p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Also, the other option is the chinon memotron ce ii which will give you aperture priority but prices have climbed up recently.
raid
Dad Photographer
For a while, I tried to find such a Thorium lens for sale, but it was too costly, in my opinion then. I have a regular 50/1.4.
The 8-element Pentax 50/1.4 is uncommon.
Raid- is your lens K-Mount or screw-mount?
Raid- is your lens K-Mount or screw-mount?
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Analog photography ceased being a rational undertaking around 20 years ago. Part of its appeal, for me...
raid
Dad Photographer
My Pentax lenses are screw mount.
The 8-element 50/1.4 is like ly to sell for more than the Thorium glass version as it is uncommon. Check the SN range to verify.
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
You're my kind of people.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have only a regular 50/1.4, Brian. The 8-element 50/1.4 sells for a lot of money.
Mackinaw
Think Different
Just checked my 50/1.4 and it's the 8-element version. Came with a black Spotmatic I bought for $35.00, maybe five years ago.
Jim B.
hap
Well-known
Newz Alert..... I have been going around and around with URth, the maker of the M42/F mount adapter I purchased, about the lack of compatibility with my Super Multi coated Takumar . they refused to believe that there was a problem, although quite nice about it. Finally, they cried uncle and offered to give me a refund without returning. they need to buy one of these lenses and see what they can do with some design changes. And..they need to consider adding caveats to their website about certain lens versions lack of compatibility. I'm kind of glad I did not buy a SP F (black) on impulse because they aren't that inexpensive any more.
I've learned several lessons... One, is that it's not very smart to try and adapt any lens to a Nikon DSLR.
I've learned several lessons... One, is that it's not very smart to try and adapt any lens to a Nikon DSLR.
hap
Well-known
PS....the adapter does work with my M42 Biotar (Preset version)
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
How did you determine it’s an 8? SN numbers are not a particularly reliable way to do so...
hap
Well-known
read the "notes" on the super takumar from Pentax forums lens database. No mention of identifying by SN.
Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4 (8-element variant) Reviews - M42 Screwmount Normal Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database (pentaxforums.com)
Mackinaw
Think Different
This is what I found on the web:
The infrared mark on the lens barrel is to the right of the number 4 (aperture). The stop-down switch is marked A/M, not auto/man. The rear most element is slightly protruding from the barrel, when viewed from the side.
Jim B.
hap
Well-known
the the super multicoated takumars....like mine, do not have an infra red line on the barrel. also it had auto/man. So I knew it wasn't an 8'er. they are all really nice pieces.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
hap
Well-known
that is correct and clearly spelled out in the pentax lens database.
das
Well-known
I am going to buck to trend here and say that I am not a fan of any version of the Spotmatic as a film platform for M42 lenses. Dark focusing screens, heavy, multi-step metering operation, weird batteries for many of them, and the ES and later can only autoexpose later Pentax lenses. Like folks suggested above, the 1978 Chinon CE-3 (autoexposure with every M42 A/M lens in one step, not two), the newer VC Bessaflex (although also "stop down" metering), or an M42 adapter on a good Contax C/Y body are my preferred options.
raid
Dad Photographer
This sounds correct.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Well, I've got several of the S-M-C Takumars in various focal lengths and so I'm happy with the F, ES and ES II. The only drawback is that there isn't a meter on/off switch (other than turning the shutter speed dial). I don't like the stop-down metering of the earlier Spotmatics and yes, finding the correct battery is hard these days. I sure am not shelling out a boatload for a Bessaflex!