Takumar club

[Mike Cash]

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Pentax Spotmatic ESII
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8
Extension tubes

[hrishi]

I use Super Takumar 50/4 Macro..U would see my images in several other threads about the lens, but still posting a few over here..

the lens exposes correctly only at f16 with flash for closeup work only..AS my adapter isn't genuine, I can focus at infinity..however, the quality, sharpness and colour rendition of this lens is out of the world..I can't afford to buy this one even though its just for $88 and will it this weekend, but the images I was able to capture with this lens will stay forever..touchwood!

All the images are at f16, built in flash intensity at +1, ISO 100, Av mode, 1/180..captured as RAW, processed in Raw Therapee, resized, cropped, bordered and copyrighted in Irfanview..No other editing done..





The above one hasn't even been cropped..







n many more..Dunno if this particular lens is special or any macro lens is this good..

[bluebronco]

Can I use these lenses on my K100D or do I need an adapter?

[stevebrot]

Originally Posted by bluebronco

Can I use these lenses on my K100D or do I need an adapter?

You can use them in AV or M exposure modes, but will require an m-42 to K-mount adapter. Be sure to avoid the "flanged" type adapter. Pentax brand is best, though the Bower model sold by B&H is supposed to be good as well.

Steve

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by bluebronco

Can I use these lenses on my K100D or do I need an adapter?

You do need an adapter. I've shot thousands of images on my K100D with Takumar lenses.

The really nice thing is that you can fill up your camera bag with great prime lenses for what you'd have to pay for one really nice new lens.

Pentax Spotmatic ESII
S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5
DNP Centuria 200 film

[OrenMc]

I have an adapter coming in the mail. Thought I would try it since I've seen so many great shots done with these lenses. I didn't check if it has the flange or not so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, I think the super tak 50 1.4 will be the first one I get. Is there a certain serial number that I should look for or any thing else when choosing one of these lenses?

Any recomendations?

[Mike Cash]

It is very hard to go wrong with a Takumar. Just get whatever strikes your fancy and fits your budget.

It isn't so much a question of which one as it is in what order.....you'll be purchasing others.

[Nesster]

Oren, I agree with Mike: all screw mount Takumars are excellent lenses. What you get with the different models is more like flavoring -mostly- though formulas did change slightly over time. Pretty much, you have a progression from oldest to newest: Auto -> Super -> Super Multi Coated (S-M-C) -> SMC. S-M-C and SMC woudn't have much difference optically, SMC has an extra feeler in the mount for the full aperture metering of contemporary Spotmatics. The main effect of this is one might think the lens is broken because you can't switch from Auto to Manual when the lens isn't mounted. Otherwise the differences have to do with coatings and cosmetics. There's nothing wrong with the Auto and Super, though they tend to cost less than the multi coated ones.

The other thing to look for is yellowing due to radioactive glass. Not a big deal for me, I actually like the effect. Anyway there's a lot written on the topic.

Here's a nice summary of the Takumars:
Die Cast Pro - Pentax Lenses

Here's a pic of a few 50's:

You can see the older of the 50's, the Super, is more yellowed than the SMC. The 55 isn't yellowed at all (and is a fantastic lens by the way, sharper and less prone to CA than the 50)
The Pentax adaptor is under the Limited.

Here's the Super 50/1.4 on a Program Plus - Yes, I use the Takumars on my K mount film cameras too! They work even better on the Pgm Plus than the K100D - the exposure in auto works great.

[georgweb]

Thanks for bringing this up, really good to see your Tak-pictures :-)


Recently aquired S-M-C Tak 3.5/28 (on K100D), experimenting with overexposure and shading back in postprocess (still dialing into this lens' potential),




The allround-anything-lens, SMC Tak 1.4/50 (on K100D),



Keep 'em coming,
Georg (the other)

[Arjay Bee]

My dad gave me his Spottie and three Super Takumars 10 years ago when he stopped using a SLR. (He still uses a film P&S Pentax auto zoom from the late 1980s.) It is those three taks that kept me with Pentax when I went DSLR. I sold the Spottie with the 35mm F2 a few years back when I first went digital. I regret the loss of the 35mm but the spottie was metering erratically and was a bit banged around. Have since replaced it with a very pristine Spotmatic II. The 35mm Tak is yet to be replaced. I also looked to sell the 50mm and 135 3.5 but no one at the time was interested in purchasing 'useless' M42 glass thank goodness and they have both appreciated in value very nicely.

Anyway here are a couple:
Super Takumar 135 3.5


Super Takumar 50 1.4

Even an autofocus lens would require prefocussing in this situation.

[Stratman]

That last photo is AWESOME Arjay !!

[jsherman999]

Whoooooaahhhh Arjay, that last shot is a head turner!

George, your second shot also. All these are great images, love this thread so far.

[Mechan1k]

Nice work ... love that net casting shot Arjay ... it's a great shot.

I need to get out more with my Taks ... has been a few weeks since i had a chance to touch my gear. I still have my day out delivering with my 28mm f/3.5 on my K10D .... all still on the camera ... I figured out the hyperfocal thing and it seems to have worked a treat when it comes to shooting from the hip on the fly (well .. shooting while driving).

[Mike Cash]

I do hope that net casting photo got submitted to PPG.

Pentax K100D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8
Extension tubes

[Mechan1k]

Mike ... stop posting 105mm shots ... i need to have a bit more of a go with mine ... actually it needs a bit of clean first before I really get out with it.

I need to pick up my 35mm from AML as well ... I just haven't had the time.