S-M-C and Super Takumar 50mm f1.4

[kuuan]

I am very much against nuclear power, but I have never worried even a bit about using the S-M-C Tak 1.4/50mm:

_________________
lenses M42: Fisheye Takumar 4/17 Auto Tak: 2/55 - 3.5/35 - 2.8/105 preset Tak: 2.8/105 - 3.5/135 Super Tak: 3.5/24 - 2/35 - 3.5/35 - 1.4/50 - 1.8/55 - 2.8/105 - 3.5/135 S.M.C. Tak: 3.5/28 - 2/35 - 1.4/ 50 - Macro 4/50 - 2.8/105 - 4/200 SMC Tak: 1.8/55mm Auto Yashinon-DX: 2.8/35 - 1.7/50 -2.8/ 135 Soligor preset: 2.8/25 - 3.5/180 - 70-220 f3.5 Macro other: Vivitar 3.5/17 ( Tokina ) - 1.9/35 ( Komine ) - Pancolar 1.8/50 - Jupiter 9 2/85 - Berolina 2.8/135 - Kominar 3.5/ 135 - Pentacon 2.8/135 elec. - Meyer 5.5/180 Tamron Adaptall 2.5/24 - 2.5/28 PK-mount: Mir 47K 2.5/20 - Pentax A 2.8/28 - Kiron 2.8/28 - Pentax M 1.4/50 - 2/50 - Osawa 3.8/75-150 macro F-mount fitting directly on Pentax: Nikkor 2.8/24 - 3.5/28 - 1.4/50 - Vivitar ( Kiron ) 24 f2 Cams: Pentax *istDs - Minolta A2 - FujiF31fd - Ricoh R3 - Pentax ME Super - Pentax SV - Minolta GX1 - Yashica TL-Super - Yashica CCN wide - Electro GL - Konica C35FD ( Auto S3 )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/

[estudleon]

I use my S-M-C 1,4 and not worry about nothing. I only enjoy the lens and the pics taken with it.

I read in a german forum that the konica 1,2/57 is so yellow 'cos is a radiactive lens too.

Wow.

Rino.
_________________
Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.

RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar.

[2contagious]

I guess the fear mostly comes from not properly understanding radioactivity as well.. for example: when using it, I would be exposed to "that bit of radiation" it emits, but what about putting it somewhere.. will the radioactivity affect objects around it? as in... if I put it next to other lenses, will they be "contaminated" a bit and carry a bit of radioactivity? and will the inside of the camera be affected as well? or does the radioactivity stay in the lens ONLY and only affect objects/people while it is being used? in other words: does radioactivity leave traces or is it completely local?

[luisalegria]

The simple answer here is no.

The types of particles it emits are not the sorts that would make other objects radioactive. They can initiate some chemical reactions, such as that which turns the glass yellow.

The radioactive source is extremely weak, only capable of creating sufficient chemical reactions in its own glass matrix to turn it yellow after forty years - and most of the alpha and beta particles that do that job are blocked by the glass and metal of the lens itself.

It would only be potentially dangerous to a human if this Thorium-impregnated glass were to be somehow ingested, such that the alpha and beta particles were directly absorbed by cells in human organs. Perhaps also if a thorium-glass eyepice were to be held up to the eye, millimeters away, for hours at a time every day, it might have some effect.

You don't need to worry about this lens in any way at all.

Update - This summary is from Oak Ridge National Laboratories (well, their university extension), on Thorium optics and exposure calculations -

http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/consumer%20products/cameralens.htm

They figure 0.7 millirem annually from normal use of a camera with a typical thorium lens, and up to 2 millirem for significant use, carrying it 30 days a year for 6 hours a day. I expect they are also making assumptions about the lens being carried close to the body.

NRC Occupational exposure annual limit is 5000mrem, and US average background radiation exposure is around 350mrem - so this exposure from thorium glass would be trivial.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[lwsy711]

Radioactivity is everywhere in our life, the smoke sensor, cosmic ray, x-ray.......I think the fear comes from the idea of radioactivity turns something into yellow that seems to be very bad sign. Most people have no idea how many particles(not include photon) have hit their body everyday.

[hinnerker]

Yes, its a boring discussion, cause everybody who payed attention on school, and do understand the table of elements knows, that there was no danger (if he dont use the lens as a lollypop).
Its an Alpha emitter, with a reach of some inches.. not more.

Boring

Cheers
Henry
_________________
some light-painting lens stuff..
... and an EOS 5D MKII

[luisalegria]

You do also get gamma from Thorium decay.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[hinnerker]

You wont really discuss this.. or want you?

Dont do that with me.. i have to improve my technical english first.

Cheers
Henry
_________________
some light-painting lens stuff..
... and an EOS 5D MKII

[luisalegria]

No, not really, just being pedantic.

Its not dangerous in any way.
_________________
I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work.

[kuuan]

anyway, it is a fantastic lens, it 'shines'


_________________
lenses M42: Fisheye Takumar 4/17 Auto Tak: 2/55 - 3.5/35 - 2.8/105 preset Tak: 2.8/105 - 3.5/135 Super Tak: 3.5/24 - 2/35 - 3.5/35 - 1.4/50 - 1.8/55 - 2.8/105 - 3.5/135 S.M.C. Tak: 3.5/28 - 2/35 - 1.4/ 50 - Macro 4/50 - 2.8/105 - 4/200 SMC Tak: 1.8/55mm Auto Yashinon-DX: 2.8/35 - 1.7/50 -2.8/ 135 Soligor preset: 2.8/25 - 3.5/180 - 70-220 f3.5 Macro other: Vivitar 3.5/17 ( Tokina ) - 1.9/35 ( Komine ) - Pancolar 1.8/50 - Jupiter 9 2/85 - Berolina 2.8/135 - Kominar 3.5/ 135 - Pentacon 2.8/135 elec. - Meyer 5.5/180 Tamron Adaptall 2.5/24 - 2.5/28 PK-mount: Mir 47K 2.5/20 - Pentax A 2.8/28 - Kiron 2.8/28 - Pentax M 1.4/50 - 2/50 - Osawa 3.8/75-150 macro F-mount fitting directly on Pentax: Nikkor 2.8/24 - 3.5/28 - 1.4/50 - Vivitar ( Kiron ) 24 f2 Cams: Pentax *istDs - Minolta A2 - FujiF31fd - Ricoh R3 - Pentax ME Super - Pentax SV - Minolta GX1 - Yashica TL-Super - Yashica CCN wide - Electro GL - Konica C35FD ( Auto S3 )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/

[larsr]

I recently got an SMC Pentax-M 50/1.4 for free, and I've understood it's pretty much the same lens as SMC Tak 50/1.4. Does anyone have more on this? I'm going to sell it soon anyway, but I'm thinking about trading it 1:1 for a Tak..
_________________
Lars


My photos on Flickr


Bodies:
DSLR: Nikon D80
SLR: Nikkormat FT2, Voigtländer VSL1 TM, Pentax Spotmatic SPII
35mm: Voigtländer Vitoret

Nikkor MF
24/2.8K AI'd, 28/2.8 AIS, 35/2 AIS, 50/1.4 AIS, 50/1.8 AIS, 50/2 AI, 50/2-HC, 55/2.8 Micro, 35-70/3.5 AIS, 85/1.8K AI'd, 100/2.8 Series E, 105/2.5 AI, 105/2.5 AIS, 135/3.5 AI, 200/4-Q AI'd, 300/4.5-H AI'd

M42
Misc: Chinon 28/2.8, Revue Auto Revuenon 50/1.8, Auto Flex 55/1.7, Cosina Cosinon 135/2.8 MC, Petri 200/3.5 CC Auto
Zeiss: CZJ Pancolar Electric 50/1.8 MC, CZJ Biotar 58/2 T, CZJ Sonnar MC S 135/3.5
Asahi-Pentax: SMC-Takumar 55/1.8, Super-Takumar 105/2.8, SMC-Takumar 135/3.5
USSR: Mir-1 37/2.8 (1958 GP), Helios 44-2 58/2
Pentacon/Meyer: Pentacon 29/2.8 MC, Meyer Görlitz Oreston 50/1.8, Meyer Görlitz Orestor 135/2.8, Pentacon 200/4

Nikkor AF
50/1.8 D, 60/2.8 Micro, 55-200/4-5.6 G VR, 70-300/4-5.6 ED, 18-70/3.5-4.5 G

[estudleon]

KUUAN

Your pics are fantastics. Here and in others places too.

I like your portraits very much.

You are one of who have decided to me to try the S-M-C- 1,4. Thanks.

Rino.
_________________
Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9

Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.

RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar.

[kuuan]

[kuuan]

[Uzay]

Beautiful pics, mine is on the way

Edit:Finally i've received my S-M-C Takumar 50mm 1.4, do you know where can i find both caps for this lens?
_________________
Helios 44-4
Jupiter-9
Samyang 85 1.4
Katana 135 2.8
Pancolar 50 1.8
Takumar 50 1.4

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uzaykisi/