S-M-C Takumar 1000mm f/8

**gofour3** · 10-13-2009, 10:31 AM

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Originally posted by 8540tomg

Phil,

Good to see you found a K 500/4.5 - I envy you that one. The 500 and longer club sounds like fun. It will be a pretty exclusive group. There can't be more than a half dozen lenses in that range. I won't be able to join but I'll watch with interest.

Tom G

Thanks Tom. I tested the K500 for the first time last week and get the slides back today. I’m looking forward to seeing the results. It's more than twice the weight of my K400, so I found my tripod ball head rather hard to maneuver. I'm going to get a pan/tilt head instead.

Phil

MXP · 10-13-2009, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

So, uh... I may have just done a very foolish thing.

Was cruising eBay tonight (yes, the beginning of all bank account-crippling stories...) and came across this auction:

PENTAX ASAHI TAKUMAR 500mm TELEPHOTO LENS MUST SEE !! - eBay (item 270448120945 end time Aug-26-09 22:26:56 PDT)

Of course, the first thing I noticed was that the listing said 500mm f/4.5, while the pics clearly show a S-M-C 1000mm f/8.

I sent the seller a question asking for clarification on the lens identity and the condition of the internal elements, but then I got to thinking...

If I wait for the seller to respond, there's a pretty good chance someone else is going to take a gamble and snap it up. And even if it is the 500mm f/4.5, that's a pretty damn good price (especially w/ Bing cashback, etc). And on the off chance it's really the S-M-C 1000mm f/8... well... what a deal!

So I jumped.

LBA, story of my life.

Maybe he had both on action and just swapped the images?
A 500/4.5 may be same size as the 1000/8?

deadwolfbones · 10-13-2009, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by MXP

Maybe he had both on action and just swapped the images?
A 500/4.5 may be same size as the 1000/8?

No, they're different sizes and weights. I think he simply picked up the wrong title info from somewhere.

deadwolfbones · 10-13-2009, 12:57 PM

Hi guys,

After some soul-searching, I've decided to sell the lens. I simply have no practical use for it and I'd rather see it go to someone who can get the most out of it, especially now that it's in working condition.

As I've stated in the for-sale thread, guys who helped out in this thread will have first dibs.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/76345-sale-k20d...tml#post773354

**dadipentak** · 10-13-2009, 01:53 PM

Good luck with the sale! It was a great adventure--even vicariously ;~)

WheresWaldo · 10-13-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Thanks Tom. I tested the K500 for the first time last week and get the slides back today. I’m looking forward to seeing the results. It's more than twice the weight of my K400, so I found my tripod ball head rather hard to maneuver. I'm going to get a pan/tilt head instead.

Phil

Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens:

**gofour3** · 10-13-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by WheresWaldo

Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens:

Thanks I'll check it out.

Phil.

Ben_Edict · 10-13-2009, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by WheresWaldo

Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens:

I use the Manfrotto MA393 gimbal, which is the cheapest quality option, for the same purpose. Works nicely with the 500/4.5.
Gimbal Heads

Ben

**dadipentak** · 10-13-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

I use the Manfrotto MA393 gimbal, which is the cheapest quality option, for the same purpose. Works nicely with the 500/4.5.
Ben

I use the Manfrotto gimbal with my 1000mm and it works fine although I have some trouble loosening the knobs. I'm getting some wiggle but that's no doubt from the undersized legs, not the head.

tvfd911 · 10-13-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Hi guys,

After some soul-searching, I've decided to sell the lens. I simply have no practical use for it and I'd rather see it go to someone who can get the most out of it, especially now that it's in working condition.

As I've stated in the for-sale thread, guys who helped out in this thread will have first dibs.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/76345-sale-k20d...tml#post773354

Wow. I've followed this thread through all your troubleshooting and tinkerings. This caught me off guard. Someone will be quite lucky. I've spent too much lately and need to spend some more quality time with my 500mm.

Peter Zack · 10-16-2009, 12:16 PM

If I thought it was even possible to afford the shipping on this, I'd give it some consideration. But I'm sure customs would nail me on this.

Not like you could sneak it across the border....

Blue · 10-16-2009, 12:29 PM

Peter,

You could always "borrow" it to take some shots of Jupiter's moons.

deadwolfbones · 10-16-2009, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

If I thought it was even possible to afford the shipping on this, I'd give it some consideration. But I'm sure customs would nail me on this.

Not like you could sneak it across the border....

I've never had import duties imposed on any lens I've shipped to Canada, but I dunno how they'd handle this one.

As for shipping, well... I'd imagine it'd be $40+ but probably not unmanageable.

Let me know, Peter...

**monochrome** · 12-13-2009, 11:36 PM

Ha Ha - this thread needs to come back to life.

tvfd911 ended up purchasing this lens, then he bought a BGN Takumar 500/4.5 that had a good F-mount and swapped the mounts. Then he apparently bought a better SMC Tak 500/4.5. So he has sold ME the BGN (with excellent glass) Takumar 500/4.5, with the hacked mount trimmed so infinity focus works and the T-K mount adapter I sent to deadwolfbones attached.

How could I resist? I bought the lens. So that T-mount that I've had for a decade is COMING BACK!! It will finally be attached to something you can take a picture through

Preliminary photos coming soon. I expect along about February 1st there will be some wintering Bald Eagles in the Mississippi River above St. Louis that need a portrait done !!

Ben_Edict · 12-14-2009, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

How could I resist? I bought the lens. So that T-mount that I've had for a decade is COMING BACK!! It will finally be attached to something you can take a picture through

Preliminary photos coming soon. I expect along about February 1st there will be some wintering Bald Eagles in the Mississippi River above St. Louis that need a portrait done !!

So, I guess, you'll have a lot of fun and good opportunities with this lens. I like my own copy. It's sharp and has good contrast an the purple fringing can be controlled by stepping dows and tyring to avoid the bright sky as a background.
It works well with the Pentax L tcs. If you have the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter it might be worth a try – I am simply curious on hearing your experience. My own trials with the AF adapter lead to extreme PF and unuseable images.

Ben

12-13-2009, 11:36 PM	#194
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	It's Baaaaack!! Ha Ha - this thread needs to come back to life. tvfd911 ended up purchasing this lens, then he bought a BGN Takumar 500/4.5 that had a good F-mount and swapped the mounts. Then he apparently bought a better SMC Tak 500/4.5. So he has sold ME the BGN (with excellent glass) Takumar 500/4.5, with the hacked mount trimmed so infinity focus works and the T-K mount adapter I sent to deadwolfbones attached. How could I resist? I bought the lens. So that T-mount that I've had for a decade is COMING BACK!! It will finally be attached to something you can take a picture through Preliminary photos coming soon. I expect along about February 1st there will be some wintering Bald Eagles in the Mississippi River above St. Louis that need a portrait done !!

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10-13-2009, 10:31 AM	#181
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by 8540tomg Phil, Good to see you found a K 500/4.5 - I envy you that one. The 500 and longer club sounds like fun. It will be a pretty exclusive group. There can't be more than a half dozen lenses in that range. I won't be able to join but I'll watch with interest. Tom G Thanks Tom. I tested the K500 for the first time last week and get the slides back today. I’m looking forward to seeing the results. It's more than twice the weight of my K400, so I found my tripod ball head rather hard to maneuver. I'm going to get a pan/tilt head instead. Phil

10-13-2009, 11:11 AM	#182
MXP New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 5	Originally posted by deadwolfbones So, uh... I may have just done a very foolish thing. Was cruising eBay tonight (yes, the beginning of all bank account-crippling stories...) and came across this auction: PENTAX ASAHI TAKUMAR 500mm TELEPHOTO LENS MUST SEE !! - eBay (item 270448120945 end time Aug-26-09 22:26:56 PDT) Of course, the first thing I noticed was that the listing said 500mm f/4.5, while the pics clearly show a S-M-C 1000mm f/8. I sent the seller a question asking for clarification on the lens identity and the condition of the internal elements, but then I got to thinking... If I wait for the seller to respond, there's a pretty good chance someone else is going to take a gamble and snap it up. And even if it is the 500mm f/4.5, that's a pretty damn good price (especially w/ Bing cashback, etc). And on the off chance it's really the S-M-C 1000mm f/8... well... what a deal! So I jumped. LBA, story of my life. Maybe he had both on action and just swapped the images? A 500/4.5 may be same size as the 1000/8?

10-13-2009, 11:57 AM	#183
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 Original Poster	Originally posted by MXP Maybe he had both on action and just swapped the images? A 500/4.5 may be same size as the 1000/8? No, they're different sizes and weights. I think he simply picked up the wrong title info from somewhere.

10-13-2009, 12:57 PM	#184
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 Original Poster	Hi guys, After some soul-searching, I've decided to sell the lens. I simply have no practical use for it and I'd rather see it go to someone who can get the most out of it, especially now that it's in working condition. As I've stated in the for-sale thread, guys who helped out in this thread will have first dibs. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/76345-sale-k20d...tml#post773354

10-13-2009, 01:53 PM	#185
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Good luck with the sale! It was a great adventure--even vicariously ;~)

10-13-2009, 02:04 PM	#186
WheresWaldo Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 498	Originally posted by gofour3 Thanks Tom. I tested the K500 for the first time last week and get the slides back today. I’m looking forward to seeing the results. It's more than twice the weight of my K400, so I found my tripod ball head rather hard to maneuver. I'm going to get a pan/tilt head instead. Phil Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens:

10-13-2009, 02:39 PM	#187
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by WheresWaldo Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens: Thanks I'll check it out. Phil.

10-13-2009, 02:50 PM	#188
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by WheresWaldo Phil maybe a gimbal mount would be better than a pan/tilt for such a big long lens: I use the Manfrotto MA393 gimbal, which is the cheapest quality option, for the same purpose. Works nicely with the 500/4.5. Gimbal Heads Ben

10-13-2009, 04:10 PM	#189
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Ben_Edict I use the Manfrotto MA393 gimbal, which is the cheapest quality option, for the same purpose. Works nicely with the 500/4.5. Ben I use the Manfrotto gimbal with my 1000mm and it works fine although I have some trouble loosening the knobs. I'm getting some wiggle but that's no doubt from the undersized legs, not the head.

10-13-2009, 04:38 PM	#190
tvfd911 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 354	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Hi guys, After some soul-searching, I've decided to sell the lens. I simply have no practical use for it and I'd rather see it go to someone who can get the most out of it, especially now that it's in working condition. As I've stated in the for-sale thread, guys who helped out in this thread will have first dibs. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/76345-sale-k20d...tml#post773354 Wow. I've followed this thread through all your troubleshooting and tinkerings. This caught me off guard. Someone will be quite lucky. I've spent too much lately and need to spend some more quality time with my 500mm.

10-16-2009, 12:16 PM	#191
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	If I thought it was even possible to afford the shipping on this, I'd give it some consideration. But I'm sure customs would nail me on this. Not like you could sneak it across the border....

10-16-2009, 12:29 PM	#192
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Peter, You could always "borrow" it to take some shots of Jupiter's moons.

10-16-2009, 01:12 PM	#193
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack If I thought it was even possible to afford the shipping on this, I'd give it some consideration. But I'm sure customs would nail me on this. Not like you could sneak it across the border.... I've never had import duties imposed on any lens I've shipped to Canada, but I dunno how they'd handle this one. As for shipping, well... I'd imagine it'd be $40+ but probably not unmanageable. Let me know, Peter...

12-14-2009, 03:59 AM	#195
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by monochrome How could I resist? I bought the lens. So that T-mount that I've had for a decade is COMING BACK!! It will finally be attached to something you can take a picture through Preliminary photos coming soon. I expect along about February 1st there will be some wintering Bald Eagles in the Mississippi River above St. Louis that need a portrait done !! So, I guess, you'll have a lot of fun and good opportunities with this lens. I like my own copy. It's sharp and has good contrast an the purple fringing can be controlled by stepping dows and tyring to avoid the bright sky as a background. It works well with the Pentax L tcs. If you have the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter it might be worth a try – I am simply curious on hearing your experience. My own trials with the AF adapter lead to extreme PF and unuseable images. Ben