Un-coated Takumar Lenses

Stephanie · 09-06-2009, 06:16 PM

Back again. So I've been researching these Takumar lenses I have, and I realized that they are un-coated. The two 135mm are "original" Takumars and the 55mm is an Auto Takumar. I looked through the Market place and it looks like everything sellins is either a Super Takumar or an SMC Takumar. Is anyone going to want to buy these lenses, and for how much? I teach photography at a community college, and I'm trying to figure out whether I can sell these lenses, or if they are so undesirable that I should just give them (+ camera) to one of my students that can't afford a camera of their own.

Thanks again in advance!

newarts · 09-06-2009, 06:54 PM

Some of the non-multicoated Takumar lenses have great, justified reputations, like the135/2.5.

I think the main benefit of multricoating is to reduce flare and loss of contrast, especially if there are many elements & groups. Some simple non-coated lenses with hoods can do very well indeed; one example is the 50mm Macro-Takumar 1:4.

Dave in Iowa

ddhytz · 09-06-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by newarts

....I think the main benefit of coating is to reduce flare and loss of contrast, ...

I thought coating would increase the contrast. So have I got it wrong?

raymeedc · 09-06-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by ddhytz

I thought coating would increase the contrast. So have I got it wrong?

You are correct, coating increases contrast..... Newarts was a little unclear in his explanation.

Fixcinater · 09-06-2009, 10:52 PM

I just picked up an Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2.2 and I really like the look it gives.

Horses for courses...go ahead and give them away if you can't sell them in a week or two, but I guarantee somebody here will be interested if you give good descriptions and pictures.

séamuis · 09-07-2009, 02:05 AM

as far as I know, all m42 Takumars are coated. I cant speak for m37 Asahi-Kogaku Takumars but if its m42 is coated. it may even be multi-coated. Asahi Optical didnt specify any coatings until the Super-Takumar lenses. these were indeed multi-coated, they were just not SMC. Asahi Optical kept SMC very distinct and separate from earlier coatings, as at the time (and still) it is one of if not the best multi-coating you can get on a lens. I have several Auto-Takumars and they are all coated. but the earlier coatings are still much more prone to flare and light loss, so if you have a hood, I suggest always using it.

give us some photos of the lenses and their condition, I assure you there will be people interested in purchasing them. for both personal use and collecting.

Nesster · 09-07-2009, 03:57 AM

Yes, for me the main fault of the M42 mount is that it isn't old enough for there to be true uncoated lenses! But the single coated Autos etc are lovely indeed. While SMC is undoubtedly a technical advance, I like to have a choice of flavor in my flare.

séamuis · 09-07-2009, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Yes, for me the main fault of the M42 mount is that it isn't old enough for there to be true uncoated lenses! But the single coated Autos etc are lovely indeed. While SMC is undoubtedly a technical advance, I like to have a choice of flavor in my flare.

agreed, in most situations, I actually prefer the look at get from my auto-takumars over my later super, s-m-c and SMC takumars.

Asahiflex · 09-07-2009, 04:46 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

as far as I know, all m42 Takumars are coated. I cant speak for m37 Asahi-Kogaku Takumars but if its m42 is coated.

AFAIK all lenses AOCo made after the war are coated. I have a wartime AOCo trench periscope and it's uncoated. All of the Made In Occupied Japan AOCo binoculars I own, made before the first Asahiflex, are coated. So, it won't come as a surprise that all Asahiflex lenses were coated too.

séamuis · 09-07-2009, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

AFAIK all lenses AOCo made after the war are coated. I have a wartime AOCo trench periscope and it's uncoated. All of the Made In Occupied Japan AOCo binoculars I own, made before the first Asahiflex, are coated. So, it won't come as a surprise that all Asahiflex lenses were coated too.

this is what I figured (and something told me you would know and chime in

) but since I didn't know for sure, I couldn't say. coated optics weren't a new thing even as far back as the 30's on some lenses, so it would certainly make sense. I have a pair of 'Coated Optics" Asahi Optical binoculars as well. really nice aren't they? I would love to come visit you and see your collection of Asahi Optical goodies (among other brands) just going on what I see over on MFLenses I envision your collection to be more than drool worthy...

LensScribe · 09-07-2009, 05:13 AM

I don't think you'll have a lack of interest in your M42 lenses, all of the old Taks (Supers, SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following.

Of course, it might be nice to give them to a needy student anyway if you don't plan to use them yourself

séamuis · 09-07-2009, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by LensScribe

I don't think you'll have a lack of interest in your M42 lenses, all of the old Taks (Supers, SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following.

Of course, it might be nice to give them to a needy student anyway if you don't plan to use them yourself

its not a lack of interest in Takumars, its a lack of interest in Pre-Super Takumars that the Op was wondering about. Auto-Takumars and Takumars.

LensScribe · 09-07-2009, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

its not a lack of interest in Takumars, its a lack of interest in Pre-Super Takumars that the Op was wondering about. Auto-Takumars and Takumars.

Quite right, sorry I meant to say "...(Pre-Supers, Pre-SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following." I just meant that the Taks garner a lot of interest from anyone who's used them, coated or un(/lesser)coated alike. They may not fetch a lot of money compared to their coated brethren, but they're still bound to get some interest be it from collectors or bargain hunters.

Further, as you pointed out séamuis, some people might even prefer them: "I actually prefer the look at get from my auto-takumars over my later super, s-m-c and SMC takumars."

Apologies for the confusion.

Mike Cash · 09-07-2009, 10:57 AM

Both of those are from the Auto-Takumar 55/2. Click on the photo of the dragonfly to check out a larger version.....then somebody explain to me why on earth anybody wouldn't want this lens.

séamuis · 09-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

en somebody explain to me why on earth anybody wouldn't want this lens.

christ mike, what are trying to do? your going to drive up the prices.... glad I got mine already.

09-06-2009, 06:16 PM	#1
Stephanie New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4	Un-coated Takumar Lenses Back again. So I've been researching these Takumar lenses I have, and I realized that they are un-coated. The two 135mm are "original" Takumars and the 55mm is an Auto Takumar. I looked through the Market place and it looks like everything sellins is either a Super Takumar or an SMC Takumar. Is anyone going to want to buy these lenses, and for how much? I teach photography at a community college, and I'm trying to figure out whether I can sell these lenses, or if they are so undesirable that I should just give them (+ camera) to one of my students that can't afford a camera of their own. Thanks again in advance!

09-06-2009, 06:54 PM	#2
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Some of the non-multicoated Takumar lenses have great, justified reputations, like the135/2.5. I think the main benefit of multricoating is to reduce flare and loss of contrast, especially if there are many elements & groups. Some simple non-coated lenses with hoods can do very well indeed; one example is the 50mm Macro-Takumar 1:4. Dave in Iowa Last edited by newarts; 09-06-2009 at 07:03 PM.

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09-06-2009, 07:02 PM	#3
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	Originally posted by newarts ....I think the main benefit of coating is to reduce flare and loss of contrast, ... I thought coating would increase the contrast. So have I got it wrong?

09-06-2009, 09:08 PM	#4
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	Originally posted by ddhytz I thought coating would increase the contrast. So have I got it wrong? You are correct, coating increases contrast..... Newarts was a little unclear in his explanation.

09-06-2009, 10:52 PM	#5
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	I just picked up an Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2.2 and I really like the look it gives. Horses for courses...go ahead and give them away if you can't sell them in a week or two, but I guarantee somebody here will be interested if you give good descriptions and pictures.

09-07-2009, 02:05 AM	#6
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	as far as I know, all m42 Takumars are coated. I cant speak for m37 Asahi-Kogaku Takumars but if its m42 is coated. it may even be multi-coated. Asahi Optical didnt specify any coatings until the Super-Takumar lenses. these were indeed multi-coated, they were just not SMC. Asahi Optical kept SMC very distinct and separate from earlier coatings, as at the time (and still) it is one of if not the best multi-coating you can get on a lens. I have several Auto-Takumars and they are all coated. but the earlier coatings are still much more prone to flare and light loss, so if you have a hood, I suggest always using it. give us some photos of the lenses and their condition, I assure you there will be people interested in purchasing them. for both personal use and collecting.

09-07-2009, 03:57 AM	#7
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Yes, for me the main fault of the M42 mount is that it isn't old enough for there to be true uncoated lenses! But the single coated Autos etc are lovely indeed. While SMC is undoubtedly a technical advance, I like to have a choice of flavor in my flare.

09-07-2009, 04:16 AM	#8
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by Nesster Yes, for me the main fault of the M42 mount is that it isn't old enough for there to be true uncoated lenses! But the single coated Autos etc are lovely indeed. While SMC is undoubtedly a technical advance, I like to have a choice of flavor in my flare. agreed, in most situations, I actually prefer the look at get from my auto-takumars over my later super, s-m-c and SMC takumars.

09-07-2009, 04:46 AM	#9
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by séamuis as far as I know, all m42 Takumars are coated. I cant speak for m37 Asahi-Kogaku Takumars but if its m42 is coated. AFAIK all lenses AOCo made after the war are coated. I have a wartime AOCo trench periscope and it's uncoated. All of the Made In Occupied Japan AOCo binoculars I own, made before the first Asahiflex, are coated. So, it won't come as a surprise that all Asahiflex lenses were coated too.

09-07-2009, 05:09 AM	#10
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by Asahiflex AFAIK all lenses AOCo made after the war are coated. I have a wartime AOCo trench periscope and it's uncoated. All of the Made In Occupied Japan AOCo binoculars I own, made before the first Asahiflex, are coated. So, it won't come as a surprise that all Asahiflex lenses were coated too. this is what I figured (and something told me you would know and chime in ) but since I didn't know for sure, I couldn't say. coated optics weren't a new thing even as far back as the 30's on some lenses, so it would certainly make sense. I have a pair of 'Coated Optics" Asahi Optical binoculars as well. really nice aren't they? I would love to come visit you and see your collection of Asahi Optical goodies (among other brands) just going on what I see over on MFLenses I envision your collection to be more than drool worthy...

09-07-2009, 05:13 AM	#11
LensScribe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	I don't think you'll have a lack of interest in your M42 lenses, all of the old Taks (Supers, SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following. Of course, it might be nice to give them to a needy student anyway if you don't plan to use them yourself

09-07-2009, 05:16 AM	#12
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by LensScribe I don't think you'll have a lack of interest in your M42 lenses, all of the old Taks (Supers, SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following. Of course, it might be nice to give them to a needy student anyway if you don't plan to use them yourself its not a lack of interest in Takumars, its a lack of interest in Pre-Super Takumars that the Op was wondering about. Auto-Takumars and Takumars.

09-07-2009, 05:24 AM	#13
LensScribe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	Originally posted by séamuis its not a lack of interest in Takumars, its a lack of interest in Pre-Super Takumars that the Op was wondering about. Auto-Takumars and Takumars. Quite right, sorry I meant to say "...(Pre-Supers, Pre-SMCs, whatever) seem to have quite a following." I just meant that the Taks garner a lot of interest from anyone who's used them, coated or un(/lesser)coated alike. They may not fetch a lot of money compared to their coated brethren, but they're still bound to get some interest be it from collectors or bargain hunters. Further, as you pointed out séamuis, some people might even prefer them: "I actually prefer the look at get from my auto-takumars over my later super, s-m-c and SMC takumars." Apologies for the confusion.

09-07-2009, 10:57 AM	#14
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Both of those are from the Auto-Takumar 55/2. Click on the photo of the dragonfly to check out a larger version.....then somebody explain to me why on earth anybody wouldn't want this lens.

09-07-2009, 11:13 AM	#15
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Quote: en somebody explain to me why on earth anybody wouldn't want this lens. christ mike, what are trying to do? your going to drive up the prices.... glad I got mine already.