[grahame]

I got an Auto Takumar 35mm 2.3 from ebay recently. It came in without caps, and there are a lots of light scratches on the front glass. But I guess the single layer coating wasn't very good anyway, and I really like the "ugly" bokeh and the soft focus effect wide open. Zero CA at all.

But the focus ring is quite stiff. I wonder if anyone knows how to disassembly the lens and lubricate the helicoid. There is not much information on the web. And I know the structure is quite different from other Takumars. It is still usable. So before I know what I am doing, I would rather use it as is.

Any suggestion/information is appreciated.

BTW, anyone has the 62mm front cap can sell? I guess not

[vjacesslav]

It is fantastic lens:
Asahi Auto Takumar 2.3/35 after cleaning

[grahame]

indeed! A very interesting lens. From wide-open to stop down, the lens performs very differently, with its own very strong characters.
Model lenses are too perfect in everything, thus lacking the characters of the old lenses.

[vjacesslav]

One stupid question... How do You know that this is different from others Takumars? This was helpful for me:

Attached Images

 

[grahame]

Thank you, vjacesslav.
I can not find any structural information about this lens on line. Only from one post, i read a sentence that this lens is quite different from other Takumars.
And it is different. Unscrew the fist element of the lens, you can get a 35mm macro lens! Focus to just a few inches away.
This morning before going to work, I screwed it on the K10D, and by turning the focus ring, I unmounted the genuine pentax M42-K adapter from the camera. I guess I will use it on NEX-6 in the future.

[vjacesslav]

Yes I see... If I found something I will let You know

[Hoodie]

Grahame,
You can also unscrew the bell shaped part of the barrel that the front element screws into and this gives you a small amount of access to the focus helical. this may be enough for some cleaning and relubing.
Good Luck

[vjacesslav]

And maybe cleaning is enough. When I try to do similar thing with my K35mm, I´ve found, that cleaning and lubricating was not so successful as only cleaning and removing old stuff

[grahame]

Thank you, Hoodie and vjacesslav! You are very helpful!
Just came back home 30 min ago. I will definitely try "partial" cleaning at the part I can see and reach easily tomorrow.
Thanks again!