Found an M42 SMC 50/1.4 for sale. Should I?

**klh** · 10-27-2011, 04:23 PM

LBA almost hit today, but I avoided it (barely).

I found a local seller with a camera kit that he is asking $100 for. I checked it out, but I'm not sure it's worth buying. Any advice?

Pentax Spotomatic camera (visibly in very good condition, and it is working as far as I can tell)
Super Multi-coated Takumar 50/1.4 (yellow as I expected, no fungus, but aperture blades are slow)
Braun 85-205/4 (dusty inside, focus ring is stiff)
Zensar 35/2.8 (never heard of this one, and it has fungus in it)
Vivitar 2x teleconverter (looks good, in a leatherette case)
Vivitar TTL Zoom Thyristor 2500 flash

The only thing I was really interested in was the SMC Tak (I have the non-SMC version and love it), but not after I saw how the aperture blades performed.

Anything here that should be of intersest?

RioRico · 10-27-2011, 04:43 PM

The Spotty has some value; check eBay's COMPLETED LISTINGS. The flash will probably fry the electronics on any modern dSLR; use it only off-camera. The 2X TC is worth maybe US$5, maybe. The Braun and Zensar(??) and flash are worth about the same.

Ah, the the S-M-C Tak: Slow aperture blades are a no-no if the lens is used on the Spotty or any other M42 camera. On dSLRs with an M42-Pk adapter, that doesn't matter, as long as they do open and close fully. Still, for 80-100 bucks, I expect a ST50/1.4 to be fully functional. I got mine for US$55 because the front ring was loose and had to be glued down. If those iris blades are really sticky, you're looking at some maintenance work.

My take: This deal is marginal. Talk the price down, or skip it and look for another. They aren't exactly rare.

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-27-2011, 09:24 PM

The slow blades will also drop the resale value - most people will assume some dire problem. I have one of these with slow blades and no apparent issues. The blades are fine and dry, with no rust. Maybe someday I'll try a stronger spring.

abacus07 · 10-27-2011, 09:48 PM

I would pass. The other stuff has value but not to myself (and probably not to you). You can find 100's of tak 50/1.4 on evilbay under 100.

**klh** · 10-29-2011, 08:53 AM

Actually I'm proud of myself for not giving in to the LBA. I agree that there was nothing there worth the money. Thanks for the second opinions!

aleonx3 · 10-29-2011, 09:15 AM

Someone just put a super-takumar 50 1.4 on the equipment sale forum, you might be interested....

10-27-2011, 04:23 PM	#1
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Found an M42 SMC 50/1.4 for sale. Should I? LBA almost hit today, but I avoided it (barely). I found a local seller with a camera kit that he is asking $100 for. I checked it out, but I'm not sure it's worth buying. Any advice? Pentax Spotomatic camera (visibly in very good condition, and it is working as far as I can tell) Super Multi-coated Takumar 50/1.4 (yellow as I expected, no fungus, but aperture blades are slow) Braun 85-205/4 (dusty inside, focus ring is stiff) Zensar 35/2.8 (never heard of this one, and it has fungus in it) Vivitar 2x teleconverter (looks good, in a leatherette case) Vivitar TTL Zoom Thyristor 2500 flash The only thing I was really interested in was the SMC Tak (I have the non-SMC version and love it), but not after I saw how the aperture blades performed. Anything here that should be of intersest?

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10-27-2011, 04:43 PM	#2
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The Spotty has some value; check eBay's COMPLETED LISTINGS. The flash will probably fry the electronics on any modern dSLR; use it only off-camera. The 2X TC is worth maybe US$5, maybe. The Braun and Zensar(??) and flash are worth about the same. Ah, the the S-M-C Tak: Slow aperture blades are a no-no if the lens is used on the Spotty or any other M42 camera. On dSLRs with an M42-Pk adapter, that doesn't matter, as long as they do open and close fully. Still, for 80-100 bucks, I expect a ST50/1.4 to be fully functional. I got mine for US$55 because the front ring was loose and had to be glued down. If those iris blades are really sticky, you're looking at some maintenance work. My take: This deal is marginal. Talk the price down, or skip it and look for another. They aren't exactly rare.

10-27-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The slow blades will also drop the resale value - most people will assume some dire problem. I have one of these with slow blades and no apparent issues. The blades are fine and dry, with no rust. Maybe someday I'll try a stronger spring.

10-27-2011, 09:48 PM	#4
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	I would pass. The other stuff has value but not to myself (and probably not to you). You can find 100's of tak 50/1.4 on evilbay under 100.

10-29-2011, 08:53 AM	#5
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827 Original Poster	Actually I'm proud of myself for not giving in to the LBA. I agree that there was nothing there worth the money. Thanks for the second opinions!

10-29-2011, 09:15 AM	#6
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Someone just put a super-takumar 50 1.4 on the equipment sale forum, you might be interested....