The Takumar Lenses

Two with an early pre thorium Super-Takumar 55/1.8, Pentax SV and Ilford FP4 developed with Rodinal

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My name is Doug Keljikian and I have learned so much more from this forum than I could ever share. Thank you all.
My 35mm slr camera systems are Pentax m42 and K bodies and lenses. I have been scouring the web to determine definitively whether my newly acquired 50mm f1.4 super tak (8 element) with a m42 to K adaptor will work on my MX without issues that could cause damage to either the body or lens. Pentax Forum cites no compatibility issues with this lens and the the KX body, but does not list MX among all of the other bodies. Am I safe to use this lens with a proper Pentax adaptor without causing damage?
Please excuse me if this is not the proper place to post my question. Thanks in advance for any advice.


Best,


Doug
 
I have used my Super Takumar lenses on all my K mount bodies (including DSLR and Mirrorless) with no problems. But I don't have a MX. I have a couple of P3n bodies which has an Auto shutter speed setting (along with all numbered shutter speeds). I have to set my lens (STak) on manual though to stop it down for the meter to work. I don't see an Auto setting on the MX so it maybe a little harder to get a meter to work. But it probably can be done.

I have the thorium seven element ST f1.4 50mm, I love using it although mostly on a Spotmatic. Be sure you spend a little more and get a real Pentax adapter.

Here is an old 50mm Pentax M42 macro lens that I use with a DSLR to copy slides an negatives:

Untitled by John Carter, on Flickr
 
Thanks John. The eight element flavor has a protruding rear element that some report can hang up the mirror on some Pentax models and cause damage, even in some unmodified Spotmatics (?!). I have a Pentax brand adaptor and always use a hand held meter so not worried about in- camera metering. If the mirror clears the rear element on the KX, I'm guessing it should be fine on the MX. But I would hate to be wrong.


Best,
Doug
 
d.keljikian said:
Thanks John. The eight element flavor has a protruding rear element that some report can hang up the mirror on some Pentax models and cause damage, even in some unmodified Spotmatics (?!). I have a Pentax brand adaptor and always use a hand held meter so not worried about in- camera metering. If the mirror clears the rear element on the KX, I'm guessing it should be fine on the MX. But I would hate to be wrong.


Best,
Doug
Click to expand...

Doug, I’ve used two seperate 8-element Super Taks on my MX with no issue at all. That’s using a genuine Pentax m42-adapter.

It will also meter correctly using the MX’s internal meter, you just need to stop the lens down using the switch on the barrel to take a reading.

FYI, the 8-element should be fine on ALL Spotmatic models. It’s was just some of the earlier S-series bodies that had issues.
 
Doug, I think it is correct that all Spotmatics are OK with the protruding element. On the earlier bodies the rewind knob will have a letter R on them. A red R means OK for the rear element, a green R is not OK. Ancient memories, can anyone else confirm this? Joe
 
Livesteamer said:
Doug, I think it is correct that all Spotmatics are OK with the protruding element. On the earlier bodies the rewind knob will have a letter R on them. A red R means OK for the rear element, a green R is not OK. Ancient memories, can anyone else confirm this? Joe
Click to expand...

That’s correct according to the Pentaxian brains trust, and true in most circumstances. However, I have a red ‘R’ SV (early serial and early mirrorbox/aperture plate) that jams with an 8-element. It’s best to use the R as a general guide and then check the actual internals to confirm.

But again, this is the S-series, all spotmatics should be fine.
 
^^ Yes, correct. When the Spotmatic was introduced it came normally with the new 50mm f/1.4 that projected a bit further into the mirror box. Fine on any Spotmatic or later model as those have a shorter mirror, as does the last of the SV/H3v production models, and those are marked as noted above. On earlier bodies the mirror will strike the rear element of the f/1.4 lens. The MX with adapted lens would be safe.
 
John, Nick, Livestreamer, and Doug, thank you so much for sharing your valuable experience with me! Now I'm confident to use this 50 on both my MX and Spotmatic. This forum is the best!



Best,


Doug
 
Hi Doug,

I have a Pentax M42 to K-Mount adapter that I purchased along with my K50 body so I could use my Takumars. It also works on my MX without any issues.



d.keljikian said:
My name is Doug Keljikian and I have learned so much more from this forum than I could ever share. Thank you all.
My 35mm slr camera systems are Pentax m42 and K bodies and lenses. I have been scouring the web to determine definitively whether my newly acquired 50mm f1.4 super tak (8 element) with a m42 to K adaptor will work on my MX without issues that could cause damage to either the body or lens. Pentax Forum cites no compatibility issues with this lens and the the KX body, but does not list MX among all of the other bodies. Am I safe to use this lens with a proper Pentax adaptor without causing damage?
Please excuse me if this is not the proper place to post my question. Thanks in advance for any advice.


Best,


Doug
Click to expand...
 
As long as we're mentioning mirrors of the pre-Spotmatic Pentaxes, be aware the mirror is a front-surface one and the reflective surface is a soft aluminum deposit. Delicate! Do not touch! Many years ago I used a soft camels-hair lens brush to deal with some lint or dust on the H3 mirror and one pass left behind fine scratches on the mirror. I felt very bad about that, clearly still remember, and I've never touched a Pentax mirror since... Though possibly/likely Pentax has made the mirror surface more durable since then.
 
Doug, I know that Minolta started multi-coating their mirrors with the X-700, X570/500, and the X370/300 series, starting in 1981, and I would expect the multi-coating to be more resistant than the unprotected reflective surface coating of SLR mirrors previous to that.

My guess is that other brands did this, too, though I would still be reluctant, myself, to touch the surface of any SLR mirror.

- Murray

PS. If Pentax did this also, I can see it applied to the later MX, but not to the Spotmatics and those before.
 
Thanks, Murray, I expect you're right. And Pentax was a pioneer in multicoating lenses. I'm not inclined to test the issue on my collection of Pentaxes even with the softest of brushes!
 
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