Can anyone let me know if there is a major difference in 'look' or performance from the super multicoated vs the normal version of this lens? Also is there a known good af-confirm adapter to Canon EOS fit?
In my experience, there is a difference. My Super Takumar was a very good lens, but a bit dreamy wide open, and not quite as sharp as some of my other 50s by f/2. The S-M-C is noticeably sharper wide open (at least my copy is), has a bit smoother bokeh, and is smokin' by f/2.
My S-M-C is a somewhat beat up copy with a little bit of fungus behind the front element...and I kept it and sold my near mint Super-Takumar.
I only have the Super Tak, so I can not compare it with SMC. It is made so well and it has such wonderfully smooth focus that I love to focus it. My AF adapter was from Big_Is on ebay and it works great on all my M42 lenses. However, you will find the dof with the Super Tak at f1.4 is so narrow you will not hit focus everytime.
Cherubino
Jman13 wrote:
In my experience, there is a difference.
Optically no difference. There are 3 main differences, what I have heard/read,
1) No radioactive element in SMC version (not sure, except white balance how it impacts... may be crispiness in picture/sharpness is due to this). (although I heard different views on this point)
2) number of blades in aperture increase from 6 to 8 in SMC version (this was a main difference... I think, stopped down sharpness is because of this).
3) SMC coating... heard, it was near-revolutionary at that time..
I know they are optically the same design...I have owned both, and I can tell you, the S-M-C is sharper. Whether it's due to coatings, refined manufacturing process, or something else, I don't know...all I know is that my S-M-C is noticeably sharper than my old Super-Tak. (though both are quite good).
I have the SMC version of this lens. Mine was very sharp when stopped down a bit, but was giving me issues at very large apertures (more out-of-focus shots than in-focus). After shimming my focus screen, I finally got it dialed in and its now very, very sharp across the aperture range. Focus ring is buttery smooth, which makes it really easy to nail the focus. Don't notice any sort of color cast at all with this version.
If you're having trouble achieving focus at max aperture, it may be an issue with the focus screen position if you have changed out the screen. Canon sells washers that are strictly for this purpose...if you search the alt forum for "focus screen washers", you'll find a thread that I had started with the part numbers and telephone number for the Canon Parts Department. Big_is AF-confirm adapters seem to work well, as do those from happypagehk (Rudolf will code the chip to the lens' max aperture and focal length...this info will appear in the EXIF).
Jman13 wrote:
I know they are optically the same design...I have owned both, and I can tell you, the S-M-C is sharper. Whether it's due to coatings, refined manufacturing process, or something else, I don't know...all I know is that my S-M-C is noticeably sharper than my old Super-Tak. (though both are quite good).
While the basic optical design is the same for all Pentax 50mm f1.4's, Pentax has tweaked it seriously twice in its run. first between the Super-Tak and SMC versions (to account for the change in glass types) and again when the SMC-A version was released (updated coatings and a minor recompute)
