A u t o - T a k u m a r 1 : 1.8 - 16 / 55
Produced 1960 to 1962 using serial numbers 258xxx - 683xxx. AOCo Product No.345. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.xxx. Updated April 2023
Produced 1960 to 1962 using serial numbers 258xxx - 683xxx. AOCo Product No.345. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.xxx. Updated April 2023
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.47% (1778 copies) of the total estimated 120,900 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
The first genuinely "automatic" Takumar with a switch to set the aperture to operate in either manual or automatic mode. The switch replaces the earlier preset rings or cocking lever for aperture control on early manual Takumars and semi-automatic Auto-Takumars. It appears on all future shorter focal length Super-Takumars. It is the most important of many innovations introduced with this lens.
To use this radical new lens its aperture ring must be turned anti-clockwise to close the diaphragm; the reverse direction for most Takumars. This artefact of design was changed back to clockwise in the third Super-Takumar 1:3.5/135 (354) and the aperture, or A-M (Auto-Manual), switch was also reversed to M-A. Thus the controls of the two first Super-Takumars made (345-2 and 345-3) are aberrant in this respect.
The lens has all black styling and a focus ring with a silver leading edge; a new look to separate Super-Takumars from earlier Takumars. It is the first Takumar to completely lose the prefix before serial numbers. The changes in operation, appearance and elegance in design remained for 20 years until the end of the screw-mounted Super-multi-coated Takumars. Significant changes trialled on earlier lenses (e.g. abbreviating distance units "Feet/Meter" to "ft/m" and using a cutaway window over the distance scales, first used in the Auto-Takumar 1:3.5 /35mm), were refined for this lens.
This lens was transformed steadily while in production. Changes in stages finally yielded a "Super" Takumar in all but name. The first named "Super-Takumar" 1:1.8 /55 (Product number 345-2), was launched beginning with SN 546014. In an ironic twist the last Auto-Takumars began adopting "new" characteristics, such as infra-red markers, only after they appeared on Super-Takumars. The process of development was complex. Variants produced during it's development intrigue collectors. No summary does it justice and retrospective division into prototypes reveals only visible transformation during production.
Four identifiable prototypes, chosen for the number and shape of their aperture blades and other visible features, help to tell this story. Internal and external changes are considered. An earlier description of it's development is found in this Japanese article about all 1.8/55 Takumars http://home.a00.itscom.net/shisan12/bunkai08.htm .
Total production rivals the Auto-Takumar 2/55 but is achieved with 75% fewer batches. Some containing over 5,000 copies start appearing; demonstrating confidence in the future of the first round of automation introduced by Super-Takumars.
The first genuinely "automatic" Takumar with a switch to set the aperture to operate in either manual or automatic mode. The switch replaces the earlier preset rings or cocking lever for aperture control on early manual Takumars and semi-automatic Auto-Takumars. It appears on all future shorter focal length Super-Takumars. It is the most important of many innovations introduced with this lens.
To use this radical new lens its aperture ring must be turned anti-clockwise to close the diaphragm; the reverse direction for most Takumars. This artefact of design was changed back to clockwise in the third Super-Takumar 1:3.5/135 (354) and the aperture, or A-M (Auto-Manual), switch was also reversed to M-A. Thus the controls of the two first Super-Takumars made (345-2 and 345-3) are aberrant in this respect.
The lens has all black styling and a focus ring with a silver leading edge; a new look to separate Super-Takumars from earlier Takumars. It is the first Takumar to completely lose the prefix before serial numbers. The changes in operation, appearance and elegance in design remained for 20 years until the end of the screw-mounted Super-multi-coated Takumars. Significant changes trialled on earlier lenses (e.g. abbreviating distance units "Feet/Meter" to "ft/m" and using a cutaway window over the distance scales, first used in the Auto-Takumar 1:3.5 /35mm), were refined for this lens.
This lens was transformed steadily while in production. Changes in stages finally yielded a "Super" Takumar in all but name. The first named "Super-Takumar" 1:1.8 /55 (Product number 345-2), was launched beginning with SN 546014. In an ironic twist the last Auto-Takumars began adopting "new" characteristics, such as infra-red markers, only after they appeared on Super-Takumars. The process of development was complex. Variants produced during it's development intrigue collectors. No summary does it justice and retrospective division into prototypes reveals only visible transformation during production.
Four identifiable prototypes, chosen for the number and shape of their aperture blades and other visible features, help to tell this story. Internal and external changes are considered. An earlier description of it's development is found in this Japanese article about all 1.8/55 Takumars http://home.a00.itscom.net/shisan12/bunkai08.htm .
Total production rivals the Auto-Takumar 2/55 but is achieved with 75% fewer batches. Some containing over 5,000 copies start appearing; demonstrating confidence in the future of the first round of automation introduced by Super-Takumars.
DESCRIPTION
Four successive prototypes, each with two sub-types, are identified in the key and described.
(Set lens to minimum focus to inspect base-plate internally. The last 3 prototypes (3B - 4B) appear internally alike but vary cosmetically.)
Four successive prototypes, each with two sub-types, are identified in the key and described.
(Set lens to minimum focus to inspect base-plate internally. The last 3 prototypes (3B - 4B) appear internally alike but vary cosmetically.)
KEY
1. Aperture blades 8, <200g .................... Go to 2 ; 6, >200g ..................... Go to 3 2. Meter scale white ..................... Prototype 1A ; orange ................... Prototype 1B 3. Feet scale orange or blue ................. Go to 4 ; blue & ft/m always visible.... Go to 5 4. Switch shape double chevron ... Prototype 2A ; domed .... Prototype 2B 5. Numerals in DOF gauge 10 ................ Go to 6 ; 6 ............... Go to 7 6. Base width (internal) variable ..... Prototype 3A ; uniform .. Prototype 3B 7. Infra-red marker "R" absent ........ Prototype 4A ; present ........ Prototype 4B |
Guides to SN ranges (batches and sub-types overlap) 258240 - 360310 ~ 347186 - 366610 358201 - 382374 ~ 358385 - 45779 ~ 462500 - 608717 610604 - 683432 |
Prototype 1 8 aperture blades.
Prototype 1 has the widest aperture switch/base-plate and largest white dots for half f-stop markers.
The infinity symbol is white and distance units (f and m) are hidden while the focus is adjusted.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.81% (79 copies) of the total estimated 4,360 copies made.)
Prototype 1 has the widest aperture switch/base-plate and largest white dots for half f-stop markers.
The infinity symbol is white and distance units (f and m) are hidden while the focus is adjusted.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.81% (79 copies) of the total estimated 4,360 copies made.)
1A.
Identification.
(I found a large brass washer behind the front rim of SN 293039.) Two copies each weigh 188g. Found in batches 1 and 2 within the range SN 258240 - SN 294053. |
1B.
Identification
Five copies weigh between 187g and 185g Found in batches 2-7 within the range SN 293458 - SN 360310. |
Prototype 2 6 aperture blades (sides parallel as in Prototype 1).
Distance scales are red (feet) and white (meters).
Prototype2 introduces the narrower aperture switch/base plates and smaller white dots for half f-stop markers.
(Some copies are still assembled using the wide baseplate.)
The infinity symbol is white and distance units (f and m) are hidden while the focus is being adjusted.
Both sub-types share a unique internal base-plate.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.42% (85 copies) of the total estimated 5,970 copies made.)
Distance scales are red (feet) and white (meters).
Prototype2 introduces the narrower aperture switch/base plates and smaller white dots for half f-stop markers.
(Some copies are still assembled using the wide baseplate.)
The infinity symbol is white and distance units (f and m) are hidden while the focus is being adjusted.
Both sub-types share a unique internal base-plate.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.42% (85 copies) of the total estimated 5,970 copies made.)
2A.
Identification
Found in batches 1 and 5 within the range SN 347186 - SN 367060. |
2B.
Identification
Found in all 9 batches within the range SN 358201 - SN 382374. |
Prototype 3 6 aperture blades (tapered to a rounded point).
Distance scales are blue (feet) and yellow (meters).
Prototype 3 shares the thinner aperture switch/base-plate, smaller (or no) white dots and two-part orange central DOF marker with Prototype 2.
3A and 3B have different internal base-plates. The infinity symbol is blue and distance units (f and m) are not hidden when the focus is adjusted*.
(*a small number of lenses in the first batches, including some of SN 377995 - SN 403241, are exceptions. They have internally marked distance units.)
Distance scales are blue (feet) and yellow (meters).
Prototype 3 shares the thinner aperture switch/base-plate, smaller (or no) white dots and two-part orange central DOF marker with Prototype 2.
3A and 3B have different internal base-plates. The infinity symbol is blue and distance units (f and m) are not hidden when the focus is adjusted*.
(*a small number of lenses in the first batches, including some of SN 377995 - SN 403241, are exceptions. They have internally marked distance units.)
3A.
Identification
SN 382xxx to 433xxx. |
3B.
Identification
SN 462xxx to 465xxx. |
Prototype 4 6 aperture blades (tapered to a rounded point)
Prototypes 4A and 4B share the same internal base-plate with 3B.
Distance scales are are external and there are no dots for half f-stop markers. The DOF gauge is simplified and has 6 numerals.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.31% (1449 copies) of the total estimated 110,600 copies made.) Prototypes 3 and 4.)
Prototypes 4A and 4B share the same internal base-plate with 3B.
Distance scales are are external and there are no dots for half f-stop markers. The DOF gauge is simplified and has 6 numerals.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.31% (1449 copies) of the total estimated 110,600 copies made.) Prototypes 3 and 4.)
4A.
SN 495xxx to SN 564xxx. (Super-Takumar 1.8-16/55 starts with SN546014) |
4B.
SN 635xxx to SN 663xxx. (Ironically, features identifying 4B first appear on the Super-Takumar 1.8-16/55 at approximately SN 605470) |
VARIATION
- After the Auto-Takumar 85/1.9 first introduced the idea of a concave (double chevron) profile for the aperture switch it was trialled on Prototype 2A (from approx. 358201 to approx. 366221). The idea of a concave switch profile was discarded when the convex (domed) profile was chosen, permanently. Thus the Auto-Takumar 85/1.9 is (almost) the only Takumar with an anomalous concave profile aperture switch.
- It is the first Takumar to commence production without a prefix before the serial number.
- Prototype illustrations are listed in the Literature section below.
- See compatibility warning below for use on SV and S1a Asahi Pentax camera models
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 1778 Serial Numbers (SN) observed in 111 batches covering 108,174 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 133,625 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 111 batches.
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
SN lacks prefix ▼ distance scales white, or orange/red ▲ / ▼▼ distance scales blue (feet) and yellow (metres) as on Super-Takumars.▲▲/▼▼▼ Parallel DOF indicator lines (from approx. SN 466663).▲▲▲/▼▼▼▼ Infra-red focus mark "R" on DOF gauge (from approx. SN 625541).▲▲▲▲.
(Super-Takumar 1.8/55 began at SN546014)
Prototype 1:
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 79 Serial Numbers (1.81%) observed in 12 batches covering 3,205 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 5,518 SN max.
Prototype 2:
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 85 Serial Numbers (1.42%) observed in 13 batches covering 4,405 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 7,550 SN max.
Prototype 3 & 4 make up the majority of this lens:
Prototype 4A Auto-Takumar 1:1.8-16/55 was re-badged "Super"-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (Product number 345-2) at SN 546014. Last and first copies of each are distinguishable only by name, or SN. The baton had been passed to the new generation. New ideas thereafter were introduced first to the Super-Takumar; Prototype 4B followed in it's wake.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 111 batches.
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
SN lacks prefix ▼ distance scales white, or orange/red ▲ / ▼▼ distance scales blue (feet) and yellow (metres) as on Super-Takumars.▲▲/▼▼▼ Parallel DOF indicator lines (from approx. SN 466663).▲▲▲/▼▼▼▼ Infra-red focus mark "R" on DOF gauge (from approx. SN 625541).▲▲▲▲.
(Super-Takumar 1.8/55 began at SN546014)
Prototype 1:
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 79 Serial Numbers (1.81%) observed in 12 batches covering 3,205 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 5,518 SN max.
Prototype 2:
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 85 Serial Numbers (1.42%) observed in 13 batches covering 4,405 SN min.< ∑ lenses < 7,550 SN max.
Prototype 3 & 4 make up the majority of this lens:
Prototype 4A Auto-Takumar 1:1.8-16/55 was re-badged "Super"-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (Product number 345-2) at SN 546014. Last and first copies of each are distinguishable only by name, or SN. The baton had been passed to the new generation. New ideas thereafter were introduced first to the Super-Takumar; Prototype 4B followed in it's wake.
332 SN ends 341 SN starts ▼ Prototypes 1A &1B 258240 (1/ 1) 293039(1A) to 294053 (27/ 1014) 293491(1B) 293866(1A) 298466 (1/ 1) 324670 to 325736 (26/ 1066) 324726(1B) 325155(1B) 340824 (1/1) 340829 (1/ 1) 346829 to 347185 (7/ 356) Prototypes 2A & 2B 347186 (1/1) 347388 to 348002 (10/ 614) 358201 to 358240 (3/ 39) Prototype 3A 358385 (1/ 1) 358418 (2B) (1/ 1) 359276 to 359424 (2/ 148) 359572 to 359611 (2/ 39) 359645(1B) (1/ 1) 359834 to 359905 (3/ 71) 359942(1B) (1/ 1) 360141 to 360198 (3/ 57) 360310 (1/ 1) 366104 (2A) to 367252 (23/ 1148) 366221(2A) 367462 to 368139 (6/ 790) 367168(2B) 368664 (1/ 1) 373685 to 375139 (26/ 1453) 377234 to 377669(2B) (9/ 435) 377689 (1/ 1) 377741 (1/ 1) 377995 (1/ 1) 381669 to 381957 (6/ 288) 382170(3A) (1/ 1) 382292 to 382374 (2/ 82) ▲ / ▼▼ 393512 (1/ 1) 402592 to 403324 (14/ 732) 403169(3A) 403241(3A) 403965 (1/1) |
Serial Numbers in 111 Batches (n /SN range)
Collection (prototype) External DOF distance units ( ft/m ) 406249 to 410076 (60/ 3471) 406264(3A)no dots 408483(3A)no dots 410320 to 410460 (5/ 140) 412521 to 412700 (4/ 179) 414395 to 416430 (33/ 2035) 416588 to 417148 (7/ 560) 417163 (1/ 1) 420253 to 420706 (8/ 453) 421124 to 422590 (26/ 1466) 424985 to 425219 (3/ 234) 426389 to 427728 (23/ 1339) 430327 to 431422 (25/ 1079) 433408 to 434242 (18/ 834) 433548(3A) 434348 to 435382 (17/ 1034) Prototype 3B 436630 to 442342 (102/ 5712) 444852 to 449720 (76/ 4868) 450949 to 452601 (31/ 1652) 452814 to 452909 (3/ 95) 453929 to 457791 (55/ 3862) ▼▼▼ Prototype 4A (SN 462500) 461415 to 468130 (121/ 6715) 462932 (3B) 465533 (3B) 469342 to 473262 (69/ 3920) 474701 to 476404 (27/ 1703) 488896 to 490917 (32/ 2021) 491541 to 494004 (41/ 2463) 494198 to 499727 (73/ 5529) 495543 (4A) 508832 to 512676 (57/ 3844) 510390 (4A) 513400 to 515836 (42/ 2436) 515473 (4A) 516408 to 517324 (11/ 916) 525446 to 527888 (35/ 2442) 530002 to 532282 (40/ 2280) 532451 to 536273 (30/ 3822) 537425 to 539424 (20/ 1999) 537916 (4A) 341 SN ends 541305 to 541741 (10/ 436) 543350 to 544650 (29/ 1300) 544727 to 545951 (12/ 1224) (Super-Takumar 1.8/55 starts SN 546014) 546032 to 546708 (12/ 676) 546842 to 546848 (2/ 6) 546972 to 548309 (17/ 1337) 547800 (4A) |
550440 (1/ 1) 550457 (1/ 1) 550492 to 551844 (26/ 1352 552335 to 555512 (50/ 3177) 559395 to 561263 (33/ 1868) 564471 to 565198 (10/ 727) 565416 to 566296 (12/ 880) 596318 to 597734 (20/ 1416) 597967 to 600276 (34/ 2309) 602011 to 602496 (10/ 485) 603712 to 605025 (27/ 1313) 605732 to 605844 (3/ 112) 605923 to 606261 (6/338) 608506 to 609204 (11/ 698) Prototype 4B 610599 to 610604 (2/ 5) 625190 to 625846 (9/ 656) 626854 to 627276 (11/ 422) 628790 to 629085 (7/ 295) 630608 to 630611 (2/ 3) 630795 to 631270 (10/ 475) 632563 to 633600 (13/ 1037) 634539 to 635805 (15/ 1266) 635684 (4B) 638815 to 639072 (5/ 257) 638927 (4B) 640172 to 641161 (9/ 989) 642279 (1/ 1) 644268 to 645077 (11/ 809) 647005 to 647045 (2/ 40) 652182 (1/ 1) 655122 to 655886 (17/ 764) 657650 to 657692 (3/ 42) 658029 to 658120 (3/ 91) 659434 to 661003 (23/ 1569) 661810 to 662307 (9/ 497) 662498 (1/ 1) 663864 to 664829 (8/ 965) 663916 (4B) 672812 (1/ 1) 676811 to 676849 (2/ 38) 682753 (1/ 1) 682925 (1/ 1) 683221 to 683432 (5/ 211) ▲▲/▲▲▲/▲▲▲▲ |
MARKETING
The Asahi Pentax Models SV &S1a Operating Manual (61008) of January and April 1967 page 4 note 5 states;
"Do not use the Auto-Takumar 55mm f/1.8 lens with a lens number smaller than 462500 with the SV and S1a camera bodies, for its automatic diaphragm will not work correctly due to modification and improvement of the Instant Return Mirror and automatic diaphragm mechanisms of these new models."
Thus only the final two types of this lens, 4A and 4B, are suitable.
The Asahi Pentax Models SV &S1a Operating Manual (61008) of January and April 1967 page 4 note 5 states;
"Do not use the Auto-Takumar 55mm f/1.8 lens with a lens number smaller than 462500 with the SV and S1a camera bodies, for its automatic diaphragm will not work correctly due to modification and improvement of the Instant Return Mirror and automatic diaphragm mechanisms of these new models."
Thus only the final two types of this lens, 4A and 4B, are suitable.
LITERATURE
Illustrated Prototypes: The earliest prototypes are well illustrated in the Asahi Pentax literature of the time.
Prototype 1. SN 258240, 293512, 325292 Asahi Pentax Operating Manual-Models S1/S3 (En);
SN 293512 Asahi Pentax operating manual S3 (J)
1A SN 293775. (Frontispiece);Heiland Pentax Operating Manual Models H-1/H-3 and Honeywell Pentax Operating Manual Models H1/H3.
SN 340829. New Heiland Pentax SLR Guide. Kenneth S. Tydings (1961) and Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (1962).
SN ?. Pentax and Single Lens Reflex Photography. Robert Fuhring (1962) pages 23 & 25.
(Fuhring (1963) shows a Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 on p23 and the Auto-Takumar 1:1.8/55 in the back catalogue and p25 for the last time.)
SN 325292, 340829 Asahi Pentax (Foldout Sales brochure for S3 & S1) Sept. 1961.
Prototype 2. 2A SN 358240. Asahi Pentax clip-on Exposure Meter for S-1 and S-3 Cameras. AOCo.
SN 374882 Asahi Pentax (Foldout Sales brochure for S3 & S1) Sept. 1961.
SN ? (pages 29) Asahi Pentax Operating Manual-Models S1/S3 (both printings) and Honeywell Pentax Operating Manual Models H1/H3.
SN 374882 Asahi Pentax operating manual S3 (J), pages 38,42.
Prototype 3. SN ? The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide. Gerjan van Oosten (1999); Page 42.
Prototype 4. SN ? The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide. Gerjan van Oosten (1999); 4A, page 123. (Prototype 4A of Auto-Takumar 1.8-16/55 (Product number 345) and the late version of Super-Takumar 1.8/55 (Product number 345-5) are illustrated in van Oosten G. (1999). They are quite dissimilar.)
Illustrated Prototypes: The earliest prototypes are well illustrated in the Asahi Pentax literature of the time.
Prototype 1. SN 258240, 293512, 325292 Asahi Pentax Operating Manual-Models S1/S3 (En);
SN 293512 Asahi Pentax operating manual S3 (J)
1A SN 293775. (Frontispiece);Heiland Pentax Operating Manual Models H-1/H-3 and Honeywell Pentax Operating Manual Models H1/H3.
SN 340829. New Heiland Pentax SLR Guide. Kenneth S. Tydings (1961) and Lenses for the Honeywell Pentax (1962).
SN ?. Pentax and Single Lens Reflex Photography. Robert Fuhring (1962) pages 23 & 25.
(Fuhring (1963) shows a Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 on p23 and the Auto-Takumar 1:1.8/55 in the back catalogue and p25 for the last time.)
SN 325292, 340829 Asahi Pentax (Foldout Sales brochure for S3 & S1) Sept. 1961.
Prototype 2. 2A SN 358240. Asahi Pentax clip-on Exposure Meter for S-1 and S-3 Cameras. AOCo.
SN 374882 Asahi Pentax (Foldout Sales brochure for S3 & S1) Sept. 1961.
SN ? (pages 29) Asahi Pentax Operating Manual-Models S1/S3 (both printings) and Honeywell Pentax Operating Manual Models H1/H3.
SN 374882 Asahi Pentax operating manual S3 (J), pages 38,42.
Prototype 3. SN ? The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide. Gerjan van Oosten (1999); Page 42.
Prototype 4. SN ? The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide. Gerjan van Oosten (1999); 4A, page 123. (Prototype 4A of Auto-Takumar 1.8-16/55 (Product number 345) and the late version of Super-Takumar 1.8/55 (Product number 345-5) are illustrated in van Oosten G. (1999). They are quite dissimilar.)