[fevbusch]

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SMC Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 in EX++ condition $79.
Guys, I just saw the above advertised for $79. and the same one like new for $89. Is this the good one and would it be a good candidate for the Pentax Screwmount. Freddy

[paperbag846]

Bellows are things you use to move the lens in and out to change the focal length. They are old school and you don't want to buy it unless you can think of a specific reason for it. Buy the genuine adapter.

Where is that listing, KEH? I've seen that lens sell for 30 dollars elsewhere... might need to be patient though.

[sterretje]

A bellows is a variable extension tube for macro work. You don't need one for normal use, you need the screw mount adaptor that you mentioned earlier.

[theunartist]

SMC Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 in EX++ condition $79.
Guys, I just saw the above advertised for $79. and the same one like new for $89. Is this the good one and would it be a good candidate for the Pentax Screwmount. Freddy

You can find better deals right here in the Marketplace and at Ebay. The Takumar 55mm f1.8 and f2 are going for pretty cheap at this time and there's a lot of them out there. You can probably get one from $35 and up... There is at least one in the Marketplace for @ $53+/-

Also, as for the adapter, you can get them for as little at $10 at ebay but they are a little trickier to work with but will work, make sure you get one that mentions "Infinity" focus somewhere in he description and if you are at all mechanically inclined, you'll be able to handle it...

Rick

[fevbusch]

Rick, KEH has the Takumar sMC 55mm 1.8 (not the super) for a bit under $60.
in excellent condition. Do you think they are reputable. Sounds like a good deal. I'm trying to find out if they have an m42 genuine pentax screwmount used, but they're not open today so I e-mailed them. What do you think, guys.
Freddy

[paperbag846]

KEH is very reputable, but their prices are high.

I bought the K-mount version for 60 dollars (including tax), but I would not pay that much for the screwmount version. I recently saw the SMC tak screwmount version for 30 dollars in the Toronto Henry's, so if you are not in a huge rush you might want to wait a little bit.

Also consider the A 50mm 1.7. The IQ of the K55 is better IMHO, but the automatic aperture of the 50mm means I end up taking it out more frequently than the K55, which tends to be used primarily for portraits.

Between the M 50mm 1.7 and the K55 1.8, I would choose the 55mm every time.

[gofour3]

Paper bag, do you mean the "bellows" is a different kind of screw mount
and that's why I should only buy the pentax screwmount? Freddy

A Bellows unit works like extension tubes and they are both used in macro photography to increase the distance between the camera and lens. (The further the distance the greater the magnification) However with a Bellows unit you can achieve greater extension that you can with tubes. There are also Pentax Bellows Macro lenses that have no focusing ring and you use the Bellows unit to control focusing.

As for a 55mm lens get the K55/1.8 & skip the screw-mount adapter. The K version has better SMC coatings than the Takumar version and it’s a better lens overall.

Phil.

[JeffJS]

With a Screw mount Bellows, you're still going to need an M42 adapter to put the camera on. If you are going to do still life macro work, they are nice to have. With a 50mm lens you can go slightly larger than 1:1 macro. You can also buy them for K mount as well.

The K55 and the Tak 55 are both nice lenses. I don't know that they are the same glass, don't know that they aren't. Don't care either. The difference is probably minimal if there is any difference with 2 exceptions. The Mount and how you use them. The M42 Tak you will set it to M and leave it there because the Camera will not stop the lens down. Then there is the mount. I would recommend buying only a genuine Pentax which can be had from Pentax, New, in the USA for $31 plus shipping. I've had third party mounts get stuck on the camera.

Pentax K55 f1.8 (borrowed) - a set on Flickr

55mm f1.8 SMC Takumar - a set on Flickr

My 50ish mm Shootout from November 2010

The A50 f1.7 is also a very nice lens. The last two I watched sell on ebay went for $103 and $84 respectively.

Pentax SMC-A 50mm F1.7 Lens. - eBay (item 130470865274 end time Jan-08-11 22:27:32 PST)

144415 PENTAX -A 50MM F/1.7 SMC PK-A MOUNT LENS PK-A PK - eBay (item 400185202147 end time Jan-05-11 12:20:02 PST)

I asked for and got $60 for the last one I sold here on the marketplace. You can pay as much or as little as you like for these lenses. Patience is a virtue in this case as is diligence. I've seen asking prices as high as $125 for the K55 f1.8. Hint.... Look for a camera with one of these lenses on it. Many times you can buy the outfit for less than the cost of the lens.

[fevbusch]

Thanks, Jeff. My question now is. I have had problems focusing my m50 1.7.
, which is why I stopped using it.
Would I have the same problems with the Takumar 55mm 1.8.
also, do I have to make changes within the camera settings for the Takumar 55 as I had to do for the m50 1.7
Freddy

[JeffJS]

If you were able to use the M50 (functionally) you should be able to use the Taks. I posted earlier in your thread here about using DOF preview (Optical preview) with the M (and K) lenses in M mode to aid in focusing. With the Taks, they stop down when you turn the aperture ring so there's no need to activate the Optical preview. In normal light, with any of these lenses, you should be able to stop down to around f5.6-f8 and be able to see enough detail to see what's Really in focus.

If you're really having problems then A: make sure your diopter is properly adjusted and B: look into a different focusing screen. Jinfinance on ebay, Katzeye, or other. Each is progressively more expensive.

[Pepe Guitarra]

Once you try Supertakumar, you are hooked. Those are really good quality image lenses. The 55mm f1.8 is great, I sold my FA50mm f1.4 andmy M 50mm f1.4 and settled with this Supertakumar. I like to buy from KEH because their BGN is as good as EXC. in all cases I have dealt with them.

[interested_observer]

Thanks, Jeff. My question now is. I have had problems focusing my m50 1.7.
, which is why I stopped using it.
Would I have the same problems with the Takumar 55mm 1.8.
also, do I have to make changes within the camera settings for the Takumar 55 as I had to do for the m50 1.7
Freddy

Hi Freddy, If you are having trouble focusing with the M 50/1.7 then I would suspect that you will have the same problem with the Tak 55/1.8. You will have problems with any fast lens, if you use it wide open, Its not the lens - its the aperture that you are setting it to.

What I would suggest, and I am suspecting that you are trying to use it wide open all the time (f1.7) is to stop down to f4 or so. What this will do is to widen the area that will be in focus, there by providing you a better opportunity to have your images come out in focus.

Here is a depth of field calculator that you can play around with to see how it works.

• Online Depth of Field Calculator

Now what is going to happen is that with the aperture moving from f1.7 to say f4 or f8, your shutter speed will slow down. You can keep the shutter speed up by increasing the ISO speed.

hope that helps....

[RioRico]

Yes, the SuperTak 55/1.8 is great. No, I won't sell any of my 50/1.4's (nor my K50/1.2) just because I have a 55/1.4 and some great 55/1.8's. (The Petri CC 55/1.8 is maybe better than the SuperTak.) The 50 that's *always* in my bag is the tiny CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (12 iris blades).

No, I'm not troubled focusing any of those fast lenses, even with my delaminating eyeballs, because I depend on CIF. The only 50 that bugs me is the slower ultrasharp Macro-Takumar 50/4 (1:1) because its focus-throw from 1m to infinity is VERY short, like maybe 1/20th turn, so focusing beyond 1m is always dicey; it's not a street lens!

To those who have trouble focusing something like a 55/1.8, I'll ask: Do you have trouble with a 135/2.8? Because its DOF is thinner than a 55/1.2 or 85/2. How about a slower 135/3.5? Its DOF is thinner than a 100/2.8 or 50/1.4. IMHO many focus problems are due not to thin DOF, but to NOT sticking with the subject. Select CENTER focusing and Center-Weighted metering. Center the subject. Then with AF or CIF, get focus confirmation, and shoot.

[fevbusch]

Hey, guys. I ultimately did buy the smc Takumar 55mm 1.8 for $56. And then bought an M42 mount. This lens is a super bargain. I got amazing pictures
of snow scenes back in January 2011. This is one of the finest lenses I have ever
used with great sharpness and wonderful color. I did not enjoy using it indoors because it is too hard for me to focus indoors. So I'm using it strictly for outdoor
shooting. It really is a gem. I also bought another golden oldie FA28-105 F4-5.6 pz
and got some amazing award winning shots from it. I always wanted the 28-105,
and acheived my dream with this $115. very special lens.
Now that I have these two lenses, I have reached a point of contentment with
my lenses and will not buy any more. I also have the DA16-45 F4, Sigma macro 50, DA50-200, and DA40mm ltd. With this full complement of lenses I am totally
delighted, particularly since I added the 28-105 classic, mentioned above.
Like my collection of harmonicas, I hope I have enough years left (I'm 72)
to keep on appreciating them all. Thanks to everyone for their advice
regarding the Tak 55mm! Warmest regards, Freddy

[Pepe Guitarra]

Hey, guys. .... I have reached a point of contentment with my lenses and will not buy any more.,, Freddy

jejejejejejeejejejeej!