S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 1.4 / 50 M o d e l II early
Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1418xxx - 2291xxx. AOCo Product No. 37800. Updated May 2023
Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1418xxx - 2291xxx. AOCo Product No. 37800. Updated May 2023
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.02% (1378 copies) of the total estimated 134,500 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
This new Super-Takumar 1:4 / 50mm is the first to introduce the new 5 digit model / product number inscribed onto the back of it's aperture control switch. It has no backward compatibility issue like the previous model (358), because it is shorter, lighter and has seven elements instead of eight. The optical construction is double gauss.
Its serial number range broadly overlaps those of both earlier and later models (See below). The next model also carries it's own product number (37801) and is even easier to identify (with a white dot on the aperture ring at the f2 position).
Light transmission is improved because some of its 7 elements are coated with new compounds, including Thorium salts. The glass yellows with great age because Thorium (a "rare earth" element) "rusts", changing valency and colouring the glass. Normally, viewing through the rear shows purplish-blue reflections; viewing through the front element shows clear glass. The yellow colouring is reversible (See NOTES).
This model is uncommon on the second-hand market in relation to the number produced. Are these issues related? Have aged, yellowed copies been prematurely discarded in large numbers? I've not heard of this possibility and all those I know are keen to fix yellowing. It's well known and easily fixed. So where are the missing lenses?
According to the 2019 Frequencies in Takumar Field Guide, all standard Super-Takumars, except the first models of each focal length, are under-represented in secondhand and on-line auction markets. Super-multi-coated TAKUMARS are also under-represented relative to numbers produced. Such lenses will always function if maintained. No planned obsolescence here.
Do collectors, photographers and others with different interests alter this mix? Or, were there just too many copies produced for subsequent generations to appreciate, or use? Are there still so many buried in cupboards somewhere? Is this an effect of consumerism, or time? Food for some thought, perhaps.
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
There are no apparent physical or cosmetic changes during production.
There are no apparent physical or cosmetic changes during production.
NOTES
- The first Takumar to have its model number inscribed into the rear of the aperture switch under the new 5 digit system. All copies have the model number "37800" inscribed onto the rear of the aperture switch. This helps in identifying the earlier 8 element model with which it overlaps considerably in terms of serial numbers and which carries no inscribed model number. (Other non-automatic lenses always remained unlabelled in this way).
- This lens is the first model of this focal length to be provided with multi-coating containing small amounts of the element Thorium. With time this fine coating on some of the elements yellows. The yellowing is "photosensitive" and easily reversed to complete transparency after several days exposure to UV radiation in sunlight. By leaving the lens upside down in a plastic container in a sunny window all discolouration is removed.
- This model is most severely under represented in the second hand market despite being produced in greater numbers than the previous model. (Is it just less 'notorious' than the previous model?).
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 1378 Serial Numbers observed in 75 Batches covering 126,394 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 142,708 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 75 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
One style: ▼ ▼ Oval lettering, open "4"; SN follows name; no comma after maker's name.; Aperture switch labelled M/A.▲▲
Otherwise:F(10/12), A(9/11) are consistent.(See Collection for formulae explanation)
▼ ▼ 1418136 (1/ 1) 1419660 to 1419982 (8/ 322) 1420266 (1/ 1) 1420451 to 1420912 (9/ 461) 1421034 to 1421478 (7/ 444) 1421554 to 1423558 (24/ 2004) 1423621 to 1425306 (21/ 1685) 1427075 (1/ 1) 1552460 (1/ 1) 1554595 (1/ 1) 1554929 (1/ 1) 1576523 (1/ 1) 1577084 (1/ 1) 1583144 to 1583259 (2/ 115) 1584173 to 1584233 (2/ 60) 1584440 to 1584860 (8/ 420) 1585619 (1/ 1) 1585911 to 1585946 (2/ 35) 1586216 (1/ 1) 1586830 to 1587264 (6/ 434) 1587317 to 1587344 (2/ 27) 1587541 1587643 (2/ 102) 1587837 to 1588398 (6/ 561) 1588686 (1/ 1) 1589358 to 1589483 (2/125) |
Serial Numbers in 75 Batches (n /SN range) Collection 1589512 (1/ 1) 1589993 to 1589995 (2/ 2) 1590126 to 1590215 (2/ 89) 1590469 (1/ 1) 1590633 (1/ 1) 1590871 (1/ 1) 1591483 to 1591509 (2/ 26) 1645328 (1/ 1) 1645535 to 1645743 (2/ 208) 1645956 to 1647773 (20/ 1101) 1647284 to 1647714 (5/ 430) 167773 (1/ 1) 1647870 to 1647872 (2/ 2) 1648212 to 1648371 (4/ 159) 1648626 to 1648798 (3/ 172) 1648901 (1/ 1) 1649065 to 1650072 (8/ 1007) 358 SN end 1650146 to 1652634 (28/ 2488) 1653048 to 1655497 (27/ 2449) 1724639 to 1734496 (106/ 9857) 1826470 to 1841280 (152/ 14810) 1841389 (1/ 1) 1874993 to 1881151 (64/ 6158) 1874956 to 1874974 (2/ 18) 188186 to 1881599 (6/ 413) 1898581 |
1881645 to 1882632 (12/ 987) 1882634 to 1884564 (13/ 1930) 1891244 (1/ 1) 1895460 to 1895580 (3/ 120) 1897250 (1/ 1) 1897515 to 1899366 (18/ 1851) 1900624 to 1900660 (2/ 36) 1946096 (1/ 1) 1948195 to 1958463 (105/ 10268) 1958540 to 1968175 (97/ 9635) 2013600 to 2019298 (55/ 5698) 2019448 to 2023117 (40/ 3669) 2047165 to 2053249 (61/ 6084) 2053436 to 2067095 (133/ 13750) 2105036 (1/ 1) 2143874 to 2147846 (45/ 3972) 37801 SN start 2147949 (1/ 1) 2149148 to 2153673 (52/ 4525) 2192732 to 2196289 (48/ 3557) 2196622 to 2196737 (3/ 115) 2197013 to 2201617 (44/ 4604) 2201802 to 2208971 (68/ 7169) 2288068 to 2289910 (14/ 1842) 2290681 to 2291034 (3/ 353) 2291380 to 2291401 (2/ 21) ▲▲ |
MARKETING
Complete System of Photography - ASAHI PENTAX Lenses And Accessories (63008 En) December 1968, states;
"Newest high-speed 7-element lens, utilizing latest optical glass advances. High resolving power combines with outstanding brightness for easiest focussing. An ideal all-around lens. Equipped with fully automatic diaphragm."
This text sits above a shot of model (358) (from a previous edition of 63008) recommending 37800 as the standard lens for the Spotmatic. (It is an example of the impossible task of distributing highly "precise" literature at the time in contrast to present day expectations on global marketing.)
Advertising and sales emphasised the focal length and features of the available model not the model itself, or how an owner might identify it. Models were more clearly identified in repair manuals for replacement parts and technicians rather that owners. The product numbering system evolved cleverly and "organically" as production proceeded and can serve as useful "model" numbers.
Complete System of Photography - ASAHI PENTAX Lenses And Accessories (63008 En) December 1968, states;
"Newest high-speed 7-element lens, utilizing latest optical glass advances. High resolving power combines with outstanding brightness for easiest focussing. An ideal all-around lens. Equipped with fully automatic diaphragm."
This text sits above a shot of model (358) (from a previous edition of 63008) recommending 37800 as the standard lens for the Spotmatic. (It is an example of the impossible task of distributing highly "precise" literature at the time in contrast to present day expectations on global marketing.)
Advertising and sales emphasised the focal length and features of the available model not the model itself, or how an owner might identify it. Models were more clearly identified in repair manuals for replacement parts and technicians rather that owners. The product numbering system evolved cleverly and "organically" as production proceeded and can serve as useful "model" numbers.
LITERATURE
It is difficult to spot illustrations of this lens in AOCo literature. Most material was printed and distributed from Japan. This was time-consuming and the lens's production period was so short the opportunity to update existing publications was foreshortened, especially photographs. Despite the out-dated illustrations, specifications and text are accurate and timely. Few would have noticed, or cared about the discrepancy. In different times most accepted it as normal.
The Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Operating Manual (61015 En), Asahi Pentax Spotmatic (06001 En) and Complete System of Photography - ASAHI PENTAX Lenses And Accessories (63008 En) published in 1967-68 and their equivalent manuals (J) rarely illustrate this lens. Illustrations (sometimes altered?) to explain the operation of the Spotmatic camera are usually of the previous model (358).
The absence of a compatibility issue for smaller 7 element lenses was lost in general literature. Earnest warnings about the 8 element backwards incompatibility of (358) crowded out this fact and continued for up to a decade.
It is difficult to spot illustrations of this lens in AOCo literature. Most material was printed and distributed from Japan. This was time-consuming and the lens's production period was so short the opportunity to update existing publications was foreshortened, especially photographs. Despite the out-dated illustrations, specifications and text are accurate and timely. Few would have noticed, or cared about the discrepancy. In different times most accepted it as normal.
The Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Operating Manual (61015 En), Asahi Pentax Spotmatic (06001 En) and Complete System of Photography - ASAHI PENTAX Lenses And Accessories (63008 En) published in 1967-68 and their equivalent manuals (J) rarely illustrate this lens. Illustrations (sometimes altered?) to explain the operation of the Spotmatic camera are usually of the previous model (358).
The absence of a compatibility issue for smaller 7 element lenses was lost in general literature. Earnest warnings about the 8 element backwards incompatibility of (358) crowded out this fact and continued for up to a decade.