Radioactive Lens -- Pentax 50mm f/1.4 S-M-C Takumar
Channel: uyt384
Date: 04/01/2011

Radiation coming from an old lens from the early 1970s is measured with a simple geiger counter.  This lens is the famous 50mm f/1.4 Super-Multicoated Takumar (S-M-C Takumar), well known for its radioactive thorium glass element near the rear of the lens.   Some photographers claim this lens is one of the finest ever made, and use it as one of their favorites, despite the radioactivity.