Sourcing a rear element for an 8-element Super Tak 50/1.4

jtkratzer · 05-30-2018, 07:43 PM

I have an 8-element Super Tak 50/1.4 with a scratch on the rear element. Assuming a good one can be swapped for the scratched rear element, any suggestions on where to get this piece of glass? I would think damaged front elements or filter rings would be more common. I shot a test roll with a Spotmatic and the 50 today and will see if/how bad the scratch shows up.

edom31 · 05-30-2018, 07:57 PM

A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)...

stevebrot · 05-30-2018, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by edom31

A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)...

The rear element on the 8-element is distinctive and quite different than on the 7-element variant.

Steve

jtkratzer · 05-30-2018, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by edom31

A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)...

I know they’re cheaper and more common/readily available. No experience with any of the M42 lenses in use to know that any particular design is better than another. I’ve read the reviews on the seven- and eight element designs. I can’t see how the optics wouldn’t be impacted (likely negatively) by altering the formula with a rear element from another design.

bassek · 05-31-2018, 03:01 AM - **2 Likes**

Just keep looking for a similar lens with separated glass, funghi or scratch on front element.

Seb

Wild Mark · 05-31-2018, 04:04 AM

That will be a very hard repair from a parts perspective. These lenses are expensive nowadays - best you keep a very keen eye out for a poorly described eBay listing.

Kozlok · 05-31-2018, 05:12 AM

Buy another one. Sell the one you have with full, honest disclosure.

edom31 · 05-31-2018, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The rear element on the 8-element is distinctive and quite different than on the 7-element variant.

Steve

Thanks for the enlightenment, I did not know that. I own the 7-element variant, and really like it's results. I've never ran across the 8-element, but I've seen them listed and they're on demand.

---------- Post added 05-31-18 at 10:01 AM ----------

Originally posted by jtkratzer

altering the formula with a rear element from another design.

Apparently, the rears on the 7-element and 8-element will not match... so much for that Frankenstein-idea...

jtkratzer · 05-31-2018, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by Kozlok

Buy another one. Sell the one you have with full, honest disclosure.

Have you seen the going rate for this lens right now? The only reason I was interested in the package in the first place was due to identifying the lens in the ad's photos. A friend of the seller had it listed as the elderly gentlemen isn't active with Facebook/Craigslist/eBay. She showed me everything during a FaceTime call, but it didn't cross either of our minds to remove the 50 from the body to inspect the rear element. The package was originally in Delaware, more than two hours away. Through a small network and sheer coincidence, the seller's friend had a co-worker at another facility who commutes to work from the town where I live. I don't think the seller was interested in trying to get everything back to Delaware through this network.

I'll see how the test roll comes back before deciding on investing any significant funds into this lens or a replacement. I just figured there had to be a damaged copy out there for a repair, even if it involved sending it to Eric.

stevebrot · 05-31-2018, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by edom31

Thanks for the enlightenment, I did not know that. I own the 7-element variant, and really like it's results. I've never ran across the 8-element, but I've seen them listed and they're on demand.

---------- Post added 05-31-18 at 10:01 AM ----------

Apparently, the rears on the 7-element and 8-element will not match... so much for that Frankenstein-idea...

Compare this photo of the rear of the 8-element variant to your lens...

Borrowed from Asahi Optical Co. Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4-16 (v1) 8 elements - M42 Lens Database

The rear element appearance is one of the identifying marks of the 8-element variant.

Steve

edom31 · 05-31-2018, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The rear element appearance is one of the identifying marks of the 8-element variant.

Yes. Definitely different. I added a picture of my own lens (taken with my broken cel phone hence potato quality) in or around the same angle - you can tell they're different.

Kozlok · 05-31-2018, 07:00 PM

Edit: Just realized that the previous post was an intentional 7 element photo, not by the OP.

Nothing I said makes sense in that light.

edom31 · 05-31-2018, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by Kozlok

What you have there is the regular everyday 7 element version

Yep - no question about that... Still, I enjoy mine on my Spotmatic II (which will soon take a CLA trip).

05-30-2018, 07:43 PM	#1
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963	Sourcing a rear element for an 8-element Super Tak 50/1.4 I have an 8-element Super Tak 50/1.4 with a scratch on the rear element. Assuming a good one can be swapped for the scratched rear element, any suggestions on where to get this piece of glass? I would think damaged front elements or filter rings would be more common. I shot a test roll with a Spotmatic and the 50 today and will see if/how bad the scratch shows up.

05-31-2018, 07:00 PM	#12
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Edit: Just realized that the previous post was an intentional 7 element photo, not by the OP. Nothing I said makes sense in that light. Last edited by Kozlok; 05-31-2018 at 07:16 PM.

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05-30-2018, 07:57 PM	#2
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)...

05-30-2018, 08:26 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by edom31 A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)... The rear element on the 8-element is distinctive and quite different than on the 7-element variant. Steve

05-30-2018, 08:27 PM	#4
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963 Original Poster	Originally posted by edom31 A 7-element is an easier/cheaper find... Wonder what would happen if you did the swap with the rear of a 7-element (I think that on the 7-element ones, the rear glass is the infamous thorium glass)... I know they’re cheaper and more common/readily available. No experience with any of the M42 lenses in use to know that any particular design is better than another. I’ve read the reviews on the seven- and eight element designs. I can’t see how the optics wouldn’t be impacted (likely negatively) by altering the formula with a rear element from another design.

05-31-2018, 03:01 AM - 2 Likes	#5
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	Just keep looking for a similar lens with separated glass, funghi or scratch on front element. Seb

05-31-2018, 04:04 AM	#6
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	That will be a very hard repair from a parts perspective. These lenses are expensive nowadays - best you keep a very keen eye out for a poorly described eBay listing.

05-31-2018, 05:12 AM	#7
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Buy another one. Sell the one you have with full, honest disclosure.

05-31-2018, 06:53 AM	#8
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by stevebrot The rear element on the 8-element is distinctive and quite different than on the 7-element variant. Steve Thanks for the enlightenment, I did not know that. I own the 7-element variant, and really like it's results. I've never ran across the 8-element, but I've seen them listed and they're on demand. ---------- Post added 05-31-18 at 10:01 AM ---------- Originally posted by jtkratzer altering the formula with a rear element from another design. Apparently, the rears on the 7-element and 8-element will not match... so much for that Frankenstein-idea...

05-31-2018, 08:08 AM	#9
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kozlok Buy another one. Sell the one you have with full, honest disclosure. Have you seen the going rate for this lens right now? The only reason I was interested in the package in the first place was due to identifying the lens in the ad's photos. A friend of the seller had it listed as the elderly gentlemen isn't active with Facebook/Craigslist/eBay. She showed me everything during a FaceTime call, but it didn't cross either of our minds to remove the 50 from the body to inspect the rear element. The package was originally in Delaware, more than two hours away. Through a small network and sheer coincidence, the seller's friend had a co-worker at another facility who commutes to work from the town where I live. I don't think the seller was interested in trying to get everything back to Delaware through this network. I'll see how the test roll comes back before deciding on investing any significant funds into this lens or a replacement. I just figured there had to be a damaged copy out there for a repair, even if it involved sending it to Eric.

05-31-2018, 08:54 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by edom31 Thanks for the enlightenment, I did not know that. I own the 7-element variant, and really like it's results. I've never ran across the 8-element, but I've seen them listed and they're on demand. ---------- Post added 05-31-18 at 10:01 AM ---------- Apparently, the rears on the 7-element and 8-element will not match... so much for that Frankenstein-idea... Compare this photo of the rear of the 8-element variant to your lens... Borrowed from Asahi Optical Co. Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4-16 (v1) 8 elements - M42 Lens Database The rear element appearance is one of the identifying marks of the 8-element variant. Steve

05-31-2018, 07:08 PM	#13
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by Kozlok What you have there is the regular everyday 7 element version Yep - no question about that... Still, I enjoy mine on my Spotmatic II (which will soon take a CLA trip).