Your latest acquisition

edom31 · 12-01-2020, 07:10 AM - **3 Likes**

Two of the new additions, a pair of Takumars...Super-Takumar 135/2.5 (5-Element) & Tele-Takumar 200/5.6

stevebrot · 12-01-2020, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by Helios 1984

I've found my latest acquisition at a vintage store for 4.99$. It didn't look good but one can't go wrong for this kind of price.
I opened it, cleaned all the inside, reglued the window which had come loose & revamped the case which was in a sorry state. Voila.

Cool! Now all you need is an MR-9 battery adapter to allow use of SR44 batteries and you should be good to go. Most versions of that long-running model require PX13 mercury cells. I don't know if the meter is voltage sensitive, but assuming so.

Steve

Helios 1984 · 12-01-2020, 11:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

Cool! Now all you need is an MR-9 battery adapter to allow use of SR44 batteries and you should be good to go. Most versions of that long-running model require PX13 mercury cells. I don't know if the meter is voltage sensitive, but assuming so.

Steve

Hi Steve,
The back says PX13 but it gives me good readings with alkaline px625, and the needle lands in the upper red mark when I do a battery check. Considering that it was in a box with 4x5 sheets & darkroom equipment, I believe the previous owner was a serious shooter and that he had the meter calibrated to run on 1.5v.

Note: It was already loaded with 2 good Kodak KA625.

**WPRESTO** · 12-01-2020, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by edom31

Two of the new additions, a pair of Takumars...Super-Takumar 135/2.5 (5-Element) & Tele-Takumar 200/5.6

I think the f5.6 200mm was only offered in preset. A fairly simple optical formula, very slow by modern standards, but it had/has a good reputation for IQ. Lenses with fewer elements commonly have good contrast and color saturation, especially older lenses with earlier forms of lens coating.

edom31 · 12-01-2020, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

but it had/has a good reputation for IQ. Lenses with fewer elements commonly have good contrast and color saturation, especially older lenses with earlier forms of lens coating.

It resolves lovely in digital, at least my preliminary test shots give me that impression - fairly easy to get a great shot with it. I think it is "better" than the Super-Tak 200/4... Also, I've shot it hooded, with the metal hood from my STak 135/3.5

Breakfastographer · 12-02-2020, 02:56 AM

Originally posted by Lhorn

Charities sending you money.... That's a new one to me. What is the rationale?
I used to donate to an animal charity and they'd send you T shirts and umbrellas, etc. Like you, I'd rather they kept the stuff. Makes me wonder how much of my donated money goes towards the animals and how much goes towards t-shirts, overhead, marketing and salaries.

Originally posted by luftfluss

If it's one of the big national charities, very little goes directly to animal welfare - less than 20%.

Your best bet is donating or volunteering directly to shelters, rescues, wildlife rehabilition centers, etc.

There was a recent book on charities, can't remember what it's called, but they came up with a figure of 2% of donations going to actual causes.

And even then, the effects can be surprising. For instance, some charities did buy up land rights of rain forests, but since no guards were set up, and effectively protecting large areas of difficult-to-navigate land requires a lot of resources, illegal logging occurred in some of those areas anyway. Even today, keeping resource that might be crucially needed for the future of the planet from the poor people who need them today is a losing proposition. And Western charity thinking often fails on the ground in developing countries because basic assumptions aren't met.

Classic case: battery operated XYZ. How are you going to charge the battery? If the charger breaks, can someone repair it? If the battery breaks, can it be replaced, and how long will that take? Will anybody even be able to figure out whether the fault is with the battery or charger? Will any of it work in hot, cold, dry, humid conditions?

Photographers can relate with at least the last two points.

Jonathan Mac · 12-02-2020, 04:03 AM - **1 Like**

I just ordered a Minolta SR mount Paragon 35mm f/2.8 which looks to me like a Tokina. I already have a superb Rokkor 35/2.8 but for 17GBP delivered I don't think I can lose.

**WPRESTO** · 12-02-2020, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by edom31

It resolves lovely in digital, at least my preliminary test shots give me that impression - fairly easy to get a great shot with it. I think it is "better" than the Super-Tak 200/4... Also, I've shot it hooded, with the metal hood from my STak 135/3.5

Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ.

edom31 · 12-02-2020, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ.

It gets my vote! Also, it is so compact, coupled with a good number of blades; its a winner.

I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)...

**ivanvernon** · 12-02-2020, 09:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by edom31

It gets my vote! Also, it is so compact, coupled with a good number of blades; its a winner.

I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)...

10 blades? I've wondered that myself. I have no idea, but wonder if there could be reliability/repair issues with that many blades.

tim60 · 12-02-2020, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ.

I find the preset 200/3.5 is better than the 200/4 too. Much bigger and heavier though.

**boriscleto** · 12-02-2020, 10:36 AM - **5 Likes**

I found an online auction site that specializes in estate type sales. I've checked it every so often for more than a year, never bought anything until last week.

This was the first photo of sixteen...

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This seemed to be the most interesting item.

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But there seemed to be some things missing...The hood for the 200/4 in the bag is there, where are the other two lenses?

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The camera itself had a Soligor on it (either 35/2.8 or 28/2.8 by the IR mark)

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Mystery solved today when I pulled the bottom out of the bag...

In addition to the 200/4...

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There was a 55/1.8 & a 105/2.8 (4th model 105,coarse ribs on aperture ring, and 5th model 55, fine ribs on aperture ring and f16 to left). That little black case you can see in the bag is one of these...

PENTAX Magnifier reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

The receipt for the camera is from May 1967 ($123.60) It's an early model H3v so it must have sat on a shelf for years. The receipt for the 200/4 is from 1969 ($157.66 less $57.66 trade for 200/5.6), the warranty card for the 105/2.8 is from 1965...The Soligor 28/2.8 was purchased in November 1967 ($83.15)

Winning bid was $85 but shipping was over $50 for the 2 lots I won...Not everything has arrived yet, they spilt it into three shipments (2 FedEx SmartPost

)

stevebrot · 12-02-2020, 10:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by edom31

I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)...

Originally posted by ivanvernon

10 blades? I've wondered that myself. I have no idea, but wonder if there could be reliability/repair issues with that many blades.

High blade count is not unusual for pre-set lenses, but very rare with auto-aperture. The issue is the required speed for auto-aperture operation and friction.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-02-2020, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

(2 FedEx SmartPost )

I feel your pain! FedEx, "Package? What package?"; FedEx here is usually 2-5 days late.

The Spiratone Fisheye is an interesting find. I remember the ads for those, but have never seen one in person. The ST 105/2.8 is interesting as well. I also have the ST 55/1.8 v5; it would be consistent with an early H3V.

Steve

**boriscleto** · 12-02-2020, 11:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

I feel your pain! FedEx, "Package? What package?"; FedEx here is usually 2-5 days late.

SmartPost is the worst, well maybe tied with UPS SurePost. "Let's send everything to a central location in Ohio, there it will sit for an extra day. Then when it finally reaches its destination let's give it to the USPS to deliver, adding an extra day."

12-01-2020, 11:40 AM - 1 Like	#21213
Helios 1984 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Saint-Constant, Québec Posts: 747	Originally posted by stevebrot Cool! Now all you need is an MR-9 battery adapter to allow use of SR44 batteries and you should be good to go. Most versions of that long-running model require PX13 mercury cells. I don't know if the meter is voltage sensitive, but assuming so. Steve Hi Steve, The back says PX13 but it gives me good readings with alkaline px625, and the needle lands in the upper red mark when I do a battery check. Considering that it was in a box with 4x5 sheets & darkroom equipment, I believe the previous owner was a serious shooter and that he had the meter calibrated to run on 1.5v. Note: It was already loaded with 2 good Kodak KA625. Last edited by Helios 1984; 12-01-2020 at 12:01 PM.

12-02-2020, 10:36 AM - 5 Likes	#21222
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I found an online auction site that specializes in estate type sales. I've checked it every so often for more than a year, never bought anything until last week. This was the first photo of sixteen... This seemed to be the most interesting item. But there seemed to be some things missing...The hood for the 200/4 in the bag is there, where are the other two lenses? The camera itself had a Soligor on it (either 35/2.8 or 28/2.8 by the IR mark) Mystery solved today when I pulled the bottom out of the bag... In addition to the 200/4... There was a 55/1.8 & a 105/2.8 (4th model 105,coarse ribs on aperture ring, and 5th model 55, fine ribs on aperture ring and f16 to left). That little black case you can see in the bag is one of these... PENTAX Magnifier reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database The receipt for the camera is from May 1967 ($123.60) It's an early model H3v so it must have sat on a shelf for years. The receipt for the 200/4 is from 1969 ($157.66 less $57.66 trade for 200/5.6), the warranty card for the 105/2.8 is from 1965...The Soligor 28/2.8 was purchased in November 1967 ($83.15) Winning bid was $85 but shipping was over $50 for the 2 lots I won...Not everything has arrived yet, they spilt it into three shipments (2 FedEx SmartPost ) Last edited by boriscleto; 12-02-2020 at 11:30 AM.

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12-01-2020, 07:10 AM - 3 Likes	#21211
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Two of the new additions, a pair of Takumars...Super-Takumar 135/2.5 (5-Element) & Tele-Takumar 200/5.6

12-01-2020, 09:14 AM	#21212
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Helios 1984 I've found my latest acquisition at a vintage store for 4.99$. It didn't look good but one can't go wrong for this kind of price. I opened it, cleaned all the inside, reglued the window which had come loose & revamped the case which was in a sorry state. Voila. Cool! Now all you need is an MR-9 battery adapter to allow use of SR44 batteries and you should be good to go. Most versions of that long-running model require PX13 mercury cells. I don't know if the meter is voltage sensitive, but assuming so. Steve

12-01-2020, 08:16 PM	#21214
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	Originally posted by edom31 Two of the new additions, a pair of Takumars...Super-Takumar 135/2.5 (5-Element) & Tele-Takumar 200/5.6 I think the f5.6 200mm was only offered in preset. A fairly simple optical formula, very slow by modern standards, but it had/has a good reputation for IQ. Lenses with fewer elements commonly have good contrast and color saturation, especially older lenses with earlier forms of lens coating.

12-01-2020, 08:34 PM	#21215
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by WPRESTO but it had/has a good reputation for IQ. Lenses with fewer elements commonly have good contrast and color saturation, especially older lenses with earlier forms of lens coating. It resolves lovely in digital, at least my preliminary test shots give me that impression - fairly easy to get a great shot with it. I think it is "better" than the Super-Tak 200/4... Also, I've shot it hooded, with the metal hood from my STak 135/3.5

12-02-2020, 02:56 AM	#21216
Breakfastographer Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 673	Originally posted by Lhorn Charities sending you money.... That's a new one to me. What is the rationale? I used to donate to an animal charity and they'd send you T shirts and umbrellas, etc. Like you, I'd rather they kept the stuff. Makes me wonder how much of my donated money goes towards the animals and how much goes towards t-shirts, overhead, marketing and salaries. Originally posted by luftfluss If it's one of the big national charities, very little goes directly to animal welfare - less than 20%. Your best bet is donating or volunteering directly to shelters, rescues, wildlife rehabilition centers, etc. There was a recent book on charities, can't remember what it's called, but they came up with a figure of 2% of donations going to actual causes. And even then, the effects can be surprising. For instance, some charities did buy up land rights of rain forests, but since no guards were set up, and effectively protecting large areas of difficult-to-navigate land requires a lot of resources, illegal logging occurred in some of those areas anyway. Even today, keeping resource that might be crucially needed for the future of the planet from the poor people who need them today is a losing proposition. And Western charity thinking often fails on the ground in developing countries because basic assumptions aren't met. Classic case: battery operated XYZ. How are you going to charge the battery? If the charger breaks, can someone repair it? If the battery breaks, can it be replaced, and how long will that take? Will anybody even be able to figure out whether the fault is with the battery or charger? Will any of it work in hot, cold, dry, humid conditions? Photographers can relate with at least the last two points.

12-02-2020, 04:03 AM - 1 Like	#21217
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I just ordered a Minolta SR mount Paragon 35mm f/2.8 which looks to me like a Tokina. I already have a superb Rokkor 35/2.8 but for 17GBP delivered I don't think I can lose.

12-02-2020, 07:08 AM	#21218
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	Originally posted by edom31 It resolves lovely in digital, at least my preliminary test shots give me that impression - fairly easy to get a great shot with it. I think it is "better" than the Super-Tak 200/4... Also, I've shot it hooded, with the metal hood from my STak 135/3.5 Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ.

12-02-2020, 08:56 AM	#21219
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by WPRESTO Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ. It gets my vote! Also, it is so compact, coupled with a good number of blades; its a winner. I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)...

12-02-2020, 09:28 AM - 1 Like	#21220
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by edom31 It gets my vote! Also, it is so compact, coupled with a good number of blades; its a winner. I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)... 10 blades? I've wondered that myself. I have no idea, but wonder if there could be reliability/repair issues with that many blades.

12-02-2020, 10:27 AM	#21221
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,745	Originally posted by WPRESTO Yes. The f5.6 preset seems to outperform the later 200mm f4.0. Almost every comment, review and rating I've seen gives the old f5.6 higher marks for IQ. I find the preset 200/3.5 is better than the 200/4 too. Much bigger and heavier though.

12-02-2020, 10:45 AM - 1 Like	#21223
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by edom31 I wonder why lens manufacturers stopped using 10+ blades on their lenses (other than cost)... Originally posted by ivanvernon 10 blades? I've wondered that myself. I have no idea, but wonder if there could be reliability/repair issues with that many blades. High blade count is not unusual for pre-set lenses, but very rare with auto-aperture. The issue is the required speed for auto-aperture operation and friction. Steve

12-02-2020, 11:05 AM	#21224
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by boriscleto (2 FedEx SmartPost ) I feel your pain! FedEx, "Package? What package?"; FedEx here is usually 2-5 days late. The Spiratone Fisheye is an interesting find. I remember the ads for those, but have never seen one in person. The ST 105/2.8 is interesting as well. I also have the ST 55/1.8 v5; it would be consistent with an early H3V. Steve

12-02-2020, 11:11 AM - 1 Like	#21225
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by stevebrot I feel your pain! FedEx, "Package? What package?"; FedEx here is usually 2-5 days late. SmartPost is the worst, well maybe tied with UPS SurePost. "Let's send everything to a central location in Ohio, there it will sit for an extra day. Then when it finally reaches its destination let's give it to the USPS to deliver, adding an extra day."