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Lenses Operating Manual

Download Asahi Pentax Takumar Interchangeable
Lenses Operating Manual (early version)

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Features

Construction

	Asahi Optical began manufacturing specialized lenses in 1919, and has been producing lenses for general photography since 1932, twenty years before the Pentax, the first SLR camera from Japan - was manufactured. Painstaking hand craftsmanship, the highest quality raw materials and the most advanced technological know-how are combined in the manufacture of each Super-Takumar. In the beginning, lens design required logarithmic tables, slide rules- and great patience. It often took three competent designers several years of steady work to complete the computation of a single 4-element lens. Today, Asahi utilizes the most modern electronic computer equipment which performs extremely complicated calculations very rapidly and with great accuracy.
Fine optics alone cannot make a superior lens; the mechanical components are equally important. Lens barrels of Super-Takumar lenses are precision machined for accurate positioning of all elements. Tolerances are so tight you have to break a vacuum to disassemble some elements. Each Super Takumar has dust and moisture-proof seals and a special diaphragm damper that cuts down on wear, vibration and bounce so you get consistent aperture openings.
	All mechanical components are precision machined to microscopic tolerances. Specially lubricated, wear-resistant metals assure consistently accurate apertures year after year. Screw mounts are the most precise method of holding a lens firmly in place. Perfectly matched threaded mountings on Super- Takumar make changing lenses quick and easy - even in the dark.
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Infra-Red Index

When taking infra-red photographs, the focal point shifts slightly, and therefore, the lens must be extended accordingly. The difference varies depending on the lens, and it is indicated by the small "R" index or short orange line. In infra-red photography, use this infra-red index. First, focus your lens on your subject. Determine the lens-to-subject distance from the distance scale. Then match your "R" mark by turning the distance scale accordingly. If your subject is in focus at infinity, turn the distance ring and move infinity mark to the "R" index. Also, remember to use an R2 (red) or O2 (orange) filter and special infra-red film in this special photography.

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