of the finest 135s ever produced during film era. The Nikkor 135/2 (manual focus) may be a little better, the jury is still out on that. The modern Zeiss T* 135/2, Nikkor AF 135/2, and Canon 135/2 L are #1, #2, and #3 best 135s available. That BIN price is okay for the second version, but way too high for the first...

09-09-2011, 11:50 AM	#11
Irishwiseguy Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies guys. Its definitely the first version. Dodged a bullet on this one.