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12-29-2013, 09:20 PM   #1
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Unique lenses? (e.g Takumar 58mm f2, etc)

It all started with a visit to a camera store in Japan, where I found an M37Takumar 58mm f2.4 sitting there not being cared for. Was rather curious, because I haven't seen this lens before, with a design reminiscent of old Zeiss lenses (chrome, very small). Bought it, and then I discovered that it had a heliar optical design, which was quite rare for a normal SLR lens. Sent it for cleaning, now it looks as new (albeit very fine scratches on the front and rear elements), but I'm still waiting for my M37 to M42 adapter to arrive to check whether it still works or not.

So, I started to look for other lenses with unique optical design and found the Takumar 58mm f2, which was a Sonnar design (another rarity for a normal lens)

Does anybody here know any other lenses which have somewhat unique optical designs such as the forementioned Takumars?

12-29-2013, 10:11 PM   #2
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The 100mm F4 macro is also Heliar, and easier to find.
12-29-2013, 10:30 PM   #3
dms
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Believe your question s answered in this site (the original M37 lenses, and much more).
Early Pentax Takumar Lenses
12-29-2013, 11:25 PM   #4
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The takumar 100 / 3.5....



12-30-2013, 12:25 AM   #5
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@clicksworth : True, that lens is a heliar as well. But the takumar 58mm f2.4 is somewhat a rarer case, since its the only standard SLR lens having the heliar optical design (as far as I know from my brief research). Same goes to the takumar 58mm f2, which is the only standard SLR lens with the Sonnar optical design (again, as far as I know, Sonnars generally have longer focal length for SLR).

These type of lenses are the ones which I'm looking for; lenses with unique designs which are not applied to other lenses.

It doesn't have be a legendary lens which is known for its optical quality, etc. Doesn't necessarily to be a Takumar; it can be other lenses which are compatible with Pentax cameras.
12-30-2013, 04:38 AM   #6
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The diagram provided by Mr Mechelhoff for the 58/2.4 doesn't correspond to any of the Heliar layouts (there are a few). Basically either the front group or rear group is reversed when the 58/2.4 diagram is compared to any of the Heliar diagrams I could find. A good primer for those can be found here: Antique and Classic Cameras. I have seen the 58/2.4 noted elsewhere as a Heliar type so maybe it is just the diagram that is in error. The Heliar was something of a cult lens in Japan - reportedly one Emperor refused to have his portrait taken with any other type of lens - so it is quite possible that Asahi chose to make a lens to that design.
12-30-2013, 05:03 AM   #7
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Not 100% sure whether this matches your criteria but its worth looking at the K28/2; its unusual for Pentax MF lenses with a floating element design.


SMC Pentax 28mm F2 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database


And then the Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8 (zebra), 55mm f2 and f2.2. The f2 and f2.2 are easier and cheaper to buy than the 58mm or 55mm zebra. Leaving aside the cocking levers, the f2 and f2.2 are different primarily because they have 10 blades not 6, producing different bokeh etc. If you click on my photo below into Flickr, I've written a brief introduction of the differences between these two lenses and the later Takumar 55/1.8s and K 55/1.8. (I also now own the zebra one and should include this sometime!)






Last edited by utak; 12-30-2013 at 05:09 AM.
01-01-2014, 04:24 AM   #8
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Hi Hagiri,
Another couple to look out for are the Auto Takumar 35mm f2.3 and the later 35mm f2, both these designs are not found anywhere else (to my knowledge). A little easier to find, although keenly sought after is the 8 element 50 mm f1.4 Super Takumar which only had a short production run before being replaced by the common 7 element version. Good luck in your search.
03-06-2016, 03:26 AM   #9
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Sorry to bump an old thread, but I think I might have something a little unique..

My recent Pentax K purchase came with a zebra Auto-Takumar 55mm f2 lens. But according to documentation, only the f1.8 came out with the zebra finish while the f2 and f2.2 were completely black.

Frank's documentation does mention a zebra f1.9 55mm which apparently was solely made for the Tower 29 sold by Sears, Roebuck & Co in the USA as a re-badged Pentax K.

Does anyone else know of any other zebra Auto-Tak 55/2, or do I have a bit of a rare horse?

Edit: I uploaded more photos of the lens to imgur. You can view them online here.



Last edited by RR84; 03-06-2016 at 06:19 PM.
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