50/1.4 Super Takumar

<p>The seller of this item, 200545891109, claims that it has eight elements. Did Asahi actually make an eight element 50/1.4 Super Takumar?</p>

<p>Yes. 8 elements in 7 groups, Asahi p/n 358 (engraved near the aperture ring IIRC).<br /> http://www.aohc.it/tak03e.htm</p>

<p>It was replaced with a 7/6 design in 1967.</p>

<p>Jeff,<br>

Mike Johnston discussed the eight element version here:<br>

<a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml">http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-24.shtml</a></p>

 

<p>Yep, I have one of these. At the time I bought it, I did not know what a gem I had just lucked into. Wonderful bokeh!</p>

<p>Should see the way shoot,is my right about?.....</p>

<p>Now I have to dig out all of my 50/1.4 Takumars to see if I have an 8 element version. Is there a reference using serial numbers like there is for Nikkors? What I'm not clear on is whether the 8 element Takumar is actually better than the later 7 element versions or just a novelty because it has 8 elements. I know the 50/2 Nikkor-S lens has some collectible value but I have never read that it is sharper than the later 50/2 Nikkor-H lenses. I have the 6 element 50/2 Nikkor in H, HC, K and AI versions and all are good. Nikon also made many different cosmetic versions of the 35/2.8 Nikkor-S. I have a 35/2.8 K Nikkor with 6 elements and a late AI 35/2.8 with 5 elements. They are both good but I think the K lens is better. I guess sometimes having more elements helps and sometimes it doesn't.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"Is there a reference using serial numbers like there is for Nikkors?"</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Not to my knowledge, but the Asahi part no will be engraved near the lens aperture ring. The early 8 element lens will have a '358' p/n (or '879' if it is the Honeywell import), while the later 7 element version will have a '378' p/n.</p>

<p>My Super-Takumar 1.4/50 has "37801" engraved on the A/M lever on the side facing the camera. I assume the "378" indicates the later 7-element version? Does anyone know what the "01" means?</p>

<p>My memory is not as good as it once was. :)</p>

<p>The p/n is engraved on the back side of the AUTO/MAN slide switch ...</p><div></div>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"I assume the "378" indicates the later 7-element version?"</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>There were two 7 element versions of the Super-Takumar 50/1.4, p/n 378 and p/n 37801. Identical weight, same 7/6 optical formula, both made from 1967-71. Have no idea what the difference between the two is.</p>

<p>Right, I see the two entries on the AOHC list. I note that the 3-digit Asahi part numbers are the earlier ones (up to about 1966, though they're not totally consistent about it), and the 5-digit numbers come later. So perhaps 378 simply became 37801 when they decided to use five digits.</p>

<p>Interestingly, most of my Super Taks don't have part numbers at all, even when the AOHC page indicates that they should. My 50mm f/1.4, 35mm f/3.5, and 17mm f/4 all have numbers; my 28mm f/3.5, 55mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.9, and 135mm f/3.5 all do not. They all came to me (bought used) with Asahi Pentax caps, for whatever that's worth, and in the case of the 35mm, 55mm, and 135mm lenses, I'm sure the caps are the originals because I'm only the second owner.</p>

<p>Craig: you commented "Interestingly, most of my Super Taks don't have part numbers at all, even when the AOHC page indicates that they should. My 50mm f/1.4, 35mm f/3.5, and 17mm f/4 all have numbers"</p>

<p>My wife and I own two early Pentax Spotmatics with original f/1.4 50mm Asahi Opt. Co. Super-Takumar lenses. Neither of these lenses have visible part numbers. I bought mine new, in July 1965, as a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic (Serial No 1052405) while I was in the USA. Its lens has the serial No 1344681. About ten years later we bought another one, used, in a Winchester (Hampshire) camera shop. It is an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP. Both cameras must be near contemporaries, as the Asahi branded one has the serial No 1057432 and its Super-Takumar f/1.4 50 mm lens is number 1401734. No part number on either lens.</p>

<p>One way to tell is the infrared mark. If it is between the 4 and the central diamond, it is the old 8 element version. If outside the 4, it is a 7 element. Pentax Forums has a decent explanation in their review of the 8 element version.</p>

<p>I have one, and it is nice, but only 6 aperture blades... debating whether to keep that one or an M 50/1.4</p>

 

<p>The site that was given by Rod Sainty says or implies that the 8 element F1.4 is the one with the Thorium element. Is this true or did other F1.4 50s have a radioactive element?</p>

<p>Supposedly, the thorium glass (or at least the glue that yellows) wasn't used until after the switch to 7 elements. The eight element 50/1.4 taks are not supposed to yellow. Their coating does look a little yellow, which can be deceiving.</p>

<p>The one I have is a 37801 and is definitely the radioactive one (because I was able to get rid of the yellowing by leaving it under a UV bug-zapper bulb for a few days).</p>

<p>Also apparently the 7-element Takumars are the ones that are radioactive (the thorium glass is high-index, i.e. "ED glass"). The earlier 8-element ones have no ED glass / thorium glass, thus an extra element was needed to reach the necessary level of correction.</p>

<p>Orlando, my 37801 has yellowed too. Maybe I read the Rod's link incorrectly. </p>

<p>Serial numbers are unreliable, I think. Check this if you are curious:<br>

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Super-Takumar-50mm-F1.4-Early.html</p>

<p>Sorry, won't link for some reason.</p>