I'm a little jealous of myself in this video being back in Toronto. I did have a thought, indulge me. I have too many vintage 50mm lenses, should I do a giveaway? Yes or NO down below and GO!
The day I shot the lens giveaway (Sunday) was so miserable and rainy that I had a hard time going out and getting broll. I had to re-think how I was going to do that part ;)
Hey you may have already been corrected but that version of the lens is not radioactive. The Takumar 50mm 1.4 is only radioactive in the seven element Super Takumar variant of the lens. Super Multi Coating got rid of the thorium in the coatings. But I heartily agree all the versions can bring it as far as image quality, lens hood is not an option though if shooting outside in the daytime. Nice video Mark.
"... a testament to how well it was made, or how well it was kept." I guarantee that it's 95% to do with how well these were *made*. Pretty much 19 out of 20 old Takumars of various makes that you pick up today, be it from a collector or out of bargain pile, they mostly *all* still focus like butter and only a select few even have hesitant apertures. Asahi made some kick. ass. glass.
My favorite characteristic of this lens is it's warmth. It has a very earth tone feel to it- I wish I had a better way to describe it. Skin tones are amazing too.
The radioactive yellowing I suspect. Someone told me How to get rid of it with UV lights but I like it enough to keep it. I feel the exact same way you do! :) I also love how these lenses feel when you focus, but I’ve always been a manual focus guy so that’s always been important for me.
Load of crap. Its a Takumar hence NOT multi-coated. Yeah, it will flare. Don't shoot into the sun and use a lens hood. OR buy the SMC version and enjoy the best flare control on the planet, bar none, including new "Pro" lenses. Oh, and lenses don't give a "glow" to anything. That's something a rank amateur says to try to sound like they know something others don't. Its just nonsense speak.
All lenses flare, why Matt boxes exist, or lens hoods. SMC controls it a bit more but it just renders more accurate colours than the super Takumar. Glow is just a term to use when wide open, it’s not to be taken literally. Just an adjective to describe the lens. Takumars are my fav, if you haven’t noticed my channel is half devoted to them. I modded them for cine use and use them professionally on client work. I hope you didn’t mistake anything I said about the lens as a negative.
I have the 55mm1.4 and I use it as one of my main portrait lenses with a regular adapter on my Fuji...On my Olympus I use it with a focal reducer adapter which puts it around an 85mm full frame equivalent in both!
Hi Mark! I really like your videos and wish you luck! May I ask, I read, that it's possible the radioactive lens could destroy camera sensor? do you have any experience or some info? thanks for your adwise. Adam
Hi Adam, been using my A7sii since 2015 with some radioactive lenses and no damage to it so far. I don’t keep my lenses on the camera indefinitely, but no issues.
Just an awesome video Mark really enjoyed everything you said was spot on.. I'm no pro with a camera but I was lucky enough to stumble on a ton of lenses at a thrift store a few years ago so I bought the works for $100 3 milk crates full and there is a lot of really neat lenses and a whole bunch of these Tak's at all different sizes! If don't already have a Helios 44-2 you should add it to the collection I liked mine so much I bought a spare! lol
Thanks mate! Ya I think just about anyone can love these lenses, there’s a lot to love. I actually have a 44-2 and I love it as well. Going to review it this spring, just waiting for the weather and scenary to transition from Ugly spring to colourful spring heheh.
You will usually find these attached to bodies! Usually when you see them you can get the combo for like $20 because most people don't know the value of the lens. Shhhhh don't tell ;)
Considered the finest 50mm 1.4 lens when new, Pentax sold more of these lenses than any others except the less costly 50mm 1.8. While popular with collectors, there were so many of them that there should be no problem finding them today. The lanthium glass element tended to yellow over time, effecting color photos, and the end of the 42mm thread mount in the 70s meant that there were few cameras to take them later, so there has not been a big user demand. There are several methods reported to reverse the yellowing of the "hot" glass element which can be found on the web.
Yes sir $10 for everything, I almost shit my pants when I saw it. Whoever had it took great care of the whole kit, bag and all. When I opened the camera up the lens was just covered with case dust and best part was a roll of film was in it and ready to shoot from the first or second frame. I was looking for a tripod and ran out with this like I stole it lol. I used to have a good selection of smc tak glass when I had a K-3 but sold it to persue something else, but here I am again getting into photos again.
@@jsdhesmith2011 START THE CAR!!!!! START THE CAR!!!! That Ikea advert where the price is so good it feels like you're stealing it. I got my Canon 814az camera that way, paid $60 bucks for it, MINT condition,leather case ALL accessories and works like a charm. Online it's about $350. You find these things in the weirdest places. When they present themselves JUMP on it! I'm jealous mate. Good for you!
Mark hello. I have my 50 1.4 in my hands. I am very happy. Serial number 1393172, Has 6 blades. IR to the right of 4, protruding element at infinity. No point at the place of 2, M A instead of AUTO MANUAL. I think It is the 8 element Planar Killer version. Excellent condition. For the time I have the D700 with me in China . I have an M42 adaptor. Please do you know if the mirror is hit if mounted on the D700?
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! It does sound like the Planar KILLER 8 element! Also non - radioactive! I'm not sure off hand, I'll have to look into it. I think for the MOST part the M42 mounts are okay on Nikon's, but I can't say for sure as I don't use one. I'll see if i can find out and get back to you!
Thank you for writing back. Other funny news with the rest of my lenses are. I also received the SMC 135 f/2.5 6 element 43812. surely the 6 element. It looks a mint lens and aperture works beautifully. But listen to this. I CAN NOT TAKE OFF THE REAR LID. IMPOSSIBLE. Looks like it is stuck or the lens is fake xaxaxa.
I only use my f/1.4 50mm or 55mm lenses for portraits and usually shoot them wide open or pretty close to wide open. I especially like the Sears Auto 55mm f/1.4 made by Tomioka. This lens is exceptionally nice when adding flash to outdoor portraits in order to separate the subject from the BG. My one gripe with the Sony A6500 is the 1/4000 maximum shutter and 100 as the lowest ISO that can be selected. This combination makes it a bit difficult to shoot wide open in bright conditions without using an ND filter. A 1/8000 shutter speed along with a sub 100 ISO capability would allow me to shoot wide open... Looks like I "might" get an A7iii. However, the 50 or 55mm lenses suck for head and shoulders portraits when using a full frame camera. I do have the Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens as well as some other vintage lenses in focal lengths decent for portraits with full frame cameras such as the Meyer Optik 135mm f/2.8 lens with its 15 blade aperture.
Not at all. I’ve flown with this lens, it got full swabbed, they get shipped from Japan globally and all around all the time. Have no fear, the radiation levels are not harmful. Flying with lithium ion batteries are far more dangerousz
Sweet. You make it seem easy. A $45 lens is even more encouraging. OK I am almost hooked. I need to just buy the Nikon Z6 and I will be on my way. On my way to one of those vintage camera sales. I will need a wide, 100mm, and 200mm. I already have a 50 1.4 that is super nice. Thanks for making these videos.
Helios has more "charm" and can be found cheaper I think. This has better build quality and performs more like a modern lens....it's a tough call, if you go Takumar you MIGHT collect them all, so be warned ;)
Well... I just managed to pick up one of these yesterday...along with the 28mm 3.5 I can't wait to get out there and try them out. I think I'm developing a vintage lens problem.
That Takumar is/was my favorite lense back in 2006 while shooting my Konica Minolta 7D. I loved it so much, I purchased 2 of them. The prices have risen since then. I didn't expect that. I also have a Tak 35mm and a 135mm, not sure what the aperture is but they were great too. I don't use them much more these days but I will get back to them because of your vid.
Mirrorless made shooting with these a lot easier I think could be the biggest reason for that. The Tak prices except for the more limited available ones seem to be somewhat stable at this point. Canon, Contax Zeiss prices are definitely still on the rise though.
amigo tengo una pregunta, tengo ese lente, que otro lente de 24 , 28 o 30mm me recomienda que yo pueda convinar con este Takumar 50mm 1.4? le agradezco. friend I have a question, I have that lens, what other 24, 28 or 30mm lens do you recommend that I can combine with this Takumar 50mm 1.4? I thank you.
Alright Mark, I did some research and concluded that this lens's radiation merits caution. Directly behind the rear element, it registers roughly 22,000 CPM as measured in this video: (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3ozOMssiP2E.html). In general, 1,200 CPM converts to about 1 mR/hr, or 10 μSv/hour. So this lens could potentially be putting out 180 μSv/hour, which is double the exposure you'd get from one dental x-ray. 50,000 μSv per year is considered the annual dose limit for occupational exposure. Above that could potentially put you at risk. You can reach that threshold in 277 hours just from this lens, although it would have to be very close to your body. For me personally, I'd say sleep as far away as possible from it, and avoid holding the camera to your face and shooting through the eyepiece when using it. I wish someone would do a measurement of how much of that radiation actually makes it through the camera body. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble. I still want the lens...
No doubt, it is a very good lens even by todays standards. It is also true that is quite overrated and surely not a Zeiss killer. Being a Pentaxian since the late 70s, I had the opportunity to try almost all the normal Taks and Pentaxes and still prefer the 55mm f1,8 version.
Ya just stop down if you don’t want that wide open “look”. The kens at F2 is wonderful and with digital sensors it’s not a big deal to comp for the very small amount of light loss.
There are 4 versions of this lens , this link is for the 8 element lens that is not radioactive and it the sharpest of the bunch and the most wanted . www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Super-Takumar-50mm-F1.4-Early.html at 2:05 your showing a adapter for your camera . That adapter is moving the lens to far away from the sensor and that changes everything . Here is the mount you want to get . This is for a pentax camera with a k mount ,see how thin it is . You want to keep the lens as close to the original distance as you can . The farther away you mount the lens the bigger the images will become and it also changes the DOF. The distance of 50 mm from the sensor to the lens will be more like 70mm with that adapter your using . Keeping it the same distance as it was made for is the best . It will also let more light into your sensor . Look at this photo of the adapter on the lens . www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pro-Lens-Mount-Adapter/dp/B001G4LOCC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538857174&sr=8-1&keywords=pentax%20to%20m42%20adapter.
Hi Steve, thanks so much for the detailed comment. Appreciate it mate. The M42 to NEX (Sony E mount full frame mirrorless) only comes with an adapter this big. It's Fotodiox so it's the same brand as the one you linked. I'm assuming they've made it the appropriate distance from the camera body sensor to make it work and allow infinity focus etc. I have a EOS to M42 adapter and it's similar to the one you've linked, a screw mount that goes right at the back of the lens without any distance separation. I'm wondering it if all is relative to where the sensor is relative to the end of the lens. I've done some side by side tests with my 6DII and A7SII with their respected adapters and the only real difference I've noticed is it was harder to find a perfect focus on the DSLR vs the Mirrorless. I'll take a closer look, but Fotodiox doesn't seem to sell similar adapters for the Sony E mount that have the same profile as the one you linked.
I had this lens on a Honeywell (Asahi) Pentax. In the 1960s. I was a complete newby. So I did understand just how good it was. I used it with Kodak Kodachrome 25. I never equaled the sharpness till I started to use a Pentax 67 with Fuji velvia! Absolutely stunning lens.
Hi Mark, to you know the Takumar 55mm 1.8 ? It's available for 90 dollar in Switzerland. I am on a GH5 and building up my set... I got a Konica Hexanon 50mm 1.7 but yet too shoot with it... might be too similar, should find a 35mm Takumar.... love your channel Thanks.
I was lucky enough to find a late model m42 version of this lens without the thoriated back element so I don't have to worry about yellowing. It's my favorite fifty. Beautiful colors, nice bokeh, lots of character.
Geiger counters are cheap enough today. Dont think because the affordable ones "cant detect alpha"... yes, they are not sensible to alpha (kalium 40 of banana,...), but they can detect it partially as well, just only somewhat precise, they are sensible to beta and gamma which is also part of the decay products of thorium (so the geiger counter WILL detect it and probably even scream) It doesnt matter anyways since its safe, but considering you dont have any yellowing on the back element, you either have a non radioactive or just slightly radioactive version (thoriated front element)
I found a Pentax Super multi coated 50mm 1.4 but it does not say Takumar? I have never seen a lens like this for pentax. Is says made in Japan but no Takumar label? Anybody seen one and what are your thoughts? I found it for a really good price...Thanks!!
@@ekphotography More recent version, yours is a newer version of the lens vs the one in this review. A lot of changes happened I think, it's debatable amongst the followers of this lens which one is better. I honestly couldn't care less about the nuances of what makes a lens better than the last, but I do care what you DO with that lens ;) Sounds like you got a good deal mate, go out and make magic with it.
Depends on the size of your sensor really. Typically anything between 20-50 would work well for landscape. Composition and what you like would be the deeper thing you’d need to Figure out for yourself, style wise.
I have just bought a super takumar 55/1.8 for my eos 1D mk2, bought 2 adapters without flange and all i get is error 01 (lens connection error) i taped over the contacts no difference on both adapters, what i have noticed is if i turn the adapter all the way in till it clicks and locks i get the error ! if i turn the adapter nearly all the way in as in i can see part of the pin just about to drop into the adapter hole all works fine ! camera is in AP mode, is there a fix for this or am i doing something wrong ? Love your vids Mark keep them coming.
That’s awesome Doug! Great lenses! I haven’t used them on a crop sensor before but I’m sure they’re just as good! Mirrorless features really make manual control a breeze!
Great video... second one that I have checked out on your channel today. I'm currently shooting and in love with the Auto Sears 55mm f1.4. I have experienced similar qualities with your Takumar 50mm f1.4. I didn't realize that I had not subscribed to your channel Mark, but that issue has been fixed. Just subscribed and smashed the gray notification bell :-) Be well and stay encouraged!!!
@@MarkHoltze No worries Mark... I enjoy your channel and reviews. Since posting my last comment I purchased a Takumar 50mm f/1.4. Love it :-) Be well and stay encouraged!!!
@@cjmorris2491 Hello from Tampa Florida! I really don't have a preference, even though I have several Auto Sears lenses, like the 28mm, 55mm, and 135mm. They are all excellent, but I love saying "Super-Takumar!" I only own one... Sad! Be well!!!
@@cjmorris2491 I have both I'm leaning to the auto Sears. I just bought the 8 element Tak and I still think i like the Sears better. It has a distinct look and it is sharp. The bokeh is incredible too. I haven't done extensive tests side-by-side.I think I also have a personal attachment to the 55 mm because it was my first vintage lens about 6 years ago.
Unfortunately not. I switched to k bayonet in 84 and to Nikon in 98. Now I have a Canon. In between i had countless bodies including a medium format Mamiya.
Hi Mark, As both a fan of the Takumars and your channel what do you think about making a video about the difference in quality (light transmission etc.) between a thorium-yellowed takumar and a takumar that has had uv light treatment? I am giving one of my 50mm 1.4’s this treatment at the moment and I don’t remember having seen an online comparison somewhere. At least not in Mark Holze style :-)
It’s a tricky comparison. There are devices that do this scientifically but mine would just be based on light readings from cam and not sure they’re accurate enough or evident enough to really be conclusive. There is def a light diff but I’ve gone and UV exposed my 50 so the yellow is pretty much gone. :)
Hi, just subscribed because I think you produce quality contents and because I'm looking for info about vintage lenses. Can I ask you what's the difference between Takumar 50mm 1.4 and Super Takumar 50mm 1.4? Thanks!
Hi Michelangelo, thanks mate I appreciate it. To answer your question, I don't believe just a standard "takumar 50mm 1.4" exists on it's own. To my knowledge (I could be wrong) there are 3 versions. The Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 which was made between 1965 to 1971 and the SUPER Multi Coated Takumar (which has lens coatings to help improve flaring performance) produced between 1971-1972. There are TWO versions of the SMC (Super Multi Coated) as well, the third has 8 lens elements (making it the strongest of the three optically). If you're looking at any of them, I would aim for the SMC as it has substantially better optics than the standard version. Hope that helps mate.
@@MarkHoltze thanks! Actually I meant SMC Takumar as an alternative to Super Takumar, my mistake! According to your advice, I will go to SMC Takumar, thanks again!
No problem mate! Go for 8 element if you can. Put it in your search and the appropriate ones will pop up. Look for fungus, make sure it doesn’t have any). Other than that you should be good.
I own one of these as well but grow ever more apprehensive about the radioactive properties. We gotta get someone whose area of study is in the heath effects of radiation to make a statement on this. Check out the Geiger counter tests on simons utak or zenotography.
Hello Mark, can you point me the tutorial you mentioned on using my 8 element Super Takumar 50mm F4 (or any vintage lens for the matter) in Manual Mode using the Peaking Settings on say... a Sony a6600? I can't seem to find a decent mention/tutorial (for a beginner on using vintage lens on APS-C cameras) it seems as if I need to preset settings in order to use the Takumar and a6600 together also, how do you spot a fake Helios-44m-7 2/58mm for M42 mount? It appears that there are many fakes but that the fakes may actually be superior knock offs to the original even if they are fakes (go figures)
@@MarkHoltze Thank you so much Mark! Also, I kind a pieced together late last night (with some success, on focusing and producing really sharp images with my 8 Element Super Takumar 50mm 1.4) however, I really need to have a better understanding as to how I actually did it? Your tutorial should help that effort significantly... Cheers! PS The camera flea market you went to in Toronto I saw on RU-vid? Made me wonder why I never did that here in New York City and, once this biological challenge we're all going through has ended, the first thing I'm going to do is find one just like the one you had in Toronto (fingers crossed!!!) Peter Rozie Jr
Not really a need for when you have the 55 1.8, but for collectors sake.... absolutely yes! The 55 1.8 should also perform slightly better in some things than the 50 1.4 (7 element version).
Thanks for the video! I am really keen on getting one of these now. Do you have any idea if there is a difference between the lenses that say Super Takumar SMC and the once that say Super Multi Coated Takumar? This might be a bit picky but just wondering. Thanks!
It's not picky at all mate, the SMC has a specialized coating on the lens to help reduce flaring. The differences are fairly minor really. It's also a bit newer than the simple Super Takumar. It's like a version II or III of a lens series.
Amazing video... I've done a lil research on this lens but I'm not sure if I want to buy this one or the helios 44-2. They both have their own unique characteristics and its just a matter of choosing.
You really can't go wrong for either of those. It's just a question of finding one easily. I had no idea about Tak's until I tested them out at that vintage camera convention back in OCT. I liked them so much I bought two, I wanted the 35mm and 85mm as well but I didn't have enough cash. Stay tuned, 50 give away (probably going to be my Canon FD 1.7 that's SIM-MODDED) ...SPOILER alert ;). Time to give back to you guys for being loyal and sharing in the love and appreciate of vintage photography.
😂 thanks Jennifer! The “boring mystery box” came pretty close! That will be after the lens and it’s not boring, but I had a bit of a bias ;) Thanks so much for the compliment by the way, giveawa GO!
It's funny in the sun it doesn't flare much at all. It's super clean, it's the night time stuff (like the light spots) where it flares like that. You can block it out early enough and use a hood, but the night time test shots had some super interesting flairing that can be used in interesting ways. Because this is the SUPER MULTI COATED it's got much better flare reduction coating that some other vintage stuff. It's still super cool either way! Thanks as always Rodrrico, stay tuned for a give away ... shhhh...going to give away a dope X that's Y ;)
Mark Holtze the jema its an m42 e mount so it meters open aperature on many of my L series prakticas (which dont "feel" as solid as sau a pentax nikon or mamiya sekor of the same period but 40+ years later stil work fine)
Great video!. I shoot with these old Takumars all the time and love them. I have 7 or 8 50's and the one your showing in the video is the one I'm missing! lol. I have the Super Takumar and the SMC Takumar 1.4 though and they are both great lenses. I also have the Super-Takumar 55 1.8 which is a really good lens (and also radioactive). I actually prefer shooting with a couple of these old lenses over some of my Canon L-Series Glass! I have a near mint Takumar 85mm f/1.8 that I carry with me all the time, it's one of my all time favorites to shoot with and the image quality is beyond amazing. I have an old 50 f/1.2 that is quite fun and the backgrounds are one of a kind and rather mind blowing. Great to see another Vintage Takumar Shooter!!!!
Thanks Jim! OK! So the Tak 85 I'm currently obsessing with. I'm trying to hold out for the vintage camera sale coming...WAIT! You did a video on the 85! I watched your video on the 85!!! THANK You for that video on the 85 and i'm totally subscribed to you! lol! Okay sorry I had a moment of realization mid sentence there! SO close to getting one and ye Tak's are now my favourite vintage. The build quality and optics really can't be beat at the price you can get them for..although i'm starting to think if more people catch on the prices will go up! So shhhhhh (Tak's suck man....right? Wink wink nudge nudge say no MORE!. Thank you for your video on the 85, I enjoyed it! PS: go check out my latest for a chance to win a Canon FD with a cine-mod. Or if you have too many 50's I can understand that. Take care Jim!
Yes, I've watched the prices go up drastically just in the last couple of years. I've got a nice range of Takumars and a rather large collection of Pentax K-mount lenses. (I prefer the Takumars!) There's really only a few I'm really looking for to finish out my collection, one is a 35mm... I've got the Takumar 35 f/3.5 but want the faster one that's an f2. If you get your hands on the Tak 85f1.8 you'll be lovin' it!!!!!!!!!!! The SMC Pentax 85mm f/2 is also a badass lens that I love using. It's a bit more punchy than the 1.8 Tak, (but I prefer the TAK!)
I’ve heard good things about the 55 actually. But I’m not sure how it stacks up 1:1. Have to read up on it, or maybe you do a review? I need to see if you have done one. I’d like to see a 55 review.
I have been using it on the original EOS M, but I have the a6300 that I sold ages ago coming in the mail again as I miss the 4K. I'll see how it pairs with the A6300.
I can't promise it won't, but don't worry...it's cheap! If anything stuff like this will increase the value of it so get in soon ;). You at the beach today? Or that place that costs 40 quid (eden? - i forget the name) Cornwall GO!
Hi Mark, I think the 8 - its an early rubber grip model (f16) I think ‘72 -‘75 era? It has a touch of the “Fukishima Glow” too! Needs a spell in the sun. I might light some fires with it. ;0)
The 8 element is actually not radioactive lol...it also goes for like 3x the price (cult following). Images aren’t much better. You still have a banger!
It’s sooooo good and for the price you cant go wrong.! Spent the weekend doing a review on the SMC 85 1.8...its my favourite vintage lens now but for very specific stuff. Also costs a lot Moreno so it’s not really a fair comparison ;)
Fantastic review and wonderful presentation ..if only there was a double thumbs up option! BTW I have four iterations of this lens (if two 55s count) but I just love watching other people's opinion of old lenses :-) Subbed.
@@MarkHoltze amazing lens, but I have one question. For the moment I have the helios 44 and the Takumar 1.4, I'm thinking about buy the Canon 1.2. do you think that is a good improvement or the Takumar is good enought?
@@Alefeeeee Which Canon? The 55 1.2 or the 50 1.2? I mean the only reason to get the 1.2 is the fact it's a 1.2. I don't think it will REALLY do a lot for you in terms of being inspired, but who knows. You can never "have too many 50's" ;).
Are you sure the radiation isn't harmful? I was under the impression that it can be, and you ought to take care to avoid pointing the rear (or even front) elements at your face and store them in drawers far away from where you usually are.
Everything I have read about it from reliable sources tells me it is. Of course it’s not up to the individual to make the call themselves but based on what I know, I’m not overly concerned.
Hey Mark - I'm a Toronto-based videographer and I've got an editing soft skills question for you - can't seem to find a way to contact you through YT About page or Instagram - do you have an email address I can write to? Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much man! Toronto GO! I'm going to PM you so standby. EDIT: That didn't work lol Hit me up at @mholtze on instagram! We can exchange info there.
Great got it mate. Sent you a soft reply, will sit down and write a proper response after I finish the work and family thing tonight. It’s comig mate, oh it’s coming! :)
I've stubled across many Pentax Ashai lenses in various flea markets, but never something like this 50! Mostly 70-200s and once an interestin 100mm 2.8, but I'll keep my eyes open for a 50 like that ;)
OHH 70-200!!!! That vintage camera sale I was at back in OCT had SO SO SO many! 35 1.8, 85 1.4, 200mm F4...so many I wanted them ALL, but alas cash only and thankful otherwise I would have walked away spending more than I did...although for two Tak's $150 (macro 100mm F4 and 50 1.4) was a hell of a good deal IMHO.
It's not a dangerous amount. Something being radioactive has levels of danger and everything i've read about these old lenses leads me to believe it's not a critical amount. I flew with this lens having them inspect all my camera gear and if it were a dangerous amount red alarms would have gone off. There is a lot of disinformation regarding it, but as with anything, don't do anything you're not comfortable with doing :) Plenty of other great options out there.
lol, she's the best! Probably the only reason we were excited to come home...because the weather here still sucks. I'm on the hunt for an 85mm1.8 (tak) i've got a few i'm watching but there is a premium on this lens vs all of the other Takumar's. I wonder if it's because it's rare or what, like $400 USD vs $150
I recently lost one 85/1,8 on our local Craig's list variant, I wasn't fast enough, damn... It would cost me about only $200, converted. I guess there's not to many of them, those who have it are avoiding local markets, everything goes straight to e-buy, for much higher price of course...
@@MarkHoltze you know what, hell gates are open for me with all these vintage lenses coming up everyday! I recently made up my mind to get Contax Zeiss MMJ primes and then I stumbled on your Takumar 50mm 1.4 which led to another glass called Super-Multi-Coated "SMC" Takumar 50/1.4 !! and all the sudden Helios 11-2 (58mm f2) , Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 and Minolta MC Rokkor-X 58mm f / 1.2 MC Lens came down the road!! I am so mixed up and I no longer know which is good for me to grab? any quick advice will be highly appreciated since I can't get my hands in any single one of those lenses? P.S: I'm planing to through these lenses on a Black magic pocket cinema camera 4K with EF Speedbooster
My Takumar came with the lens hood with a built in filter and a short extension tube on the rear . The first time used the lens I couldn't get it focus as I didn't realize it had the tube on the rear I was so short I thought it was part of the lens, once I took it off it was fine and since shoot Pentax cameras all need is the M42 screw mount to PK adapter
It was humidity haze. It clears up once the lens gets acclimatized. I kept cleaning it; it kept hazing over. Had to pull the polarizer filter off. It was super annoying
Man it is soooo nice to have someone with your video editing and creative skills, making content about vintage lenses. This was really awesome. Thanks for highlighting this legendary Tak.
Thanks Tim! I sincerely believe in these lenses though. They're a fantastic way to get into photography, go back to the basics on the fun part (not the cost part) of shooting film. Doing these videos just brings me back to when I was a kid and would shoot videos for myself. There's something heavily satisfying with conceiving, shooting and publishing an idea. As much as I LOVE editing and that process on a professional level, i'm finding myself wanting to be more involved in the production side and this is an easy way to satisfy that!
I have a Contax Zeiss I almost never use because of this lens. I would argue the build quality is much better but I might get beat up for saying something to the wrong group of people ;)
Have you verified this one as "hot" personally? I've always been under the impression that the Super-Multi-Coated Takumars (as you have here) were not hot, while some of their Super Takumar predecessors were.
You can see it in the thumb pretty hard. I first noticed it when comparing shots to the pentacon 50 the same frame shot had a warmer grade to it. I would UV remove it but I kind of like it aesthetically.
I have an SMC Tak 50/1.4 without yellowing and a Super Takumar with. The Super does not get used on any film camera with colour film loaded, but I'll use it on DSLRs because I can adjust the white balance to compensate for the yellowing, and with B&W film because it almost acts as a cheap yellow filter and the colour cast is irrelevant. The SMC Tak has near-permanent residence on my Spotmatic F, because body and lens can talk to each other for open-aperture metering similar to the Pentax K mount and other modern systems. (My DSLRs are all Pentax, and with one early-model exception they have in-body stabilisation.)
Mine no longer can focus :( there's a dent, the aperture rotation no longer works. That's how I got it when someone I know gave it to me :p I wonder if I can this beautiful lens fixed up.
Ohhh that’s so annoying. Some of these lens gurus can do great work, might be cheaper to find another one though. You should check some online takumar groups and inquire within. Some guys can do it all.
@@MarkHoltze yeah that's what I thought too. I'm in Vancouver and hopefully I can find somewhere that could fix it but doesn't break my wallet. But I also found some online DIY tutorials, nothing to lose either :p
I really wanted to buy it because it’s a great lens, but I didn’t feel confident with that. So I bought a Pentax M 50 mm 1.7, that it’s a good lens but not Takumar.......
Same to you mate. I’ve done a few 35 reviews but the super multicoated 35 F2 is a good all rounder. Small, good quality build and optical, fairly cheap price wise and works well on fujifilm bodies
Hello Mark, just want to get your opinion about these vintage lenses. I got interested into vintage lenses through your channel few years ago before i got my first camera. Fast forward, finally got my camera ( A7iii), now want my first vintage, a mir 1b 37mm. My only concerns are radioactive glass. Should i be worried or not? Cheers.
37 isn’t radioactive so you’re good there. The sun is far more damaging than these lenses, I don’t want to convince you one way or the other, I feel that’s something that’s very subjective and do what feels comfortable. A lot of very bad info out there saying these are very dangerous, but they’re not. Biggest damage they can do is simply distort perception based on bad information. That said, I urge you to do some research on your own if you don’t feel Comfortable. Just be mindful of the information sources.
@@MarkHoltze Thanks again Mark. So true about misinformation, based on some of my own research, there's conflicting arguements. You currently own quite a few of these radioactive lenses, how many do you own? Especially this Takumar 50mm 1.4, which i'm also keen to buy. Could list some 85mm and 135mm vintages, be it radioactive or not. Thanks so much for your reply, cheers.
@@whaitebranco3400 I own a few yes, the 50 1.4 8 element Super Takumar (not multicoated) isn't radioactive, the auto takumar's aren't either I don't believe, which came before SUPER takumar. The 85mm 1.8 i think is very lightly thoriated but i've seen conflicting information with that one that i'm just going to leave in as maybe. Mine has zero yellowing but that could have been the dealer UV light exposing to reduce the colour imprint the older thoriated glass leaves. The 135's F/2 and 3.5's are not radioactive, neither is the 35mm F/3.5, the 35mm F/2 is. The soviet lenses are not thoriated at all, so you could get the Tair 11 135 and Jupiter 9 85 and get those focal lengths on clean glass. Minotla Rokkor's are also not radiated as long as they're ROKKOR variants. Hope that helps
Ok thanks I think my problem was I had the adapter for version 1 after I saw your video I ordered the correct one I wasn't able to focus to infinity until I removed the black flange inside the adapter now I can although my aperture adjustments are now to the right side of the adapter but I'll work around that Lol thx
It's a vintage camera sale. One of a number of them that happen in Toronto area a few times a year. It IS paradise! Bought all my best stuff there. I've got two videos on it: Pentax Takumar Jackpot and "Best place to buy vintage". Has all the info and more goodness in there if you want to check out :)
Hey quick question I have the same screw mount but when I attempted to screw the fotodiox adapter on to my A7rII the aperture blades lock up and it doesn't allow me to tighten it all the way tried two separate fotodiox adapters it's weird because I see yours goes on without a hitch I really want to get this to work to see how this reacts on my camera
I think you need to set the lens to auto or off auto. I know that problem but forget exactly how I fixed it. There is a button on the lens somewhere I think. Or a switch. I don’t know the lens you are using but my taks and others all work fine. The FD’s I had to fiddle with to get it to work. I’m pretty sure it’s the auto thing. But seeing it would help.
@@MarkHoltze it's actually the exact same one because on the back it has the two tabs one sticking up and one that appears to be bent down and then the actual pin I even paused the video when you turned so I know it can work I thought it was just the adapter
Haha good eye mate and yes worldwide for sure. You guys are worldwide and I want to exclude no one. So far one for yes! Any more takers lol ;) When I do it you’ll know so don’t worry. :) thanks for taking the time to watch and comment mate.
Happy to hear it mate. I'm having fun with it, but always want to make sure there is some valuable takeaway in the video. RU-vid for me has always been about learning. I always said "you can find out about anything on youtube" I wish I had it back in high school to help me with factoring quadratic equations...that crap drove my parents crazy trying to teach me and it ruined my math grade trying to figure it out. lol I wonder why i didn't go into a mathematics field ;)?
because you're so good at editing dude! I'm a video editor and I learn tons from your videos. even though I found you through a vintage lenses video. instantly subscribed
Good to hear Khaled! Huge part of I think what makes us successful in this field is to always be learning. I think the moment the learning ends it's time to move on, but I think that's what makes any form of creative expression interesting is you learn so much through the process that you want to apply to your next project. :) Anyway appreciate your support Khaled!
