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Help with Takumar 55mm
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:26 am    Post subject: Help with Takumar 55mm Reply with quote
I have a Asahi Super-Takumar 1:1.9/55mm, serial 3299696 m42 lens that has the auto/manual switch locked on auto setting. Does anyone knows why is that? I've noticed also a small pin close to the thread that looks bend. Do I have to dismantle the lens in order to use it on manual aperture?
I can post some pics if it helps


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Is this lens the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8? Firstly its an M42 screw lens and as that generation of lenses was the first to be used with auto aperture on Pentax cameras and most Pentax cameras around were manual only, they had the M/A switch. Unless you intend using the lens on one of those old auto Pentax screw mount cameras you will need to set the lens to M and set the aperture manually. What this means is that from about aperture f5.6 and smaller you will get an increasingly dark view of the subject as this lens cannot be stopped down on modern dSLR cameras. In manual mode the small pin should become passive and not interfere with things.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ironfan wrote:
Is this lens the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8?
Ups… my bad. Obviously the lens is f1.8 and not f1.9 as I mistakenly mentioned. I understand what you saying and this is the problem. The auto/manual switch is stuck on auto position. I cannot move it to manual. I even tried to use the force a little bit but i don't think this is the solution Sad


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu wrote:
Ironfan wrote:
Is this lens the Super Takumar 55mm f1.8?
Ups… my bad. Obviously the lens is f1.8 and not f1.9 as I mistakenly mentioned. I understand what you saying and this is the problem. The auto/manual switch is stuck on auto position. I cannot move it to manual. I even tried to use the force a little bit but i don't think this is the solution Sad


You sure it's a Super and not a S-M-C? There might be a little pin at the mount that you have to press down to operate the M/A switch. It's a tiny tiny pin beside the thread of the lens.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:
You sure it's a Super and not a S-M-C? There might be a little pin at the mount that you have to press down to operate the M/A switch. It's a tiny tiny pin beside the thread of the lens.
I got both super and smc. The one with problem is the „super“ one and i've seen the pin. It's bend, it does't go inside the mount plate Sad That means that if i cannot put it inside, i have to open the lens… Damn it! I don't have a pressure opener…
Anyway, thanks alot for your help, guys!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Firstly, can you push the pin in? If you can then you can change the aperture setting and check the blades open and close OK. If thats working well you could then super-glue the pin so that its always in, this operation is not reversible but its what I've resorted to doing when I've had auto only M42 lenses. Some people have taped the pin in, but I find the pin is quite insistent on coming out Wink If you try the super glue route, don't hold the pin with your finger waiting for it to dry or you may end up having to wear that lens for sometime after Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu wrote:
zewrak wrote:
You sure it's a Super and not a S-M-C? There might be a little pin at the mount that you have to press down to operate the M/A switch. It's a tiny tiny pin beside the thread of the lens.
I got both super and smc. The one with problem is the „super“ one and i've seen the pin. It's bend, it does't go inside the mount plate Sad That means that if i cannot put it inside, i have to open the lens… Damn it! I don't have a pressure opener…
Anyway, thanks alot for your help, guys!


I have that problem with a lens too. Let me know how it goes, have not triped opening mine yet


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Got it!
So, first i tried to open the lens from the front but without the friction stuff it seemed impossible. Definitely I have to buy one!
When i see that all my efforts are in vain, i came back to the freakin pin and i managed to put it in and quickly moved the switch to manual position.
What i'm thinking now is to glue the switch and not the pin. The lens is not for sale anymore, i got two deep scratches on the front cover when i was trying to drill some opposite holes… not that i have a spanner wrench but i thought that i could improvise one — stupid me (did i told you that i was quite desperate?)!
Well, i hope that tomorrow i'll take the lens for a test walk Smile


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu, about the friction tool. If you haven't got the proper tool you can improvise by cutting a flat part out of a kitchen glove. Lay it over the front element and use an M42 rear cap with some pressure to turn the ring. This is OK for the Takumar 49mm lenses, for larger lenses you'll need a larger ring.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why not try to un-bend the pin?


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
piticu, about the friction tool. If you haven't got the proper tool you can improvise by cutting a flat part out of a kitchen glove. Lay it over the front element and use an M42 rear cap with some pressure to turn the ring. This is OK for the Takumar 49mm lenses, for larger lenses you'll need a larger ring.
Yes! That's the missing link (about the rear cap I'm talking Very Happy )! I've tried lots of stuff: a mouse pad that worked on a Helios, a piece from a small rubber ball and others. But I couldn't apply a uniform pressure on it. I'll try with the rear cap. THANK YOU!

Nesster, in order to unbend the pin i have to reach the pin. And for that I have to open the lens. And i understood that my Super-Takumar 55mm 1.8 opens from the front - correct me if i'm wrong


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nada Sad
Does anybody heard about the takumar front plate glued or something like this? Anyway, i tried the ultimate solution: i flooded the front of the lens with lubricating oil. I'll leave it overnight and i'm gonna try again. If this doesn't help, I'll drill 2 holes in the plate and use something as spanner wrench. After this, if I cannot open that damn plate i don't know what i'm gonna do, but something ugly. for the lens Evil or Very Mad


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Oh, I forgot to mention - you need something else too. Patience! Smile


PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I do have patience. Till tomorrow Very Happy


PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Got it!!!


PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu wrote:
Got it!!!


*cry*


PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:

*cry*

irrelevant. im not gonna sell the lens and i don't care about cosmetics Smile


PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu wrote:
zewrak wrote:

*cry*

irrelevant. im not gonna sell the lens and i don't care about cosmetics Smile


Don't sell it. Aint worth it. A mint 55/1.8 with hood go for maximum 50$. On a daily basis 55/1.8 in normal condition to good condition sell for 5-20$ on ebay.
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