SMC Takumar 3.5/135 vs. MC Jupiter-37AM

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

wow, that's a lot of information and knowledge you are sharing Abbazz

and only now I became aware that the model I had picked up is not even coated and of the 'inferior 4/4 construction, it is the Super Takumar Model II with the number 43541
well, a beginner's mistake? but I am happy with it anyway!

but this leads me to a more general question: how important is coating on old lenses? I remember having read somewhere that multi coating on older lenses on dSLRs even could be a disadvantage, and single coating could be best?

- Is there a consensus on advantages/disadvantages of non coated / single coated / multicoated lenses on dSLR?

later edit: I have had a look around and found that there may not be a consensus, specially concerning Takumars I have found contradicting views:
e.g.: quote:
'Super-Tak advantage over the SMC is something that I've been trying to explain to people on forums for quite some time now. Much in the same way that I prefer the single-coated Zuikos over the later MC versions. These lenses present less extreme dynamic range to the digital sensor. Shadows don't race to black like they do with lenses with superior coatings. Most of the Zeiss T* lenses really challenge this aspect of digital photography. If you shoot to preserve the highlights, shadow detail drops into a black hole. Especially under really contrasty lighting situations. There are exceptions, one of which is the 135/2.8 Sonnar.'

and another quote:
'A slightly later Super-Multicoated-Takumar or, later still, SMC Takumar
would probably be a better bet still, since Pentax's SMC coating is to this
day one of the very best. (The original SMC is as good as modern Zeiss T*
and Fujinon EBC, the current SMC I think edges even both these out.)
However, the latest Super Takumars were multi-coated before the process was
officially launched by Pentax, so take a close look and you _may_ find you
get a bargain if the lens has multicoating but not the 'label' to say so. '

thank you for any input,
andreas

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

peterm1 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 224

In 1965, the rear group doublet of the Super-Takumar was replaced with a single meniscus, thus giving birth to the new Model II lens with 4 elements in 4 groups. Product number was 43541.

All subsequent versions (S-M-C-Takumar and K-mount) shared the same optical formula as the Super-Takumar model II.

ABAZZ thank you for all this information its most useful and well researched. I have just found this thread again and but am preparing for work. I must read and digest it ore carefully when I get the chance.

One thing I have found about Pentax lenses is that its harder to research info about lens variations, (especially in optical design) than say Leica or even Nikon lenses where there is a lot of very specific and detailed published information on the web and in books. The info may be there but it takes a lot of time to find as it seems to be spread out and dispersed. Even where there are sites on Pentax lenses, few seem to go to the extent of distinguishing between different model types in their assessment or are quite geenral about their assessments. I had no idea for example that the late SMC Tak 135/3.5 had undergone this change in formula. I bought one ayear or two back because one of the few versions I did not have. But to be honest I have not really tried it in any serious way.

I would like to do some tests sometime to see how they compare.

I have not seen the book, "Gerjan van Oosten's The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screwmount Guide" in Australia. Is it worth getting ? I may order it from Amazon if its specific and detailed enough.

I would love it if others were able to find more info of this type to post. (I have a whole thread of early lens tests on this forum but only a few Taks and only of one particular period. Moreover, there is no test for the 135/3.5 which is a bit disappointing given its popularity at the time.)

Laurence · Expire: 2016-06-19

In 1957, the lens was released in M42 mount for the new Asahi Pentax camera as the Takumar 135/3.5. It was the preset version in black barrel with chrome rings; product number was 324/43240. The optical formula was unchanged. This is Laurence's lens pictured above.

Of course, there is no way it was multi-coated. But, was this oldest version SINGLE coated?

I sure get a nice bluish-purple tint when angling the lens adjacent to the light from the window.

Even the glass-air surfaces in the reflected inner lenses seem to have from blue to gold...probably just the way the light hits, I guess? Surprised

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

peterm1 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 224

Thanks again Abbazz. Looks like very good reference material. I have found a seller in Australia but its quite an expensive book - around $100.

I agree with your assessment of the book by Danilo Cecchi. I also have it but find it to be very limiting. Perhaps OK for someone just beginning to get into Pentax gear but it quickly runs out of steam. I have not read it for a while, but I seem to recall that I too had the imporession that there were some inaccuracies in it.

peterm1 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 224

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

some nice photos and info on Takumars, and an interesting shootout of the 50mm here:
http://www.pbase.com/carpents/equipment

( that article 'my favorite lens' at luminous landscape had made me pay special attention to Takumars, an other article called 'hitting one over the fence' mademe buy the Minolta A2. )

patrickh · Expire: 2011-11-18

Peterm
Thanks for the link. Mike Johnston is one of the group of pro photographers who share their experiences willingly and for free. I treasure them all as a voice of sanity in a largely hype driven field.

patrickh

peterm1 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 224

some nice photos and info on Takumars, and an interesting shootout of the 50mm here:
http://www.pbase.com/carpents/equipment

This is a nice link too. The person who took these photos certainly knew what he was doing. very interesting shots of the lenses and very nice shots taken by them as well.