I haven't tested SMC or Super Tak yet, so I can't post any objective comparison.
I must add however that it is a true pleasure using this lens.
The only slight annoyance is perhaps it's focusing distance.
It may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but the fact that it does just as well as 50mm f1.4 and Sigma 150mm Macro is pleasing.
It didn't put me off alt gear, on the contrary I am looking forward to obtain more...hehehe
Just as update for IQ of the lens - I seem to have this issue with all my lenses atm, where perhaps 1 out of 50 shots are decently sharp.
I believe it is time to send the camera for calibration as it may be due to the shocks it had to withstand in past.
I will update this thread accordingly...
Guys, would like to ask you for advise on 135mm 3.5 SMC Tak.
Found one in a acceptable condition for about the same price (about GBP15). Glass is in great condition. Original case included (fairly beaten up though) but there are no caps.
It is a bit grimy around the switches and the edges are a bit worn out.
I checked the lens, but changing aperture does not change the diaphragm - it remains fully open. Also, auto switch is locked in place and I can't shift it.
I am MF lens beginner and so I am unaware if this behavior is normal or not. Also, correct me if I am wrong, but the shooting is done with the lens fully open anyway, so maybe I shouldn't worry about the aperture?
Behavior is not normal. You should be able to move the auto switch to Manual and you need that to work in order to stop the lens down(change the diaphragm). I would definitely pass on this lens myself given that for about twice this amount, you may be able to find a mint, correctly working example. You focus wide open but you will want to have the ability to shoot at any aperture.
AFAICT, nobody has mentioned a link to AOHC: http://www.aohc.it/ which I think is the world's best reference site for Pentax screw mount lenses and cameras. Boz Dimitrov's site http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ is the best for Pentax K-mount.
The SMC Takumar 135/2.5 and SMC Pentax 135/2.5 (K-mount) are very similar and both excellent. I have owned both, but they're not nearly as good as the Canon 135/2L (no surprise, eh?). There is also a Pentax K-mount 135/2.5 lens labelled "Takumar 135/2.5 (Bayonet)" which is junk compared to the others. I keep a SMC Pentax-M 135/3.5 on hand because its a fine lens and it's so darned small.
Thank you for the information guys.
I will skip this one - was rather tempted to buy it, but I think it is not that difficult to find a perfectly working copy for around the same money.
Jcolwell, thank you very much for the link. I am checking it out now. What you say about K-mount TAK confirms what other users said on various boards..
Some SMC takumars have an extra pin that it is pushed when they are mounted in camera and allow the manual/auto switch. Look in the rear part of the lens for a tiny pin (not the "big" one, a real small one) and push it to shift from manual to auto. I havent got that particular lens but that is the way it worked for the SMC 50 f1.4
Javier is correct. On newer SMC, the smaller pin needs to be in to free to the Auto/Manual switch. It is engaged and aperture ring freed when the adapter is mounted. Cleaned up it might suffice for the money. It's worth a try anyway.
IC!! There were 2 pins at the bottom. One small one (as per image in this thread) and one large.
I didn't try to operate the switch with the pin pushed down, so that's why the Switch didn't operate. I can drop by the shop and try today again.
Then it leaves the larger switch and the diaphragm I suppose.
Only problem I can think of is when it is strong sunlight and even ISO100 1/4000s shots overexpose on a fully open lens, one might need to stop down.
But otherwise, if one is shooting fully open all the time, there shuldn't be an issue.
Changing the switch to Manual should allow you to stop down the diafragm. It is actually quite useful. Usually you loose a lot of light when you try to focus with the lens stopped down, with this mechanism when you have the lens in the camera and the pin is pushed you can switch freely from auto to manual, when it is in auto the diafragm will be fully open (even if you have selected f11 in the aperture ring), but then you change the switch to manual and the lens will go directly to f11. So long story short, select aperture put the lens in auto, then focus, then stop down by changing to manual then shoot.
I just picked up a Super Tak 135 f 3.5. Not SMC though. Mounted easily on my Rebel XT/350D with an M42 adapter from kawa on ebay.
While it doesn't match 100% crops from L primes, this lens seems to be pretty nice, and gave me a focal length I didn't already have. I'm not too bad of a pixel peeper either, and I like the images this lens gives in tests. Definitely worth the $40USD to me, even though it will probably be replaced with a nicer model in the future. Good lens to have in the bag for certain conditions, though. Seems sharp enough at 5.6 and 8, a little soft at 3.5 but still pretty usable. This is my first experience with a telephoto prime so it's a fun lens for me.
I know this really isn't too much as far as new info, but I was pretty excited to pick up this lens. I'm now totally hooked on Alt lenses, and I (as I'm sure many others also do) completely blame cogitech.
I have seen a couple of those SMC taks on ebay, and have been keeping an eye out for a nice M42 mount 50-60mm fast (<1.8) prime. Of course keeping an eye out for the legendary Rokkor 58 1.2, but I don't expect to afford one of those right now!
I join you in blaming cogitech for fuelling my addiction...mind you, I am grateful he is not into L-Series primes..
I think my mistake in shooting my Tak is keeping it fully open all the way through. In a way I like its softness though - it gives a very nice overall feeling to the pictures. Something I am yet to experience with Canon lenses...
Mind you, not too overly difficult to sharpen the shots a bit during the PP...
I'm thinking this might be a good lens for outdoor candids in good light. It's also not too big so somewhat discreet, and about 216mm on a crop. I'm still playing around to find out what aperture I like most on this one.
Yay! I finally scored the SMC Tak in Tokyo last week.
Absolutely worth it at 6.000 yen - not a scratch and sun cap included.
Loving it so far, however I need to add that it is not exactly miles off the plain Tak I was using earlier on the 350D.
However, I am yet to test both head to head on my equally newly acquired 20D....
