WANTED Early TAKUMAR 58mm Lens

As the title suggests I'm after an early ('57-'59) Takumar 58mm lens.

I don't mind if it's the f/2 or f/2.4 version, in fact I'm after one of each so if you have both I'll happily take them off your hands.

I also don't mind if it's a little scruffy or stuck or has minor fungus/blemishes - I'm quite prepared to service it.

Realistic price paid dependent upon condition.

Ta!

Hi, cant help you although i did spot this:

http://www.classicphotographics.com/stock.html

Auto Takumar 55mm F2.2. Early Takumar with black and chrome barrel 3 £35.00

I have an auto takumar 35mm f3.5 if you're interested...

Thanks but no thanks

The 55/2.2 was a Gaussian type lens so essentially similar to all the 55's and 50's that followed.

The 58/2 was a Sonnar design and I like Sonnars, it holds the record of being the widest (focal length) Sonnar ever made for SLR cameras so I'm itching to try it.

The 58/2.4 was a Heliar design - a lens type I've never tried and that I'm curious about.

All three were launched at the same time and it's no accident the Gaussian design won out - it was sharper, had higher contrast, smaller, potentially faster and cheaper to make! The current FA50 is a direct descendent from the 55/2.2.

Sometimes though it's just nice to use a lens with a bit more character - Sonnars have bags of it; don't know about Heliars but I intend finding out

I spotted this one after it had finished Splendid 1957 Asahi Pentax original SLR w/ 58/2.4 lens

But even I'm surprised by how much it went for

R

Unfortunately I'm not that suprised - if it'd had the 58/2 you could have added quite a chunk onto that price.

Oh well, I'll keep scouring the camera fairs...

I guess I won't be getting an original Pentax any time soon then

Takumar 58/2 no longer required - camera fairs rock!

Excellent news! Success at Beaconsfield this morning then. I was all ready to go --- even got as far as donning my bike gear --- but was put off by the rain. That and having bought two lenses on Friday. May I ask how much you paid? Anything else interesting?

Cheers, Kris.

Anything else interesting? Yes.

I was one of the first through the door while most of the traders were still unpacking their wares and the first stall I went to had a gorgeous Super Ikonta IV (just like mine but even shinier). I picked it up and had a play and asked how much he wanted (expecting him to say about £400) and he floored me with £200. For some reason that wasn't even clear to me at the time, let alone now, I said I'd think about it and walked away. I got two stalls further along when I decided I'd buy it and went straight back to find it... sold.

The doors had opened at 9.15am and this was around 9.20am - you gotta move quick if you want the bargains. Usually.

I didn't really find all that much else to tickle my fancy (although I did buy a brand new / boxed K100D Super for my Dad and a nice S1a with meter and hump-topped case fitted with a Super-Tak 50/1.4) until I was doing a third and final sweep of the room before I went home. One of the dealers specialises in Leica so I don't tend to pay much attention to his stall as a rule (not my sort of thing) but I noticed the outline of a Spotmatic as I walked past so stopped for a closer look. When I spotted the lens my jaw dropped and my heart did a little skip. I picked it up and stared at it to make sure I wasn't imagining things and as I turned it over in my hands noticed a price tag - £65!

I thought; Brilliant! He thinks he's got a 55/2 and he's asking top dollar for it - there's money to be shaved off there! A little haggling later and he wrapped it up for me in exchange for £55 - I could barely control myself at that point. I grabbed my mate who I'd gone with and said let's go before he realises what he's just sold and asks for it back.

So I spent the whole journey back whooping, singing and dancing in the car - much to the driver's annoyance - and I've spent most of the rest of the day playing with my new toys. The Spotty and the S1a will probably be going on eBay at some point soon and I doubt I'll keep the 50/1.4 for too long either; but the 58/2 is everything I hoped for so happy days!

There was lots of Pentax gear there (there always is) and most of it very cheap (£140 for a DA55-300, £300 for a A*200/2.8, Spotmatics / MZ5's / P30's by the dozen for peanuts, etc) but no Pentax 645 lenses or Voigtlander Bessas - the two actual targets for the day. Not that I'm complaining now though...

Sounds like my bank balance got a break today. The A* 200 would have been tempting!

Post some comparison pics when you get the chance, I'd like to see how it performs.

Cheers, Kris.

Will do - although the only other 58mm I have is a Helios 44. I'd say the Helios (Biotar design) is sharper over the whole frame at all apertures, but the Takumar (Sonnar design) just has a more pleasing rendering style. I'll do some side-by-sides later in the week and chuck in a couple of 50mm's for comparison too.

Where and when is this camera fair taking place?
Might pop in someday...

congrats on the Tak 58... very rare lens apparently worth the money though... there is a guy over on Pentaxforums who has it... produces some excellent shots IMO

Cool, good find Hefty

Never mind how it performs, lets have some shots of the lens

R

The one in Beaconsfield is about 3-4 times a year so there won't be another until the summer now, but on the 23rd May there's Photographica 2010 down in London - that's the biggest fair of them all and happens once a year. You can get all the details of venue, directions etc at www.pccgb.com - I shall no doubt be scouting for further bargains there too

I'll do that too.

Just put it all away for the night 'cos it's my bed time but I'll do something in the equipment forum soon. It's not quite mint but it is pretty nice and the glass is immaculate, albeit slightly yellow. No caps though so looks like I'll be joining you in a search for a 46mm one...