1:1.2 Supertak M42 Oldie - Good?

Good Morning from Montreal.

I have a shot at a Super Takumar 55mm 1:2 screw mount. I've pretty much gleaned here, that few lenses perform their best at their design limits, so would this old soldier produce better results at 1:4 and 1:8 than lenses designed to those maximum openings? (Does that make ANY sense?).

I guess I'd love feedback on whether this lens has a good rep compared to the standard 55mm 1:8 or the 50mm 1:4. (Both of which I have).

I'm moving more to slower film (100 ASA Fuji Superia and Reala for example) - thus the attraction of faster lenses.

Thanks as always for your consideration.

Hi Mac,
Not an easy question to answer. There were at least 6 versions of the F2 Super Tak. If you can post a serial number and/or part number, I will try and find out which yours is. (The part number is on the back of the auto/man switch.) This is rather important as the early versions are NOT compatible with the Spotmatics and ES cameras and using them together can cause damage.

Regards
Kim

KIm,

The lens is an f1.2, sorry for the confusion. I'll try to get the # if I can.

Cheers

I am really confused now. Pentax didn't produce an M42 1.2. the only ones they did were the K and A, K mount ones. I think you may be confused by the designation. An F1.2 lens is marked F1:1.2 and an F2 lens should be marked F1:2. This is because the F stop is a ratio hence the : It does often cause confusion

Kim

Mac,

I'm not aware that there was an f1.2 Super Tak, or any such Tak.

Do you mean 1:2 AKA f2?

Your "clarification" has muddied the waters further.

G

Hi George,
I think we crossed in the post again

Kim

One of the reasons for changing from the screw mount (42mm diam) to the K bayonet (45mm diam) was that the increased size meant it was possible to design lenses such as a 50mm f1.2, so there could not have been a screw mount version of this lens.

The 55mm f2 Super Takumar or SMC Takumar will be an exceptional lens as it is the same as the f1.8 version with an internal baffle to reduce the maximum aperture!

Hi John,
Sorry to disagree but this is not strictly true. The was a 1.2 from another manufacturer in M42 so it was possible though difficult. Pentax increased the throat size because it was easier. The later F2's for the SP1000 were rebaffled lenses (These are the ones with the open aperture metering pins but still labeled Super Tak. However, the earlier ones are different. Indeed on one of them, the diapraghm ring runs the oppasite way. This is very important because the lenses sold with the early S1a/H1a's do not have a sprung pin and this can cause a failure in a Spot. The push plate on the early cameras (up to mid S1a/SV were sprung whereas the Spots, SL etc were not. All to do with the protruding rear element on the 1.4 or 1:1.4)

Kim

No problem, but I was really talking about Pentax lenses only. Which make was the f1.2 in M42 mount?

As regards the others, again I was only really referring to Super Takumars and later, which I sort of assume (but isn't totally true as you say) means we are referring to Spotmatics and later bodies.

In fact, the total story is rather complicated as you have indicated! The "Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide" could be a good book for interested parties to start with.

Hi John,
I can't remember the make off the top of my head but will try to find out. It cropped up on another thread when one was sold on "that" place about 9 months ago and went for silly money.

As to the Super Takumars, they really started at end the S/H series cameras. The S3 had the Auto Tak 1.8 which to all purposes was a Super Tak, ie it didn't have to be cocked. There were 3 versions of the f2 sold with the S1a with different Pentax part numbers. Generally these had finer knurls. There were then 3 versions with separate part numbers which followed before the final SMC version with the rubber grip came along with the last of the SP1000. Hence the reason for asking Mac for serial number etc. Some of the early one had a rigid stop down pin and these can cause a stress failure on the later cameras. There are various warnings in the manuals about this. Add to that, the fact there are a few hybrides and life gets fun! The last of the Super Tak F2 were hybride SMC 1.8's. These have the coupling for open aperture and use some of the elements from the 1.8 but don't have the coating.

Kim

I just went back and looked at the picture again and sure enough Kim was right - it WAS an 1:2 55mm lens. (Not 1:1.2)
So the whole question was bogus. (But the replies were amazingly educational and as always, much appreciated!)

I apologize for the confusion - really thought I was on to something there!

Cheers all!

Hi Mac,
the f/2 55mm always was a lens to fit the "cheaper" cameras in the Pentax line. i.e. the SP500, SL, SP1000... a marketing issue, bcause besides of missing the 1/1000s, self-timer, TTL or whatever they were the same good cameras for a lot money less, probably the best value for money then.

But don't worry, they are as good as the f/1.8. In fact, some are in fact f/1.8 setting without label that position, or the setting will not hold there. They are capable picture-takers. I've got a 1959 f/2 55mm Auto-Takumar and get tack-sharp negs at 100ASA black&white film at f/8. Never seen sharper ones! Wide open, they are pleasing with color film. Beware of backlight if you don't have a hood.

cheers, Frank
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Main.html

Hi John,
I found that thread I was talking about, it was about 15 months ago and the lens was made by Tomioka. Apparently they also made lenses for others. I quote "Tomioka made the same rebadged lens as a revuenon, chinon and Yashinon ... Tomioka, partially owned by Kyocera/yashica... makes the Zeiss T* lenses at the same facilities as their old lenses I think..."

I remenber looking at the auction and the figure of about $500 rings a bell. Well out of my league

Kim

Hi Kim

Thanks for that info - it's well out of my league as well....

Hi,
I found some pictures of the lens:

http://www.pbase.com/exaklaus/image/48937277
http://www.pbase.com/exaklaus/image/48937273

Kim