SuperTakumar 1:1.4/50

IOO · 02-20-2019, 08:17 AM

Hi
I have this lens, but now I'm not sure if it's an 8 element or a later 7 element version.

It has a protruding rear lens element, and on the stop down switch, which is marked A M (rather than Auto Man as on the later versions). BUT it has the infrared mark on the left side of 4, instead of the right side. So one thing indicate the oldest version, and another one of the newer.

It has no dot at the f/2 position.

Is this a later version of the oldest one (8 elements)?

Can anyone help me to find out wich version I have. I'll be very glad if someone could give me the answer.

Best regards IOO

**pentaxus** · 02-20-2019, 09:12 AM - **1 Like**

If the IR indication is on the left side of the 4 it is a seven element lens. That is the only sure way to know.

**fwwidall** · 02-20-2019, 10:48 AM - **1 Like**

Check out the very detailed info at the Takumar Field Guide.

The serial number and the model number (on the under side of the M/A switch) will enable you to precisely identify and dat what you have.

Fred.

**catfishjohn** · 02-20-2019, 11:05 AM - **1 Like**

I got a nice 8 element cheap off Shopgoodwill. I keep a close watch on their website and sometime find goodies at a good price. A couple weeks ago I found another 8 element and considered getting it as it went cheap. Decided not to as I don't really need two. I also had a bit of doubt as the IR mark was for sure on the right side but the lens was yellow-brown like the radioactive Taks. Wasn't convinced it was 8 element as I think those were not radioactive. I also watch Ebay closely and last week saw an A 100mm 2.8 Macro go for $180.00 shipping included. The seller had no idea what he had, I hope the buyer knows what he got.

**boriscleto** · 02-20-2019, 11:29 AM - **1 Like**

The surest way to tell is the rear element.

7-element on left, 8-element on right

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stevebrot · 02-20-2019, 11:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by boriscleto

The surest way to tell is the rear element.

7-element on left, 8-element on right

Attachment 441427

This ^ ^ ^

Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element.

Steve

IOO · 02-20-2019, 02:22 PM

Hi again!

Thanks for all the help. I now find out that I have the S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 1.4 50mm M o d e l II early, so maybe I have to by the 8 element version?

IOO

ZombieArmy · 02-20-2019, 02:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

This ^ ^ ^

Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element.

Steve

Also weight, the 8 element is heavier.

**catfishjohn** · 02-20-2019, 05:47 PM - **1 Like**

Too often the photos of cameras and lenses on Shopgoodwill are out of focus and hard to get detail. Also they seldom show all sides of an item. Makes it hard to be sure sometime.

**monochrome** · 02-20-2019, 08:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

This ^ ^ ^

Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element.

Steve

For a long time a backup test was lack of a model number on the bottom of the aperture control switch, but the most recent entries on Takumarology suggest very early copies of the 7 Element might not have 37800 engraved on the bottom of the switch. Asahi didn’t ‘waste’ parts.

No one seems to have published a study of which words and lettering styles appeared on the various metal m42 lens caps.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-20-2019, 08:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by boriscleto

The surest way to tell is the rear element.

7-element on left, 8-element on right

Attachment 441427

This is one way but the sure way is to weigh the lens.

The weights are posted some where, 8 element is heavier

**monochrome** · 02-20-2019, 08:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

This is one way but the sure way is to weigh the lens.

The weights are posted some where, 8 element is heavier

Per Lens Reviews here, 8-element ST is 245g. 7 element ST / S-M-C / SMC are 230g

**simple1** · 02-20-2019, 08:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by catfishjohn

Too often the photos of cameras and lenses on Shopgoodwill are out of focus and hard to get detail. Also they seldom show all sides of an item. Makes it hard to be sure sometime.

That's half the fun of it. And seems like the only chance to get a good deal, sort of a mystery grab bag

Recently there was an auction for a whole mess of lenses. The lot included a few Super Taks, including a 50/1.4, but one of the pictures clearly showed a Taika Harigon 58/1.2. I quit following once it hit $150 with days left, I expect it went for substantially more. Had the picture been blurry that might have been a steal.

02-20-2019, 08:17 AM	#1
IOO Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Flateby Photos: Gallery Posts: 294	SuperTakumar 1:1.4/50 Hi I have this lens, but now I'm not sure if it's an 8 element or a later 7 element version. It has a protruding rear lens element, and on the stop down switch, which is marked A M (rather than Auto Man as on the later versions). BUT it has the infrared mark on the left side of 4, instead of the right side. So one thing indicate the oldest version, and another one of the newer. It has no dot at the f/2 position. Is this a later version of the oldest one (8 elements)? Can anyone help me to find out wich version I have. I'll be very glad if someone could give me the answer. Best regards IOO

02-20-2019, 11:05 AM - 1 Like	#4
catfishjohn Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Arkansas Posts: 137	8 element Tak I got a nice 8 element cheap off Shopgoodwill. I keep a close watch on their website and sometime find goodies at a good price. A couple weeks ago I found another 8 element and considered getting it as it went cheap. Decided not to as I don't really need two. I also had a bit of doubt as the IR mark was for sure on the right side but the lens was yellow-brown like the radioactive Taks. Wasn't convinced it was 8 element as I think those were not radioactive. I also watch Ebay closely and last week saw an A 100mm 2.8 Macro go for $180.00 shipping included. The seller had no idea what he had, I hope the buyer knows what he got.

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02-20-2019, 09:12 AM - 1 Like	#2
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	If the IR indication is on the left side of the 4 it is a seven element lens. That is the only sure way to know.

02-20-2019, 10:48 AM - 1 Like	#3
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	Check out the very detailed info at the Takumar Field Guide. The serial number and the model number (on the under side of the M/A switch) will enable you to precisely identify and dat what you have. Fred.

02-20-2019, 11:29 AM - 1 Like	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	The surest way to tell is the rear element. 7-element on left, 8-element on right

02-20-2019, 11:46 AM - 1 Like	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by boriscleto The surest way to tell is the rear element. 7-element on left, 8-element on right Attachment 441427 This ^ ^ ^ Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element. Steve

02-20-2019, 02:22 PM	#7
IOO Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Flateby Photos: Gallery Posts: 294 Original Poster	Hi again! Thanks for all the help. I now find out that I have the S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 1.4 50mm M o d e l II early, so maybe I have to by the 8 element version? IOO

02-20-2019, 02:50 PM - 1 Like	#8
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Originally posted by stevebrot This ^ ^ ^ Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element. Steve Also weight, the 8 element is heavier.

02-20-2019, 05:47 PM - 1 Like	#9
catfishjohn Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Arkansas Posts: 137	Too often the photos of cameras and lenses on Shopgoodwill are out of focus and hard to get detail. Also they seldom show all sides of an item. Makes it hard to be sure sometime.

02-20-2019, 08:10 PM - 1 Like	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by stevebrot This ^ ^ ^ Serial numbers are unreliable and model numbers are often absent. The IR index location has been faked. The one thing that is diagnostic is that rear element. Steve For a long time a backup test was lack of a model number on the bottom of the aperture control switch, but the most recent entries on Takumarology suggest very early copies of the 7 Element might not have 37800 engraved on the bottom of the switch. Asahi didn’t ‘waste’ parts. No one seems to have published a study of which words and lettering styles appeared on the various metal m42 lens caps.

02-20-2019, 08:19 PM - 1 Like	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by boriscleto The surest way to tell is the rear element. 7-element on left, 8-element on right Attachment 441427 This is one way but the sure way is to weigh the lens. The weights are posted some where, 8 element is heavier

02-20-2019, 08:23 PM - 1 Like	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge This is one way but the sure way is to weigh the lens. The weights are posted some where, 8 element is heavier Per Lens Reviews here, 8-element ST is 245g. 7 element ST / S-M-C / SMC are 230g

02-20-2019, 08:56 PM - 1 Like	#13
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 761	Originally posted by catfishjohn Too often the photos of cameras and lenses on Shopgoodwill are out of focus and hard to get detail. Also they seldom show all sides of an item. Makes it hard to be sure sometime. That's half the fun of it. And seems like the only chance to get a good deal, sort of a mystery grab bag Recently there was an auction for a whole mess of lenses. The lot included a few Super Taks, including a 50/1.4, but one of the pictures clearly showed a Taika Harigon 58/1.2. I quit following once it hit $150 with days left, I expect it went for substantially more. Had the picture been blurry that might have been a steal.