Praktica FX and Lens's

<p> Just got a Practika with Carl zeiss Jena Lens 50mm F-2.8 with red T on it also just a Asahi Pentax 135mm F-3.5<br>

super Takamur and a Asahi Pentax 50mm F-1.4 super Takamur Both Pentax lens's look like new but do show some wear Attached is a foto of the group<br>

But the real question I Guess is the 50mm F-1.4 shows a gold color tone is this OK or is this the Yellow lens's a lot of folks talk about the Zeiss 50mm and the Pentax 135mm both show Blue reflections. Just wondering If I should send it Back That s all:</p><div></div>

<p>If I remember the 50mm f1.4 Pentax glass has Thorium which is mildly radioactive. It's been said if you leave it in the sun, you may be able to rid some of the yellow tinge with UV rays. Arrange it on a non flammable surface like a cast iron or ironstone platter so you don't start a fire. (remember the childhood prank of shining a magnifier onto leaves or newsprint....smoldering then flames) You might want to investigate this Thorium glass further. It should have absolutely no effect when shooting with B&W films.</p>

<p>I think that is one of the Takumars that had rare earth elements in it. It will not affect B&W photography particularly, but will warm up any color shots a bit. Try it and see if you like it.</p>

<p>There are cures of various sorts, and I am sure some will post here with details or links.</p>

<p>Otherwise, a nice haul, and I personally would keep the f/1.4 lens even if it couldn't be cured.</p>

<p>The Praktica is an early one, made not long after the end of the war in the ruins of the "Soviet Occupied Zone."</p>

<p>Nice looking camera and lenses. Can't wait to see some photos from this outfit. The FX series was produced for a long time. By the time more heavily featured (not necessarily better, BTW) SLR's came out, many mail order sellers were closing the FX, FX-2, and FX-3 at bargain prices. Congrats on your acquisition.</p>

<p>No, it is not "yellowing". It is the amber color of the lens coating. Coatings come is various colors: blue, green, amber, purple, etc. Usually the blue coating was one of the first coatings to be used on lenses and, after other coatings came into use, blue was generally used on cheaper lenses. Pretty much the same for green (but I love how it looks). Generally, the better coatings were/are the amber and purple. </p>

<p>The Tessar lens you have is a very good lens if it is clean. Puts out some nice images virtually identical to a Leica Elmar. Had one with the same camera. Sorry to have sold it. </p>

<p>Mike, after looking again, I think you are right, it is a later FX. I didn't notice the tops of the F and X in the picture as they are hidden mostly by the lens.</p>

<p>Lauren, the 50mm 1.4 Tak is a great lens, and the darling of low light photogs in the sixties and seventies.<br>

It's a keeper for sure, and don't worry about the slight yellowing, it will not affect your pictures to any great extent, in fact it will improve the B&w shots.<br>

Likewise the 135mm Takumar, another good optic, as is the Tessar, which while not as good as the Takumar, still has a nice look to the photos. So all around a good outfit, to which you can have fun adding many M42 mount lenses in the future....it never ends you see!</p>

<p>Lauren, this setup looks like fun. I was reading Michael Briggs' excellent site, and he talked about aerial Ektar's with Thorium glass, and how he stores them as far away from his living area as possible. He seems to know a thing or two about radioactive lenses.</p>

<p><strong>Lauren</strong>, echoing <strong>Paul's</strong> advice, I've cured a couple of cases of thorium yellowing by placing the lens on a piece of foil (for safety's sake!) on a sunny window sill, and leaving them there for a couple of weeks. In both cases the yellowing was very much diminished. If the yellowing is severe I find it quite disruptive for colour work, as the contrast seems to be noticeably diminished, and it's hard to restore accurate colour in image processing. I agree what <strong>Tony</strong> and <strong>JDM</strong> have said about the Takumar f/1.4; it's a fine lens, though sometimes I get a sneaky feeling that the f/1.8 is better...</p>

<p>Looks like mostly a bunch of junk.<br>

I can take it off your hands if you feel really desperate.</p>

<p> </p>

<p> Kidding, of course.<br>

I hear that the 135 -3.5 pen is better than the f2.5-<br>

that is the one i have.<br>

The contour of that camera is an aesthetic in itself.</p>

 

<p>I thank you all for your thoughts and insight on this lens and the others also , Have put a roll of Ilford FP-4 in it will go shooting over weekend and see If I can get some good ones like the rest of folks seam to do: Thanks<br>

Sorry Mike Stryke sorry not ready to give them up yet:</p>

<p>I cannot see the group shot; it does not display. There is some problem with the PN server or relay along the way. All your acquisitions are good items. Just go by the results. The Praktica FX is easy to CLA at home. With just a little patience and tenacity you can make it work like new! Looking forward to your pictures. sp</p>

<p>The picture was displayed just now; I don't see why anyone would want to return such a precious set. All the best, sp.</p>

<p>I thank you all for your thoughts and insight on this lens and the others also , Have put a roll of Ilford FP-4 in it will go shooting over weekend and see If I can get some good ones like the rest of folks seam to do: Thanks<br>

Sorry Mike Stryke sorry not ready to give them up yet:</p>

<p>Did A little researching and found this site for thorium lens's http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_lenses The Pentax lens listed was their SMC 50mm F-1.4 with Thorium >><br>

Also this site http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/consumer%20products/cameralens.htm</p>