Standard Super-Takumars
Beginning with Super-Takumars an aperture control switch labelled (A/M), (Auto/Man) or (AUTO/MAN) is adjacent to the aperture adjusting ring. This switch lets the operator change the aperture continuously (in manual mode) or to lock the aperture diaphragm fully open until the shutter is released (in automatic mode). With through the lens focussing, this feature enabled sufficient light through the lens to focus the image before shutter release, but it became redundant in cameras with continuous metering (Electro Spotmatic, ES, ES II and Spotmatic F). The tiny second pin to override the switch when used on these cameras was fitted to later lenses.
Product numbers consisting of 5 numerals are inscribed onto aperture control switches from 1966. As a rule this affects second models only. The first lens to be completely labelled in this way is the 1.4/50mm (37800) which began production in 1965-1966. Later updated models also are labelled. Only "automatic" lenses are so labelled and preset or manual lenses are not labelled in this way.
* During the transition period leading to the next model (37104) some final copies of 37101 were given either meter coupling, or the new name ("Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR").
Product numbers consisting of 5 numerals are inscribed onto aperture control switches from 1966. As a rule this affects second models only. The first lens to be completely labelled in this way is the 1.4/50mm (37800) which began production in 1965-1966. Later updated models also are labelled. Only "automatic" lenses are so labelled and preset or manual lenses are not labelled in this way.
* During the transition period leading to the next model (37104) some final copies of 37101 were given either meter coupling, or the new name ("Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR").
Summary