[Jean Poitiers]

Great captures, Cloapex ... very, very nice ... TFS, J

[ToyTank]

I was very interested to find out how my oldest Takumars coped with the K-3's extra power. Today I got the chance to try a 1958 Auto Takumar 55/2 (the one with the front aperture ring, 10 blades and cocking lever). The bokeh always tends to be "unusual" with this lens wide open. A bit of post processing required but not radical...The DA35 Macro LTD didn't do noticeably better at the center

Very nice, I wonder if the same lenses that tested well for the Q will be good fit for the K-3

Bokeh looks a bit like crescents? Anyone else seeing that. Yep this forum is bad or LBA

[ToyTank]

I have the SMC version of the 200/4. More on my specific one at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/120-general-technical-troubleshooting/152...-function.html

Your image of the dog is somewhat similar to mine of the palm tree into the sun on a wet morning. I have also noticed very similar effects when photographing people giving presentations near to screens with digital projectors in fairly dark rooms. This results in very similar flare effects. In my collection that lens is an odd one out having that kind of behaviour, so it does not find its way onto my camera much, or even into the camera bag.

Thank you for your feedback on the SMC version and the link, good to know.. I'll use it still because it fills a large gap in my prime focal lengths from 105mm to 400mm. I was lucky enough to get original hoods also, if I was going for keepers I certainly would have flipped it around.

It feels long for 200mm, I've read modern zoom especially use exaggerated numbers maybe that is why. Does not seems to focus breath like some other lenses where the FOV changes drastically when focusing.

[tim60]

I am much happier with the performance of both the TeleTak 300/6.3 and STak 300/4 in the conference speaker role. Need to use Alex Janssen's methods of standing and breathing in the darkened rooms to get some good images of speakers. (I find it quite fun to try to pick the personality of speakers during their talk - they are all so different - and capture it to image.)

I am much more inclined to use the 135 (2.5 or 3.5) or the 150/4 than the 200/4. They are smaller and easier to carry.

Beyond 300 I have a big gap, to a 1000. Actually, on APS-C I do not often want longer than 300 and I often find myself going out for things that suit the wider lenses.

[ToyTank]

There was a 135/3.5 in the same lot, but has one fungus snowflake that is keeping me from using it. It appears to be in the back of the front group. I'm a near novice, and I appreciate the advice. I usually carry a zoom that covers the same FL/ speed pretty well(DA 55-300 WR) after some more time I may decide the 200/4 has no advantage to me.

[tim60]

You should find some useful information about both the 135/3.5 and 200/4 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/114-maintenance-repair-articles/179884-pe...-database.html

For a method of getting the vanity ring off the front look at a series of posts I had here a couple weeks back. The OP gave some great advice.

A camera shop told me the tool to use for unscrewing the slotted rings around glass etc is a micrometer - cheaper than a lens spanner. Get a metal one.

The Takumar lenses have both straight screw heads and some cross heads. The cross heads are JIS standard, not Philips. A Phillips driver in a JIS screw will strip the screw head.

Tweezers, like the ones Focusingscreen ship with their screens are very useful for holding screws to position them properly.

[STk]

I was very interested to find out how my oldest Takumars coped with the K-3's extra power. Today I got the chance to try a 1958 Auto Takumar 55/2 (the one with the front aperture ring, 10 blades and cocking lever). The bokeh always tends to be "unusual" with this lens wide open. A bit of post processing required but not radical...The DA35 Macro LTD didn't do noticeably better at the center

Bought in good condition Auto Takumar 55/2.2
Very good lens.
1,2,3 Wide open at a minimum distance. Perfect in the center and in the corner.

4.5 On f4(may be 5.6)
I like this new old lens

Attached Images

         

[ToyTank]

You should find some useful information about both the 135/3.5 and 200/4 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/114-maintenance-repair-articles/179884-pe...-database.html

For a method of getting the vanity ring off the front look at a series of posts I had here a couple weeks back. The OP gave some great advice.

A camera shop told me the tool to use for unscrewing the slotted rings around glass etc is a micrometer - cheaper than a lens spanner. Get a metal one.

The Takumar lenses have both straight screw heads and some cross heads. The cross heads are JIS standard, not Philips. A Phillips driver in a JIS screw will strip the screw head.

Tweezers, like the ones Focusingscreen ship with their screens are very useful for holding screws to position them properly.

Thanks tim, I was reading the link in the database yesterday, and it does not seem too complicated, but I have not taken a lens apart before. Thanks especially for the JIS screw information, the last thing I'd want to do is strip out hard to replace screws.

I have a good electronics tool kit, not sure if I have a JIS driver, but I have screw captures and micrometers. If I end up tackling the cleaning I'm post a couple photos.

[Asahiflex]

Showing the famous Sonnar bokeh from the 58mm f/2 Takumar (pre-set):

[Pepe Guitarra]

Showing the famous Sonnar bokeh from the 58mm f/2 Takumar (pre-set):

Peter: Can you share your technique? I have the same lens and the K5 and do not seem to get the same effect you do. Are you shooting in P mode? If yes, how do you do the setting, do you fix the aperture? Thanks, Pepe

This is what I can do so far:

[Asahiflex]

Hi Pepe,

What effect do you mean? I must say that I really like your photo, nothing wrong with that one! Yes, I shoot solely in P mode, albeit in RAW. So I can change the exposure in post processing where necessary. But that's about all I do with the RAWs (apart from manual white balancing)...

[Pepe Guitarra]

Hi Pepe,

What effect do you mean? I must say that I really like your photo, nothing wrong with that one! Yes, I shoot solely in P mode, albeit in RAW. So I can change the exposure in post processing where necessary. But that's about all I do with the RAWs (apart from manual white balancing)...

Are you shooting wide open?

Here are some samples wide open:

[ranchy]

Not been actively using my Manual lenses. Felt that I am getting bad with Manual focus with OVF.. Sometime need to use Live view for those shots. :P

Super Takumar 50mm




Takumar 83

[Pepe Guitarra]

As age grows, manual (and visual) focussing becomes more difficult. That is the reason, I would like to talk to you privately about that 83mm of your .
Seriously!!
Pepe

[ToyTank]

Very nice ranchy, I would say 1st and last are my favorites. There is a spot on the wall on the first one I can't help but stare at