Manual Focus Forum - Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:33:46 +0000

oops, there is no such thing as Pentax 10D, it's "Canon 10D" and "Pentax K10"

I get excellent results with my Canon camera and M42 lenses, also Nikon lenses. But Pentax dSLRs work with no adapter, apparently, I've never used one. See this :

http://photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00OfAc

In that thread the guys says his Pentax doesn't expose with his M42 lenses correctly. My Canon exposes perfectly with my M42 glass, as far as I can tell

Most of these pics were taken with my M42 lenses on my Canon (oops, I need to use custom white balance!!!!!!!!!!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79594440@N … 81/detail/

I actually prefer my old Nikkor glass these days.

Cheers,
Craig

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:26:18 +0000

OK, let's see ...

Canon camera to M42 lens adapter, "AF confirm" adapter will give confirmation i the viewfinder when you are in focus! It's like autofocus but you have to manually focus ...

Look here :

http://search.ebay.com/m42-canon-af_W0Q … QQsbrsrtZd

(I like "BIG-IS" seller best)

I use them all the time so feel free to ask questions. Also most anything can be adapted to Canon. I think Pentax 10D dSLR can use M42 glass as well. I should get one of those

Cheers,
Craig

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (sputnik) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:15:17 +0000

Thanks Spystyle,
"AF" I assume stands for auto-focus but, what would I look for in a "AF confirm adaptor"? Can you say more about this RE: the Spotmatic/Takumar 55mm? Never used one...
Thanks-

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (juan leonardi) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:01:52 +0000

Excelent lens this takumar!!

I prefer the 50 mm over the 55mm, so I use Pancolar. But if I change to 55 mm, the Takumar 1,8 will be my option. Sure.

Very nice pics.

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:59:10 +0000

I was using a crop sensor, "Canon 10D", it's the same sensor as "Canon Digital Rebel"

1.5X crop I think

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (praktinafan) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:33:07 +0000

Do I guess right that you use this lens on a "crop" DSLR? Corners are weak and soft on a fullframe sensor like my EOS 5D. I tested 3 Takumars: two 1.8/55, one 2.0/55, all to sale ...

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:31:56 +0000

Hi Sputnik,

Nice story It's true, there is nothing like our first camera

I bet you could get a any Canon dSLR (like "10D" for an affordable price) and an "AF confirm adapter" (very cheap) and buy all your old favorite lenses off eBay to use again

I think I've read that Pentax dSLR can use M42 lenses as well ....

Did you ever find a digital camera as good as your old Spotmatic II ?

Have fun!
Craig

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (sputnik) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:09:52 +0000

Spystyle,
...just found MFF Googling an old piece of gear, my Super-Multicoated Takumar 1:1.8 55mm lens, and linked your posting. I got this lens as a gift in art-school in 1974, mounted on a Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic II camera-my favorite camera of all time... funky through-the-lens metering, screw-on lenses requiring one-thousand turns...It was my first SLR, and I loved it. In college, I used lots of TRI-X in the dorm for cool, grainy mood shots-Very moody in college... I took this camera everywhere-home was NYC; I walked about with it glued to my forehead. I travelled with it, froze it, burned it, dropped it (cameras were made of metal then, mostly), dinged it until a fatal accident-my Spotmatic's body was crushed (Thanks United Airlines) beyond repair.
I've always missed this camera/lens combo. and would buy another body if I could find a decent one-The Takumar 1.8 55mm is a really nice set of optics, I think, with warm qualities. I had a telephoto(200mm?) and a wide angle (28mm) as well. I've had some great cameras since-but there's nothing like your first SLR...

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:09:08 +0000

Well said

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (Scribo) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:09:25 +0000

I have been one of the frequent proponents of this lens. It probably gets more use on my camera than any other 50/55. It's one of the few remaining true bargains out there in the MF marketplace, and value aside it has wonderful tonal qualities that are hard to find at any price. You use the term "warm," and I know what you mean. But warmth is just a matter of color temperature, and is easy to tweak or simulate. I prefer "richness." Rich, complex tonality is much less easy to achieve in software, and it needs to come from the glass. This lens delivers it consistently. (I picked the Tak images out of your post at a glance).

If you like to "paint" in rich, smooth pastels, this lens is a must.

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (martinsmith99) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:22:52 +0000

I have just won one of these on the fray to use on my M42 film cameras.

Impressive lens. I think it will get a fair bit of time on my 40D.

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (Cheap_optics_freak) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:30:35 +0000

yes.. can see now..

nice results... this lens is has very favorable rating at this forum..

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (spystyle) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:34:11 +0000

Can you see them now?

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (Gelios) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:24:42 +0000

Sorry but I can't see them.

Re: Takumar 55mm f/1.8, super-multi-coated. Sample pics.

null@example.com (Dittohead) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:24:38 +0000

I'm told I need to login to view those. You may wish to host them at flickr, your own webspace or another location.