First light with my new (2nd hand) lens

[kljucd1]

Hi,

I bought a Pentax Super Takumar 50 mm f1.4 lens from ebay, and at $62.00 I have no idea if I paid too much.

Either way I don't really care because I have noticed that there seems to be waayyy less noise (it's a pentax *ist DS), compared to the standard lens. And besides, I love the first picture I took with it (ISO400, f5.6). As it is manual I will need to practise a bit to get use to the focusing as up until now I have mostly been a lazy boy with my auto focus :D, except for my reverse lens stuff.

BTW - the lens on this one has a brown tint to it. Apparently this is normal with this type of lens (it's radioactive and is decaying), but, I am supposed to be able to get it UV treated. Does anyone know if this is worth it, it doesn't seem to affect the optics, and how much does it cost and where can I get it done. Let me know, if you do.

What do you think of the picture?

Daniel...

[snowyskiesau]

It's a great picture for the first try with a new (secondhand lense).

Haven't had any Pentax gear since I owned an SP 500 30 odd years ago.

I did find this thread on a photography site that may be of some help.
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00N7bM

[SkySearcher]

:2thumbs:
Nice shot, with a beautiful perspective. I would have focused on the left eye rather than the nose, but that is a real nit pick. I really like the softness of the image and the background you have acheived.

Don't know much about the lens but it looks like a winner, especially for $62 bucks.

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Your right but easier said then done. The cat in the picture is not the most cooperative cat, in fact I have only ever got on other picture of her that wasn't blurred (and I had to hold her head for that one!! (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=25514)).

Regards

Daniel...

[ving]

well done i say. $62 well spent :)
its good to get used to manual lenses too i think :) does it meter manually too?

[Dennis]

Nice photo! I just had a look at my 1976 Asahi Pentax SMC 50mm F1.8 standard lens that came with my Pentax KM and it too has a brownish tinge.

Cheers

Dennis

[kljucd1]

Hi,

I am still learning all of this photography related technology, so I don't really know. I assume so. :shrug:

Daniel...

[SkySearcher]

I can imagine it would be a very difficult subject! Makes your shot all the better.

It's great that these old but still great quality lenses can still fit on the modern pentax slr's. While digging around I found my Dad's old adaptor he once used to attach his 35mm Olympus to his 4" Unitron scope. And it fits! Its nearly my age.

[ving]

do you have to pick aperture and shutter speed of does tha camera do it automagically?

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Ahhh, yes it is manual, I have to set everything myself.

Daniel...