De-yellowing Takumar Lens

Lens: Super Takumar 105mm f2.4 – medium format lens for Pentax 67 6×7 camera with rear optical element made of radioactive thorium glass

2 bulbs 6W UVB 10.0 were used for the procedure (Purchased on Ebay from China).
( UVA UVB Reptile Light Bulb Small Pet Heating Bulb for Turtle Lizard Snake )

The bulb is at a distance of approximately 5cm from the optical front/rear element. No overheating problem did appear.

Measuring device for comparison before and after de-yellowing procedure:
Enlarger Magnifax adapted for scanning + camera Sony A7R III + Negative Supply Light Source PRO

Camera and enlarger lens (Componon-S 5.6/100) settings were same for all (before/after) measuring and distances between the lightsource, Takumar lens and the camera had also the same values:
Exposure time: 1/10 s
Aperture: f8
ISO sensitivity: 100
White Ballance: 4700 K

Distance A: 38 (units read on the scale of the Magnifax enlarger)
Distance B: 13

The biggest difference/de-yellowing effect was made in the first 12 hours. However, I left the light on for another 8 hours. In the pictures below you can see the difference after 20 hours of lighting with 2 bulbs.

I left the light on for another 9 hours.

There may have been some variation in the measurements and the differences (20/29/40 hours) may be inaccurately, but most likely there are differences in the end.

40 hours
We can read from histograms some small increase of lens light transmission again (29 hours / 40 hours). Also blue channel comes closer to red and green but red and green are starting to move apart.

Super Takumar 105mm f2.4 vs. Nikon 16mm f2.8 AF-D Fisheye color cast comparison

Draw your own conclusion and maybe you’ll prefer a permanent yellow filter for a black and white photo.
However, I prefer a lens that will affect colour rendition as little as possible, more light will pass through it and I can put the yellow filter on at any time – I want to have that choice.

Also you can check my analog pictures on https://www.analogova.fotoradost.cz/

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