SMC Takumar 135mm problem

I have a lovely M42 135mm SMC Takumar lens: clean glass, hardly any wear, original front and rear lens caps and metal lens hood. I got it to use with my ES once I realised the SMC taks have a slightly different mount than the previous ones (I have a much older Tak 135mm).

The only problem is the iris is a bit slow to open and close. I guess it has some oil on the blades although I cannot see anything. Is there anything much I can do to improve the situation? Will opening and closing the iris repeatedly loosen it up?

Best wishes, Kris.

If it's oil (it usually is) then there's nothing you can do about it beyond send it off for cleaning. Depending on what you value the lens at, it'll be worth it or not. Certainly given the financial value of the lens, then it's bin fodder. Personally I'd get it cleaned as it sounds like you've got a really nice one, and a clean will buy you another twenty or thirty years with it

It is in pretty pristine condition apart from that so I may well see how much it will cost to get it cleaned.

Thanks, Kris.

You should probably get it done then. Pristine ones are fetching stupid money on Fleabay. Prepare yourself for it being a hundred quid or more though, but what price an old friend?

You could always service it yourself..?

Come on! You knew that was always going to be my suggestion.

Try this if you dare... I read that a solution may be to place the lens in a sealed metal container alongside a little dish containing lighter fuel and leave for a week or so.

I'm afraid I agree with Hefty!

Go on, get inside and do it yourself.

As for lighter fluid, will that damage the SMC coating?

I'm always wary when using solvents of ANY type near optical equipment, they have a habit of eating things

That lens is not really that hard to service. Lighter fluid or what we call Ronsonal is the best to clean with. It will not hurt the glass, but you won't be putting it there anyway.
You have to clean the aperture blades from both sides.

But before tearing into the lens, try this.
Using a toothpick, put just a drop of lighter fluid on the auto pin at the rear of the lens. Let it soak down into the hole. Now work the pin a lot. Maybe do the routine a second time. I've seen where it was the pin and assembly that was binding.

Yup, I knew you would say that! Do you know how cack-handed I am?

I'll try that first.

Not an old friend, a bad (if cheap -- there had to be a catch) buy. Harrow Technical quoted 40 quid which isn't too bad.

Thanks for all the advice. Any web page links for DIY?

Cheers, Kris.

Here is a guide.
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/pentaxtakumar.html

Kris,

Just curious, I have two M42 135mm primes - both Super Takumar's.

One I use for Macro work, the 1:3.5, the other for portarait work, the 1:2.5.

They are both wonderful, but I LOVE the 2.5. They are constructed very differently. This is most obvious when you watch the rear elements while turning the focus rings. The 2.5 reminds me of the 1:1.4 50mm - another beloved lens.

Do you have both versions as well?

Good luck with the cleaning.

Courage!

Thanks Greyhoundman, I'll give it a whirl (is there a gulping smiley? )

Mac... I have two too, but different ones to yours. One is either a Takumar or Auto Takumar (I cannot remember which now and the lens is at home and I am not), and the other is a SMC Takumar, f/3.5 version.

I didn't realise that the SMC Takumars have a slightly different M42 mount which the ES needs to make proper use of the Av mode. As I have very few Tak lenses, I was planning to stick to buying SMC versions so that they would work on both my S1a and the ES. I also have the Super Takumar 70-150mm zoom. What a monster, it weights 1.2kg.

Best wishes, Kris.

Kris I have cleaned about half a dozen Pentax lenses, all 50mm primes from Taks to M & A series and have become quite adept at it.

I use a couple of rubber bungs which I have shaped to fit the front and rear elements, and can remove all the elements in a few minutes. Your biggest problem will be keeping dust out of it once its disassembled.
Wear rubber medical gloves when you do it. good luck

Hi Kris,As an ex watchmaker i would suggest hairspring cleaner,its even less greasy than lighter fuel and will dry faster.Just do A GOOGLE and you will find some.Tony-O
P.S.Don't breath too much in though,you won't care about dirty lenses!

Sounds good stuff...