Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9

travfar · 07-05-2010, 08:09 PM

I picked up a Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9 today. According to the lens database, it's a rare lens. Can someone give me the run down about it? I didn't get the camera that went with it thinking it was just another screw mount Pentax body, I have plenty of those. But supposedly the Tower 29 is also a rare body.

Adam · 07-06-2010, 02:09 PM

Auto takumars are simply screwmount lenses with manual diaphragms

Apart from that, the 55mm is a normal, standard lens.

Blue · 07-06-2010, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by travfar

I picked up a Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9 today. According to the lens database, it's a rare lens. Can someone give me the run down about it? I didn't get the camera that went with it thinking it was just another screw mount Pentax body, I have plenty of those. But supposedly the Tower 29 is also a rare body.

I would like to see some pics of it. It should be the Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8. The Tower 29 was marketed by Sears and was the Asahi Pentax K. It should have a 'Zebra' version of the Tak. I would be interested in seeing some images of your camera including your Zebra. The Sears Zebras may have had a rare f1.9 variation of the Zebra lens.

The Asahi Optical Historical Club has a timeline of bodies

here: Screwmount

Here is my K

woof · 07-06-2010, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I would like to see some pics of it. It should be the Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8.

Nope. There was an f/1.9 produced exclusively for the Towers.

Have a look here.

Early Pentax Takumar Lenses

This is a grail piece. Saw one a while back on a Tower and the camera went for serious dollars as a result.

woof

Last edited by woof; 07-06-2010 at 05:56 PM.

Blue · 07-06-2010, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by woof

Nope. There was an f/1.9 produced exclusively for the Towers.

Have a look here.

Early Pentax Takumar Lenses

This is a grail piece. Saw one a while back on a Tower and the camera went for serious dollars as a result.

woof

Woof go back and look at my entire post rather than the 1 sentence you quoted.

That significantly changed the context! Unfortunately, not all the Tower 29 comes with the f1.9 version plus the 29's don't show up much.

Quote:

. . . I would be interested in seeing some images of your camera including your Zebra. The Sears Zebras may have had a rare f1.9 variation of the Zebra lens.

Blue · 07-06-2010, 07:37 PM

I just looked in Nigel's old M-fortytwo data base and my data base and between the 2, there is a total of 1 serial # for the f1.9 Zebra.

darkside

travfar · 07-06-2010, 10:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Blue

I would like to see some pics of it.

Here it is. I haven't had a chance to clean it yet. So it's dusty but "clean". The lenses are clear and everything seems to work. Once I get the chance to clean it, I'll see how it shoots. I bought it because I thought it would make a good compact prime for a NEX or E-P mirrorless body.

Is this the lens of legend?

Attached Images

summonbaka · 07-06-2010, 11:40 PM

$7?

I think that must be the loot of the month.

If it's anything like the other 55 tak, you won't be disapointed. Those are really nice pieces of glass. Just remember to use a hood with it.

By the way, I don't know if Adam or you would say yes. But, since there's no image for the 55/1.9 in the lens database, could you kindly share a pic of it for everyone for the lens review database?

Blue · 07-07-2010, 08:13 AM

Optically and functionally it should be the same as the regular 'Zebra' for the K. These lenses work very well when used with a hood.

Originally posted by summonbaka

$7?

I think that must be the loot of the month.

If it's anything like the other 55 tak, you won't be disapointed. Those are really nice pieces of glass. Just remember to use a hood with it.
. . .

Given that it is on the appropriate Tower 29, it easily qualifies as the loot of the summer! In fact a picture for the m42 camera data base would be a good idea also.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/100370-pentax-...-database.html

travfar · 07-07-2010, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by summonbaka

$7?

I think that must be the loot of the month.

I didn't pay $7 for it. It was 50% off Monday so it was $3.50.

Blue · 07-07-2010, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by travfar

I didn't pay $7 for it. It was 50% off Monday so it was $3.50.

I just checked my data bases and we made a mistake. Your lens and camera are only worth using as a paper weight. However, I'm willing to pay back your $3.50, another $3.50 and $7 for your troubles and shipping.

All joking aside, that just changed it from the loot of the summer to the loot of the year!

Edit: Go back and get the body even if you don't want it . . .

Banjo · 07-07-2010, 06:13 PM

I have a 2.2/55 Auto Takumar which came with a "mint" S1/H1 body (as well as a working clip on light meter of the day). Other than being a little prone to flare and having to remember to "cock" it for focusing, it is a very fine lens.

BTW, some of these older bodies have the feature of closing down the aperture (which is fully opened by cocking it for focusing with the lever at the side of the lens) to the pre-set f-stop on the first press of the shutter release. At this point, you can admire the DOF. Then, taking up the second pressure of the shutter release, the shutter actuates taking the shot. This can be a bit unnerving if you weren't expecting it.

These old cameras are beautifully constructed and, given a good CLA, should easilty last another 50 years.

SpecialK · 07-07-2010, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Auto takumars are simply screwmount lenses with manual diaphragms

Apart from that, the 55mm is a normal, standard lens.

Well, what's the "auto" part?

Blue · 07-07-2010, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Well, what's the "auto" part?

Relative to Super Taks, S-M-C Taks and SMC Taks, Auto-Taks are actually semi-automatic meaning they have to be cocked for each image. Once cocked they fire just like a Super Tak set on A.

travfar · 07-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Here's a test shot.

07-05-2010, 08:09 PM	#1
travfar Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16	Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9 I picked up a Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9 today. According to the lens database, it's a rare lens. Can someone give me the run down about it? I didn't get the camera that went with it thinking it was just another screw mount Pentax body, I have plenty of those. But supposedly the Tower 29 is also a rare body.

07-06-2010, 02:09 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Auto takumars are simply screwmount lenses with manual diaphragms Apart from that, the 55mm is a normal, standard lens. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-07-2010, 08:13 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Optically and functionally it should be the same as the regular 'Zebra' for the K. These lenses work very well when used with a hood. Originally posted by summonbaka $7? I think that must be the loot of the month. If it's anything like the other 55 tak, you won't be disapointed. Those are really nice pieces of glass. Just remember to use a hood with it. . . . Given that it is on the appropriate Tower 29, it easily qualifies as the loot of the summer! In fact a picture for the m42 camera data base would be a good idea also. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/100370-pentax-...-database.html Last edited by Blue; 07-07-2010 at 08:29 AM.

07-07-2010, 06:13 PM	#12
Banjo Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 207	I have a 2.2/55 Auto Takumar which came with a "mint" S1/H1 body (as well as a working clip on light meter of the day). Other than being a little prone to flare and having to remember to "cock" it for focusing, it is a very fine lens. BTW, some of these older bodies have the feature of closing down the aperture (which is fully opened by cocking it for focusing with the lever at the side of the lens) to the pre-set f-stop on the first press of the shutter release. At this point, you can admire the DOF. Then, taking up the second pressure of the shutter release, the shutter actuates taking the shot. This can be a bit unnerving if you weren't expecting it. These old cameras are beautifully constructed and, given a good CLA, should easilty last another 50 years. Last edited by Banjo; 07-07-2010 at 06:22 PM.

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07-06-2010, 02:18 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by travfar I picked up a Auto-Takumar 55mm F1.9 today. According to the lens database, it's a rare lens. Can someone give me the run down about it? I didn't get the camera that went with it thinking it was just another screw mount Pentax body, I have plenty of those. But supposedly the Tower 29 is also a rare body. I would like to see some pics of it. It should be the Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8. The Tower 29 was marketed by Sears and was the Asahi Pentax K. It should have a 'Zebra' version of the Tak. I would be interested in seeing some images of your camera including your Zebra. The Sears Zebras may have had a rare f1.9 variation of the Zebra lens. The Asahi Optical Historical Club has a timeline of bodies here: Screwmount Here is my K

07-06-2010, 04:45 PM	#4
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by Blue I would like to see some pics of it. It should be the Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8. Nope. There was an f/1.9 produced exclusively for the Towers. Have a look here. Early Pentax Takumar Lenses This is a grail piece. Saw one a while back on a Tower and the camera went for serious dollars as a result. woof Last edited by woof; 07-06-2010 at 05:56 PM.

07-06-2010, 06:50 PM	#5
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by woof Nope. There was an f/1.9 produced exclusively for the Towers. Have a look here. Early Pentax Takumar Lenses This is a grail piece. Saw one a while back on a Tower and the camera went for serious dollars as a result. woof Woof go back and look at my entire post rather than the 1 sentence you quoted. That significantly changed the context! Unfortunately, not all the Tower 29 comes with the f1.9 version plus the 29's don't show up much. Quote: . . . I would be interested in seeing some images of your camera including your Zebra. The Sears Zebras may have had a rare f1.9 variation of the Zebra lens.

07-06-2010, 07:37 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I just looked in Nigel's old M-fortytwo data base and my data base and between the 2, there is a total of 1 serial # for the f1.9 Zebra.

07-06-2010, 10:26 PM - 1 Like	#7
travfar Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Originally posted by Blue I would like to see some pics of it. Here it is. I haven't had a chance to clean it yet. So it's dusty but "clean". The lenses are clear and everything seems to work. Once I get the chance to clean it, I'll see how it shoots. I bought it because I thought it would make a good compact prime for a NEX or E-P mirrorless body. Is this the lens of legend? Attached Images

07-06-2010, 11:40 PM	#8
summonbaka Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kagoshima, Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 237	$7? I think that must be the loot of the month. If it's anything like the other 55 tak, you won't be disapointed. Those are really nice pieces of glass. Just remember to use a hood with it. By the way, I don't know if Adam or you would say yes. But, since there's no image for the 55/1.9 in the lens database, could you kindly share a pic of it for everyone for the lens review database?

07-07-2010, 09:01 AM	#10
travfar Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Originally posted by summonbaka $7? I think that must be the loot of the month. I didn't pay $7 for it. It was 50% off Monday so it was $3.50.

07-07-2010, 09:19 AM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by travfar I didn't pay $7 for it. It was 50% off Monday so it was $3.50. I just checked my data bases and we made a mistake. Your lens and camera are only worth using as a paper weight. However, I'm willing to pay back your $3.50, another $3.50 and $7 for your troubles and shipping. All joking aside, that just changed it from the loot of the summer to the loot of the year! Edit: Go back and get the body even if you don't want it . . .

07-07-2010, 06:41 PM	#13
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by Adam Auto takumars are simply screwmount lenses with manual diaphragms Apart from that, the 55mm is a normal, standard lens. Well, what's the "auto" part?

07-07-2010, 07:51 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by SpecialK Well, what's the "auto" part? Relative to Super Taks, S-M-C Taks and SMC Taks, Auto-Taks are actually semi-automatic meaning they have to be cocked for each image. Once cocked they fire just like a Super Tak set on A.