Pentaxians... Any out there?

A favorite Pentax combo of mine...

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pushto1600 said:
Wow nice glass! I have a black MX as well and was thinking about a 28mm. How do you find yours?


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I either own or have owned the SMC (K) 28/f2 (the one above), SMC-M 28/f2, SMC-M 28/f3.5 and Super Takumar 28/f3.5 (M42 mount). All of them are good, I've really enjoyed using the SMC-M 28/f2 for several years now. I haven't used it, but the SMC (K) 28/f3.5 also has a sterling reputation.

The SMC 28/f2 is a different beast to the others. Much more complex (features a floating element and several aspherical elements), much larger and much more expensive. If you aren't aware of it's story, it was developed in partnership with Carl Zeiss, and is virtually identical to the legendary Zeiss 28mm Distagon. I only recently picked up my copy so can't comment on personal experience yet, but it's reputation is significant.
 
I finally got my two SV's back with newly fabricated shutters from F16 Camera Service in Brisbane. In my completely objective and unbiased view, the SV is one of the nicest mechanical SLR's one can use.

Pictured here with their 8-element Super Takumar 50/f1.4



 
Very nice! Love the 8 element, one of the loveliest lenses made.

I became a Pentaxian the other day with the acquisition of a black LX with a SMC Takumar A 50mm f1.2, a beautiful if bonkers lens with some of the most obvious barrel distortion I've ever seen and so far I've not nailed the focus once, but I love it!
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
Very nice! Love the 8 element, one of the loveliest lenses made.

I became a Pentaxian the other day with the acquisition of a black LX with a SMC Takumar A 50mm f1.2, a beautiful if bonkers lens with some of the most obvious barrel distortion I've ever seen and so far I've not nailed the focus once, but I love it!
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Well if you’re going to go Pentaxian you may as well go all the way!

Interesting comment regarding distortion. I use the K version of the f1.2 (optically identical) and I’ve never noticed distortion any more than any other regular double gauss 50mm... Do you have any examples?
 
Not that I have any other double gauss lenses of that focal length but I was up at the Scott Memorial the other day and took a few photos of the panels. I thought I'd check today that they are genuinely rectangular rather than curved a little for perspective, but no sign of the latter. All four came out with this sort of curvature. It's a strange test but it's the first time I've noticed such a thing before (but I'm sure it exists in others)

scottmemorial-1-of-1.jpg
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
I finally got my two SV's back with newly fabricated shutters from F16 Camera Service in Brisbane. In my completely objective and unbiased view, the SV is one of the nicest mechanical SLR's one can use.
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Totally agree, Nick. I bought my SV on eBay for $5. It needs a CLA but regardless is lovely to use. It's small, fits the hand beautifully and is so smooth to use. It just ooze build quality. My other M42 Pentax is a Spotmatic, only a few years younger, but it contains more plastic and lacks the refined feel of the SV.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
I finally got my two SV's back with newly fabricated shutters from F16 Camera Service in Brisbane. In my completely objective and unbiased view, the SV is one of the nicest mechanical SLR's one can use.

Pictured here with their 8-element Super Takumar 50/f1.4



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Gorgeous! I will third the cheer for the SV as the most elegant of all SLRs. But... that shutter can be persnickety. Mine has visited famed Eric Hendrickson twice for repair to a sticky second curtain at 1/1000. Sadly, it now occasionally sticks at 1/500th as well. I can't justify a third visit.
Sometimes, all is well, so I live with it. After all, that's what slow film is for. I hope your two work perfectly with their rebuilt shutters. All the best!
 
Pentax LX with Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMCP... with a nice straight line at the right edge showing no distortion to my eyes. With yours above, Charles, the barrel distortion is unmistakable... odd. Wonder if someone's had it apart.

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Gals are holding their store sign that uses a font that I designed... fun to spot it in various places!
 
It's in mint condition, single owner who hardly used it (or indeed the LX). I don't go round shooting walls or rectangular plaques regularly but no other photo has any issues, and I doubt barrel distortion is something a fiddle can induce without obvious other symptoms. Looking at my other photos it is only manifesting with lines close up, and there was nothing scientific in my approach as I wasn't testing for it.

No great issue anyway, I always like lenses with character that take lovely photos.
 
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