Fixing infinity focus on Takumar lenses ...
Hi all,
No pictures post this time, but just an update ...
In my old post Fixing infinite focus on Super Takumar i shown how to fix the infinity focus on my old Super Takumar 24/3.5. Almost a year after, i have feedback from some kind readers of my blog and some forums threads.
So, up to now, the technique shown in my post has worked for the following lenses:
- Super Takumar 24/3.5
- Super Takumar 28/3.5
- Super Takumar 35/3.5
- Super Takumar 50/1.4
- Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm 1.4 (thanks to olepap for the feedback)
- SMC Takumar 50/1.4
- SMC Takumar 55/1.8
- SMC Pentax-M 50/1.7 (thanks to Esteban for the feedback)
- Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105/2.8 (thanks to olepap for the feedback)
Labels: Pentax K10D, Repair, SMC Takumar 50 f1.4, Super Takumar 24 f3.5
posted by IndianaDinos at 2:14 PM
14 Comments:
I don't understand why you're going to all the trouble of repairing these lenses. If you use the proper K mount adapter for M42 lenses that fits flush with the camera body you achieve infinity focus. I have a Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 and a Takumar 135mm f3.5 that work perfectly with this type of adapter:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97561-REG/General_Brand_ABPKS_Pentax_K_Body_to_Universal.html
I (and other readers) just fixed the lenses that needed to, because someone else decided to adapt them to another kind of cameras, thus shifting infinity focus (in my case, they where adapted to a camera with a shorter register distance).
I don't know the type of the adapter from B&H, but i have two original Pentax M42 adapters, and two from Roxsen, and all of them perfectly work with all my M42 lenses ...
Thank you for these instructions. I have another camera you can put on the list of successful repairs. It worked perfectly with my Asahi 50mm F/1.7.
I'm surprised at how easy it was to do this! I used a big rubber block pencil eraser that was just the right size to take off the label ring.
Hi Esteban, thanks for the feedback, i will add the M50/1.7 to the list ...
Glad to see that those posts are useful to someone ...
Thanks for spending your time here and commenting.
I have now used these excellent instructions, to adjust the infinity focus on a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm 2.8.
I had to use acetone to remove the 'glue' on the screws, holding the filter ring.
I did not apply any new glue.
I have also adjusted focus on a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm 1.4, and I would like to do it on my Takumar 35mm 3.5 too, but I can not get the front name ring loose. I will have to find a better rubber-tool.
Hi olepap,
Many thanks for your feedback, i'm glad to read that it worked for you ...
IMHO, you did the right choice avoiding new glue on the screws (BTW, it is not a real glue, in fact it is something similar to nail polish, you can use this instead if you really want) ...
For what concerns the 35/3.5, have you tried a few droplets of WD40 between the filter thread and the front name ring ? This fluid has done a great job on some lenses i've fixed ...
Thanks again for your feedback and comments ...
I have now got a better rubber-tool (#10 from micro-tools.de) and was able to adjust my super-takumar 35mm 3.5 - it works perfect with a flanged adapter and I use it often.
On my Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm 1.4 I use a non-flanged adapter, because I could not adjust the focus far enough to use a flanged adapter - as if the focusing helicoid could not screw back far enough. Maybe I will try again and look carefully, to see what is stopping it.
Hi olepap,
Thanks for your feedback. I know that site, their tools are excellent, although a bit expensive, IMHO, for a non-professional usage ...
Glad to see that you can now enjoy the Tak 35/3.5, i used it a lot before putting my hands on an Tak 35/2 ;-) ...
Which camera body are you using ? Sure, it isn't a Pentax or a Samsung, since these cameras don't require a flanged adapter ...
For your issue with the SMC 50/1.4, sorry but cannot help (well, at least until i put my hands on some Pentax repair manuals) ...
Thanks again for commenting and have nice shots with your Tak 35 ...
I use a Pentax K200d and a Pentax ME :)
When using my m42 lenses, I screw an adaptor very tightly on to the lens and then mount and unmount it on the camera as if it was a k-mount lens.
I don't like to mount the adaptor on the camera first.
With a flanged adaptor the lens will lock onto the camera (like a k-mount lens). A non-flanged adaptor will mount on the camera without locking, which works fine for smaller lenses like the 50mm. At least it works fine with my adaptor - a cheap e-bay one, which I think can vary a little from shipment to shipment. Larger lenses like my Tak 200/4.0 can not stay on the camera without locking.
So I use my 50mm a lot with its non-flanged adaptor.
I have looked at the 50mm again, and I think it is the 'thing' next to the rear element which turns when the aperture-ring is turned (don't know its name.. hope you know what metal tab I am talking about), that is stopping the lenses when trying to adjust the focus far enough to use a flanged adaptor.
So I see no non-destructive solution to the problem, and will therefore continue to use a non-flanged adaptor on my Tak 50/1.4.
Hi olepap,
Well, the non-flanged adapter is the native adapter for M42 lenses on Pentax bodies. Effectively, as you noticed, if you use a flanged one you will loose the infinity focus (and that will not be always possible to fix, most probably because some lenses don't have enough spare thread) ...
Now, i realize better what is your issue: you would like to use flanged adapters to lock the lenses on the bodies ...
Well, stated that, as i said before, not all the lenses have enough spare "thread" for infinity adjusting, if i were you i would proceed this way ...
Some times ago, i bought two flanged adapters on eBay for playing with them. One of them had a flange with thickness of 1mm, the other one had a flange with a thickness of 0.5mm. Both of them had the hole for locking on the body. I think the one with the flange at 0.5mm should do the job for you. If you want to try them, i bought them from the seller Roxsen and they were really cheap ...
Let me know how does it evolve ...
Hope this helps ...
P.S.: Yes, i see what is the metal lug on the rear of the lens you are talking about ...
Hi, I'm guessing if this solution will work to the SMC 200 f/4. My adapter comes from Celestron and fit very well, but loss infinity focus capabilities.
Hi there, I'm aware this is an old thread but was just wondering if someone knows if this could work on getting infinity focus on Nikon bodies without the use of an adapter with lens.
The lens in question is Super Multi Coated Takumar 200mm f/4
Thanks!
Hi there is anyone using these lenses on a Nikon body with the methods for infinity focus mentioned on this helpful site?
Hi All!
OK, this is a comment of an old thread but I havent come around the problem to find infinity on my Tak 200 f:3.5 to work together with my Canon DSLR:s.
I have taken the front lens package away to see if there are any shims but, no.
I have looked very closely if I can find any screws to get into the focusing mechanism but cant find any.
Do you guys have any idea on how to yield the less 1.6 - 1.7 mm to get infinity together with Canon DSLR:s?
Sorry if my english is not perfect. Its not my first language.
Regards
Jonas
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