Are lens caps a bad idea?

E. von Hoegh · Jun 20, 2017

pathdoc said:
For me, a Super Tak is a mismatch on a Spotmatic F - it makes it no better than a Spotmatic II. I save them for my S1a.

I actually only bought my SPF because I already had some SMC and S-M-C Takumar lenses I'd bought to shoot on Pentax DSLRs, and figured why not have a film camera that can make full use of them? It's cured me of any urge I might have to buy a KM or K1000, seeing as it does just about everything they do anyway, and the range of aperture-coupled Takumar lenses - though nowhere near as wide as that for Pentax K mount - is more than enough to keep me happy.

At least with the S1a there are no issues with the meter running the battery down (unless you have one of those clip-on meters, which I don't - or at least not one that currently works).

I'll have to check, it may be an S-M-C Tak. But it is aperture coupled, it's the original kit lens. I also have an S1a with 55/2.2 Auto Tak. - the one you have to slide the lever around to cock the aperture, and an SP 1000 with a 55/1.8 S-M-C Tak. Also two K1000s that I keep finding for free at yardsales, and an ME Super. All of them work. I"m giving the ME to the local community college, they still teach film. The K1000s are going there too as soon as I check them out thoroughly.

pathdoc · Jun 20, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
I'll have to check, it may be an S-M-C Tak. But it is aperture coupled, it's the original kit lens.

I have read that some of the very, VERY late production Super Taks (as labelled on the front ring) were S-M-C in every way that really mattered, just like some of the very, VERY late Auto Taks were really Super Takumars (no cocking needed)... and some very, VERY late Pentax-A series K mount lenses were dressed up in a shell that made them look a lot like a Pentax-F, though that last one's a very confusing and misleading thing to do because the F were the first of the screwdrive AF lenses and a whole new ball game.

Luckless · Jun 20, 2017

I've lifted an SLR to my eye with the cap still on more than a few times. Usually after swapping lenses while talking to someone. Once it was because I was packing up at the end of an event, and saw something unexpected happening... But had forgotten I already capped that lens.

With my TLR I try to maintain the habit of double checking my taking lens each and every time I go to frame up a shot. Have mistaken which filter I had on at the time more than once, and there is always the risk of something random getting stuck on the lens itself.

Just one of those things to keep in mind/be paranoid about when using a camera system with independent taking and viewing lenses I guess.

TheRook · Jun 20, 2017

fstop said:
Who leaves their camera in the sun?

You'd be surprised how many thoughtless and careless people there are!
Here's one scenario: They take their camera to a picnic, place it lens facing up on the picnic table, and leave it there for a couple of hours, baking in the sun.

Chan Tran · Jun 20, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
Just put some old nitrate stock in, set to f:2, and leave it on "B".

Where do I find them? I notice now that the K1000 doesn't have the T setting so to lock the shutter I have to use a cable release. Hmm! I don't want my cable release to catch on fire it's worth more than the K1000.

Are lens caps a bad idea?

E. von Hoegh

pathdoc

Luckless

TheRook

Chan Tran

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