<![CDATA[Takumar Field Guide - Blog]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:46:10 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[2024 new directions]]>Mon, 05 Feb 2024 02:49:32 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/2024-new-directionsApproximately 7000 Serial Numbers from Takumar M42 lenses have been added annually. Latterly, because others generously donated theirs, the rate of accumulation has pushed the total to 100,000 Serial Numbers. The most recent and largest collection of donated Serial Numbers was included in 2023.
 
Lens pages show graphs with acceptable levels of variation for the estimated number of copies of lenses produced. Estimates for the most, and the least common models are least reliable, but the utility of the results is obvious where none before existed. They provide an objective source; for historical events and for further research. 
 
Marrying the estimated numbers of lenses with the number of cameras they were sold with has been challenging. Available records of some camera models produced are limited.
 
For example, an estimated 32,200 copies of the Auto-Takumar 55/2.2 were sold on the S1 and H1 Asahi Pentax camera models from 1961. The best available estimate of the combined number of these two camera models made is currently 46,500 copies (Gerjan van Oosten, 2021); differing by 30% (assuming a 1:1 match up).

On the other hand the estimated numbers of Asahi Pentax K and its "zebra" lens are well aligned.
 
The 6x7 field guide is due more attention, as are descriptive aspects of the lenses and early production history. More paths to follow.......
 
 Thank you for all your comments.
​
 Droo]]><![CDATA[SN donations]]>Sat, 05 Nov 2022 06:25:59 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/sn-donations Collecting Serial Numbers from Screw mount Takumar lenses is a popular activity. Large collections have been donated to this website since it's inception by keen observers. Others progressively add missing serial numbers. This support accelerates and encourages the rate of acquisition for which I am most grateful.  

A donation of 17,000 SN, the largest ever received, is currently being merged prior to updating the website and Summary in February 2023. This deadline will now be Dec 2023, at least for the pre-Smc lenses before SN 4,600,000!! Hoping to have completed a website makeover in 2024 with graphics.

Droo]]><![CDATA[Graphics]]>Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:50:37 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/graphicsGraphs for estimated lens frequency versus number of copies observed were posted a year ago.  Currently, these are being replaced by more recent graphs containing just 5 -10 data points instead of the 20 data points originally used.

Data collection will continue with more updates after new graphics are posted.  Observed frequencies of most accessory lenses exceed 1%.

Regards
​Droo
]]><![CDATA[Frequencies update]]>Fri, 31 Dec 2021 05:18:21 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/frequencies-updateFrequency tables for M42 Takumars are updated early (31 December 2021).
All lens pages have a graphic depicting changes in total frequency (est.) since 2017.

The next update is due by February 2023.

Regards

Droo]]><![CDATA[November 12th, 2021]]>Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:00:00 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/lens-relationshipsUnder repair ?]]><![CDATA[Assembling Takumars]]>Sat, 30 Jan 2021 03:53:41 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/assembling-takumarsLens assembly could be affected by the late arrival or shortage of individual parts like nameplates as noted earlier. Assembly relied upon a steady supply of components from manufacturers. Multiple suppliers were involved. Suppliers of the same part often made them in subtly different ways, deliberately. Thus parts from a particular supplier can be identified.
 
Mid-1960’s lens cases, for example, were made by at least two suppliers as illustrated in the discussion of the accessories for the Super-Takumar 1:1.4/ 50mm (see: Takumarology). Case straps were attached by two styles of chrome-plated buckles. One maker used square buckles; the other buckles with a rounded side; just one of several minor differences between cases made by the two main suppliers.
 
Lenses were also assembled from parts provided by different makers. Focus rings (and the number of finger grips around them) vary between lenses of different diameter. Finger grips have evolved to contain a certain number of grooves; a number later varied by different makers.  
 
When standard Asahiflex lenses became Asahi Pentax lenses, Takumars gained their first “coarse” finger grips; all with 10 grooves. The number seems to have had early significance, as 10 blades were also used in early Takumar diaphragms. As new lenses were designed the number began to change (see: Collection). It decreased and then increased, stabilized and was fixed (again usually at 10) by the end of the Super-Takumar period. 
 
During a large part of the early Super-Takumar period batches of lenses have focus rings containing finger grips with 8-11 grooves, but mainly either ten or eleven scattered throughout each batch.  It’s typical of standard lenses produced in the early 1960’s.  This seems to have been because different suppliers made them so and another clue as to the way assembly was made to work.

Droo

P.S. Asahi Pentax Literature is a guide to finding items you might need.]]><![CDATA[Serial Number Continuity]]>Sat, 02 Jan 2021 06:13:27 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/serial-number-continuityThe hypothesis that all Takumar lenses have unique serial numbers is supported. 

However, that doesn’t always apply to lenses of different kinds from adjacent batches. On very rare occasions (19 in all, or 0.03% of such batches), the last copy produced in a batch with serial number (n), is followed by the first copy of the lens in the next batch also with serial number (n), instead of (n+1).  I have long puzzled over this as an error on my part because it hasn’t been previously reported. I then realized that no one else is likely to have access to this information. I have checked and re-checked myself to be convinced that this phenomenon may be real. It is definitely human error, either mine, or another's (or both) and infinitesimally insignificant. Just in case you think I'm being curmudgeonly, on a good day I believe the error is a keyboard stroke misfire, but the analysis below allows otherwise. The best part of this dithering is that it underlines the truth of the above tenet (and my keyboard needs a good clean).
 
So, only adjacent batches of different lenses very rarely have the same serial number because of this kind of lapse in continuity. To date I have recorded over 68,000 lenses in over 5,800 batches. In the first 1 million serial numbers I found two pairs of batches sharing a serial number. Then in the mid 1960’s just after 2.5 million serial numbers 6 close-packed examples appear. Only one example occurs up to 4 million; another two around 5 million. Three appear up to 6 million (now including 6x7 lenses); one up to 7 million and four up to 8 million, all involving 6x7 lenses.
 
I am sharing this information for historical reasons. These observations may follow historical trends in the complexity of manufacture when staff and procedures would be facing greatest demands.  But, I have not been able to hold, or observe two lenses with identical serial numbers simultaneously. Actual details can be supplied if needed.
 
(These comments don't apply to AOCo publications. "Artistic licence", or other rules apply, because serial numbers on illustrations in brochures are often fictitious (i.e. re-used serial numbers).

2021 Frequencies now are posted for M42 lenses.
 
Regards,

Droo]]><![CDATA["Just-in-time" history !]]>Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:43:48 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/history-just-in-timeIs your early/late Super-Takumar wrongly assembled? 
Relax,….. it’s history.
 
Asahi Optical Co. Pty Ltd. made Takumars using the method now known as "just-in-time" from early 1960’s.  Spotmatic cameras and Super-Takumar production were export-focused and expanded rapidly into the 1970’s.
 
There is evidence here that first production copies of some Takumars (e.g. 37902) were given an early nameplate, one belonging to the previous version of the lens. The cause of this is the late arrival of parts from suppliers, and needing to meet production orders for shipping to overseas markets (even some test or presentation copies).  Non-standard nameplates have been noted, also. Assembly lines were constantly juggling available parts to meet high standards of Takumar functionality, and markets.
 
People who own anomalous copies may feel they are somehow short-changed. On the contrary, these are important evidence of manufacturing history.
 
A few final copies of the first Super-Takumar 1:1.4/50mm, (yes, the famous 8 element lens), are known for an aperture ring intended for the next version because the originals were no longer made.
 
Expectations of a collector today do not always match the reality of manufacturing faced by AOCo. So treasure your historical lenses. The glass works perfectly. 
 
Droo

PS. And let me know if you have one. Please?  Anomalous copies out-number post-production mosaics or chimeras created since.]]><![CDATA[2020 News]]>Fri, 24 Jul 2020 03:44:28 GMThttps://takumarguide.weebly.com/blog/2020-news
Author of “THE ULTIMATE ASAHI PENTAX  Screw Mount Guide 1952 – 1977”  announced.
“Hello Pentax aficionados,
 
I started writing on the second edition of my book. It has been more than twenty years ago since the first edition appeared. The new edition will be aimed more towards collecting and using old Asahi Pentax cameras and Takumar lenses.
 
Don't expect the book to come out soon. It took me 7 years to write the first edition, but it won't take that long for the second.
 
To be on the safe side, the first print order will not exceed a few hundred copies. If this is successful, a reprint will be done.  I hope you will be interested.
 
Gerjan van Oosten           24 July 2020”
​The author gave 7000 early serial numbers to Takumar Field Guide. In time for his planned second edition, all pages here will be updated by 2021. Please use Facebook to contact the author.
 
Regards,
 
Droo

[This is the first page of a refreshed Blog. Early pages are archived elsewhere. Comments received are reflected upon in Acknowledgement.]
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