S u p e r - T a k u m a r 1 : 3.5 / 1 3 5 Model II
Produced 1965 to 1971. Serial Numbers 1842xxx - 4450xxx. AOCo Product No. 43541. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.743. Updated June 2023.
Produced 1965 to 1971. Serial Numbers 1842xxx - 4450xxx. AOCo Product No. 43541. Honeywell Pentax Cat.No.743. Updated June 2023.
(Research Note: Since 2010 I have seen 1.03% (2558 copies) of the total estimated 247,400 copies made.
See also copies of next version 43542 (Super-multi-coated) which are labelled Super-Takumar and would be Super-multi-coated.)
See also copies of next version 43542 (Super-multi-coated) which are labelled Super-Takumar and would be Super-multi-coated.)
INTRODUCTION
The 5 glass elements of the previous model are reduced to 4 in this lens. Consequently it weighs significantly less ; <335g; or approximately 325g.
The transition from Model 1(354) to Model 2 (43541) begins before product numbers are inscribed on these lenses. It is difficult to pinpoint; has many moving parts and is described as below. (After the end of production of this lens it's nameplate continues to be used for three early batches of 43542 until enough of the correct nameplates were manufactured.)
In transitioning from 354 to 43541 (ie Super-Takumar Models 1 to 2) there are three episodes of lens assembly. Each had different quantities of new parts available from manufacturers and/or used remaining supplies of superseded parts, apparently to avoid wastage and save storage space.
Episode one (354)
Lenses from a single batch of 20,000 (SN 1734542 to SN 1754334 inclusive) are copies of model 1. Occasional copies in this batch (e.g. SN 1737908 to SN 1744055) were assembled using superseded aperture rings (those ending with the 4 3.5); parts from an earlier change made to this model. Supplies of these early aperture rings were exhausted midway through the next episode of lens assembly.
Model 1 weighs >335g; aperture blades (fingers) face forward (i.e. are visible through the front of the lens) and the light seal is screwed into the seat ring at the rear of the 5th element. Aperture switches are blank (with no inscribed model number) and are all labeled M/A.
Episode two (43541 or 354?)
Six small batches of lenses that differ from one another in surprising ways were assembled between SN1842656 and SN 1843549. They were assembled alternately with batches of 368 (Super-Takumar 2/35). Individual copies may be assembled as mixtures of parts sourced from either model. Lightweight copies with deep, cemented light seals will be model 2 with 4 glass elements. Those that don’t conform will have 5 glass elements and are 354 (or Model 1).
Model 2 weighs < 335); has backwards facing aperture blades (fingers) and a cemented light seal (fixed 1.5mm deeper from the rear end). Aperture switches are blank (with no inscribed model number) and are all labeled M/A.
Episode three (43541)
Five batches from SN 1891175 to SN 1911111 were assembled alternately with the final batches of 368 (Super-Takumar 2/35 and several other standard lenses). One lens (SN 1892267) is illustrated in the ASAHI PENTAX Repair Manual. The new aperture switch with MAN/AUTO labeling begins to be introduced at approximately SN 1897434.
These batches appear to consist only of the new model assembled with a few parts left over from its predecessor.
Definitive identification of model 2 is as for Episode two (above) but with (later) the aperture switches labelled MAN/AUTO. Product number (43541) inscriptions on aperture switches begin to be introduced from SN 2032311, approximately.
The 5 glass elements of the previous model are reduced to 4 in this lens. Consequently it weighs significantly less ; <335g; or approximately 325g.
The transition from Model 1(354) to Model 2 (43541) begins before product numbers are inscribed on these lenses. It is difficult to pinpoint; has many moving parts and is described as below. (After the end of production of this lens it's nameplate continues to be used for three early batches of 43542 until enough of the correct nameplates were manufactured.)
In transitioning from 354 to 43541 (ie Super-Takumar Models 1 to 2) there are three episodes of lens assembly. Each had different quantities of new parts available from manufacturers and/or used remaining supplies of superseded parts, apparently to avoid wastage and save storage space.
Episode one (354)
Lenses from a single batch of 20,000 (SN 1734542 to SN 1754334 inclusive) are copies of model 1. Occasional copies in this batch (e.g. SN 1737908 to SN 1744055) were assembled using superseded aperture rings (those ending with the 4 3.5); parts from an earlier change made to this model. Supplies of these early aperture rings were exhausted midway through the next episode of lens assembly.
Model 1 weighs >335g; aperture blades (fingers) face forward (i.e. are visible through the front of the lens) and the light seal is screwed into the seat ring at the rear of the 5th element. Aperture switches are blank (with no inscribed model number) and are all labeled M/A.
Episode two (43541 or 354?)
Six small batches of lenses that differ from one another in surprising ways were assembled between SN1842656 and SN 1843549. They were assembled alternately with batches of 368 (Super-Takumar 2/35). Individual copies may be assembled as mixtures of parts sourced from either model. Lightweight copies with deep, cemented light seals will be model 2 with 4 glass elements. Those that don’t conform will have 5 glass elements and are 354 (or Model 1).
Model 2 weighs < 335); has backwards facing aperture blades (fingers) and a cemented light seal (fixed 1.5mm deeper from the rear end). Aperture switches are blank (with no inscribed model number) and are all labeled M/A.
Episode three (43541)
Five batches from SN 1891175 to SN 1911111 were assembled alternately with the final batches of 368 (Super-Takumar 2/35 and several other standard lenses). One lens (SN 1892267) is illustrated in the ASAHI PENTAX Repair Manual. The new aperture switch with MAN/AUTO labeling begins to be introduced at approximately SN 1897434.
These batches appear to consist only of the new model assembled with a few parts left over from its predecessor.
Definitive identification of model 2 is as for Episode two (above) but with (later) the aperture switches labelled MAN/AUTO. Product number (43541) inscriptions on aperture switches begin to be introduced from SN 2032311, approximately.
DESCRIPTION
VARIATION
- There may be 9 or 10 grooves in the finger grips on either focus rings or aperture rings (depending on the manufacturer?).
NOTES
- Three early alternate batches of the next model Super-multi-coated Takumar 135 /3.5 (product number 43542) were finished using Super-Takumar bezels. They have multi-coated lenses, meter couplings but nameplates from this model (otherwise identical except for the name) had to be used.
LENS PRODUCTION (∑ lenses) ∑n = 2558 Serial Numbers observed in 101 Batches covering 234,909 SN min. < ∑ lenses < 259,894 SN max.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 101 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
SN min. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed within 101 batches
SN max. = accumulated total of serial numbers observed between adjacent batches of other lenses.
▼ Aperture switch first reads MAN/AUTO;▲ Aperture switch last reads M/A; ▼ ▼ product number 43541 inscribed on the aperture switch ▲ ▲
▼ ▼ ▼ red dot marking centre of DOF gauge centre begins to be (but not completely) replaced by a red trapezoid (diamond) ▲ ▲ ▲
▼ ▼ ▼ red dot marking centre of DOF gauge centre begins to be (but not completely) replaced by a red trapezoid (diamond) ▲ ▲ ▲
354 SN ends 1842656 (1/ 1) 1842711 (1/ 1) 1842841 (1/ 1) 1842999 (1/ 1) 1843034 (1/ 1) 1843233 to 1843549 (5/ 316) 1891175 (1/ 1) 1891226 (1/ 1) 1891278 to 1891599 (4/ 321) 1891680 to 1894137 (21/ 2457) 1893891 ▼ 1897423 to 1897434 (2/ 11) 1900825 to 1911230 (133/ 10405) ▲ 20233254 to 2033051 (96/ 9797) 2032311 ▼ ▼ 2125177 to 2134737 (93/ 9560) 2228729 to 2230144 (21/ 1415) 2230428 to 2241337 (123/ 10691) 2247504 to 2248543 (16/ 1039) 2293327 to 2293755 (4/ 428) 2355326 to 2356227 (11/ 901) 2369190 to 2378879 (127/ 9689) 2476146 to 2482214 (74/ 6068) 2482516 to 2485671 (42/ 3155) 2486012 to 2496077 (121/ 10065) 2489952 2523433 (1/ 1) 2523754 (1/ 1) 2523847 (1/ 1) 2525188 (1/ 1) 2525260 (1/ 1) 2525602 (1/ 1) 2525766 to 2525781 (2/ 15) 2525806 to 2525815 (2/ 9) 2525960 (1/ 1) 2526045 to 2526079 (3/ 34) 2757043 (1/ 1) 2757851 to 2759591 (13/ 1740) |
Serial Numbers in 101 Batches (n /SN range)
Collection 2762654 to 2764561 (16/ 1817) 2782905 to 2790390 (85/ 7485) 2790818 to 2792743 (21/ 1925) 2863832 (1/ 1) 2893124 to 2902907 (83/ 9783) 2910148 to 2911888 (21/ 1740) 2917892 to 2919274 (18/ 1382) 2957383 (1/ 1) 2961117 (1/1) 2962933 (1/ 1) 2963484 to 2973569 (109/ 10085) 2975663 (1/ 1) 2977650 (1/ 1) 2979610 to 2980104 (7/ 494) 2981185 to 2981786 (9/ 601) 2982011 to 2982124 (3/ 113) 2982493 to 2983260 (8/ 767) 3054537 (1/ 1) 3081285 to 3084678 (31/ 3393) 3088489 to 3088745 (4/ 256) 3130846 to 3140253 (84/ 9407) 3204721 to 3205883 (15/ 1161) 3206439 to 3207902 (10/ 1463) 3208588 (1/ 1) 3210160 to 3211116 (14/ 956) 3212877 to 3214151 (14/ 1274) 3270443 to 3272531 (27/ 2088) 3272862 to 3274442 (27/ 1580) 3274500 to 3280709 (55/ 6209) 3282252 to 3283257 (12/ 1005) 3287678 to 3289281 (19/ 1603) 3419796 to 3421227 (21/ 1431) 3421292 to 3422037 (13/ 745) |
3422732 to 3424000 (17/ 1268) 3425676 to 3425702 (3/ 26) 3425762 to 3426158 (8/ 396) 3426205 to 3426877 (7/ 672) 3428052 to 3428790 (9/ 738) 3493489 to 3513340 (214/ 19851) 3590190 to 3590297 (3/ 107) 3705855 to 3706362 (7/ 507) 3708266 to 3710606 (16/ 2340) 3712021 (1/ 1) 37122365 (1/ 1) 3712778 to 3713021 (4/ 243) 3715187 to 3715525 (5/ 338) 3728134 to 3729323 (13/ 1189) 3730500 to 3730855 (5/ 355) 3790629 to 3796959 (56/ 6330) 3797096 to 3800489 (29/ 3393) 3846404 to 3846790 (5/ 386) 3846987 (1/ 1) 3852037 to 3852173 (3/ 136) 3852194 to 3852353 (5/ 159) 3852739 to 3853700 (12/ 961) 3855274 to 3855517 (5/ 243) 3855787 to 3856683 (9/ 896) 3857797 to 3857825 (2/ 28) 3863444 to 3864330 (18/ 886) 3940114 to 3948654 (83/ 8540) 3988016 to 3992347 (46/ 4331) 4004044 to 4007870 (36/ 3826) ▼ ▼ ▼ 4010048 to 4019716 (94/ 9668) 4140028 to 4149949 (92/ 9921) 4190062 to 4199992 (85/ 9930) 4450134 to 4450478 (2/ 344) ▲ ▲/▲ ▲ ▲ 43542 SN starts |