[Nesster]

MSM, the 55 doesn't have yellowing like the 50/1.4.

In my experience, the build quality did go down a bit over time... the SMC's have a different design, with rubber and stuff. Not that every lens has little issues - loose trim etc - but seems like the incidence is greater the newer the lens.

The SMC coating is a genuine advance, advanced for even today. The earlier coated lenses can produce a different feel to photos, sometimes nicer, sometimes not. To be honest I don't often notice any significant diffrence.

I'd posted a photo of an Auto 55 vs SMC 55, let me dig it out again...





The Super is like the Auto, except the aperture ring goes in the normal Tak direction.
Note the difference in reflections on the front glass.

[MSM]

@Nesster: Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately, my work computer is not allowing me to see your pics. I will try on a different monitor. It seems that I can't go wrong with either. I can't believe how cheap some of these lenses are (at least for now).

[Quicksand]

Super Tak 135mm f/2.5, wiiiiide open.

[jamonation]

3 images from today with my 55mm f1.8. The people in the second are watching (and photographing with cell phones) the 3rd.

[Mike Cash]

I love this thread.

Pentax K20D
SMC Takumar 55/1.8

A container repair worker at the K-Line container yard in Tokyo's Ooi Wharf rests while waiting for a forklift to bring more containers in need of repair. The containers are placed across the sawhorses while being worked on in order to allow access to the bottom as well.

[figmental1978]

I love this thread.

Me too...I miss posting here but I haven't shot with my takumar's lately. I'll get back in the game soon!

[Mike Cash]

Pentax K20D
SMC Takumar 55/1.8
Pentax AF200T(x2)
Flash Waves

Just got back a couple rolls of film that I need to scan in sometime soon. One is from my ESII and the other from my SV. I think I'll take the SV out and try the 35/2 with it. Should make for a fun day.

[figmental1978]

hey mike

do you have a spotmatic? I'm looking for a battery replacement and was wondering if you know what to buy in Japan. I know the Energizer E387S is fine but not sure if you can get them here.

cheers
dan

[Mechan1k]

Dan ... have a look at Titrisol post at the end of this thread ... it has a great PDF for different batteries for the Spotties:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/44090-i-want-spotmatic.html

has all the different models under the sun for all the different versions of the Spotmatics ... etc.

Excellent information

[Mike Cash]

hey mike

do you have a spotmatic? I'm looking for a battery replacement and was wondering if you know what to buy in Japan. I know the Energizer E387S is fine but not sure if you can get them here.

cheers
dan

Mine is an ESII and I believe it uses LR41 batteries.

Keep an eye out on the auctions for a CLA'ed SV from "baichanjp" and pick yourself up one of those fine and fun cameras. He does all the work on them and sells them for peanuts. Got mine (with Super Takumar 55/1.8 thrown in) for just 4000 yen. No meter = no batteries to worry about. Throw a roll of color negative film in and go out for some Sunny 16 fun.

I think I'll take mine to work tomorrow.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 35/2

Trying the 35/2 wide open. Focus is on the unopened bud.

EDIT:

Based on the Spotmatic battery pdf file, I hunted up this chart. Look down the right side until you get to the "SR45"; that's the battery type you need. For specific model numbers, look under the アジア section for the numbers from different manufacturers. A trip to your local camera store, electronics store, or jeweler ought to yield some SR45 batteries for you. Or you could order them online. I found the Maxell version at Bic Camera's online store.

[figmental1978]

Thanks for the info. I've had a spotmatic for nearly two years and have never even used it, too busy with the K10D. Time to see if it actually works!

[jamonation]

Need a bump, and I just got my K20

Super Takumar 135mm f3.5
Asahi Pentax Bellows @ 110mm

[Nick Siebers]

Oh, I've got the Takumar bug bad, now. I bought a SP 1000 at a garage sale, with a 55mm f/2 attached. Sure it has a little peripherpal fungus, but it was cheap. Oh! So smooth to use, so solid and cool looking. So now in the last month I've bought 4 more. Whee! I wish I could figure how to get my pics posted here, not that they are nearly as good as most in the post. Still, what fun using these old beauties!

[jsherman999]

Oh, I've got the Takumar bug bad, now. I bought a SP 1000 at a garage sale, with a 55mm f/2 attached. Sure it has a little peripherpal fungus, but it was cheap. Oh! So smooth to use, so solid and cool looking. So now in the last month I've bought 4 more. Whee! I wish I could figure how to get my pics posted here, not that they are nearly as good as most in the post. Still, what fun using these old beauties!

No kidding. I was having so much fun with my Super Tak 55 f/2 I just tonight picked up
a Craigslist SMC Tak 55 f/2 so I can compare the two, with my SMC Tak 55 f/1.8 thrown in there.

There is no rhyme or reason to this. It's Takumar. (ala Jack Nicholson's
"It's Chinatown".)


(SMC Tak 55 2 Wide-open sharpness tests) :

[Andi Lo]

First post in the Takumar Thread! I got a SMC 50/1.4 recently but didnt realize how potent this baby is until I used it together with the AF360FGZ =) (I've been stupidly using it at the biggest apertures indoors. Out of camera JPEGs, might benefit from a little exposure adjustment but otherwise I'm starting to like this lens.