S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 2 / 55 early M o d e l I
Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 863xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3. Updated May. 2023.
Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 863xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3. Updated May. 2023.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.39% (513 copies) of the total estimated 36,850 copies made.)
INTRODUCTION
The second named Super-Takumar born as an Auto-Takumar (345) in all but name. The direction of rotation (anti-clockwise) for aperture rings and A/M switches in the first two Super-Takumars inherited from (345) is reversed in all subsequent Super-Takumars.
The "1:2/55" on the nameplate and aperture ring numerals are coloured yellow on this lens (except initial copies) and all successive models. Model names jump from Super-Takumar to SMC TAKUMAR, skipping "Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR".
This first model succeeded the long-lasting Auto-Takumar 1:2/55 on the domestic Super S2 camera and was exported on both Asahi Pentax S1a and Honeywell H1a cameras.
Super-Takumar 1:2/55 (345-3) evolved with the earliest Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (345-2), beginning production almost immediately (15,000 copies later). They operate identically (with only the numeral 1.8 erased from the aperture ring and a different name-plate on front). There is a circular metal screen inside the lens to stop the aperture from allowing light passage beyond F2 even though the aperture still opens to the F1.8 position. Cosmetic changes during production differentiate it and it is sold for 11,500 円 (1,500 yen less than it's "faster" and more numerous sibling).
The second named Super-Takumar born as an Auto-Takumar (345) in all but name. The direction of rotation (anti-clockwise) for aperture rings and A/M switches in the first two Super-Takumars inherited from (345) is reversed in all subsequent Super-Takumars.
The "1:2/55" on the nameplate and aperture ring numerals are coloured yellow on this lens (except initial copies) and all successive models. Model names jump from Super-Takumar to SMC TAKUMAR, skipping "Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR".
This first model succeeded the long-lasting Auto-Takumar 1:2/55 on the domestic Super S2 camera and was exported on both Asahi Pentax S1a and Honeywell H1a cameras.
Super-Takumar 1:2/55 (345-3) evolved with the earliest Super-Takumar 1:1.8/55 (345-2), beginning production almost immediately (15,000 copies later). They operate identically (with only the numeral 1.8 erased from the aperture ring and a different name-plate on front). There is a circular metal screen inside the lens to stop the aperture from allowing light passage beyond F2 even though the aperture still opens to the F1.8 position. Cosmetic changes during production differentiate it and it is sold for 11,500 円 (1,500 yen less than it's "faster" and more numerous sibling).
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
- From batch 11 a very small R attached to a short red bar (Infra-Red focus mark) appears on the LHS of the depth of field gauge.
- From the eleventh batch (SN 624379) of this model (345-3) onwards "1:2/55" and all numerals on the aperture ring are coloured yellow. This becomes a characteristic of all future models of this lineage, differentiating them from the contemporary 1:1.8 /55 models from which they arise.
- The observed focus ring formulae suggests parts were made by suppliers to be deliberately different.
NOTES
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n =513 Serial Numbers observed in 64 Batches covering 29,148 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 44,565 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 64 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
▼ Focus ring grip formula F= 9/12 or 10/12) ▲ ▼ ▼ Depth of Field gauge centre orange "diamond" transitions to replace orange "lollipop"▲▲
▼ ▼ ▼ Distinctive yellow aperture numerals begin.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 64 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
▼ Focus ring grip formula F= 9/12 or 10/12) ▲ ▼ ▼ Depth of Field gauge centre orange "diamond" transitions to replace orange "lollipop"▲▲
▼ ▼ ▼ Distinctive yellow aperture numerals begin.
▼ 561332 to 564296 (49/ 2964) 561381 600408 to 600821 (6/ 413) 600423 601028 to 601477 (8/ 449) 601572 (1/ 1) 605623 (1/ 1) 611075* to 611450 (10/ 375) 613509 (1/ 1) 613590 to 613737 (5/ 147) 614019 to 614558 (12/ 539) 616579 (1/ 1) ▼ ▼ ▼ 624379 to 625055 (13/ 731) R 626039 to 626353 (8/ 314) 627325 to 628033 (13/ 708) 629121 to 629226 (3/ 105) 632301 to 632392 (4/ 91) 636105 to 637100 (15/ 995) 636191 638542 to 638790 (4/ 248) 656029 to 657401 (25/ 1372) 659294 to 659313 (3/ 19) 661183 to 661521 (10/ 338) 666872 to 667705 (17/ 833) |
Serial Numbers in 64 Batches (n /SN range) Collection 668220 to 668338 (3/ 118) 668585 to 669268 (10/ 683) 704677 (1/ 1) 705710 to 706090 (7/ 380) 709306 to 711138 (20/ 1832) 740728 to 744481 (47/ 3753) 742322 745183 to 745406 (6/ 223) 745250 746954 to 747012 (3/ 58) 759393 to 761516 (32/ 2123) 766854 to 767314 (4/ 460) 768244 (1/ 1) 813805 to 814583 (9/ 778) 815152 to 815350 (3/ 198) 817255 (1/ 1) 818079 to 819436 (14/ 1357) 819596 to 820256 (9/ 660) 821044 to 821386 (7/ 342) 822040 to 822222 (9/ 182) 823183 (1/ 1) 824058 to 824131 (4/ 73) 824764 to 825075 (6/ 311) 825638 to 825859 (7/ 221) |
825903 to 825929 (3/ 26) 826746 to 827748 (16/ 1002) ▼ ▼ 834784 to 835113 (3/ 329) 835669 to 836785 (21/ 1116) 836933 (1/ 1) 838158 to 838483 (4/ 325) 838550 (1/ 1) 839038 to 839103 (2/ 65) ▲ ▲ 345-6 SN starts 839596 (1/ 1) 840194 (1/ 1) 840360 to 840501 (3/ 141) 857549 to 857573 (2/ 24) 858564 to 859038 (9/ 474) 859103 (1/ 1) 861014 to 861111 (2/ 97) 861278 to 861342 (5/ 64) 861374 to 862244 (12/ 870) 862125 862632 to 862818 (6/ 186) 862887 (1/ 1) 863237 (1/ 1) 863933 to 863954 (2/ 21) ▲ |