[pickles]

I've been looking to buy a Takumar SMC 35F2.
I thought the SMC version was the one to look for, until I came across a couple of "issues".
One "issue" was yellowing, to which I have "read" that the SMC version of this lens is particularly prone. The other is the existence of a so called "Pro" version of this lens. Would this "Pro" lens be the early (available '66/'68) version of the Super Takumar series that had a 70mm filter size, in lieu of the 49mm later series.
This lens is obviously larger, but is it superior?
Does anyone have any information on this?
Thank You, Pickles.

[Adam]

See this page for information on the different versions of this lens: Pentax Lens Review Database - S-M-C/Super Takumar 35mm F2 Lens Reviews

AFAIK the one with the larger filter size wasn't pro or anything- it was just an earlier version with a different optical formula. Based on the lens diagrams, I'd say that the later version was likely better optically The SMC coating helps as well. Also, I thought that yellowing only occurred on the 'Super' Takumars.

[ChrisPlatt]

Some prefer the earlier version, but calling it "Pro" sounds like salesmans hype.

FWIW I owned an SMC Takumar 35/2 lens (49mm version) that was yellowed.

Chris

[Adam]

There were two variants of the 49mm version: a "Super" from 1967 (which yellows) and a SMC from 1971, which doesn't yellow.

Adam
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[ChrisPlatt]

Never owned the Super Tak. My SMC Takumar version yellowed. Looking through it I saw a deep amber cast. Go figure...

Chris

[Vertex Ninja]

Never owned the Super Tak. My SMC Takumar version yellowed. Looking through it I saw a deep amber cast. Go figure...

Chris

Hmmm, what's that look like with B&W? No yellow filter needed!

[pickles]

There were two variants of the 49mm version: a "Super" from 1967 (which yellows) and a SMC from 1971, which doesn't yellow.

Adam...thanks for your reply, but see post by "boriscleto" dated 14/6 in the thread titled yellowed lens/smc coating, which lists the SMC version as one which IS prone to yellowing!
So, who knows?!!

[SteveM]

Wasn't it the radioactive compound they added to the glass that caused the yellowing? There are a number of threads here on how to get rid of the yellowing. I would go for the SMC version.