Re-coating Takumar bayonet lens!

SunnyG. · 12-01-2018, 09:36 PM

I was searching on on Google and found that there are multiple lens re coating, polishing and restoration services available. So the thought came to my mind, Pentax has a couple of bayonet mount lenses with no coating at all. They are not so bad at all. So my question is, if these Takumar bayonet are recoated with a modern coating, will they give better results? Will they outperform their more well-known kin? If anyone has a Takumar bayonet, maybe they can do this experiment and let us know the result?

**UncleVanya** · 12-01-2018, 10:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SunnyG.

I was searching on on Google and found that there are multiple lens re coating, polishing and restoration services available. So the thought came to my mind, Pentax has a couple of bayonet mount lenses with no coating at all. They are not so bad at all. So my question is, if these Takumar bayonet are recoated with a modern coating, will they give better results? Will they outperform their more well-known kin? If anyone has a Takumar bayonet, maybe they can do this experiment and let us know the result?

Meh... I'd say buy a Samyang at that point. I think also the SMC coated 135's are cheaper than recoating the single coated Tak Bayonet...

SunnyG. · 12-01-2018, 10:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Meh... I'd say buy a Samyang at that point. I think also the SMC coated 135's are cheaper than recoating the single coated Tak Bayonet...

I wasn't talking about the value. I was talking about seeing this from the perspective of an experiment. And besides, samyang uses cheap plastic for most of it's budget lenses. Also the Takumar isn't coated. But on re coating, you have option of multi coating it.

disconnekt · 12-01-2018, 11:18 PM

Never knew there was those type of services available, this would be interesting to see the results if anyone decided to do it on an uncoated lens.

ZombieArmy · 12-02-2018, 12:37 AM - **1 Like**

The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation.

Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg

**GUB** · 12-02-2018, 03:24 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation.

Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg

+1 on this. Why tamper with them when they already rock. But agree that there must be extra large sample variation going by some peoples opinion of them

SunnyG. · 12-02-2018, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by disconnekt

Never knew there was those type of services available, this would be interesting to see the results if anyone decided to do it on an uncoated lens.

Yes it's readily available! Just search on Google!

**Rondec** · 12-02-2018, 04:19 AM

I think the cost would make it not worthwhile. There are a bunch of coated manual focus 135mm lenses out there and frankly you can find FA 135s for about 300 dollars or a bit less. I'd rather spend the money there than to coat a non-coated lens.

At the same time, if you have the money and you want to try the experiment, there is certainly no harm in doing it.

SunnyG. · 12-02-2018, 04:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation.

Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg

I think, since they don't have SMC, a person can get a modern multi coating and compare it to the SMC Takumar. And th
Since these lenses come cheap. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how modern multi coating is compared to smc?

---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:25 AM ----------

Originally posted by GUB

+1 on this. Why tamper with them when they already rock. But agree that there must be extra large sample variation going by some peoples opinion of them

What if it rocks more after modern multi coating?

---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by Rondec

I think the cost would make it not worthwhile. There are a bunch of coated manual focus 135mm lenses out there and frankly you can find FA 135s for about 300 dollars or a bit less. I'd rather spend the money there than to coat a non-coated lens.

At the same time, if you have the money and you want to try the experiment, there is certainly no harm in doing it.

Well if it's too expensive, then it won't be worthwhile. But it's around 100-150$ ballpark. Then it's quite doable.

IgorZ · 12-02-2018, 04:43 AM

Interesting idea... Wondering though, can a small company make decent coatings?

**pepperberry farm** · 12-02-2018, 07:32 AM - **2 Likes**

easy: buy one and send it in for the coating process, get it back, shoot, and report back...

**UncleVanya** · 12-02-2018, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by SunnyG.

I wasn't talking about the value. I was talking about seeing this from the perspective of an experiment. And besides, samyang uses cheap plastic for most of it's budget lenses. Also the Takumar isn't coated. But on re coating, you have option of multi coating it.

They are coated, what made you think they weren't?

Wasp · 12-02-2018, 08:21 AM

I have a Tamron 300mm f/5.6 in M42 mount that has lost bits of its coating on the front element. It was only $10 and the cost of restoring it would probably exceed its value. Interesting to know it can be done, though.

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-02-2018, 08:36 AM - **1 Like**

The SMC Pentax-A 135/2.8 is much less trouble. It's 4 elements, 8 blades, 1.2m minimum focus, 52mm filter, slide out hood, all the same as the Takumar Bayonet, plus a KA mount.

**UncleVanya** · 12-02-2018, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by SunnyG.

I think, since they don't have SMC, a person can get a modern multi coating and compare it to the SMC Takumar. And th
Since these lenses come cheap. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how modern multi coating is compared to smc?

---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:25 AM ----------

What if it rocks more after modern multi coating?

---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:27 AM ----------

Well if it's too expensive, then it won't be worthwhile. But it's around 100-150$ ballpark. Then it's quite doable.

I would be seriously surprised if that is the cost. Each element has to be polished to remove the existing coatings and then recoated.

Some of the services I found only work on film lenses. This to me indicates $$$$

12-01-2018, 09:36 PM	#1
SunnyG. Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 428	Re-coating Takumar bayonet lens! I was searching on on Google and found that there are multiple lens re coating, polishing and restoration services available. So the thought came to my mind, Pentax has a couple of bayonet mount lenses with no coating at all. They are not so bad at all. So my question is, if these Takumar bayonet are recoated with a modern coating, will they give better results? Will they outperform their more well-known kin? If anyone has a Takumar bayonet, maybe they can do this experiment and let us know the result?

12-02-2018, 12:37 AM - 1 Like	#5
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation. Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5 https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg Last edited by ZombieArmy; 12-02-2018 at 12:42 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to Vintage Lenses—Fungus in 135mm Takumar Bayonet lens?	AAlfano	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	08-30-2018 11:40 AM
Super Takumar 35mm f2 (49mm) yellow coating	Digiman69	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	04-15-2012 05:44 PM
Super Takumar - info about coating (elements and layer)	gemini	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	04-28-2010 01:39 PM
Compare the lens coating of Takumar-F 70-210mm and smc Pentax-F 70-210mm	jcdog2006	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	13	02-19-2010 08:16 AM
When is a Pentax bayonet not a Pentax bayonet	albrechtnamatdurer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	06-28-2009 09:35 PM

12-01-2018, 10:05 PM - 1 Like	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by SunnyG. I was searching on on Google and found that there are multiple lens re coating, polishing and restoration services available. So the thought came to my mind, Pentax has a couple of bayonet mount lenses with no coating at all. They are not so bad at all. So my question is, if these Takumar bayonet are recoated with a modern coating, will they give better results? Will they outperform their more well-known kin? If anyone has a Takumar bayonet, maybe they can do this experiment and let us know the result? Meh... I'd say buy a Samyang at that point. I think also the SMC coated 135's are cheaper than recoating the single coated Tak Bayonet...

12-01-2018, 10:56 PM - 1 Like	#3
SunnyG. Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 428 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Meh... I'd say buy a Samyang at that point. I think also the SMC coated 135's are cheaper than recoating the single coated Tak Bayonet... I wasn't talking about the value. I was talking about seeing this from the perspective of an experiment. And besides, samyang uses cheap plastic for most of it's budget lenses. Also the Takumar isn't coated. But on re coating, you have option of multi coating it.

12-01-2018, 11:18 PM	#4
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,700	Never knew there was those type of services available, this would be interesting to see the results if anyone decided to do it on an uncoated lens.

12-02-2018, 03:24 AM	#6
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Originally posted by ZombieArmy The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation. Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5 https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg +1 on this. Why tamper with them when they already rock. But agree that there must be extra large sample variation going by some peoples opinion of them

12-02-2018, 04:18 AM	#7
SunnyG. Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 428 Original Poster	Originally posted by disconnekt Never knew there was those type of services available, this would be interesting to see the results if anyone decided to do it on an uncoated lens. Yes it's readily available! Just search on Google!

12-02-2018, 04:19 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	I think the cost would make it not worthwhile. There are a bunch of coated manual focus 135mm lenses out there and frankly you can find FA 135s for about 300 dollars or a bit less. I'd rather spend the money there than to coat a non-coated lens. At the same time, if you have the money and you want to try the experiment, there is certainly no harm in doing it.

12-02-2018, 04:23 AM - 1 Like	#9
SunnyG. Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 428 Original Poster	Originally posted by ZombieArmy The bayonet lenses are multicoated, they are just not SMC. They already potentially outperform their equivalent lenses, and it largely depends on copy variation. Check out the detail on the Tak Bayonet 135 2.5 https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/46121694501_596c7f16f9_o.jpg I think, since they don't have SMC, a person can get a modern multi coating and compare it to the SMC Takumar. And th Since these lenses come cheap. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how modern multi coating is compared to smc? ---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:25 AM ---------- Originally posted by GUB +1 on this. Why tamper with them when they already rock. But agree that there must be extra large sample variation going by some peoples opinion of them What if it rocks more after modern multi coating? ---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:27 AM ---------- Originally posted by Rondec I think the cost would make it not worthwhile. There are a bunch of coated manual focus 135mm lenses out there and frankly you can find FA 135s for about 300 dollars or a bit less. I'd rather spend the money there than to coat a non-coated lens. At the same time, if you have the money and you want to try the experiment, there is certainly no harm in doing it. Well if it's too expensive, then it won't be worthwhile. But it's around 100-150$ ballpark. Then it's quite doable.

12-02-2018, 04:43 AM	#10
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Interesting idea... Wondering though, can a small company make decent coatings?

12-02-2018, 07:32 AM - 2 Likes	#11
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,751	easy: buy one and send it in for the coating process, get it back, shoot, and report back...

12-02-2018, 08:09 AM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by SunnyG. I wasn't talking about the value. I was talking about seeing this from the perspective of an experiment. And besides, samyang uses cheap plastic for most of it's budget lenses. Also the Takumar isn't coated. But on re coating, you have option of multi coating it. They are coated, what made you think they weren't?

12-02-2018, 08:21 AM	#13
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have a Tamron 300mm f/5.6 in M42 mount that has lost bits of its coating on the front element. It was only $10 and the cost of restoring it would probably exceed its value. Interesting to know it can be done, though.

12-02-2018, 08:36 AM - 1 Like	#14
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The SMC Pentax-A 135/2.8 is much less trouble. It's 4 elements, 8 blades, 1.2m minimum focus, 52mm filter, slide out hood, all the same as the Takumar Bayonet, plus a KA mount.

12-02-2018, 08:39 AM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by SunnyG. I think, since they don't have SMC, a person can get a modern multi coating and compare it to the SMC Takumar. And th Since these lenses come cheap. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how modern multi coating is compared to smc? ---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:25 AM ---------- What if it rocks more after modern multi coating? ---------- Post added 12-02-18 at 04:27 AM ---------- Well if it's too expensive, then it won't be worthwhile. But it's around 100-150$ ballpark. Then it's quite doable. I would be seriously surprised if that is the cost. Each element has to be polished to remove the existing coatings and then recoated. Some of the services I found only work on film lenses. This to me indicates $$$$