Lens 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.
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.
RSS Feed
