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Stratman · 11-29-2009, 01:42 PM

Mr. Cash, the photos of the dancers are just superb, the colors, the sharpness, exposure is awesome. Well done !! And also love Bergmanias shot of the jumping trout, great stuff !!

Peter Zack · 11-29-2009, 03:05 PM

MikeSF, I want that lens back.

Stunning second shot. Heck they are both good but the 2nd one is a home run. The Christmas lights look incredible and the skin tone and texture is wonderful.
Tak 135/3.5

Tak 28/3.5

Is there a bad Tak?

Argenticien · 11-29-2009, 08:45 PM

De-lurking here for a technical question: Does anyone have the first-generation Super Tak 35/2.0 and use it on a K20D? I'm reading on this page on the usual Tak site (Die Cast Pro) that it can "intersect the reflex mirror path of travel" on his DSLR, but when you click through, you find he was referring to it on an EOS 5D! Much obliged if anyone knows whether it is safe on a K20D. Again, this is the whopping big old 35/2.0 with the 67mm filter diameter, not the later one with the usual 49 mm maw.
Thanks!
--Dave

Peter Zack · 11-29-2009, 08:52 PM

I had this exact model for more than a year. Nice lens and yes very big. But there's no issue at all with the lens and the mirror on a Pentax DSLR. In fact I have never heard of any Takumar that was an issue with the mirror box on a Pentax camera.

If you can find one at a fair price, it's well worth owning.

Last edited by Peter Zack; 11-30-2009 at 05:48 AM.

Blue · 11-30-2009, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

I had this exact model for more than a year. Nice lens and yes very big. But there's no issue at all with the lens and the mirror on a Pentax DSLR. In fact I have never heard of any Takumar that was an issue with the mirror ox on a Pentax camera.

If you can find one at a fair price, it's well worth owning.

Peter, there is an issue with the mirror box on some of the pre-Spotties and the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses, especially the early version of the SV. There are also some issues with some of the Super Tak 50 and 55mm f1.8 lenses (f 1.8 engraved on the left of diaphragm) on the Spot F, ES and ES II as per the manuals for the latter 3.

Peter Zack · 11-30-2009, 05:50 AM

Sorry Blue I was thinking DSLR and should have been more clear. I wasn't sure which but had heard there were a few older (40 +year old) screwmount body and lens combos that had this problem.

Mike Cash · 11-30-2009, 06:20 AM

Both:
Pentax K20D
SMC Takumar 55/1.8

I never like to call my own photos "good", but I think these two go a long way toward justifying the love many of us have for the lowly 55/1.8 and why we think it doesn't have to take a backseat to its more popular 50/1.4 cousin.

Peter Zack · 11-30-2009, 06:27 AM

Well Mike allow me to not only call these good, but excellent. Love the colour, sharpness and particularly the use of the light. Well done!

As you said, this is a highly underrated lens. I have one as well. Cost me all of $15.00 (SMC) and considering a 1.4 Super is about $80 and SMC is around $100, this lens offers incredible value. I did think the 50 offered a nicer bokeh though and MikeSF's earlier shots show that off nicely.

Mike Cash · 11-30-2009, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Well Mike allow me to not only call these good, but excellent. Love the colour, sharpness and particularly the use of the light. Well done!

Any credit goes to the girls who danced purty....I always remind them if they don't dance purty there isn't a damned thing I can do to fix it on my end. The light was just whatever the stage lights were doing at the time. And the most credit goes to those unsung heroes of the slide rule and #2 pencil who designed the Takumars, of course.

Just a few minutes ago I won an auction on my first ever real honest-to-gosh macro lens, which also happens to have been Pentax's first ever macro lens, I think...the 1:1 magnifying preset Macro-Takumar 50/4. I hope to have it in my hot little hands by this coming weekend. I probably paid too much for it, but it ain't like they're still making the things, and I figure to use it for a looooong looooong time. Look forward to using it on my ESII as well.

Pentax K20D
Super Takumar 85/1.9

Argenticien · 11-30-2009, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Peter, there is an issue with the mirror box on some of the pre-Spotties and the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses, especially the early version of the SV. There are also some issues with some of the Super Tak 50 and 55mm f1.8 lenses (f 1.8 engraved on the left of diaphragm) on the Spot F, ES and ES II as per the manuals for the latter 3.

Thanks Peter, and Blue. So it sounds like no issues with this old 35/2 lens on a DSLR (Peter -- which camera did you use yours on?) but maybe on Spotties. Interesting that latter point, as right now I'm using Taks only on K20D (and could do on my old ZX-5 I suppose) but I am thinking of getting a Spottie eventually to return these Taks to their natural habitat, if you will. Thanks!
--Dave

heartcat · 11-30-2009, 10:20 AM

Peter Zack, that mossy tree shot is great, so much texture.

Mike Cash, I always feel like I'm actually at the performance looking at your photos, in a front row seat. Of the last two, I think the first one is especially superb, everything about it is just perfect.

heartcat · 11-30-2009, 11:50 AM

My daughter. SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8

mikeSF · 11-30-2009, 10:23 PM

Here is another pic from my new Super Tak 50/1.4, shot wide open and with a short extension tube:

Asahiflex · 12-01-2009, 04:15 AM

@Heartcat: great natural portrait!

@mikeSF: I really love the colors and the pictorial aspects. Well done!

Hopefully I can add another Takumar to my collection tonight... I'm expecting the 58mm f/2 preset Takumar any moment now. It may not sound too special to most of you, but it is not a Double Gauss design (like all Pentax 55mm and 50mm standard lenses and all 35mm SLR standard lenses ever made, from all makers) but a Sonnar design. Quite interesting to say the least! I'm sure it will be a great companion to my 58mm f/2.4 Takumar (Heliar design, also unique for a 35mm SLR standard lens). I'll compare it to the 58mm f/2 Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar: same focal length and same speed, so a proper comparison can definitely be made.

Mike Cash · 12-01-2009, 04:25 AM

Thought I'd give a small glimpse of the behind-the-scenes method I use for doing after-the-fact composing of these dance photos by including a screen shot showing the "diagonal method" crop tool in use in Lightroom:

Both:
Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 35/2

Sometimes I feel like such a fraud. (And the "rule of thirds" can kiss my a$$).

11-29-2009, 03:05 PM	#3047
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	MikeSF, I want that lens back. Stunning second shot. Heck they are both good but the 2nd one is a home run. The Christmas lights look incredible and the skin tone and texture is wonderful. Tak 135/3.5 Tak 28/3.5 Is there a bad Tak? Last edited by Peter Zack; 11-29-2009 at 03:17 PM.

11-29-2009, 08:45 PM	#3048
Argenticien Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 208	A rare technical question.... De-lurking here for a technical question: Does anyone have the first-generation Super Tak 35/2.0 and use it on a K20D? I'm reading on this page on the usual Tak site (Die Cast Pro) that it can "intersect the reflex mirror path of travel" on his DSLR, but when you click through, you find he was referring to it on an EOS 5D! Much obliged if anyone knows whether it is safe on a K20D. Again, this is the whopping big old 35/2.0 with the 67mm filter diameter, not the later one with the usual 49 mm maw. Thanks! --Dave

11-30-2009, 12:25 AM	#3050
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Peter Zack I had this exact model for more than a year. Nice lens and yes very big. But there's no issue at all with the lens and the mirror on a Pentax DSLR. In fact I have never heard of any Takumar that was an issue with the mirror ox on a Pentax camera. If you can find one at a fair price, it's well worth owning. Peter, there is an issue with the mirror box on some of the pre-Spotties and the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses, especially the early version of the SV. There are also some issues with some of the Super Tak 50 and 55mm f1.8 lenses (f 1.8 engraved on the left of diaphragm) on the Spot F, ES and ES II as per the manuals for the latter 3. Last edited by Blue; 11-30-2009 at 12:34 AM.

11-30-2009, 10:23 PM	#3058
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	Here is another pic from my new Super Tak 50/1.4, shot wide open and with a short extension tube: Last edited by mikeSF; 11-30-2009 at 10:31 PM.

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11-29-2009, 01:42 PM	#3046
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Mr. Cash, the photos of the dancers are just superb, the colors, the sharpness, exposure is awesome. Well done !! And also love Bergmanias shot of the jumping trout, great stuff !!

11-29-2009, 08:52 PM	#3049
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I had this exact model for more than a year. Nice lens and yes very big. But there's no issue at all with the lens and the mirror on a Pentax DSLR. In fact I have never heard of any Takumar that was an issue with the mirror box on a Pentax camera. If you can find one at a fair price, it's well worth owning. Last edited by Peter Zack; 11-30-2009 at 05:48 AM.

11-30-2009, 05:50 AM	#3051
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Sorry Blue I was thinking DSLR and should have been more clear. I wasn't sure which but had heard there were a few older (40 +year old) screwmount body and lens combos that had this problem.

11-30-2009, 06:20 AM	#3052
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Both: Pentax K20D SMC Takumar 55/1.8 I never like to call my own photos "good", but I think these two go a long way toward justifying the love many of us have for the lowly 55/1.8 and why we think it doesn't have to take a backseat to its more popular 50/1.4 cousin.

11-30-2009, 06:27 AM	#3053
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Well Mike allow me to not only call these good, but excellent. Love the colour, sharpness and particularly the use of the light. Well done! As you said, this is a highly underrated lens. I have one as well. Cost me all of $15.00 (SMC) and considering a 1.4 Super is about $80 and SMC is around $100, this lens offers incredible value. I did think the 50 offered a nicer bokeh though and MikeSF's earlier shots show that off nicely.

11-30-2009, 08:06 AM	#3054
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by Peter Zack Well Mike allow me to not only call these good, but excellent. Love the colour, sharpness and particularly the use of the light. Well done! Any credit goes to the girls who danced purty....I always remind them if they don't dance purty there isn't a damned thing I can do to fix it on my end. The light was just whatever the stage lights were doing at the time. And the most credit goes to those unsung heroes of the slide rule and #2 pencil who designed the Takumars, of course. Just a few minutes ago I won an auction on my first ever real honest-to-gosh macro lens, which also happens to have been Pentax's first ever macro lens, I think...the 1:1 magnifying preset Macro-Takumar 50/4. I hope to have it in my hot little hands by this coming weekend. I probably paid too much for it, but it ain't like they're still making the things, and I figure to use it for a looooong looooong time. Look forward to using it on my ESII as well. Pentax K20D Super Takumar 85/1.9

11-30-2009, 09:41 AM	#3055
Argenticien Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 208	Originally posted by Blue Peter, there is an issue with the mirror box on some of the pre-Spotties and the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses, especially the early version of the SV. There are also some issues with some of the Super Tak 50 and 55mm f1.8 lenses (f 1.8 engraved on the left of diaphragm) on the Spot F, ES and ES II as per the manuals for the latter 3. Thanks Peter, and Blue. So it sounds like no issues with this old 35/2 lens on a DSLR (Peter -- which camera did you use yours on?) but maybe on Spotties. Interesting that latter point, as right now I'm using Taks only on K20D (and could do on my old ZX-5 I suppose) but I am thinking of getting a Spottie eventually to return these Taks to their natural habitat, if you will. Thanks! --Dave

11-30-2009, 10:20 AM	#3056
heartcat Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 22	Peter Zack, that mossy tree shot is great, so much texture. Mike Cash, I always feel like I'm actually at the performance looking at your photos, in a front row seat. Of the last two, I think the first one is especially superb, everything about it is just perfect.

11-30-2009, 11:50 AM	#3057
heartcat Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 22	My daughter. SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8

12-01-2009, 04:15 AM	#3059
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	@Heartcat: great natural portrait! @mikeSF: I really love the colors and the pictorial aspects. Well done! Hopefully I can add another Takumar to my collection tonight... I'm expecting the 58mm f/2 preset Takumar any moment now. It may not sound too special to most of you, but it is not a Double Gauss design (like all Pentax 55mm and 50mm standard lenses and all 35mm SLR standard lenses ever made, from all makers) but a Sonnar design. Quite interesting to say the least! I'm sure it will be a great companion to my 58mm f/2.4 Takumar (Heliar design, also unique for a 35mm SLR standard lens). I'll compare it to the 58mm f/2 Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar: same focal length and same speed, so a proper comparison can definitely be made.

12-01-2009, 04:25 AM	#3060
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Thought I'd give a small glimpse of the behind-the-scenes method I use for doing after-the-fact composing of these dance photos by including a screen shot showing the "diagonal method" crop tool in use in Lightroom: Both: Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 35/2 Sometimes I feel like such a fraud. (And the "rule of thirds" can kiss my a$$).

Takumar club

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