Pentax SV on the way.

[KerrKid]

yes the 35mm f3.5 is smoking sharp!

I'll put that lens on my list. I like that focal length. Probably not a big need to add the 50mm since I have the 55mm, but I hear that's a great lens, too. I doubt I'll get a 28mm, but who knows?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

yes the 35mm f3.5 is smoking sharp!

I agree, the 35mm ƒ/3.5 Super Takumar is an amazing little lens. It used to be very inexpensive.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

The late-1960s - early-1970s version of the 55mm ƒ/1.8 Super-Takumar with the Thorium element is also a spectacular performer. You can use a UV light to remove most of the yellow cast.

 

[KerrKid]

I agree, the 35mm ƒ/3.5 Super Takumar is an amazing little lens. It used to be very inexpensive.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

No, they’re not cheap anymore. It seems the digital guys are hyping them and driving up the prices.

 

[Austintatious]

No, they’re not cheap anymore. It seems the digital guys are hyping them and driving up the prices.

Back in 2015, I purchased the 35mm f3.5 and the Super Takumar 55 f1.8 in very fine condition for around $35 each, right here on Photrio.
These lenses are indeed fetching higher prices these days, but sometimes you can get lucky. My Brother-in-law gifted me the silver Spotmatic and the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 shown in the photo I posted above. (post #21) Got the never ready case with it too.

 

[KerrKid]

Back in 2015, I purchased the 35mm f3.5 and the Super Takumar 55 f1.8 in very fine condition for around $35 each, right here on Photrio.
These lenses are indeed fetching higher prices these days, but sometimes you can get lucky. My Brother-in-law gifted me the silver Spotmatic and the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 shown in the photo I posted above. (post #21) Got the never ready case with it too.

You sure did get lucky! Free is always good unless it’s a horse. I think I got lucky, too. I’m going to try and fix the shutter/mirror situation today.

I’ll keep my eyes open for a 35mm lens.

 

[GregY]

The 55 1.8 is a very good all around lens, but the 50mm 1.4 wide open has a very special character..... doesn't matter which version... wide open they're both unique.

 

[KerrKid]

I removed the baseplate today and got the mirror to drop. The camera has bigger problems than that it looks like. The film advance mechanism is "frozen" and the film advance lever doesn't seem to be connected to anything. Perhaps someone forced it and broke something internally. Also, the rewind shaft seems to have no detent to keep it in place.

So...it looks like a trip to Eric H is in order and I'm hoping I didn't just buy a good-looking paperweight.

 

[KerrKid]

The 55 1.8 is a very good all around lens, but the 50mm 1.4 wide open has a very special character..... doesn't matter which version... wide open they're both unique.

I have a SMC Pentax-M 50mm f1.4 mounted on my KM. Is that a similar in qualities to the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 M42 mount lens?

 

[GregY]

I have a SMC Pentax-M 50mm f1.4 mounted on my KM. Is that a similar in qualities to the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 M42 mount lens?

I've never compared so i can't say....

 

[Austintatious]

This may have some info.

SMC PENTAX 50/1.4 vs. SMC Takumar 50/1.4 any difference?: Adapted Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

www.dpreview.com

 

[KerrKid]

This may have some info.

SMC PENTAX 50/1.4 vs. SMC Takumar 50/1.4 any difference?: Adapted Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

www.dpreview.com

Good read. Thanks. The 50mm on my KM sounds like the "better" lens. Glad to know that.

 

[BMbikerider]

I agree, the 35mm ƒ/3.5 Super Takumar is an amazing little lens. It used to be very inexpensive.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

The late-1960s - early-1970s version of the 55mm ƒ/1.8 Super-Takumar with the Thorium element is also a spectacular performer. You can use a UV light to remove most of the yellow cast.

I have Minolta 35mm F2.8 lens with the Thorium element(s) and I am leaving it as it is because I don't need to fit a yellow filter to emphasize clouds when using B&W

 

[Autonerd]

I'm a die-hard Pentaxian -- started out in photography with a KX, and while I've bought lots of cameras, I keep coming back to Pentax. The arsenal now includes a second KX (overhauled by Eric, though I think it meters a little hot), K2, ME Super, and a P30t, plus a couple of Ricohs (the XR-2/Sears KS Auto is my go-to knock-around camera, I have two). I do want to add a Spotmatic to my collection, just waiting for the right one to come along.

Aaron

 

[logan2z]

I'm a die-hard Pentaxian -- started out in photography with a KX, and while I've bought lots of cameras, I keep coming back to Pentax. The arsenal now includes a second KX (overhauled by Eric, though I think it meters a little hot), K2, ME Super, and a P30t, plus a couple of Ricohs (the XR-2/Sears KS Auto is my go-to knock-around camera, I have two). I do want to add a Spotmatic to my collection, just waiting for the right one to come along.

Aaron

I've become a Pentax fan as well. I have two KXs, both of which have been recently serviced by Eric. I should probably sell one of them, but I can't bring myself to do it.

 

[titrisol]

I agree, the 35mm ƒ/3.5 Super Takumar is an amazing little lens. It used to be very inexpensive.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

The late-1960s - early-1970s version of the 55mm ƒ/1.8 Super-Takumar with the Thorium element is also a spectacular performer. You can use a UV light to remove most of the yellow cast.

I overlooked this focal for the 28mm for a long time, I got one a few months ago and love it. It works especially well with the Stereo attachment

The 55 1.8 is a very good all around lens, but the 50mm 1.4 wide open has a very special character..... doesn't matter which version... wide open they're both unique.

The 55 is a 6/5 (Ultron like) lens, excellent all around.
The 50/1.4 is a more complex lens, and the 7 element version has thoriated glass. Thoriated glass discolors to an ugly nicotine brown color and either bright light (e.g Ikea LED lamp) or sunlight revert the discoloration

I have a SMC Pentax-M 50mm f1.4 mounted on my KM. Is that a similar in qualities to the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 M42 mount lens?

The M is different form the Super Tak, despite having the same formula and being form the same maker. I guess that coatings changed, glass material changed, and a micron here, a micron there....
I have both and the earlier lenses have a more ethereal quality to the image, the M and A are more "clinical" and colors are more blue. I don;t know how else to describe it.

 

[KerrKid]

I just sent my SV to Eric. Can’t wait to get it back. Hope it isn’t beyond repair.

One seemingly minor thing that I like about the SV is the shape of the film advance lever. It has a curve on the end that my thumb rests on so nicely when holding the camera.

Ever since I got the SV I’ve been looking at my KM with more fondness. I haven’t really clicked with it, but I’m getting it more now.

I wouldn’t mind a Spotmatic, but I think it’s the type of camera I’d want to buy as a known quantity and not a fleabay special with iffy functionality. I just don’t know which Spottie I would get since I don’t know much about the different models.

 

[KerrKid]

The M is different form the Super Tak, despite having the same formula and being form the same maker. I guess that coatings changed, glass material changed, and a micron here, a micron there....
I have both and the earlier lenses have a more ethereal quality to the image, the M and A are more "clinical" and colors are more blue. I don;t know how else to describe it.

Interesting. I’ll add an earlier version to my “want list”. I’ve heard new lenses described as clinical or sharp but lacking character, too.

 

[KerrKid]

yes the 35mm f3.5 is smoking sharp!

I finally bought one on fleabay this evening. It was less than $50 not including tax/shipping. I hope it’s decent. The seller said it is a very early model. Prices sure have gone up on these.

I will put this lens on the SV when I get it back or temporarily on the Vivitar 420/SL I have coming.

 

[Autonerd]

Ever since I got the SV I’ve been looking at my KM with more fondness. I haven’t really clicked with it, but I’m getting it more now.

I wouldn’t mind a Spotmatic, but I think it’s the type of camera I’d want to buy as a known quantity and not a fleabay special with iffy functionality. I just don’t know which Spottie I would get since I don’t know much about the different models.

Keep in mind that the KM is basically a Spotmatic F with a K-mount.

The issue with Spotmatics is the stop-down metering -- I believe it does slow you down a bit (not that I would know, as I don't yet own a camera with a stop-down meter that works). Spotmatic F was really notable for its open-aperture metering.

As for the choice of Spotmatics, I think it'll be pretty easy: You probably want the SP2 or the SP1000. Why? Original Spottie was, well, spotty. The 500 has a limited top shutter speed. The ES is primarily an automatic camera with limited manual options (and if that's what you're looking for, go for it). You basically already own a Spotmatic F. (Plus they only do open-ap metering with certain Takumar lenses -- the SMCs, I believe.

See? I figured it out for you. Easy, right?

Aaron

 

[Austintatious]

I wouldn’t mind a Spotmatic, but I think it’s the type of camera I’d want to buy as a known quantity and not a fleabay special with iffy functionality. I just don’t know which Spottie I would get since I don’t know much about the different models.

Many folks opt for the Spotmatic F model as it was made a bit later and will take modern batteries for the meter. The earlier ones used a mercury cell but can use newer batteries or wein cells for the meter. They are all mechanical cameras so if you get one with non working meter for cheap, you can use hand held.

 

[KerrKid]

So maybe I’ll forget the idea of a Spotmatic if the KM is nearly the same.)) Unless, of course, one comes up at a price I can’t resist.

 

[ediz7531]

Hopefully Eric will sort out your SV. He CLAd mine last year and replaced the shutter curtains from a donor parts body. The yarn-like material he uses for light seals is much better than the more common foam ones.

I’ll echo what others have said about the film advance - smoothest of any film SLR I’ve tried.

I’m not a fan of the Spotmatics. They feel rough in comparison to my SV.

 

[titrisol]

Interesting. I’ll add an earlier version to my “want list”. I’ve heard new lenses described as clinical or sharp but lacking character, too.

I used to own the 8 elemnts super tak but I always preferred the 7 element; it was more pleasing to me. My SuperTak is an early 7 element version.
When they changed from Super-Tak to S-M-C the number of blades in the iris was increased, and while the lnes and elements are mostly the same the final image isn't. I always fall back to my old SuperTak.

Spotmatic vs KX? The Spottie is my comfort blanket, and the KX is a close second. It has many improvements over the Spottie and the K -series lenses are top notch

Another focal that I overlooked for a while until recently was 105mm, the 105/2.8 is a fun lens.

 

[KerrKid]

Hopefully Eric will sort out your SV. He CLAd mine last year and replaced the shutter curtains from a donor parts body. The yarn-like material he uses for light seals is much better than the more common foam ones.

I’ll echo what others have said about the film advance - smoothest of any film SLR I’ve tried.

I’m not a fan of the Spotmatics. They feel rough in comparison to my SV.

My film advance is REALLY smooth since I don’t think the lever is connected to the film advance mechanism any more.

 

[Autonerd]

Many folks opt for the Spotmatic F model as it was made a bit later and will take modern batteries for the meter. The earlier ones used a mercury cell but can use newer batteries or wein cells for the meter.

That's one of the nice bits about old Spotmatics -- the meter somehow detects voltage, so a LR44 or S76 cell will work. I think the popular fix is a little rubber washer/gasket to keep the battery centered.

Aaron