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View Poll Results: If limited to one series of Vintage Pentax Glass , what would you choose ?
Takumar M42 mount 1518.52%
SMC-K 1417.28%
SMC-M 1113.58%
SMC-A 4150.62%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll

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07-31-2017, 07:27 PM   #1
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If only limited to one Pentax vintage lens series which would you choose ?

If only given the choice of using a Vintage set of Pentax lenses ( 24mm - 200mm) on a Pentax DSLR which would you choose ?


Takumar M42
Pentax SMC-K
Pentax SMC-M
Pentax SMC-A


I'm tempted to choose the Takumars and the SMC-K series myself. Want to know what others think ?

07-31-2017, 07:29 PM - 2 Likes   #2
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I have Takumars from 15mm to 200mm and Pentax-A from 20mm to 200mm not sure I could say which I prefer. Pentax-A has the advantage of auto-exposure and can be used in all modes. Takumars are well they're Takumars...........
07-31-2017, 07:30 PM - 1 Like   #3
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Why would I not choose A and get automatic and matrix metering? Optical formulas didn't change much from M to A.
07-31-2017, 07:39 PM - 1 Like   #4
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One of my favorite lenses is the K55 1.8. It just has a special rendering.

07-31-2017, 07:42 PM - 2 Likes   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by MadMathMind Quote
Why would I not choose A and get automatic and matrix metering? Optical formulas didn't change much from M to A.
One could certainly make the case that some of the Taks are objets d'art, whereas IMO none of the A series lenses are. I have a Tak 200/5.6 that I seldom use but keep around simply because it is beautiful.

Also, the Tak 200/3.5 is pretty damn special, and there is no A equivalent.

All that said, I'd go for the A for the aperture functionality, and also the A 400/5.6, which is simply so good and my most-used lens.
07-31-2017, 07:46 PM - 3 Likes   #6
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utak, monochrome and Kerrowdown need not answer. We already know

It would be the A series for me - for range and the automatic aperture. The K series lenses are lovely though.
07-31-2017, 08:40 PM - 1 Like   #7
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I voted K... As MadMathMind said, rationally A majes more sense, but photography is an art

07-31-2017, 08:40 PM - 2 Likes   #8
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A tough one. Torn between Takumars and K, but the Takumars win out for me. Auto-Takumars, Takumars, Super-Takumars, Super-Multi-Coated Takumars, SMC Takumars, and the famous Macro-Takumar. The Takumar family is far too rich and historic with many excellent lenses in the family tree for me not to pick it!

** Plus I love preset lenses, so that affected my choice a teeny bit!!

Last edited by ripper2860; 07-31-2017 at 10:22 PM.
07-31-2017, 09:05 PM - 1 Like   #9
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K series, no doubt.
Second place tied between Taks and Ms.

No love from me to A series, I donīt see the same amount of quality in them.
07-31-2017, 09:59 PM - 1 Like   #10
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M has already chosen me with unbeatable value. Just can't find any reasonable argument to get anything else. Don't really need auto aperture as I like control it myself anyway.
07-31-2017, 10:17 PM - 1 Like   #11
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Just picked up a Super-Tak 55/1.8 the other day. I am in love with its rendering so there is no way I could answer logically right now.
07-31-2017, 10:30 PM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by iheiramo Quote
M has already chosen me with unbeatable value. Just can't find any reasonable argument to get anything else. Don't really need auto aperture as I like control it myself anyway.
Agree with you about the auto-aperture need, but there are some Ks that beat by far their newer M version (if you donīt mind the bigger size and weight).

K28mm f3.5 is superior to its M sucessor.
K35mm f3.5 is miles ahead of the M35mm f2.8
The same with K105mm f2.8 compared to M100mm f2.8
K135mm f2.5 doesnīt even have a counterpart in M version.

But donīt get me wrong, I also love M series and personally own several of them.
08-01-2017, 02:23 AM - 2 Likes   #13
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Want it to be K but has to be A

This started me off on a mental comparison of my K and A lenses and the A series triumphed, here's my logic.....

Of my most used focal lengths which would I pick from the collection:

Ultra-Wide:
20mm - the A f2.8 has the brighter aperture and is beautifully compact (apart from the Sombrero lens hood) so wins this round, the K f4 isn't far behind it though.

Wide Angle:
28mm - the K f2.0 is my winner, bit the A f2.0 is no slouch - probably one of the most under-rated A lenses out there!

Moderate Wide-Angle:
35mm - the K f2.0 gives beautiful results, not as sharp as the A (2.8 or 2.0) but I prefer the "look", so K is the winner this time.

Standard:
50mm - not a lot between the K and A f1.2's, the A edges it on the A setting and possibly the coatings.

Portrait:
85mm - while my K f1.8 is a great lens, the A* f1.4 is the supreme, so my clear winner.

Short Telephoto:
135mm - The K f2.5 is again a very good lens, but the compact quality of the under-rated A f2.8 makes it my winner.

Medium Telephoto:
200mm - No contest (although it is a bit of cheating on my part) - the A* f4.0 Macro is stunning.

Longer Telephoto:
IMO the A's are generally better on the longer lengths!

Just my opinions Guys - don't string me up for it
08-01-2017, 05:02 AM - 1 Like   #14
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The Ms have it for me, based on what I've historically enjoyed using. (Although to be fair, I don't have any "SMC-K" lenses.)
08-01-2017, 05:45 AM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
It would be the A series for me - for range and the automatic aperture. The K series lenses are lovely though.

Exactly. It would (also) be the A series for me - for range and the automatic aperture. The K series lenses are (indeed) lovely though.
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