The great jump in Tak 50

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina

The great change in IQ among the differents takumars 50. Where occur?

From Super Takumar to S.M.C. or from the last to SMC?

In which lens the differences are more perceivable?

Thanks in advance.

Rino.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

I have a Super and a SMC. I haven't really paid attention to whic version the Super is, early or late... if the late has the 8 aperture blades, mine's early as it has 6.

Here are the 4 versions described and laid out. The main change happened between the 1st and 2nd versions of the Super, formula wise. There's a lot of confusion around when the super multi coating came on - seems like some late Supers had it, or had it on at least some surfaces.

Ditto for the yellowing - both of mine yellowed.

http://whitemetal.com/pentax/st_50_14/index.htm

http://whitemetal.com/pentax/st_50_14_late/index.htm

http://whitemetal.com/pentax/smct_50_14_knurled/index.htm

http://whitemetal.com/pentax/smct_50_14/index.htm

Here's an interesting direct compare of the early Super and a smc...

http://www.pbase.com/carpents/nlsr1m6

My own take? I like the Super's metal construction better; and there are situations where it shows better control of CA than the SMC - admittedly in a torture test situation. Otherwise, I've not been conscious of any major and consistent difference; the two are more alike compared to the 43 and 55 Auto.

Until someone shows me the difference - or I manage to see it myself - my belief is that the life history of a particular lens sample overwhelms other differences in photographic terms. I.e. one in good condition beats one that's loose, scratched, smudged etc.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

Then again, some say the IR mark was inside the f/4 marking on the first version, and outside on the second, plus the first supposedly did not have the yellowing. So therefore I must have the second version!

I haven't counted the number of blades in the SMC, so I don't know if that changed somewhere along the way.

no-X · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

Both Super Taks have 6 blades, SMC and S-M-C have 8 blades. I had samples of late Super Tak, SMC and S-M-C and all of them were yellowed in the same way. I didn't notice difference in sharpness.

estudleon · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina

Nesster and No-X

Thanks for both.

Yes, the S-M-C and the SMC always have 8 blades.

I think as you said, No X, that as the three are the same optical formulation, the IQ may be the same too.

The image of Nexter's takumars is very clear, not comment necesary.

Again, thanks. Rino.