[Ira]

@Ira, good job. Glad to see you're finally using the 85. Sharpness is fine in my opinion.

.

Thanks. I'm gonna keep this lens on there for the next few days.

Who's the girl in that shot? Are you peeping on a NEIGHBOR!?

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Last edited by Ira; 06-10-2010 at 12:48 PM.

[LensScribe]

I have the same feeling about them. I don't ever seeing myself selling any.

They're like history to me. So much so that I after I can nail two or three more Tak purchases that I have my eye on (plus a modern lens), I'm going to be looking for a Super-Multi-Coated version of the 50 1.4 which I already have in Super.

I too, would sooner sell my camera. I thought about selling my S-M-C 50/1.4 now that I've gotten the early 8 element version Super... but I'll have to play with the new one for a while before I make that decision. The only Takumars I'm likely to sell are ones bought for the purpose. I occasionally pick up duplicates at local charity shops and the like. I'm still (like increasing numbers of people, no doubt) always on the look-out for a 35, an 85 and the 50 Macro...

I think it's the feel that gets me. They're so substantial, well machined and hardy that it's totally conceivable they'll last a few more generations beyond ours. Let's just hope camera companies continue to see the value in making M42 adapters.

[LensScribe]

Naturally, Ira, if I do opt to let the S-M-C 50/1.4 go you'll be the first to know

[Ira]

I'm pulling the trigger tonight (hopefully) on a 35 2 Super, because the seller is allowing me to make 2 payments.

It's a lot of bucks, but it's one I want to have.

[hangu]

For me Takumars are not some auxiliary sideline gear I own a couple of pieces of to provide me with a change of pace from higher priced modern gear and which would be the first to get sacrificed in a pinch. They're my mainline everyday gear and if I needed money in a pinch I'd first sell off my two Tamrons. For one thing, they'd bring more money than the Takumars, and for another they're still in production and therefore more easily replaceable.

If times get hard enough that I'm down to selling off $20~50 Takumars then it is highly likely I have overlooked some other salable items along the way. Hell, I'd sell off the K20D first. It would bring more than the lenses, could be replaced with an upgrade later on, and at least I could still use my Takumars with my film bodies every now and then.

They'll be the last thing to go.

I don't think your 85 f1.9, SMC 35 f2, 105 f2.8 and SMC 50 f1.4 are individually worth $20-50. They're collectively worth roughly twice as much as your K20D.

You seriously would not sell your 85 f1.9 if you see an SMC 85 f1.8 for sale for only a few bucks more?

Anyway, I think I've learned my lesson. My M42 lenses aren't going anywhere. They'll be with me always, even if I were to switch to Canon FF.

I'm pulling the trigger tonight (hopefully) on a 35 2 Super, because the seller is allowing me to make 2 payments.

It's a lot of bucks, but it's one I want to have.

I think it's a nice lens but it's certainly not worth $300+. Unlike the S Tak 85mm, where there are no cheaper models in that focal length, there are plenty of 35mm lenses that are almost as good for 1/10 of the price. The S-Tak 35mm f3.5 is pretty awesome for a $30 lens. If you insist on purchasing it at Buy-It-Now price, be sure to go through Bing Cash Back for an 8% instant refund.

[Quicksand]

Anyway, I think I've learned my lesson. My M42 lenses aren't going anywhere. They'll be with me always, even if I were to switch to Canon FF.

The only Takumar I have ever sold was a 135mm f/2.5 Super Tak -- the original optical formula, obviously, because it changed sometime during SMC Tak production.

It was a lovely lens to handle and use, and I could get decent results out of it under certain circumstances (e.g. softish lighting, low contrast scenes), but the chromatic aberration was horrible in harsh lighting and outdoors. Really bad.

Ever since then I have been looking for a late-model SMC Tak 135/2.5 or equivalent K-series model (heresy!) at a reasonable price, but I don't miss getting rid of that old one. And I'm not going to obsess over finding a replacement.

[Ira]

I'm not buying the 35 2:

I decided about an hour ago that my family needs a real vacation, NOT Disney, so I started booking it:

We're going to fly into San Francisco, and drive up to Oregon and back. We've done the LA to San Fran drive twice, but we really want to go way north of there.

JetBlue does Ft. Lauderdale to San Fran, and taking the inconvenient flights, the total is $1450 roundtrip for the 4 of us, all adult level fares. Not that bad at all, leaving around August 9 and coming back on the 22nd.

[ChaseTheLight]

Ira, watch the weather for your schedule on the drive. I did that trip just a year ago and the Cali leg was fogged in most of the coast and the Oregon section had winds so high that my tripod was walking south most of the time. However, if you hit it right, it is some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

[Mike Cash]

I don't think your 85 f1.9, SMC 35 f2, 105 f2.8 and SMC 50 f1.4 are individually worth $20-50. They're collectively worth roughly twice as much as your K20D.

I gave about $200 for the 85/1.9, about $90 for the 35/2, about $70 for the 105/2.8, and the 50/1.4 came free with the ESII I bought for $50. That's a grand total of $360.

I gave about $15 for my 55/1.8, about $100 for my macro 50/4, $40 for a 200/4, $50 for a 28/3.5, and about $30 for my 35/3.5. That brings the total up to just shy of $600.....and 1/3 of that was for a single lens.

You seriously would not sell your 85 f1.9 if you see an SMC 85 f1.8 for sale for only a few bucks more?

That's like asking if I would put my first child up for adoption if my wife subsequently gave birth to a cuter one.

It wouldn't be an "upgrade", it would be a subsequent acquisition.

Anyway, I think I've learned my lesson. My M42 lenses aren't going anywhere. They'll be with me always, even if I were to switch to Canon FF.

Good idea.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 35/2

[fractal]

ST 55/1.8

[Mike Cash]

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 135/3.5

[Ira]

Ira, watch the weather for your schedule on the drive. I did that trip just a year ago and the Cali leg was fogged in most of the coast and the Oregon section had winds so high that my tripod was walking south most of the time. However, if you hit it right, it is some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

It can be that bad in August?

[fractal]

ST 55/1.8

[Ira]

This lens lives:

Super Tak 85 1.9

And I hope Mike doesn't mind that
I'm stealing his format here.

[captainslack]

So, Ira? Was it worth it?