Takumar Front element scratch!

romansolar · 11-20-2012, 11:11 AM

Hi folks

i would like to ask, how could little scratch affect image quality? i found interesting lens and seller posted picture with info about tiny scratch. I have no experience, is this little scratch affecting image quality or overall performance of lens?

thanks so much for your opinion!

**jatrax** · 11-20-2012, 11:25 AM - **1 Like**

Any scratches on the front element will affect the image somewhat. The question is whether it will be noticeable. In most cases minor scratches cannot be seen in the image. The exception to this is when shooting into the sun (or lights) you might get a mark or flare that is more pronounced. This one is off to the side a bit which makes it even less likely to be a problem.

You also need to consider the cost and availability of the lens. If it is really cheap, or really hard to find I would take a chance on it. If it is a common focal length and at only a reasonable price then forget it and move on there are usually lots of Takumars for sale in the common focal lengths. You do not mention what lens this is but post that and we can give a better idea how often those come up for sale and a reasonable price.

riff · 11-20-2012, 11:26 AM - **1 Like**

I'd say it's unlikely to affect the image, it should affect the price though!

If it's rare or cheap I'd risk it, if it's common and normally cheap I'd pass.

romansolar · 11-20-2012, 11:27 AM

thanks dear jatrax,riff!

its Asahi Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:3.5/28 28mm screwmount m42 lens

50$

**jatrax** · 11-20-2012, 11:49 AM

Recent sales on ebay run from $35 to $85 usd. Also depends on whether the hood and case are included. Also be sure to check carefully for fungus, quite common on lenses of this age.

$50 is in the middle and I would say a good price if it were mint. With scratch, maybe a little high unless the hood is included. There are currently about 50 of that lens for sale on ebay so quite common. If you need it now OK but I think for the about the same price or a little more you could get a mint one if you are patient or ask him to take some $$ off for the scratch.

Also, make sure you get the hood. Hoods are much more important for these older lenses as the anti-flare coatings are not as good as modern lenses.

romansolar · 11-20-2012, 12:03 PM

thank you jatrax!

hood not included

i will check it, of course i dont need it right away

i am really interested in 28mm now. i found also few smc m 28mm 2.8, less expensive but probably super takumar 28/3.5 is better.

riff · 11-20-2012, 12:05 PM

Average price in the lens database is $48.
A quick ebay check showed sold tak 28s in the 40 to 90 dollar range.

Is it local, quick to get, can you negotiate price, the square hood sells for ~$20 .
Price is OK but you could save 10 buxs if you invest much time hunting.
I see you have a Tokina 28 f/2.8

It's a slipper slope, very easy to end up will lots of Taks, if you like Taks and I'm betting you will. Good luck!

riff · 11-20-2012, 12:07 PM

Jatrax is fast!

P.S I find the Takumars much nice to use then the Ms. You can shoot in AV or M mode.

romansolar · 11-20-2012, 12:12 PM

thanks riff! appreciate. will think about, also no hood so maybe i will pass. Yes you are right, i have tokina. But dont know, something wrong with it, from my last trip i have decent photos from m 1.7 but not from tokina

they are soft and dull. dont know, will test it again, maybe i cant compare 50mm smc 1.7 and tokina 2.8. Or maybe i made something wrong.

johnyates · 11-20-2012, 12:23 PM

I've been watching 28mm 3.5 Taks for a while now on eBay. There seems to be a never ending stream of them. If I were you I'd wait for one without a scratch.

Quote:

28mm Taks are like streetcars -- there'll be another one along in 5 minutes.

Malfunction · 11-20-2012, 12:34 PM

I dont think the scratch will effect the images , but you will need to buy a hood for it , you can get one cheap enough ,
a friend of mine has a smc Takumar 28mm f3.5 up for sale in good condition ,hes UK based but i do know he delivers world wide.
asahi-pentax | Classic Photographics

bluenose · 11-20-2012, 12:46 PM

This is always a good read when the subject of scratches comes up.

LensRentals.com - Front Element Scratches

Regards

vladimiroltean · 11-20-2012, 01:02 PM

In my experience the M28/2.8 is better than the Tak 28/3.5.
And you won't notice anything on the glass unless it's big. I have many "ugly" lenses that take "beautiful" pictures. I have taken pictures with a lens with broken glass. You wouldn't notice it unless you were told.

romansolar · 11-20-2012, 01:07 PM

thank you all for valuable feedback!

Vasyl · 11-20-2012, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

In my experience the M28/2.8 is better than the Tak 28/3.5.

I got the same experience it gives much more CA than M 28..., but 28/3.5 is fun to play with.

11-20-2012, 11:11 AM	#1
romansolar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kosice,Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440	Takumar Front element scratch! Hi folks i would like to ask, how could little scratch affect image quality? i found interesting lens and seller posted picture with info about tiny scratch. I have no experience, is this little scratch affecting image quality or overall performance of lens? thanks so much for your opinion!

11-20-2012, 12:07 PM	#8
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	Jatrax is fast! P.S I find the Takumars much nice to use then the Ms. You can shoot in AV or M mode. Last edited by riff; 11-20-2012 at 12:09 PM. Reason: Added content

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11-20-2012, 11:25 AM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Any scratches on the front element will affect the image somewhat. The question is whether it will be noticeable. In most cases minor scratches cannot be seen in the image. The exception to this is when shooting into the sun (or lights) you might get a mark or flare that is more pronounced. This one is off to the side a bit which makes it even less likely to be a problem. You also need to consider the cost and availability of the lens. If it is really cheap, or really hard to find I would take a chance on it. If it is a common focal length and at only a reasonable price then forget it and move on there are usually lots of Takumars for sale in the common focal lengths. You do not mention what lens this is but post that and we can give a better idea how often those come up for sale and a reasonable price.

11-20-2012, 11:26 AM - 1 Like	#3
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	I'd say it's unlikely to affect the image, it should affect the price though! If it's rare or cheap I'd risk it, if it's common and normally cheap I'd pass.

11-20-2012, 11:27 AM	#4
romansolar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kosice,Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440 Original Poster	thanks dear jatrax,riff! its Asahi Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:3.5/28 28mm screwmount m42 lens 50$

11-20-2012, 11:49 AM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Recent sales on ebay run from $35 to $85 usd. Also depends on whether the hood and case are included. Also be sure to check carefully for fungus, quite common on lenses of this age. $50 is in the middle and I would say a good price if it were mint. With scratch, maybe a little high unless the hood is included. There are currently about 50 of that lens for sale on ebay so quite common. If you need it now OK but I think for the about the same price or a little more you could get a mint one if you are patient or ask him to take some $$ off for the scratch. Also, make sure you get the hood. Hoods are much more important for these older lenses as the anti-flare coatings are not as good as modern lenses.

11-20-2012, 12:03 PM	#6
romansolar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kosice,Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440 Original Poster	thank you jatrax! hood not included i will check it, of course i dont need it right away i am really interested in 28mm now. i found also few smc m 28mm 2.8, less expensive but probably super takumar 28/3.5 is better.

11-20-2012, 12:05 PM	#7
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	Average price in the lens database is $48. A quick ebay check showed sold tak 28s in the 40 to 90 dollar range. Is it local, quick to get, can you negotiate price, the square hood sells for ~$20 . Price is OK but you could save 10 buxs if you invest much time hunting. I see you have a Tokina 28 f/2.8 It's a slipper slope, very easy to end up will lots of Taks, if you like Taks and I'm betting you will. Good luck!

11-20-2012, 12:12 PM	#9
romansolar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kosice,Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440 Original Poster	thanks riff! appreciate. will think about, also no hood so maybe i will pass. Yes you are right, i have tokina. But dont know, something wrong with it, from my last trip i have decent photos from m 1.7 but not from tokina they are soft and dull. dont know, will test it again, maybe i cant compare 50mm smc 1.7 and tokina 2.8. Or maybe i made something wrong.

11-20-2012, 12:23 PM	#10
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	I've been watching 28mm 3.5 Taks for a while now on eBay. There seems to be a never ending stream of them. If I were you I'd wait for one without a scratch. Quote: 28mm Taks are like streetcars -- there'll be another one along in 5 minutes.

11-20-2012, 12:34 PM	#11
Malfunction Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tyneside Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 69	I dont think the scratch will effect the images , but you will need to buy a hood for it , you can get one cheap enough , a friend of mine has a smc Takumar 28mm f3.5 up for sale in good condition ,hes UK based but i do know he delivers world wide. asahi-pentax \| Classic Photographics

11-20-2012, 12:46 PM	#12
bluenose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 227	This is always a good read when the subject of scratches comes up. LensRentals.com - Front Element Scratches Regards

11-20-2012, 01:02 PM	#13
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	In my experience the M28/2.8 is better than the Tak 28/3.5. And you won't notice anything on the glass unless it's big. I have many "ugly" lenses that take "beautiful" pictures. I have taken pictures with a lens with broken glass. You wouldn't notice it unless you were told.

11-20-2012, 01:07 PM	#14
romansolar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kosice,Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440 Original Poster	thank you all for valuable feedback!

11-20-2012, 03:26 PM	#15
Vasyl Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 648	Originally posted by kcobain1992 In my experience the M28/2.8 is better than the Tak 28/3.5. I got the same experience it gives much more CA than M 28..., but 28/3.5 is fun to play with.