Takumar club

**Andrew_Oid** · 05-18-2016, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by fotomarc

I just bought an Auto-Takumar 35mm f2.3 on eBay, and it seems to have quite a number of fine scratches on it (only visible with a flashlight). It's the first lens of this vintage that I've examined, so I'm wondering if such scratches are more common with ones of this age, as compared with, say a mid-1970s lens (perhaps due to the differences in coatings). I'm thinking of returning it, but I'm not sure if maybe I'm just expecting too much for a lens of this vintage.

I have a post in another forum (Online used lens purchases -- am I being too picky?) with photos of some of the scratches. I'd be interested in hearing what folks with experience with older lenses (especially those of the Auto-Takumar era) think of its condition.

Thanks,
Marc

If you look close enough you'll find a flaw in everything. I've bought quite a few vintage lenses over the years. I have rarely examined one with a magnifying glass and a bright flashlight. If the lens looks clean and clear to the unaided eye, I'm satisfied. If I look too closely I'm sure I'll find something and then whenever I use the lens (if I keep it) I'll be reminded of the fault and my enjoyment of the photographic experience will be diminished. Have you taken any photos with the lens? Does it seem that the defects you've noticed (which are greatly magnified in your photos of them) might be degrading image quality? If yes, then by all means return it. If no, I would certainly contact the seller to let him know you have seen a discrepancy between his description of the lens and the actual product and see if he would be willing to adjust his price. Or you may choose to return it. We do have to be careful not to have unreasonable expectations, but we should expect that a seller is honest in his representation of the condition of the lens.

Jonathan Mac · 05-19-2016, 02:50 AM

Originally posted by RAART

I like that Fuji sensor...

**Clarkey** · 05-20-2016, 07:49 PM - **3 Likes**

I have my SMC Macro tak back from long term loan:

Lilac by Aaron, on Flickr

Unexpected things by Aaron, on Flickr

The infinity focus has gone at present, but it's all good for macro.

Helios 1984 · 05-20-2016, 07:56 PM - **1 Like**

Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8

Canadian Military Pattern truck

JosQ · 05-22-2016, 02:25 AM - **5 Likes**

K30 with S-M-C Takumar 105mm F2.8

On a Carnival in Maastricht NL

Gr. Jos

Mike Bokeh · 05-22-2016, 09:24 AM

Excellent series, JosQ.

All very appealing images.

I, also have a Tak 105 2.8.

You're inspiring me to take it out more often.

Mike

Jonathan Mac · 05-23-2016, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by JosQ

K30 with S-M-C Takumar 105mm F2.8

On a Carnival in Maastricht NL

Gr. Jos

Very nice portraits. It must have been tough to focus accurately on a DSLR with those moving subjects.

**Erictator** · 05-23-2016, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Very nice portraits. It must have been tough to focus accurately on a DSLR with those moving subjects.

Yes, very nice indeed. I hope JosQ replies to tell us his method, because I am wondering if he used catch in focus, or LV, or just has an eagle eye!

Great set!
Eric

**gaweidert** · 05-23-2016, 07:01 AM

Bleeding hearts. Take with a SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 screw mount lens mounted on my K3. This lens has been a rock solid performer for me for almost 40 years. It came with my Spotmatic II.

**paulh** · 05-23-2016, 11:02 AM - **1 Like**

Red Yucca with the Super Tak 28/3.5:

JosQ · 05-23-2016, 11:31 AM

@ Mike Bokeh
Jonathan Mac
Erictator,

Thanks for the compliments.

About my method for focussing accurately:
No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder.

On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well.

I work only with manual focus lenses.

I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier.

Gr. Jos

**Erictator** · 05-23-2016, 11:51 AM

Ahh... so Eagle Eye it is then! That makes your work even more impressive. You have a gift!

I have a KPS 1.3x on my K-5, and don't know if I can move it to the K-1... Guess I will find out when the second batch shows up here.

Thanks!
Eric

Originally posted by JosQ

@ Mike Bokeh
Jonathan Mac
Erictator,

Thanks for the compliments.

About my method for focussing accurately:
No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder.

On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well.

I work only with manual focus lenses.

I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier.

Gr. Jos

Jonathan Mac · 05-23-2016, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by JosQ

@ Mike Bokeh
Jonathan Mac
Erictator,

Thanks for the compliments.

About my method for focussing accurately:
No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder.

On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well.

I work only with manual focus lenses.

I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier.

Gr. Jos

Thanks. I have one of them I used on my K200D but removed it when I got a Katzeye. No Katzeye in the K3 though, I should look out the magnifier and put it to use.

**Knock** · 05-29-2016, 07:56 AM - **1 Like**

I got a new tak 300 recently. I've been in need of something a little longer. Loving this lens so far! It gives me that extra reach that I've been needing.

bass3587 · 05-29-2016, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by JosQ

@ Mike Bokeh
Jonathan Mac
Erictator,

Thanks for the compliments.

About my method for focussing accurately:
No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder.

On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well.

I work only with manual focus lenses.

I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier.

Gr. Jos

You sir have a talent and skill most of us could only wish for. Bravo!

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05-18-2016, 11:14 PM	#14146
Andrew_Oid Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cuenca Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 641	Originally posted by fotomarc I just bought an Auto-Takumar 35mm f2.3 on eBay, and it seems to have quite a number of fine scratches on it (only visible with a flashlight). It's the first lens of this vintage that I've examined, so I'm wondering if such scratches are more common with ones of this age, as compared with, say a mid-1970s lens (perhaps due to the differences in coatings). I'm thinking of returning it, but I'm not sure if maybe I'm just expecting too much for a lens of this vintage. I have a post in another forum (Online used lens purchases -- am I being too picky?) with photos of some of the scratches. I'd be interested in hearing what folks with experience with older lenses (especially those of the Auto-Takumar era) think of its condition. Thanks, Marc If you look close enough you'll find a flaw in everything. I've bought quite a few vintage lenses over the years. I have rarely examined one with a magnifying glass and a bright flashlight. If the lens looks clean and clear to the unaided eye, I'm satisfied. If I look too closely I'm sure I'll find something and then whenever I use the lens (if I keep it) I'll be reminded of the fault and my enjoyment of the photographic experience will be diminished. Have you taken any photos with the lens? Does it seem that the defects you've noticed (which are greatly magnified in your photos of them) might be degrading image quality? If yes, then by all means return it. If no, I would certainly contact the seller to let him know you have seen a discrepancy between his description of the lens and the actual product and see if he would be willing to adjust his price. Or you may choose to return it. We do have to be careful not to have unreasonable expectations, but we should expect that a seller is honest in his representation of the condition of the lens.

05-19-2016, 02:50 AM	#14147
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887	Originally posted by RAART I like that Fuji sensor...

05-20-2016, 07:49 PM - 3 Likes	#14148
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	I have my SMC Macro tak back from long term loan: Lilac by Aaron, on Flickr Unexpected things by Aaron, on Flickr The infinity focus has gone at present, but it's all good for macro.

05-20-2016, 07:56 PM - 1 Like	#14149
Helios 1984 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Saint-Constant, Québec Posts: 747	Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8 Canadian Military Pattern truck

05-22-2016, 02:25 AM - 5 Likes	#14150
JosQ Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hasselt - Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 66	K30 with S-M-C Takumar 105mm F2.8 On a Carnival in Maastricht NL Gr. Jos

05-22-2016, 09:24 AM	#14151
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608	Excellent series, JosQ. All very appealing images. I, also have a Tak 105 2.8. You're inspiring me to take it out more often. Mike

05-23-2016, 01:00 AM	#14152
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887	Originally posted by JosQ K30 with S-M-C Takumar 105mm F2.8 On a Carnival in Maastricht NL Gr. Jos Very nice portraits. It must have been tough to focus accurately on a DSLR with those moving subjects.

05-23-2016, 06:47 AM	#14153
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Very nice portraits. It must have been tough to focus accurately on a DSLR with those moving subjects. Yes, very nice indeed. I hope JosQ replies to tell us his method, because I am wondering if he used catch in focus, or LV, or just has an eagle eye! Great set! Eric

05-23-2016, 11:02 AM - 1 Like	#14155
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,252	Red Yucca with the Super Tak 28/3.5:

05-23-2016, 11:31 AM	#14156
JosQ Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hasselt - Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 66	@ Mike Bokeh Jonathan Mac Erictator, Thanks for the compliments. About my method for focussing accurately: No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder. On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well. I work only with manual focus lenses. I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier. Gr. Jos

05-23-2016, 11:51 AM	#14157
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Ahh... so Eagle Eye it is then! That makes your work even more impressive. You have a gift! I have a KPS 1.3x on my K-5, and don't know if I can move it to the K-1... Guess I will find out when the second batch shows up here. Thanks! Eric Originally posted by JosQ @ Mike Bokeh Jonathan Mac Erictator, Thanks for the compliments. About my method for focussing accurately: No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder. On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well. I work only with manual focus lenses. I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier. Gr. Jos

05-23-2016, 01:58 PM	#14158
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887	Originally posted by JosQ @ Mike Bokeh Jonathan Mac Erictator, Thanks for the compliments. About my method for focussing accurately: No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder. On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well. I work only with manual focus lenses. I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier. Gr. Jos Thanks. I have one of them I used on my K200D but removed it when I got a Katzeye. No Katzeye in the K3 though, I should look out the magnifier and put it to use.

05-29-2016, 09:06 AM	#14160
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	Originally posted by JosQ @ Mike Bokeh Jonathan Mac Erictator, Thanks for the compliments. About my method for focussing accurately: No catch in focus or L.V., just trough the viewfinder. On all my 3 cameras (K10D - K-x - K30) I have a Pentax Magnifer Eyecup O-ME53, it helps very well. I work only with manual focus lenses. I practice a lot on moving insects from 1 to 10mm. Than is big people much easier. Gr. Jos You sir have a talent and skill most of us could only wish for. Bravo!

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