NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: MEPER on March 16, 2021, 21:38:43

Title: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: MEPER on March 16, 2021, 21:38:43
I know that some in this forum play with UV and IR photography.
I watched this lens on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Super-Rare-Near-MINT-Asahi-Pentax-Ultra-Achromatic-Takumar-300mm-f5-6-JAPAN/353397217647?hash=item52481d996f:g:6HwAAOSw8XRfvR3J

It might be good for that purpose?
I had "watch" on it.....not for getting it but just to look at it. Then the seller offered me a discount at $1100 so maybe it can be purchased for $3000 or less?
Difficult to know if that is expensive for such a lens.

Pentax also made a 85mm lens for UV-photography.
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: Birna Rørslett on March 16, 2021, 22:54:12
The 85mm lens is more useful. The 300 is rare, correct, but not very suitable for UV if memory serves. Thus more of a collector's item which helps explain the steep price (with or without the discount).
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on March 17, 2021, 09:00:24
Yes, an excellent lens, but mainly for VIS and IR use; has not that much UV transmission.
I have that since years, but hardly ever use it. The front is Fluorite, NEVER ever use a
dust can to remove dust, it cracks the front - a dealer once did that and asked me for
help - trashed a very rare lens. Not many of those are known, much less than the 85mm
of which about 45 still exist (I track both since years).

That asking price is very optimistic, about half should be OK.
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: Akira on March 17, 2021, 09:53:56
I've seen one sold at a second-hand shop some years ago here in Tokyo .  The asking price was 200,000 or 300,000 JPY, IIRC.
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: MEPER on March 17, 2021, 16:30:25
Then $2-3000 would be "cheap" considered how rare it is.
45 pcs of the 85mm are not many. I have seen the nice "box" it comes in with some additional accessories.
They are not as "hyped" as Nikkor's or Zeiss lenses....
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: Akira on March 17, 2021, 18:12:38
Then $2-3000 would be "cheap" considered how rare it is.
45 pcs of the 85mm are not many. I have seen the nice "box" it comes in with some additional accessories.
They are not as "hyped" as Nikkor's or Zeiss lenses....

Well, I don't remember its condition, so...
Title: Re: Pentax Ultra-Achromatic 300mm lens?
Post by: MEPER on March 17, 2021, 18:35:39
I have a few "normal" Takumar's and the mechanical quality is high. I think at least on par with manual Nikkor's.
The focus "feel" seems even softer than Nikkor's and the aperture "clicks" more precise. Probably because they use a steel ball and not just a bended spring.