Here is the VIDEO I did -- my 'original 1961 S3 lens ' was an 'Auto-Takumar' NOT a 'Super-Takumar' !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81yMuWr1H8

Here are Two Asahi Pentax 'Super Takumar 55mm lenses' The one on the RIGHT is the 'f2' version I was given off a jammed S1a. The LEFT one is the original 55mm f1.8 off my 1961 'Asahi Pentax S3' I noticed that on the f2 lens I could move the aperture PAST f2 and the aperture inside opened UP a fraction ! Maybe those f2 lenses are actually the f1.8 ones which Asahi Optical thought were not sharp enough so called it 'f2'

Super Taks 01 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Super Taks 02 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
I took some tests at f2 on some grotty 1999 dated Kodak PJ800 film rated 100 ASA

F2 Test 01 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

F2 Test 02 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

My 'Most USED Pentax' is the ME Super as it has 1/125th flash synch whereas even the LX has only 1/75th BAD for a 'Professional Camera' - I wore out the flash synch in my MX using it so much for press work but that had only 1/60th -- no good for fill-in flash outdoors - that is where I was up against the other Press Snappers with their Nikon and Canons with 1/250th flash synch speeds.

Mr K10D -- Many thanks - yes, you are RIGHT about the excitement after all these years of anticipation of loading a new film !

YO !!!! I now actually have some FRESH FILLUM !!! not had any for years --- as you know I've been using up my stash of 'Outdated Films' WoW ! A Camera Club member who I help bought it for me -- it's dated JUNE 2024 ! -- straight into Freezer and await being well enough after Chemo to use it in coming year !

peteb -- you need to go to a Jollibee and order a Chicken Joy meal to celebrate !

YO !!! I have now done a VIDEO about the FP3 Challenge, showing all the actual Negatives and Camera - you can see kit here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yTR_mpNico

Get a Film Camera and come to Brentwood Essex and I can show you around where I take these test snaps !

Thanks Folks ! Yes -- I was amazed at the Sharpness of the SMC Takumar 28mm f3.5 at FULL APERTURE on the Brentwood Catholic Cathedral shot -- good job I managed to jam my arm against the railings to hold it still for 1/15th Second. That was part of the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic-F set I was given by a Kind Gent in Ilford some years ago-- he has died now but before he went I went back with the Camera and took some nice portraits of him and his wife in their little house and garden so their Children could have some memories of them .

Oh well -- it was Good While it lasted , BUT I have now finished up all the 36 exposures October 1952 dated Ilford FP3 kindly sent to me by Mr Degfragged ! I exposed the last 12 frames on the cut Film today , rating kit at 10 ASA as I found before after testing a short length but this time I changed the Film Developer to my Home-Made 'Acutol-S FX-15 Formula 1+1 for 7 mins @ 20oC and got some negs which were more 'Fog-Free' compared with the FX-4 Formula used previously.Light was not good so I had to use full aperture -- f1.4 OR f2 on my SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 and f3.5 on my SMC Takumar 28mm f3.5. The FX-15 gave very fine grain and super 'Acutance' but there was the strange 'Filamental Growth and Spots' on the emulsion.
Studio Flash Bowens Monolite , SMC Takumar 150mm f4 at f8 with small extension tube




Available Light, f8 1 second SMC Takumar 150mmf4 + small extension tube


1/30th @ f2 SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4


1/5th @ f3.5 SMC Takumar 28mm f3.5


1/60th @ f1.4 SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4


1/30th @ f2 SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4