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==General==
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== General ==
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[[File:Radioactive Lenses.jpg|thumb|Radioactive Lenses]]
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There are a significant number of lenses produced from the 1940s through the 1970s that are measurably radioactive. Main source of radioactivity is the use of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium_oxide thorium oxide] (up to 30% by weight) as a component of the glass used in the lens elements. Thorium oxide has a crystalline structural similar to calcium fluoride ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorite fluorite]). Like fluorite, its optical properties of high refractivity and low dispersion allows lens designers to minimize [[wikipedia:Chromatic_aberration|chromatic aberration]] and use lenses of lower curvature, which are less expensive to produce. Despite statements to the contrary, lenses containing lanthanum are not appreciably radioactive - lanthanum is only 1/10,000th as radioactive as thorium. Radioactivity in lanthanum containing lenses is due to the intentional inclusion of thorium in the optical glass mix. The presence of thorium can sometimes, depending on the mixture of other elements in the lens, cause moderate to severe browning of the lens elements. Other common misconceptions hold that it is the ''coatings'' of these lenses which are radioactive and brown over time, and that the browning occurs in the balsam between cemented elements. It is the glass itself that contains the radioactive ThO2, and the browning therein is caused by the radiation-induced formation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-center color centers] in the glass matrix. {{br}}
  
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There are a significant number of lenses produced from the 1940s through the 1970s that are measurably radioactive. Main source of radioactivity is the use of [[wikipedia:Thorium oxide|thorium oxide]] (up to 30% by weight) as a component of the glass used in the lens elements. Thorium oxide has a crystalline structural similar to calcium fluoride ([[wikipedia:Fluorite|fluorite]]). Like fluorite, its optical properties of high refractivity and low dispersion allows lens designers to minimize [[wikipedia:Chromatic_aberration|chromatic aberration]] and use lenses of lower curvature, which are less expensive to produce. Despite statements to the contrary, lenses containing lanthanum are not appreciably radioactive - lanthanum is only 1/10,000th as radioactive as thorium. Radioactivity in lanthanum containing lenses is due to the intentional inclusion of thorium in the optical glass mix. The presence of thorium can sometimes, depending on the mixture of other elements in the lens, cause moderate to severe browning of the lens elements. Other common misconceptions hold that it is the ''coatings'' of these lenses which are radioactive and brown over time, and that the browning occurs in the balsam between cemented elements. It is the glass itself that contains the radioactive ThO2, and the browning therein is caused by the radiation-induced formation of [[wikipedia:F-center|color centers]] in the glass matrix.
   
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==Radiation Levels==
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== Radiation Levels ==
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Typical radiation levels can approach 10 mR/hr (100 μSv/h) as measured at the lens element's surface, decreasing substantially with distance; at a distance of 3 ft. (.9 m.) the radiation level is difficult to detect over typical background levels. For reference, a typical chest x-ray consists of about about 10 mR, a round-trip cross country airline flight exposes a passenger to 5 mR, and a full set of [http://www.cosmetic-dentist-implant.com/ dental x-rays] exposes the patient to 10 mR to 40mR. A [http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:652338/FULLTEXT01.pdf study] carried out by the Physics department of Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology estimates that total exposure to a professional photographer using a typical thoriated lens would amount to only 0.2% yearly allowable exposure to the eye and 0.17% to the whole body under the conservative standards of the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority.
  
   
  +
Typical radiation levels can approach 10 mR/hr (100 μSv/h) as measured at the lens element's surface, decreasing substantially with distance; at a distance of 3 ft. (.9 m.) the radiation level is difficult to detect over typical background levels. For [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-radiation-patient-doses/patient-dose-information-guidance reference], a typical chest x-ray consists of about about 10 mR, a round-trip cross country airline flight exposes a passenger to 5 mR, and a full set of [http://www.cosmetic-dentist-implant.com/ dental x-rays] exposes the patient to 10 mR to 40mR. A [https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:652338/FULLTEXT01.pdf study] carried out by the Physics department of Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology estimates that total exposure to a professional photographer using a typical thoriated lens would amount to only 0.2% yearly allowable exposure to the eye and 0.17% to the whole body under the conservative standards of the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority.
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{we should clarify for the reader: an X-ray exam takes 15minutes. But photographers use lenses hours and hours, every day. Therefore, isn't the lens more dangerous to health than the X-ray ?}
  
   
 
Most smaller lenses with thorium elements pose a negligible risk to human health. However, thoriated glass eyepieces are significantly more dangerous. They can give a very large alpha and beta particle dose to the cornea of the eye, potentially causing cataracts and other problems. Normally these particles are stopped by skin, but the surface of the eye can be quickly damaged by them, and at close range, the dose can be very high.
  
Most smaller lenses with thorium elements pose a negligible risk to human health. However, thoriated glass eyepieces are significantly more dangerous. They can give a very large alpha and beta particle dose to the cornea of the eye, potentially causing cataracts and other problems. Normally these particles are stopped by skin, but the surface of the eye can be quickly damaged by them, and at close range, the dose can be very high.
   
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==Kodak Lenses==
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== Kodak Lenses ==
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By far the most prolific known producer of radioactive lenses was Eastman Kodak. From the 1940s through the 1960s, substantial numbers of amateur cameras were produced and sold with thoriated (containing thorium oxide) lenses, including some of the [[Kodak Pony 828/135|Pony]], [[Kodak_Signet_40|Signet]], and high end [[Instamatic]] (e.g. 800 and [[Kodak Instamatic 814|814]], but not [[Kodak Instamatic 100|100]] or 124) cameras. In addition, many professional level Ektar lenses from this era contain thorium. Perhaps the most famous radioactive lenses of all were the Kodak Aero-Ektars. {{br}}{{br}}Curiously, in his notable book, ''A History Of The Photographic Lens'', Rudolf Kingslake (head of the Eastman Kodak lens design department 1937-1968), makes only a single passing comment on the possible use of thorium in Kodak lenses.{{br}}
  
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By far the most prolific known producer of radioactive lenses was Eastman Kodak. From the 1940s through the 1960s, substantial numbers of amateur cameras were produced and sold with thoriated (containing thorium oxide) lenses, including some of the [[Kodak Pony 828/135|Pony]], [[Kodak_Signet_40|Signet]], and high end [[Instamatic]] (e.g. 800 and [[Kodak Instamatic 814|814]], but not [[Kodak Instamatic 100|100]] or 124) cameras. In addition, many professional level Ektar lenses from this era contain thorium. Perhaps the most famous radioactive lenses of all were the Kodak Aero-Ektars.
  +
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Curiously, in his notable book, ''A History Of The Photographic Lens'', Rudolf Kingslake (head of the Eastman Kodak lens design department 1937-1968), makes only a single passing comment on the possible use of thorium in Kodak lenses.
   
 
== Lenses with elements made of radioisotope-containing glass ==
  
== Lenses with elements made of radioisotope-containing glass ==
  +
 
Some lenses of the 1960s, such as early Minolta Rokkor lenses, have elements to made of glass formulas which include small traces of radioactive rare-earth elements. Sometimes this incidental radioactivity causes a significant browning of these lens elements. Some users of such lenses reported in camera blogs that they reduced the browning by exposing these lenses to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The procedure requires several days of sunny weather to have a positive effect.
  
Some lenses of the 1960s, such as early Minolta Rokkor lenses, have elements to made of glass formulas which include small traces of radioactive rare-earth elements. Sometimes this incidental radioactivity causes a significant browning of these lens elements. Some users of such lenses reported in camera blogs that they reduced the browning by exposing these lenses to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The procedure requires several days of sunny weather to have a positive effect.
   
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The effective diminishment of radiation-induced browning by exposure to sunlight has also been reported for some lenses with thorium glass elements, for example for the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 lens and the Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. Several users have also reported that exposure to UV light from artificial sources, including fluorescent bulbs and UV-emitting LEDs is an even more effective method for reducing the appearance of browning.
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The effective diminishment of radiation-induced browning by exposure to sunlight has also been reported for some lenses with thorium glass elements, for example for the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 lens and the Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. Exposure to UV light from artificial sources, including fluorescent bulbs and UV-emitting LEDs is an even more efficient method for reducing the appearance of browning.
   
 
== Tested lenses ==
  
== Tested lenses ==
   
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This section contains a list of lenses that the contributors of this page have ''personally'' tested with their own Geiger counter [i.e. gentle plea NOT to add lenses based on second-hand accounts, no matter how reliable these may be]
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==='''Lenses Tested Radioactive''' (by the creator of this page)===
  
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*Kodak Ektar 101mm f/4.5 (Miniature Crown Graphic camera) lens mfg. 1946
  
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*Kodak Ektar 38mm f/2.8 ([[Kodak Instamatic 814]] camera) lens mfg 1968-1970
  
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*Kodak Ektanar 50mm f/2.8 ([[Kodak Signet 80]] camera) lens mfg. 1958-1962 (3 examples)
  
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*Kodak Ektanar 90mm f/4 (Kodak Signet 80 camera) lens mfg. 1958-1962
  
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*Kodak Ektanar, 44mm f/2.8 ([[Kodak Signet 30]], [[Kodak Signet 50]], [[Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35|Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35 cameras]]) lenses mfg. 1959-1969
  
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*Kodak Ektanon 50mm f/3.9 ([[Kodak Bantam RF]] camera) lens mfg. 1954-1957
  
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*Kodak Ektanon 46mm f/3.5 ([[Kodak Signet 40]] camera) lens mfg. 1956-1959
  
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*Kodak Anastar 44mm f/3.5 ([[Kodak Pony 828/135|Kodak Pony IV]] camera)
  
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*Kodak Color Printing Ektar 96mm f/4.5 lens mfg. 1963
  
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*WEP Auto Weiton 35mm f2 No.731448 10,05 µSv/h (back of lens,
  
   
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==='''Lenses Tested Radioactive '''(elsewhere, or by contributors to this page)===
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=== '''Lenses Tested Radioactive '''(by contributors to this page) ===
  +
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*Rodenstock XR-Heligon f/0.75 50mm: 5µS/h in 10 cm from front lens. Note: this lens was listed as non-radioactive. It might be that my sample was activated during usage in the X-Ray machine.
  
  +
Some other lenses not listed here may be radioactive: "''The absence of the proof is not the proof of the absence''"
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*Argus Cintagon 50mm f/2.8
  
  +
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*Agfa Color Solinar 2.8/50 (serial S51644): ~70cpm at the front
  
  +
Please include the serial number of the lens if known, device used, and radiation levels for front and rear. Each row should be for each lens sample.
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*Agfa Solinar 50mm f/2.8 (Agfa Karat 36, front element group, serial S01812): 385CPM/2.4 uSv/h (front), ~100CPM/0.7 uSv/h (rear)
  
  +
−
*Bell & Howell Director Series (Model 1208?) XL Super 8 movie camera; Zoom Lens f: 1.2 \ F: 9-22.5 mm
  
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{| class="article-table"
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*Canon FL 50/1.4 (#15324) Up to 770 cpm at the rear lens. (very early version) http://www.billead.com/canonfl/
  
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|+Radioactive lenses
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*Canon FL 50/1.8 I (#58233): Up to 450 cpm / 26 µSv/h at the back lens, up to 7 cpm / 0.4 µSv/h behind camera or at the lens barrel. (early version with graphic hyperfocal distance scale) 
  
  +
!Lens
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*Canon FL 58/1.2 (#25516, #44528): Up to 180 cpm / 10 µSv/h at the back lens, up to 30 cpm / 1.7 µSv/h behind camera or at the lens barrel. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGw4jDyrSQw YouTube]
  
  +
!Focal length
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*Canon FD 17mm f/4
  
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!Aperture
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*Canon FD 35mm f/2.0 (versions from the early 1970's - concave front element)
  
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!Serial
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*Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 L (Early versions)
  
  +
!☢ Radioactivity
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*Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical (Measured at 46532 CPM @ front element; S.S.C non-Aspherical is not radioactive) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyFr6vi_wsA YouTube]
  
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!Notes
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*<span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:arial,sans-serif;line-height:17px;">Canon (SUPER-CANOMATIC LENS) R 50mm 1:1.8 No.78xxx [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPl0NUn_Dd0 YouTube] </span>
  
  +
|-
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*Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 55mm f1.4 ([http://forum.mflenses.com/radioactivity-of-old-manual-lenses-t25714.html measured at 2360 nSv/h])
  
  +
|Argus Cintagon
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*Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8 "Zebra" (1964-67, up to serial number 8552600)
  
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|50 mm
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*Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 (Rolleiflex 2.8D, taking lens: rear element measured at 0.12-0.18 uSv/h, serial 1242942)
  
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|f/2.8
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*Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f2.8 "Zebra" "(Only P6 mount version )
  
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|
−
*Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50mm f4 "Zebra" "(Only P6 mount version ) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzZEeR--iI0 YouTube]
  
  +
|
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*Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50mm f1.4 (1st version with engravings around the outer side of barrel)
  
  +
|
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* Carl Zeiss Tessar 80mm f/2.8 (old silver Hasselblad version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKyc4LIIB6c)
  
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|-
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* Enna München Lithagon 1:3.5 35mm (M42) ([http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13287&p=142338&viewfull=1#post142338 DCC.de])
  
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|Agfa Color Solinar
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* Focal (Kmart store brand) 35mm f/2.8
  
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|50 mm
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* Fujica Fujinon 19mm f/3.5 EBC ([http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com])
  
  +
|f/2.8
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* Fujica Fujinon 35mm f/1.9 EBC ([http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com])
  
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|S51644
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*Fujica Fujinon 50mm f/1.4 non-EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring (measured at 35137 CPM @ back element)
  
  +
|~70 cpm (front)
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*Fujica Fujinon 50mm f/1.4 EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5TvTPz34qk YouTube (unspecified EBC or not])
  
  +
|
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*Fujica Fujinon 100mm f/2.8 EBC ([http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com])([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku00z-TAn84 Youtube])
  
  +
|-
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*Fujica Fujinon 400mm f/4.5 EBC ([http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com])
  
  +
|Agfa Solinar
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*Fujica Fujinon 600mm f/5.6 EBC ([http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com])
  
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|50 mm
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*GAF Anscomatic 38mm f/2.8 (GAF Anscomatic 726 camera)
  
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|f/2.8
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*Heinz Kilfitt 40mm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar (all variants)
  
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|S01812
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*Heinz Kilfitt 90mm f/2.8 Makro Kilar (all variants)
  
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|385 cpm/2.4 µSv/h (front), ~100 cpm/0.7 µSv/h (rear)
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*Industar 61 L/Z MC is NOT radioactive, as the myth says (L is for Lanthanum. Only 0,089 % of total naturally found Lanthanum (La-138) isotope is radioactive, and even it has half-life of 105 billion years).
  
  +
|Agfa Karat 36, front element group
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*Kodak Aero-Ektars (various models) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtqxJTVu0g YouTube]
  
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|-
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*Kodak Ektanon 4-inch Projection Lens f/3.5
  
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|Bell & Howell Director Series (Model 1208?) XL Super 8
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*Kodak Instamatic M24/26 Super 8 Camera [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeB_aL27chI YouTube]
  
  +
|9-22.5 mm
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*Kodak Ektar 80mm f/2.8 (for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1948-1950)
  
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|f/1.2
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*Kodak Ektar 135mm f/3.5 (for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1949)
  
  +
|
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*Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.4 (smallest aperture 16; green AE marking)
  
  +
|
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*Konica Hexanon 57mm f1.2 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLbDd3YOTA YouTube]
  
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|movie camera zoom lens
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*Konica Hexanon 21mm f4 SN 7029XXX, primarily thorium and thorium decay products
  
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|-
−
*Leica 50mm f/2 Collapsible Summicron [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3OTHyaz1uw YouTube]
  
  +
|[[Canon FL mount|Canon FL]]
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*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 5cm f2 (M39)</span>
  
  +
|50 mm
−
*Mamiya/Sekor 55mm f/1.4 (m42, chrome+black, flat rear element) (Measured by specialists, 25th april 2014 @ Poissy, France: from 5 to 10 µSV/h by direct touch & 1720 CPM).
  
  +
|f/1.4
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*Mamiya/Sekor 58mm f/1.7 (M42 version) - 1.19 µSV/h (https://lenslegend.com/mamiya-sekor-58mm-f1-7-lens-review/)
  
  +
|15324
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*Mamiya/Sekor SX 55mm f/1.8 6,8 µSV/h https://youtu.be/DZeqOwv00jI?t=4s
  
  +
|up to 770 cpm (rear lens)
−
*[[Minolta]] MC W. [[Rokkor]]-SI 1:2.5 28mm (early variants)
  
  +
|very early version [https://web.archive.org/web/20151110062320/http://www.billead.com/canonfl billead.com (archive)]
−
*Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 1:1.2 58mm (early variants only; [https://imgur.com/8RPn7W6 SN 2571225 and later] should be non-radioactive)
  
  +
|-
−
*Minolta MC Rokkor 1:1.7 85mm (the earliest variant of the MC line) http://www.dg77.net/photo/x500/mc85.htm
  
  +
|Canon FL I
−
*Mitakon (Zhongyi) 50mm f0.95 Ver I Speedmaster （4 Lanthanum optic elements)
  
  +
|50 mm
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*Mitakon (Zhongyi) 50mm f0.95 Ver II Dark Knight（1 Lanthanum optic element) - ''This lens has actually been tested by myself for beta & gamma radiation but has not been found to emit any detectable quantity. Please provide evidence of the contrary or remove this lens from list of radioactive ones. Reading somewhere that a lens may contain elements that could be radioactive is not enough to include it in the list. ''
  
  +
|f/1.8
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*Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 (early variant with thorium glass elements)
  
  +
|58233
−
*Olympus Zuiko MC Macro 20mm f/3.5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/s58y/6802092736/)
  
  +
|up to 450 cpm/26 µSv/h (rear lens), up to 7 cpm/0.4 µSv/h (behind camera or at the lens barrel)
−
*Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1,2/55 mm (first version with thorium glass elements)
  
  +
|early version with graphic hyperfocal distance scale) [https://web.archive.org/web/20151110062320/http://www.billead.com/canonfl billead.com (archive)]
−
*<span style="font-style: normal; ">Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1,4/50 mm (only first version "Silvernose" is Radioactive) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkh0bEdjiFY YouTube]</span>
  
  +
|-
−
*Olympus M-System G.Zuiko Auto-W 28mm F3.5 (early model) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4m_pYNLFwM)
  
  +
|Canon FL
−
*Olympus Zuiko Pen F 1:1.8/38mm (rear element, measured at approx. 7.5µSV/h or [https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=18901&page=3&p=280395&viewfull=1#post280395 26 µSv/h])  
  
  +
|58 mm
−
*Olympus Zuiko Pen F 1:1.4/40mm (rear element) 
  
  +
|f/1.2
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*Porst Color Reflex MC Auto 1:1.2/55mm (only a specific version? another copy reported as non-radioactive) [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 #000670 - 37µSv/h]
  
  +
|25516, 44528 which one?
−
*Porst Color Reflex MC Auto 1:1.2/55mm (f22 version-Tomioka serial until 00xxxx. #000543-10µSv/h [https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-3E6eHrcL/ #000543]
  
  +
|up to 180 cpm/10 µSv/h (back lens), up to 30 cpm/1.7 µSv/h (behind camera or at the lens barrel)
−
* Rikenon AUTO 55mm f/1.4 (22937<span style="font-size:12px;line-height:19.6875px;"> CPM rear element</span>) 
  
  +
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20151110062320/http://www.billead.com/canonfl billead.com (archive)] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGw4jDyrSQw YouTube]
−
* Schneider Repro-Claron (http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|-
−
*Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2.8 (Kodak Retina IIc front lens, serial 3962395): measured at ~140CPM/.95 uSv/h
  
  +
|[[Canon FD mount|Canon FD]]
−
* Schneider Xenotar 80mm 2.8 (Rolleiflex 2.8C,1954) - 2 µSV/h on front element surface, 0.4 at 10cm, negligible at 20cm.
  
  +
|17 mm
−
*Schneider 135mm f/3.5 Xenotar (http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|f/4
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* SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.4 (original "K line") [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBaRK4X9x50 YouTube]  (result confirmed on a second K-mount lens, serial #1034094)
 
  +
|
−
*SMC Takumar 20mm f/4.5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/s58y/6802092736/)
  
  +
|
−
*<span style="font-style: normal; ">SMC Takumar 35mm f/2.0 (Asahi<u> </u></span><span style="font-style: normal; ">Optical Co.)</span>
  
  +
|
−
*Super <span style="font-style: normal; ">Takumar 35mm f/2.0 (Asahi </span><span style="font-style: normal; ">Optical Co.)</span>
  
  +
|-
−
*Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (Asahi Optical Co.) (both knurled and rubber focus ring grip versions) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ozOMssiP2E &#x20; YouTube] 
  
  +
|Canon FD
−
*Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (All 7-element variants contain Thorium, no 8-element variants contain thorium)
  
  +
|35 mm
−
**Contrary to common belief, the early 8-element Super Takumar too is radioactive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLv6ngbJ7Y Besides the lens shown here, I have tested 2 others for beta & gamma particles, getting readings at the back of up to about 1.2-1.35 [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 µSv/h] and at the front of about 0.2 [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 µSv/h] (against a background radiation of about 0.14 [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 µSv/h]). All 3 lenses have been verified to be of the 8 elements type: besides having all external characteristics, I serviced them, so I could ''count ''the elements. The radiactive elements are those at the back, not at the front. The good news is that all radiation from the rear is effectively stopped by a digital camera back (e.g. Sony Alpha 7RII). This is unfortunately ''not'' the case for the much more radioactive 7-element lenses.
  
  +
|f/2.0
−
**''<sub>This article is about Alpha radiation from Lanthanum or Thorium, not about Beta or Gamma radiation </sub>''<sub>[False. This article is about all radiation types]''. Yours may test positive for other types of radiation, but that doesn't mean that they all do ''[Nonsense. It's impossible to test all copies of a lens. If you test 3 copies & find them all radioactive, it's sensible to conclude the lens is radioactive]''. Several other collectors have detected zero radiation of any kind from their examples, please do not over-generalize ''[Who are these 'collectors' and where is the evidence for these claims? This page should contain only statement supported by evidence]</sub>
  
  +
|
−
**<sub>'''My 8 elements is radioactive too. Video here''' - https://youtu.be/Spl5mUqAcOs</sub>
  
  +
|
−
**Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (Some 8-element variants, SN1554826) - [https://youtu.be/Spl5mUqAcOs Video test link here #1554826]
  
  +
|versions from the early 1970's - concave front element
−
**Super-Takumar 1:1.4/50, presumably (see below) late 8-element variant/Super-Takumar version, production batch with rare-earth element, SN1377428. Rear element radioactive: measured at 0.30–0.45 µSv/h (direct contact). Mounted on a Pentax Spotmatic SP, the dosis rate behind the camera drops to slightly above the local background radiation (0.14–0.23 µSv/h); behind a digital back (Pentax K-1), the radiation is indistinguishable from the local background radiation (0.14–0.17 µSv/h). Note: [http://www.klassik-cameras.de/Pentax_S1.html Identification by exact naming order on ring (German)] (SN <u>after</u> focal length): "Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in Japan Super-Takumar 1:1.4/50 1377428"
  
  +
|-
−
*Macro Takumar 50mm f4.0 early 1:1 version (serial 790115), rear element approx 58 [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 µSv/h])
  
  +
|Canon FD L
−
*SMC Macro Takumar 50mm f/4.0 (http://forum.mflenses.com/radioactivity-of-old-manual-lenses-t25714.html) 
  
  +
|50 mm
−
*Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 (Asahi Optical Co.)  (After approx. SN 1.5 million) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brz3mXD7OeY Youtube]
  
  +
|f/1.2
−
*<span style="font-style: normal; ">Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f/1.8 (Asahi</span><span style="font-style: normal; "> Opt. Co.) (rear element, 8-10µSV/h)</span>
  
  +
|
−
*Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 (After approx. SN 1.5 million) -- (Serial 3199041 this is actually radioactive https://youtu.be/_dcibyhnOzE?t=140)
  
  +
|
−
*<span style="font-style: normal; ">SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8 (Asahi</span><span style="font-style: normal; "> Optical Co.) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL3D7FQTHXo YouTube] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVjhuN5Wy28 YouTube] </span>(not all)
  
  +
|Early versions
−
*Super Takumar 55mm f/2.0 (Asahi Optical Co.) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0h-7iAstlA YouTube]
  
  +
|-
−
*SMC Takumar 55mm f/2.0 (Asahi Optical Co.)
  
  +
|Canon FD S.S.C. Aspherical
−
*<span style="font-style: normal; ">Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 85mm f1.8 (serial 5888634, front element only, not measurable at the back)</span>
  
  +
|55 mm
−
*SMC Takumar 85mm f/1.8 (Asahi Optical Co.) ''[are we sure? I have tested mine, serial n. 5228527, and I cannot detect any radiation. Note however my Geiger counter only detects Beta and Gamma particles, not Alpha] - [EDIT: I just tested my SMC 85mm f1.9 and did not detect any beta or Gama rays.]''
  
  +
|f/1.2
−
*Soligor 35mm f/2.8 (serial 17000xxx) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66BXJosN3g YouTube]
  
  +
|
−
*Super Takumar 6x7 105mm f2.4 (Asahi Optical Co.)
  
  +
|46,532 cpm (front element)
−
* Steinheil Auto-Quinon 55mm f/1.9 KE mount
  
  +
|S.S.C non-Aspherical is not radioactive [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyFr6vi_wsA YouTube]
−
*Tele-Takumar 6.3 300mm (Asahi Optical Co.) http://jbmedia.zenfolio.com/tt300_63/he0cf60f#he0cf60f
  
  +
|-
−
* Topcor RE GN 50/1.4 (Lanthanum glass [source? Lanthanum or Thorium?]) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVufBTqUVWE YouTube]
  
  +
|Canon FL
−
*Topcon UV Topcor 50mm f/2 (Measured at 283nSv/h)
  
  +
|50 mm
−
*Yashinon-DX 28mm f/2.8 (Yashica) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;">(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 210 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|f/1.4
−
*Yashinon-DS 50mm f/1.4 (Yashica) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;">(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 680 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|18974
−
*Yashinon-DS 50mm f/1.7 (Yashica) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;">(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 762 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|700 cpm (front element), 25,000 cpm (rear element) with Johnson HP-265 (α, β, γ) probe; 175 cpm (front element), 1200 cpm (rear element) with Johnson GP-1001 (γ only) probe; 1.35 µSv/h (front element), 9.4 µSv/h (rear element) with Better Geiger S-1 scintillator dose rate meter
−
*Yashinon-DX 50mm f/1.4  (Yashica) (Measured at 1359 nSv/h)(Not all)
  
  +
|
−
*Yashinon-DX 50mm f/1.8 (Yashica) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWgYhQnRcWM YouTube]
  
  +
|-
−
*<span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Yashinon-DS-M 50mm f/1.4 </span>(Yashica) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;">(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 572 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|Canon (SUPER-CANOMATIC LENS) R
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Yashinon-DS-M 50mm f/1.7</span> </span>(Yashica) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;">(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 798 nSv/h</span>) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2DyF3o7hQ4 YouTube] </span>
  
  +
|50 mm
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Yashinon-DS-M 55mm f/1.2</span> <span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">(Yashica) </span>(</span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 1056 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|f/1.8
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:normal;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Yashinon-ML 50mm f/1.7</span> <span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">(Yashica) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPMCMyNxbGY YouTube] (likely only the older design with 'YASHICA LENS ML 50mm 1:1.7 YASHICA MADE IN JAPAN' writings is radioactive.First version is in fact a <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">DS-M 50mm f/1.7</span></span>)</span></span></span>
  
  +
|78xxx
−
*Yashinon 55mm f1.2 (Tomioka) <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">(also branded as Cosinon, Chinon, Tominon, Tomioka or Revuenon</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">; </span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;"><span style="color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;text-align:left;">Measured at 981 nSv/h</span>)</span>
  
  +
|
−
*Ultragon 115mm f/5.5 (measured at 1.5μSv/h : http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPl0NUn_Dd0 YouTube]
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">Vivitar Series 1 28mm f1.9 </span>
  
  +
|-
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">Voigtlander 50mm Nokton Prominent</span>
  
  +
|Canon (SUPER-CANOMATIC LENS) R
−
*Voigtlander 15cm Apo-Lanthar (measured at 16μSv/h : http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|58 mm
−
*Voigtlander 21cm Apo-Lanthar (measured at 27μSv/h : http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|f/1.12
−
*Voigtlander 30cm Apo-Lanthar (measured at 35μSv/h : http://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf)
  
  +
|10050
−
*Voigtlander Zoomar 36-82mm f2.8 (measured at 3.1 μSv/h, serial 5033439)
  
  +
|0.32 µSv/h (front), 1.02 µSv/h (rear)
−
*Wollensak Raptar 28-75mm f2.3 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wUmitMlGIw YouTube]
  
  +
|
−
*<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial;line-height:normal;text-align:justify;">Zenitar-M 50mm f1.7 (Lanthanum glass)</span>
  
  +
|-
−
*Nikkor Lenses tested radioactive ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGwTxP8jyGE&t=369s&ab_channel=TheoriaApophasis Theoria Apophasis]) and radioactivity measure:
  
  +
|Canon TV Zoom J6X13
−
**Nikkor AiS 15/3,5 : 187
 
  +
|13-76 mm
−
**Nikkor AF 16/2,8 D : 185
  
  +
|f/1.9
−
**Nikkor AFS 17-35/2,8 ED : 214 (rear)
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor AiS 20/2,8 : 194
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor-O 2,1cm f/4 : 199
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor AF 24-120/3,5-5,6 D : 214
 
  +
|-
−
**Nikkor Ai 25-50/4 : 23
 
  +
|[[Carl Zeiss]] Jena Pancolar
−
**Nikkor AF 28/1,4 D : 225 (front) 215 (rear) Nikkor Ai 28/2 : 211
 
  +
|55 mm
−
**Nikkor 28/2,8 (Nikon 28Ti) : 221 Nikkor AiS 28/2,8 : 178 Nikkor F 28/3,5 : 178 Nikkor PC 28/3,5 : 190 Nikkor F 35/2 : 229
 
  +
|f/1.4
−
**Nikkor AiS 35/1,4 : 198 (front) 210 (rear)
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor F 43-86/3,5 : 192 Nikkor F GN 45/2,8 : 178
 
  +
|2.36 μSv/h
−
**Nikkor Ai 50/2 : 178
 
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/radioactivity-of-old-manual-lenses-t25714.html MF Lenses forum]
−
**Nikkor AiS 50/1,8 : 178
 
  +
|-
−
**Nikkor F 50/1,4 S : 178
 
  +
|Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar
−
**Nikkor F 50/1,4 SC : 192 (front) 200 (rear)
 
  +
|50 mm
−
**Nikkor AF 50/1,4 : 191 (rear) 178 (front)
 
  +
|f/1.8
−
**Nikkor F Micro 55/3,5 : 178
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor Ai MIcro 55/3,5 : 191
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor AiS Micro 55/2,8 : 178
 
  +
|"Zebra" 1964-67, up to serial number 8552600
−
**Nikkor Ultra-Micro 55/2 : 212 (front) 204 (rear)
 
  +
|-
−
**Nikkor AiS NOCT 58/1,2 : 211 (front) 183 (rear)
 
  +
|Carl Zeiss Sonnar
−
**Nikkor AF Micro 60/2,8 : 199
 
  +
|180 mm
−
**Nikkor AF 85/1,8 : 178
 
  +
|f/4.8
−
**Nikkor AiS 85/1,4 : 221
 
  +
|
−
**Nikkor AiS 105/1,8 : 211
 
  +
|0.65-0.7 µSv/h (rear element)
−
**Nikkor Ai 105/4 micro: 197
  
  +
|for Linhof Super Technika IV 6x9
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar
  +
|80 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|"Zebra" Only P6 mount version
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Jena [[Flektogon]]
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|
  +
|2.5-3.0 µSv/h
  +
|"Zebra" Only P6 mount version [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzZEeR--iI0 YouTube] [https://youtu.be/rR_EBIUEPQY YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|
  +
|23.6 µSv/h
  +
|"Pre-Zebra" Only P6 mount version [https://youtu.be/e0NKBpP-l6g YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|first version with engravings around the outer side of barrel
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss [[Tessar]]
  +
|80 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|old silver Hasselblad version [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKyc4LIIB6c YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|[[Enna]] München Lithagon
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|4021100
  +
|zebra version, 0.34 µSv/h (through rear plastic cap), 0.44 µSv/h (rear lens wihtout cap), 0.85-1 µSv/h (rear element taken out and measured separately)
  +
|M42, tested by me with GQ GMC-300E. See also [http://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13287&p=142338&viewfull=1#post142338 DCC.de] for a non-quantitative mention
  +
|-
  +
|Focal
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Kmart store brand
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon EBC
  +
|19 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com]
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon EBC
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/1.9
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com]
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|35,137 cpm (rear element)
  +
|non-EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon EBC
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5TvTPz34qk YouTube (unspecified EBC or not])
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Funinon EBC
  +
|100 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku00z-TAn84 YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon EBC
  +
|400 mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com]
  +
|-
  +
|Fujica Fujinon EBC
  +
|600 mm
  +
|f/5.6
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/the-best-trio-of-fujinon-and-x-fujinon-lenses-t49121,start,20.html Arkku at mflenses.com]
  +
|-
  +
|GAF Anscomatic
  +
|38 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|GAF Anscomatic 726 camera
  +
|-
  +
|Heinz Kilfitt
  +
|40 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Makro-Kilar all variants
  +
|-
  +
|Heinz Kilfitt
  +
|90 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Makro Kilar all variants
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektar
  +
|101 mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Miniature Crown Graphic camera. lens mfg. 1946
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektar
  +
|38 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Instamatic 814]] & 714 camera lens. mfg. 1968-1970
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak pocket Instamatic 500
  +
|25mm
  +
|f/5.6
  +
|
  +
|1.10 µSv/h (β+γ) 0.3 µSv/h (γ) (Terra-P MKS-05)
  +
|Kodak pocket Instamatic 500 lens. mfg. 1972-1976
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Signet 80]] camera. lens mfg. 1958-1962 (3 examples)
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanar
  +
|90 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Kodak Signet 80 camera. lens mfg. 1958-1962
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanar
  +
|44 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Signet 30]], [[Kodak Signet 50]], [[Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35|Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35 cameras]]. lenses mfg. 1959-1969
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanon
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/3.9
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Bantam RF]] camera. lens mfg. 1954-1957
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanon
  +
|46 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Signet 40]] camera. lens mfg. 1956-1959
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Anastar
  +
|44 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Kodak Pony 828/135|Kodak Pony IV]] camera
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Color Printing Ektar
  +
|96 mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|lens mfg. 1963
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Aero-Ektars
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|various models [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtqxJTVu0g YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektanon 4-inch Projection Lens
  +
|
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektar
  +
|80 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1948-1950
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Ektar
  +
|135 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1949
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Instamatic M24/26 Super 8 Camera
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeB_aL27chI YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|[[Konica]] Hexanon AR
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|smallest aperture 16; green AE marking
  +
|-
  +
|Konica Hexanon
  +
|21 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|7029xxx
  +
|
  +
|primarily thorium and thorium decay products [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo-IzCtLBPM YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Konica Hexanon
  +
|57 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLbDd3YOTA YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Kinoptik Paris S16
  +
|12.5 mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|
  +
|up to 150 cpm
  +
|C mount. Likely neutron contamination from nuclear power plant install.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Leica]] Summicron
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[[Leitz Summicron|Summicron]]. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3OTHyaz1uw YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Leitz Wetzlar Summicron
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|M39
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya/Sekor
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|5-10 µSv/h (direct touch), 1,720 cpm
  +
|M42, chrome+black, flat rear element. Measured by specialists on April 25th, 2014, at Poissy, France.
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya/Sekor
  +
|58 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|1.19 µSv/h
  +
|M42 version. [https://lenslegend.com/mamiya-sekor-58mm-f1-7-lens-review/ Lenslegend]
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya/Sekor SX
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|6.8 µSv/h
  +
|[https://youtu.be/DZeqOwv00jI YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primotar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Seems to be only the rear element. Gamma spectroscopy confirms thorium: [https://flic.kr/p/2poP9LR Flickr]
  +
|-
  +
|[[Minolta]] MC W. [[Rokkor]]-SI
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|early variants
  +
|-
  +
|Minolta MC Rokkor-PG
  +
|58 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|early variants only; [https://imgur.com/8RPn7W6 SN 2571225 and later] should be non-radioactive
  +
|-
  +
|Minolta MC Rokkor
  +
|85 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|the earliest variant of the MC line [http://www.dg77.net/photo/x500/mc85.htm Dominique Guebey Jungle Photographie]
  +
|-
  +
|Mitakon (Zhongyi) Ver I Speedmaster
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/0.95
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|4 Lanthanum optic elements
  +
|-
  +
|Nikkor
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|early variant with thorium glass elements
  +
|-
  +
|Noritar
  +
|17 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|11720277
  +
|2.31 µSv/h (front) 1.14 µSv/h (rear)
  +
|sold as Soligor, Ricoh, Miranda and others
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus Zuiko MC Macro
  +
|20 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.flickr.com/photos/s58y/6802092736/ s58y Flickr]
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|119xxx
  +
|12.8 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|first version with thorium glass elements
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|only early first version "Silvernose" is radioactive; later silvernoses (s/n 409xxx) are
  +
not [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkh0bEdjiFY YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus M-System G.Zuiko Auto-W
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|early model[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4m_pYNLFwM YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus Zuiko Pen F
  +
|38 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|~7.5 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|26 µSv/h
  +
|[https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=18901&page=3&p=280395&viewfull=1#post280395 digicamclub.de]
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus Zuiko Pen F
  +
|40 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|(rear element)
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Porst]] Color Reflex MC Auto
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|37 µSv/h
  +
|only a specific version? another copy reported as non-radioactive [https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 #000670 digicamclub.de]
  +
|-
  +
|Porst Color Reflex MC Auto
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|000543
  +
|10 µSv/h
  +
|f/22 version-Tomioka serial until 00xxxx. [https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-3E6eHrcL/ #000543 Instagram]
  +
|-
  +
|Rikenon AUTO
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|22,937 cpm (rear element)
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock XR-Heligon
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/0.75
  +
|
  +
|5 µSv/h (10 cm from front lens)
  +
|Note: this lens was listed as non-radioactive. It might be that my sample was activated during usage in the X-Ray machine.
  +
|-
  +
|Rollei XF 35 Sonnar
  +
|40 mm
  +
|f/2.3
  +
|
  +
|~1.0–1.20 µSv/h or ~180–210 cpm
  +
|The front triplet seems to contain thoriated glass. The same should hold for the Voigtländer VF135 since they are essentially the same camera with the same lens but slightly different body and functional design.
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Repro-Claron
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C (3962395)
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|~140 cpm, 0.95 µSv/h
  +
|Kodak Retina IIc front lens
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Curtagon C
  +
|28 mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|
  +
|~200 cpm, 1.30 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Xenotar
  +
|80 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|2 µSv/h (front element surface), 0.4 µSv/h (at 10 cm), negligible (at 20 cm)
  +
|Rolleiflex 2.8C 1954
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Xenotar
  +
|135 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Sigma
  +
|18 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|Σ-7205000204
  +
|2.95 uSV/h (front), 3.69 uSv/hr (rear)
  +
|also sold as Spiratone
  +
|-
  +
|Sigma
  +
|18 mm
  +
|f/3.2
  +
|τ-74010303
  +
|2.68 uSv/h (front), 5.25 uSV/hr (rear)
  +
|also sold as Spiratone
  +
|-
  +
|SMC [[Pentax]]
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|1034094
  +
|
  +
|original "K line" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBaRK4X9x50 YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Takumar
  +
|20 mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.flickr.com/photos/s58y/6802092736/ s58y Flickr]
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Takumar
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co.
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co.
  +
|-
  +
|Super Multi Coated Takumar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. both knurled and rubber focus ring grip versions [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ozOMssiP2E YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar (7-element)
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|~30 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|All 7-element variants contain Thorium – thoriated glass!, no 8-element variants contain thorium. Tested with both a personal counter as well as at a medical lab.
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar (8-element)
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|1377428
  +
|~0.57 µSv/h (rear element), ~0.23 µSv/h (behind Spotmatic SP camera), ~0.14 µSv/h behind (Pentax K-1 camera)
  +
|Some copies have tested (moderately) radioactive, ''others'' have tested not radioactive. Comparison between a hot/a cold one [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAG14CfNyY YouTube]. See below for more information about the Super Takumar.
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|1398520
  +
|~250–270 cpm, ~1.63–1.71 µSv/h
  +
|min/max average measured over ~3h
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|1554826
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spl5mUqAcOs YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|1557034
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLv6ngbJ7Y YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|-
  +
|Macro Takumar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/4.0
  +
|790115
  +
|~58 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|early 1:1 version. [https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=13351&page=5&p=216839&viewfull=1#post216839 digicamclub.de]
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Macro-Takumar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|335xxxx
  +
|
  +
|tested positive, but the lowest of my positive results so far
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Macro Takumar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/4.0
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[http://forum.mflenses.com/radioactivity-of-old-manual-lenses-t25714.html MFLenses] [https://youtu.be/4unz8DNDreg YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Super-Takumar
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|231xxx
  +
|1.83-1.88 µSv/h (rear element), 0.3 µSv/h (front element)
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. After approx. SN 1.5 million [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brz3mXD7OeY YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|1717437
  +
|470 cpm, 4.35 µSv/h (rear element), background level (front element)
  +
|measured with GM Counting System 975011-1
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|3199041
  +
|81.7cpm, 12.82 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|[https://youtu.be/_dcibyhnOzE?t=140 YouTube] numbers according to the video (conversion cpm to µSv/h nonsensical)
  +
|-
  +
|Super-Takumar
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|3221829
  +
|~800 cpm, 7.41 µSv/h
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. - This lens is the same design as the f/1.8 but has a ring to limit max aperture. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0h-7iAstlA YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|8-10 µSv/h (rear element)
  +
|Asahi Opt. Co.
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Takumar
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL3D7FQTHXo YouTube] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVjhuN5Wy28 YouTube] not all
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Takumar
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. not all
  +
|-
  +
|Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|85 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|5888634
  +
|
  +
|front element only, not measurable at the back
  +
|-
  +
|SMC Takumar
  +
|85 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. [http://forum.mflenses.com/radioactivity-of-old-manual-lenses-t25714.html MFlenses]
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar 6x7
  +
|105 mm
  +
|f/2.4
  +
|691xxxx
  +
|
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. I tested 3 such lenses using the same Gamma-Scout Geiger counter. Gamma-Scout reads it (691xxxx) much higher than any of my other lenses. Slightly yellow.
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|?
  +
|
  +
|I tested 3 such lenses using the same Gamma-Scout Geiger counter. Two of them, with clear yellowing, tested radioactive. The third one (8259881) did not test radioactive & had no yellowing.
  +
|-
  +
|Tele-Takumar
  +
|300 mm
  +
|f/6.3
  +
|2953276
  +
|~0.38 µSv/h (front barrel), ~0.5 µSv/h (rear barrel), ~1.5 µSv/h (through the metal lens housing)
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
  +
|-
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|?
  +
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20160307220238/http://jbmedia.zenfolio.com/tt300_63/he0cf60f JB Media (archive)]
  +
|-
  +
|Soligor
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|17000xxx
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J66BXJosN3g YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Steinheil Auto-Quinon
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.9
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|KE mount
  +
|-
  +
|Tamron adaptmatic
  +
|24 mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|
  +
|4.37 µSv/hr (front), 0.071 µSv/h (rear)
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Taylor Hobson Rank Sopelem
  +
|8-26 mm
  +
|f/1.6
  +
|
  +
|greater than 250 cpm, 1.5 mSv/h ''Danger''
  +
|C mt. Zoom.
  +
|-
  +
|Tokina
  +
|21 mm
  +
|f/3.8
  +
|17100658
  +
|3.69 µSv/h (front), 0.44 µSv/h (rear)
  +
|sold as Soligor, Vivitar and others
  +
|-
  +
|[[Topcon RE Super|Topcon RE]] GN Topcor
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVufBTqUVWE YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Topcon UV Topcor
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|
  +
|0.283 μSv/h
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DX
  +
|28 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|0.210 μSv/h
  +
|[[Yashica]]
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|0.680 μSv/h
  +
|Yashica
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|0.762 μSv/h
  +
|Yashica
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DX
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|1.359 μSv/h (Not all)
  +
|Yashica
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DX
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Yashica. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWgYhQnRcWM YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS-M
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|0.572 μSv/h
  +
|Yashica
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS-M
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|0.798 μSv/h
  +
|Yashica. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2DyF3o7hQ4 YouTube] Not all, earlier version serial 20034462, 0 measured radiation.
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS-M
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|1.056 μSv/h
  +
|Yashica
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-ML
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|Yashica. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPMCMyNxbGY YouTube] Likely, only the older design with 'YASHICA LENS ML 50mm 1:1.7 ''YASHICA'' MADE IN JAPAN' writings is radioactive. This version is most probably a rebrand of DS-M 50mm f/1.7.
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|0.981 μSv/h
  +
|Tomioka. Also branded as Cosinon, Chinon, Tominon, Tomioka or Revuenon.
  +
|-
  +
|Vivitar Auto Wide-Angle
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/1.9
  +
|28411420
  +
|4.6 μSv/h
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Vivitar Series 1
  +
|28 mm
  +
|f/1.9
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Nokton Prominent
  +
|50 mm
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar
  +
|150 mm
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|16 μSv/h
  +
|[https://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972]
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar
  +
|210 mm
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|27 μSv/h
  +
|[https://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972]
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar
  +
|30 mm
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|35 μSv/h
  +
|[https://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972]
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Skoparex
  +
|35 mm
  +
|f/3.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|DKL mount
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Ultragon
  +
|115 mm
  +
|f/5.5
  +
|
  +
|1.5 μSv/h
  +
|[https://www.arnecroell.com/voigtlaender.pdf Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972]
  +
|-
  +
|Voigtlander Zoomar
  +
|36-82 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|5033439
  +
|3.1 μSv/h
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Wollensak Raptar
  +
|28-75 mm
  +
|f/2.3
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wUmitMlGIw YouTube]
  +
|}
  +
  +
  +
Super Takumar
  +
  +
Some copies have tested (moderately) radioactive, others have tested not radioactive. Comparison between a hot/a cold one [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAG14CfNyY YouTube]. There are several confirmed cases of both kinds, overall suggesting that the "hot" lenses are only weakly to moderately radioactive. In particular: mounting them on digital cameras (Sony Alpha 7RII, Pentax K-1) blocks most of the radiation or entirely, while old film cameras (Pentax Spotmatic SP) usually block a significant amount. The non-radioactive lenses have smaller serial numbers than the radioactive ones - the cut-off must be somewhere between s.n. 1338400 (not radioactive) and s.n. 1377428 (radioactive; ~0.57 µSv/h, rear element; ~0.23 µSv/h behind Spotmatic SP; ~0.14 µSv/h behind Pentax K-1).
  +
  +
Although some of the hot 8-element Super-Takumars that may have significantly higher levels of radiation compared to other radioactive ones (e.g. serial 1398520: ~250–270 CPM or ~163–1.71 µSv/h; min/max average measured over ~3h), the radiation is way below the readings of the 7-element version and the later 55/1.8s which are definitely radioactive (test of five 8-element examples (with serial numbers ranging from 106xxxx to 158xxxx) and six 7-element examples with a Gamma-Scout, which detects Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation.).
  +
  +
The versions slightly differ cosmetically, mainly in the fonts used for the focus & aperture numbers (the non-radioactive ones appear to have thinner characters and somewhat 'older looking' fonts). However, there are multiple revisions of the Super-Takumar lenses that cannot be clearly identified due to (presumably) re-use of parts of previous batches. A comprehensive overview of all (most) known different revisions can be found at: [https://takumarguide.weebly.com/takumarology.html Takumar Field Guide]. Another source describes an [http://www.klassik-cameras.de/Pentax_S1.html identification by the exact naming order on the name ring (German)].
  +
  +
'''''[I quite like [https://www.youtube.com/user/kathodosdotcom Theoria Apophasis] - cool guy. But: no good here, sorry. Please list only''' '''lenses that you have tested PERSONALLY with a Geiger counter. This is to keep the page reliable, free from conspiracies & myths that abound on the Internet]'''''
  +
  +
<s>Nikkor Lenses tested radioactive ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGwTxP8jyGE&t=369s&ab_channel=TheoriaApophasis Theoria Apophasis YouTube]) and radioactivity measure: There are many comments at the video and different messurements, that could NOT verify any radioactivity! The geiger counter could have some miss calibration.</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 15/3,5 : 187</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AF 16/2,8 D : 185</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AFS 17-35/2,8 ED : 214 (rear)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 20/2,8 : 194</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor-O 2,1cm f/4 : 199</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AF 24-120/3,5-5,6 D : 214</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor Ai 25-50/4 : 23 (this should not count as radioactive!)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AF 28/1,4 D : 225 (front) 215 (rear) Nikkor Ai 28/2 : 211</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor 28/2,8 (Nikon 28Ti) : 221 Nikkor AiS 28/2,8 : 178 Nikkor F 28/3,5 : 178 Nikkor PC 28/3,5 : 190 Nikkor F 35/2 : 229</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 35/1,4 : 198 (front) 210 (rear)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor F 43-86/3,5 : 192 Nikkor F GN 45/2,8 : 178</s>
  +
* <s>Nikkor Ai 50/2 : 178</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 50/1,8 : 178</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor F 50/1,4 S : 178</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor F 50/1,4 SC : 192 (front) 200 (rear)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AF 50/1,4 : 191 (rear) 178 (front)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor F Micro 55/3,5 : 178</s>
  +
* <s>Nikkor Ai MIcro 55/3,5 : 191</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS Micro 55/2,8 : 178</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor Ultra-Micro 55/2 : 212 (front) 204 (rear)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS NOCT 58/1,2 : 211 (front) 183 (rear)</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AF Micro 60/2,8 : 199</s>
  +
* <s>Nikkor AF 85/1,8 : 178</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 85/1,4 : 221</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor AiS 105/1,8 : 211</s>
  +
*<s>Nikkor Ai 105/4 micro: 197</s>
  +
  +
  +
==='''Lenses Tested non-Radioactive''' (by contributors to this page)===
   
−
Some other lenses not listed here may be radioactive: "''The absence of the proof is not the proof of the absence''"'''<br />'''
  
−
=== '''Lenses Tested non-Radioactive''' (by contributors to this page) ===
  
 
''Vintage lenses that '''could''' have been radioactive, but turned out not to be. A bit of good news!''
  
''Vintage lenses that '''could''' have been radioactive, but turned out not to be. A bit of good news!''
−
* Asahi Pentax-M 28mm f3.5 SMC Shift lens (serial 5144203)
  
−
*Asahi SMC Pentax-M 35mm f/2.8 (serial 6381843)
  
−
*Asahi SMC Pentax-K 50mm f/1.2 (serial 1451004)
  
−
* Asahi Pentax-M 50mm f1.4 SMC [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqp8kA_mH88 Youtube]
  
−
* Asahi SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 (serial 2596025, 2650094)
  
−
*Asahi Pentax-M 50mm f2 SMC (serial 4286229)
  
−
*Asahi Super-Takumar 55mm F2 (Early version) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brz3mXD7OeY Youtube]
  
−
* Asahi Auto Takumar 55mm f2.2 (serial 641779)
  
−
* Asahi Auto Takumar 85mm f1.8 - aperture ring at the front, spring-operated auto aperture (serial 412250)
  
−
*Asahi Pentax SMC 85mm f.18 (serial 52285527)
  
−
* Asahi Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 (serial 3088850)
  
−
* Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 135mm f3.5 (serial 4568738)
  
−
*Asahi SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 (serial 6429171)
  
−
* Canon FL 35mm F2.5 (serial 78xxx)
  
−
* Canon FL 50mm F1.4 (serial 168xxx)
  
−
* Canon FL 55mm F1.2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HHi49YOyU Youtube]
  
−
* Canon FD 28mm f2.8 S.C. chrome mount ring (serial 233953)
  
−
* Canon 50mm f1.8 Leica Screw Mount, late model, chrome-and-black (serial 256884)
  
−
*Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.8 ("Made in West Germany", Rollei QBM, serial 555345)
  
−
*EBC Fujinon 50mm f/1.4 (late version: diamond-texture, rubber focus ring, serial 537963). Warning: Other samples may be highly radioactive!
  
−
* Helios 44M 58mm f2.0 (serial 8077187)
  
−
* Helios 44M-4 58mm f2.0 (serial 8990138)
  
−
*Helios 44M-6 58mm f2.0 (serial 92621308)
  
−
*Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 24mm f/2.8 (serial 211453, also RMC Tokina etc.)
  
−
* Industar 28mm f/2.8
  
−
* Konica Hexanon 135mm f/3.5 (serial 7322086)
  
−
*Mamiya Sekor 55mm f/4.5 (C330 TLR, serials 74382/74610)
  
−
*Mamiya Sekor 65mm f/3.5 (C330 TLR, serial 5790310, no second S/N)
  
−
*Mamiya Sekor 80mm f/2.8 (C330 TLR, brown/yellowish coating, serials 672606/672341)
  
−
*Mamiya Sekor Super 180mm f/4.5 (C330 TLR, serials 84462/85060)
  
−
*Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4
  
−
* Mitakon Zhongyi 50mm f0.95 II 'Speedmaster' (serial 001525)
  
−
* Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50mm F1.4 (Late version, serial 1,15X,XXX) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgEQQLDs2vk Youtube]
  
−
* Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 (Meyer Orestor Preset aperture non-MC version, serial 8477438)
  
−
*Petri 55mm f/1.8 CC Auto (serial 691631)
  
−
*Ricoh Color Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 (Rikoh 500GX, serial , could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured at my sample)
  
−
*Ricoh Rikenon 400mm f/6.3 (serial 10443)
  
−
*Rodenstock Heligon 50mm f/2 (Kodak Retina II, serial 2052276)
  
−
* Rodenstock XR-Heligon f/0.75 50mm (serial 9723511). Another sample was measured to be radioactive (see above),
  
−
*Rollei HFT-Planar 50mm f/1.8 (made by Rollei Singapore, early/metal version, serial 1078508)
  
−
*Rollei SL-Xenon 50mm f/1.8 (Schneider-Kreuznach, serial 11 870 983)
  
−
*Rollei SL-Angulon 35mm f/2.8 (Schneider-Kreuznach, serial 12 620 084)
  
−
*MC Rubinar makro 500mm f/5.6 (Russian mirror tele lens, serial 080007)
  
−
*Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f/3.5 (Kodak Retina Ia, serial 2216414)
  
−
*Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar C 50mm f/2.8 (Kodak Retina Ib, serial 4832242)
  
−
*Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f/2.0 (Kodak Retina II, serial 1982005)
  
−
*Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2.0 (Kodak Retina IIIC, serial 5347221). Other apterture version (f/2.8) is radioactive (see above)
  
−
*Tokina Wide-Auto (also applies to early Vivitar/Soligor auto wide: knurled metal focus ring) 35mm f/2.8 (serial 708205)
  
−
*Vivitar Close Focusing Auto Zoom 75-205mm f/3.8 (early Kiron made version, two-ring zoom, serial 22616531)
  
−
* Yashinon DX 45mm f1.4 (fixed lens on the Yashica 1C, Lynx 14-E rangefinder camera)
  
−
*Yashinon-DX 50mm F1.4 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKv2os01IGI Youtube])
  
−
* Zeiss Jena Flektogon Auto 35mm f2.4 (serial 74736)
  
−
* Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.8 Zebra version (serial 9060041)
  
−
*Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8 "Zebra" (serial 9093379)
  
   
  +
{| class="sortable article-table"
−
<br />
  
  +
|+Non-radioactive lenses
  +
! Lens
  +
!Focal length
  +
!Aperture
  +
!Serials
  +
!Notes
  +
|-
  +
|Albinar ADG MC Macro Zoom
  +
|80-200mm
  +
| f/3.9
  +
|83965938
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax
  +
|85mm
  +
| f/1.8
  +
|52285527
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-FA Limited
  +
|43mm
  +
| f/1.9
  +
|0006247
  +
|Relatively early Made in Japan version with presumably original "leaded" glass design. Later batches should not be radioactive either.
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-K
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|5379584
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Pentax-M SMC Shift
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|5144203
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|6381843
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-K
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|1451004
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqp8kA_mH88 YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|2596025, 2650094
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|4286229
  +
|[https://youtu.be/_bJe6_SL6JE YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|85mm
  +
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|7708192
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Pentax-M
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|6429171
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|6138088
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| Asahi Super Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
| 35mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|7190055
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super Takumar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|802344
  +
|Early version. Examples before approximately 1.5 million are not radioactive.
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super Takumar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|
  +
|Early version. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brz3mXD7OeY YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi SMC Takumar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|8049617, 8119078
  +
|Late version.
  +
|-
  +
| Asahi Auto Takumar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/2.2
  +
|641779
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Auto Takumar
  +
|85mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|412250
  +
|aperture ring at the front, spring-operated auto aperture
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|105mm
  +
|f/2.4
  +
|8259881
  +
|6x7 format
  +
|-
  +
| Asahi Super Takumar
  +
|105mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|2353009
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|4968162
  +
|5 Element version
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|6407586
  +
|6 Element version
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super Takumar
  +
| 135mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|3088850
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|4568738
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated MACRO-TAKUMAR
  +
|135mm
  +
|
  +
|8468869
  +
|6x7 format
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|200mm
  +
|f/4.0
  +
|7161552
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar
  +
|300mm
  +
|f/4.0
  +
|6923607
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Auto Revuetar
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|64882
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Canon FD S.C.
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|233953
  +
|chrome mount ring
  +
|-
  +
|Canon FL
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.5
  +
|78xxx
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Canon FL
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/1.2
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HHi49YOyU YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Canon FL
  +
|50mm
  +
| f/1.4
  +
|168xxx
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Canon
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|256884
  +
| Leica Screw Mount, late model, chrome-and-black
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss [[Planar]]
  +
|80 mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|1242942
  +
|Rolleiflex 2.8D, taking lens: rear element measured at 0.12-0.18 uSv/h. This is in the normal natural radioactive range > no radiactive material in the objective used.
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Planar T*
  +
|80m
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|5783145
  +
|C-Version, black, for Hasselblad
  +
|-
  +
|Carl Zeiss Sonnar
  +
|85mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
| 555345
  +
|Made in West Germany. Rollei QBM
  +
|-
  +
|Fujinon EBC
  +
| 50mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|537963
  +
|Late version with diamond-texture and rubber focus ring. ''Warning: Other samples may be highly radioactive!''
  +
|-
  +
|Helios 44-2
  +
|58mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|7513556
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[[Helios-44|Helios 44M]]
  +
|58mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|8077187
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Helios 44M-4
  +
|58mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|8990138
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Helios 44M-6
  +
|58mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|92621308
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Hoya HMC Wide-Auto
  +
|24mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|211453
  +
|also RMC Tokina etc.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Industar]]
  +
|28mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Industar
  +
|52mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|[[Industar-61|Industar 61]], Leica screw mount, ''non-L/D'' (Л/Д) version
  +
|-
  +
|Kodak Anastar
  +
|51mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|
  +
|Pony 135, Pony 828, Pony 135 Model B
  +
|-
  +
|Konica Hexanon
  +
| 135mm
  +
| f/3.5
  +
|7322086
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya Sekor
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|74382, 74610
  +
|C330 TLR
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya Sekor
  +
|65mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
| 5790310
  +
|C330 TLR
  +
|-
  +
|Mamiya Sekor
  +
|80mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|672606, 672341
  +
|C330 TLR, brown/yellowish coating
  +
|-
  +
| Mamiya Sekor Super
  +
|180mm
  +
|f/4.5
  +
|84462, 85060
  +
|C330 TLR
  +
|-
  +
|Minolta MD Rokkor-X
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Mitakon Zhongyi II 'Speedmaster'
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/0.95
  +
|001525
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|1,15x,xxx
  +
|Late version. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgEQQLDs2vk YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|[[Pentacon]]
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|8477438
  +
|Meyer Orestor Preset aperture non-MC version
  +
|-
  +
|Petri CC Auto
  +
|55mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|691631
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Ricoh Color Rikenon
  +
|40mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|
  +
|Rikoh 500GX. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured at my sample.
  +
|-
  +
|Ricoh Rikenon
  +
|400mm
  +
|f/6.3
  +
|10443
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock Retina-Eurygon
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|4203237
  +
|DKL mount
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock Heligon
  +
| 50mm
  +
|f/2
  +
| 2052276
  +
|Kodak Retina II
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock Retina-Heligon
  +
| 50mm
  +
|f/1.9
  +
|4471524, 4752831
  +
|DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock XR-Heligon
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/0.75
  +
|9723511
  +
|Another sample was measured to be radioactive (see above).
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock Retina-Rotelar
  +
|85mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|4477941
  +
|DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock Retina-Rotelar
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|4204704
  +
|DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
  +
|-
  +
|Rodenstock-Rotelar
  +
|135mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|3712416
  +
|DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Rolleiflex SL35 lenses|Rollei HFT-Planar]]
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|1078508
  +
|Made by Rollei Singapore. Early/metal version.
  +
|-
  +
| Rollei SL-Angulon
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|12 620 084
  +
| Schneider-Kreuznach
  +
|-
  +
|Rollei SL-Xenon
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|11 870 983, 12 081 833, 12 186 091
  +
| Schneider-Kreuznach
  +
|-
  +
|MC Rubinar makro
  +
|500mm
  +
|f/5.6
  +
|080007
  +
| Russian telephoto mirror lens
  +
|-
  +
|Sankyo Kohki Komura
  +
|85mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|3563280
  +
|Tested non-radioactive despite minor yellowing of the glass
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider-Kreuznach Edixa-Curtagon
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|8900488
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider-Kreuznach Edixa-Xenar
  +
|50mm
  +
| f/2.8
  +
|8188922
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/3.5
  +
|2216414
  +
| Kodak Retina Ia
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar C
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|4832242
  +
|Kodak Retina Ib
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|1982005
  +
|Kodak Retina II
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|9596917
  +
|DKL mount
  +
|-
  +
|Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/2.0
  +
|5347221
  +
| Kodak Retina IIIC. f/2.8 version is radioactive (see above).
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|1338400
  +
|8-element. Many other serial numbers are radioactive.
  +
|-
  +
|Sears (Auto Sears)
  +
|55 mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|253170
  +
|M42 mount. See also: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sears-55mm-f1-4.html Tested non-radioactive despite minor yellowing.
  +
|-
  +
|Super Takumar 6x7
  +
|105 mm
  +
|f/2.4
  +
|8259881
  +
|Asahi Optical Co. I tested 3 such lenses using ''the'' ''same'' Geiger counter. Two of them, with clear yellowing, tested radioactive. The third one (8259881) did not.
  +
|-
  +
|Syoptic
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.1
  +
|
  +
|E-mount version
  +
|-
  +
|Tokina Wide-Auto
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|708205
  +
|also applies to early Vivitar/Soligor auto wide: knurled metal focus ring
  +
|-
  +
|Topcon UV Topcor
  +
|53mm
  +
|f/2
  +
|54281653
  +
|Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
  +
|-
  +
|Topcon UV Topcor
  +
|100mm
  +
|f/4
  +
|9734009
  +
|Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
  +
|-
  +
|Vivitar Auto Tele-Zoom
  +
|85-205mm
  +
|f/3.8
  +
|22115389
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Vivitar Close Focusing Auto Zoom
  +
|75-205mm
  +
|f/3.8
  +
|22616531
  +
|early Kiron made version, two-ring zoom
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DS-M
  +
|50 mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|20034462
  +
|Yashica. Some measured radioactive.
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DX
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
  +
|
  +
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKv2os01IGI YouTube]
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon DX
  +
|45mm
  +
|f/1.4
  +
|
  +
|Fixed lens on the Yashica 1C, Lynx 14-E rangefinder camera.
  +
|-
  +
|Yashinon-DX
  +
|45mm
  +
|f/1.7
  +
|
  +
|Fixed lens on the Yashica Electro 35 GSN. Made in Hong Kong.
  +
|-
  +
|Zeiss Jena Flektogon Auto
  +
|35mm
  +
  +
|f/2.4
  +
|74736
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Zeiss Jena Flektogon
  +
|35mm
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|5993475
  +
  +
|leatherette version
  +
|-
  +
|Zeiss Jena Flektogon
  +
|35mm
  +
  +
|f/2.8
  +
|9060041
  +
|Zebra version
  +
  +
|-
  +
|Zeiss Jena Pancolar
  +
|50mm
  +
|f/1.8
  +
|9093379
  +
|Zebra version
  +
|}
  +
  +
==Geiger Counters used and methodology==
  +
  +
Modern, affordable dosimeters which provide quick, useful detection of dangerous conditions/levels, and approximation of cumulative radioactive exposure, such as the GQ GMC 300 or 500+ series, or products from Thermo-Fisher, Radex, Souk, and others are available new. Testing to differentiate alpha, beta and gamma, x rays and neutrons generally requires more expensive equipment, and/or calculation methods.
  +
  +
  +
==Links/Sources==
   
  +
*[https://lenslegend.com/radioactive-lenses/ Radioactive Lenses and Everything About Them]
−
== Geiger Counters used and methodology ==
  
  +
*[http://billead.com/canonfl/#radioactivity Is it dangerous? (http://billead.com/canonfl/#radioactivity)]
−
[ empty - please add your testing methodology for alpha beta and gama rays ]
  
  +
*[http://home.earthlink.net/%7Emichaelbriggs/aeroektar/aeroektar.html The Aero Ektars]
−
<br />
  
  +
*[http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/consumer%20products/cameralens.htm Thoriated Camera Lenses]
−
==Links/Sources==
  
  +
*[http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1356.html Health Physics Society]
  +
*[http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets/doeymp0403print.shtml Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Fact Sheet]
  +
*Rudolf Kingslake, ''A History of the Photographic Lens'', Academic Press, 1989, Chapter 5, section 4
  +
*[http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:652338/FULLTEXT01.pdf Jonathan Wang and Viktor Henningsson, ''An Analysis of Residual Radiation in Thoriated Camera Lenses, ''Department of Physics, School of Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2013.]
   
−
* [http://billead.com/canonfl/#radioactivity Is it dangerous? (http://billead.com/canonfl/#radioactivity)]
  
−
* [http://home.earthlink.net/%7Emichaelbriggs/aeroektar/aeroektar.html The Aero Ektars]
  
−
* [http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/consumer%20products/cameralens.htm Thoriated Camera Lenses]
  
−
* [http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1356.html Health Physics Society]
  
−
* [http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets/doeymp0403print.shtml Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Fact Sheet]
  
−
* Rudolf Kingslake, ''A History of the Photographic Lens'', Academic Press, 1989, Chapter 5, section 4
  
−
* [http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:652338/FULLTEXT01.pdf Jonathan Wang and Viktor Henningsson, ''An Analysis of Residual Radiation in Thoriated Camera Lenses, ''Department of Physics, School of Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2013.]
  
 
[[Category:Lens]]
  
[[Category:Lens]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 8 April 2024

General[]

Radioactive Lenses

Radioactive Lenses

There are a significant number of lenses produced from the 1940s through the 1970s that are measurably radioactive. Main source of radioactivity is the use of thorium oxide (up to 30% by weight) as a component of the glass used in the lens elements. Thorium oxide has a crystalline structural similar to calcium fluoride (fluorite). Like fluorite, its optical properties of high refractivity and low dispersion allows lens designers to minimize chromatic aberration and use lenses of lower curvature, which are less expensive to produce. Despite statements to the contrary, lenses containing lanthanum are not appreciably radioactive - lanthanum is only 1/10,000th as radioactive as thorium. Radioactivity in lanthanum containing lenses is due to the intentional inclusion of thorium in the optical glass mix. The presence of thorium can sometimes, depending on the mixture of other elements in the lens, cause moderate to severe browning of the lens elements. Other common misconceptions hold that it is the coatings of these lenses which are radioactive and brown over time, and that the browning occurs in the balsam between cemented elements. It is the glass itself that contains the radioactive ThO2, and the browning therein is caused by the radiation-induced formation of color centers in the glass matrix.

Radiation Levels[]

Typical radiation levels can approach 10 mR/hr (100 μSv/h) as measured at the lens element's surface, decreasing substantially with distance; at a distance of 3 ft. (.9 m.) the radiation level is difficult to detect over typical background levels. For reference, a typical chest x-ray consists of about about 10 mR, a round-trip cross country airline flight exposes a passenger to 5 mR, and a full set of dental x-rays exposes the patient to 10 mR to 40mR. A study carried out by the Physics department of Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology estimates that total exposure to a professional photographer using a typical thoriated lens would amount to only 0.2% yearly allowable exposure to the eye and 0.17% to the whole body under the conservative standards of the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority.

Most smaller lenses with thorium elements pose a negligible risk to human health. However, thoriated glass eyepieces are significantly more dangerous. They can give a very large alpha and beta particle dose to the cornea of the eye, potentially causing cataracts and other problems. Normally these particles are stopped by skin, but the surface of the eye can be quickly damaged by them, and at close range, the dose can be very high.

Kodak Lenses[]

By far the most prolific known producer of radioactive lenses was Eastman Kodak. From the 1940s through the 1960s, substantial numbers of amateur cameras were produced and sold with thoriated (containing thorium oxide) lenses, including some of the Pony, Signet, and high end Instamatic (e.g. 800 and 814, but not 100 or 124) cameras. In addition, many professional level Ektar lenses from this era contain thorium. Perhaps the most famous radioactive lenses of all were the Kodak Aero-Ektars.

Curiously, in his notable book, A History Of The Photographic Lens, Rudolf Kingslake (head of the Eastman Kodak lens design department 1937-1968), makes only a single passing comment on the possible use of thorium in Kodak lenses.

Lenses with elements made of radioisotope-containing glass[]

Some lenses of the 1960s, such as early Minolta Rokkor lenses, have elements to made of glass formulas which include small traces of radioactive rare-earth elements. Sometimes this incidental radioactivity causes a significant browning of these lens elements. Some users of such lenses reported in camera blogs that they reduced the browning by exposing these lenses to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The procedure requires several days of sunny weather to have a positive effect.

The effective diminishment of radiation-induced browning by exposure to sunlight has also been reported for some lenses with thorium glass elements, for example for the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 lens and the Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. Exposure to UV light from artificial sources, including fluorescent bulbs and UV-emitting LEDs is an even more efficient method for reducing the appearance of browning.

Tested lenses[]

This section contains a list of lenses that the contributors of this page have personally tested with their own Geiger counter [i.e. gentle plea NOT to add lenses based on second-hand accounts, no matter how reliable these may be]

Lenses Tested Radioactive (by contributors to this page)[]

Some other lenses not listed here may be radioactive: "The absence of the proof is not the proof of the absence"

Please include the serial number of the lens if known, device used, and radiation levels for front and rear. Each row should be for each lens sample.

Radioactive lenses
Lens Focal length Aperture Serial ☢ Radioactivity Notes
Argus Cintagon 50 mm f/2.8
Agfa Color Solinar 50 mm f/2.8 S51644 ~70 cpm (front)
Agfa Solinar 50 mm f/2.8 S01812 385 cpm/2.4 µSv/h (front), ~100 cpm/0.7 µSv/h (rear) Agfa Karat 36, front element group
Bell & Howell Director Series (Model 1208?) XL Super 8 9-22.5 mm f/1.2 movie camera zoom lens
Canon FL 50 mm f/1.4 15324 up to 770 cpm (rear lens) very early version billead.com (archive)
Canon FL I 50 mm f/1.8 58233 up to 450 cpm/26 µSv/h (rear lens), up to 7 cpm/0.4 µSv/h (behind camera or at the lens barrel) early version with graphic hyperfocal distance scale) billead.com (archive)
Canon FL 58 mm f/1.2 25516, 44528 which one? up to 180 cpm/10 µSv/h (back lens), up to 30 cpm/1.7 µSv/h (behind camera or at the lens barrel) billead.com (archive) YouTube
Canon FD 17 mm f/4
Canon FD 35 mm f/2.0 versions from the early 1970's - concave front element
Canon FD L 50 mm f/1.2 Early versions
Canon FD S.S.C. Aspherical 55 mm f/1.2 46,532 cpm (front element) S.S.C non-Aspherical is not radioactive YouTube
Canon FL 50 mm f/1.4 18974 700 cpm (front element), 25,000 cpm (rear element) with Johnson HP-265 (α, β, γ) probe; 175 cpm (front element), 1200 cpm (rear element) with Johnson GP-1001 (γ only) probe; 1.35 µSv/h (front element), 9.4 µSv/h (rear element) with Better Geiger S-1 scintillator dose rate meter
Canon (SUPER-CANOMATIC LENS) R 50 mm f/1.8 78xxx YouTube
Canon (SUPER-CANOMATIC LENS) R 58 mm f/1.12 10050 0.32 µSv/h (front), 1.02 µSv/h (rear)
Canon TV Zoom J6X13 13-76 mm f/1.9
Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 55 mm f/1.4 2.36 μSv/h MF Lenses forum
Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 mm f/1.8 "Zebra" 1964-67, up to serial number 8552600
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180 mm f/4.8 0.65-0.7 µSv/h (rear element) for Linhof Super Technika IV 6x9
Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80 mm f/2.8 "Zebra" Only P6 mount version
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50 mm f/4 2.5-3.0 µSv/h "Zebra" Only P6 mount version YouTube YouTube
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50 mm f/4 23.6 µSv/h "Pre-Zebra" Only P6 mount version YouTube
Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50 mm f/1.4 first version with engravings around the outer side of barrel
Carl Zeiss Tessar 80 mm f/2.8 old silver Hasselblad version YouTube
Enna München Lithagon 35 mm f/3.5 4021100 zebra version, 0.34 µSv/h (through rear plastic cap), 0.44 µSv/h (rear lens wihtout cap), 0.85-1 µSv/h (rear element taken out and measured separately) M42, tested by me with GQ GMC-300E. See also DCC.de for a non-quantitative mention
Focal 35 mm f/2.8 Kmart store brand
Fujica Fujinon EBC 19 mm f/3.5 Arkku at mflenses.com
Fujica Fujinon EBC 35 mm f/1.9 Arkku at mflenses.com
Fujica Fujinon 50 mm f/1.4 35,137 cpm (rear element) non-EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring
Fujica Fujinon EBC 50 mm f/1.4 EBC early style = non-uniformly segmented focusing ring YouTube (unspecified EBC or not)
Fujica Funinon EBC 100 mm f/2.8 Arkku at mflenses.com YouTube
Fujica Fujinon EBC 400 mm f/4.5 Arkku at mflenses.com
Fujica Fujinon EBC 600 mm f/5.6 Arkku at mflenses.com
GAF Anscomatic 38 mm f/2.8 GAF Anscomatic 726 camera
Heinz Kilfitt 40 mm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar all variants
Heinz Kilfitt 90 mm f/2.8 Makro Kilar all variants
Kodak Ektar 101 mm f/4.5 Miniature Crown Graphic camera. lens mfg. 1946
Kodak Ektar 38 mm f/2.8 Kodak Instamatic 814 & 714 camera lens. mfg. 1968-1970
Kodak pocket Instamatic 500 25mm f/5.6 1.10 µSv/h (β+γ) 0.3 µSv/h (γ) (Terra-P MKS-05) Kodak pocket Instamatic 500 lens. mfg. 1972-1976
Kodak Ektanar 50 mm f/2.8 Kodak Signet 80 camera. lens mfg. 1958-1962 (3 examples)
Kodak Ektanar 90 mm f/4 Kodak Signet 80 camera. lens mfg. 1958-1962
Kodak Ektanar 44 mm f/2.8 Kodak Signet 30, Kodak Signet 50, Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35 cameras. lenses mfg. 1959-1969
Kodak Ektanon 50 mm f/3.9 Kodak Bantam RF camera. lens mfg. 1954-1957
Kodak Ektanon 46 mm f/3.5 Kodak Signet 40 camera. lens mfg. 1956-1959
Kodak Anastar 44 mm f/3.5 Kodak Pony IV camera
Kodak Color Printing Ektar 96 mm f/4.5 lens mfg. 1963
Kodak Aero-Ektars various models YouTube
Kodak Ektanon 4-inch Projection Lens f/3.5
Kodak Ektar 80 mm f/2.8 for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1948-1950
Kodak Ektar 135 mm f/3.5 for Hasselblad 1600F and 1000F, made 1949
Kodak Instamatic M24/26 Super 8 Camera YouTube
Konica Hexanon AR 50 mm f/1.4 smallest aperture 16; green AE marking
Konica Hexanon 21 mm f/4 7029xxx primarily thorium and thorium decay products YouTube
Konica Hexanon 57 mm f/1.2 YouTube
Kinoptik Paris S16 12.5 mm f/2.5 up to 150 cpm C mount. Likely neutron contamination from nuclear power plant install.
Leica Summicron 50 mm f/2 Summicron. YouTube
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50 mm f/2 M39
Mamiya/Sekor 55 mm f/1.4 5-10 µSv/h (direct touch), 1,720 cpm M42, chrome+black, flat rear element. Measured by specialists on April 25th, 2014, at Poissy, France.
Mamiya/Sekor 58 mm f/1.7 1.19 µSv/h M42 version. Lenslegend
Mamiya/Sekor SX 55 mm f/1.8 6.8 µSv/h YouTube
Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primotar 50 mm f/2.8 Seems to be only the rear element. Gamma spectroscopy confirms thorium: Flickr
Minolta MC W. Rokkor-SI 28mm f/2.5 early variants
Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58 mm f/1.2 early variants only; SN 2571225 and later should be non-radioactive
Minolta MC Rokkor 85 mm f/1.7 the earliest variant of the MC line Dominique Guebey Jungle Photographie
Mitakon (Zhongyi) Ver I Speedmaster 50 mm f/0.95 4 Lanthanum optic elements
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 early variant with thorium glass elements
Noritar 17 mm f/4 11720277 2.31 µSv/h (front) 1.14 µSv/h (rear) sold as Soligor, Ricoh, Miranda and others
Olympus Zuiko MC Macro 20 mm f/3.5 s58y Flickr
Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1 55 mm f/2 119xxx 12.8 µSv/h (rear element) first version with thorium glass elements
Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 1:1 50 mm f/4 only early first version "Silvernose" is radioactive; later silvernoses (s/n 409xxx) are

not YouTube

Olympus M-System G.Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 early modelYouTube
Olympus Zuiko Pen F 38 mm f/1.8 ~7.5 µSv/h (rear element)
26 µSv/h digicamclub.de
Olympus Zuiko Pen F 40 mm f/1.4 (rear element)
Porst Color Reflex MC Auto 55 mm f/1.2 37 µSv/h only a specific version? another copy reported as non-radioactive #000670 digicamclub.de
Porst Color Reflex MC Auto 55 mm f/1.2 000543 10 µSv/h f/22 version-Tomioka serial until 00xxxx. #000543 Instagram
Rikenon AUTO 55 mm f/1.4 22,937 cpm (rear element)
Rodenstock XR-Heligon 50 mm f/0.75 5 µSv/h (10 cm from front lens) Note: this lens was listed as non-radioactive. It might be that my sample was activated during usage in the X-Ray machine.
Rollei XF 35 Sonnar 40 mm f/2.3 ~1.0–1.20 µSv/h or ~180–210 cpm The front triplet seems to contain thoriated glass. The same should hold for the Voigtländer VF135 since they are essentially the same camera with the same lens but slightly different body and functional design.
Schneider Repro-Claron
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C (3962395) 50 mm f/2.8 ~140 cpm, 0.95 µSv/h Kodak Retina IIc front lens
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Curtagon C 28 mm f/4 ~200 cpm, 1.30 µSv/h (rear element)
Schneider Xenotar 80 mm f/2.8 2 µSv/h (front element surface), 0.4 µSv/h (at 10 cm), negligible (at 20 cm) Rolleiflex 2.8C 1954
Schneider Xenotar 135 mm f/3.5
Sigma 18 mm f/3.5 Σ-7205000204 2.95 uSV/h (front), 3.69 uSv/hr (rear) also sold as Spiratone
Sigma 18 mm f/3.2 τ-74010303 2.68 uSv/h (front), 5.25 uSV/hr (rear) also sold as Spiratone
SMC Pentax 50 mm f/1.4 1034094 original "K line" YouTube
SMC Takumar 20 mm f/4.5 s58y Flickr
SMC Takumar 35 mm f/2.0 Asahi Optical Co.
Super Takumar 35 mm f/2.0 Asahi Optical Co.
Super Multi Coated Takumar 50 mm f/1.4 Asahi Optical Co. both knurled and rubber focus ring grip versions YouTube
Super Takumar (7-element) 50 mm f/1.4 ~30 µSv/h (rear element) All 7-element variants contain Thorium – thoriated glass!, no 8-element variants contain thorium. Tested with both a personal counter as well as at a medical lab.
Super Takumar (8-element) 50 mm f/1.4 1377428 ~0.57 µSv/h (rear element), ~0.23 µSv/h (behind Spotmatic SP camera), ~0.14 µSv/h behind (Pentax K-1 camera) Some copies have tested (moderately) radioactive, others have tested not radioactive. Comparison between a hot/a cold one YouTube. See below for more information about the Super Takumar.
1398520 ~250–270 cpm, ~1.63–1.71 µSv/h min/max average measured over ~3h
1554826 YouTube
1557034 YouTube
Macro Takumar 50 mm f/4.0 790115 ~58 µSv/h (rear element) early 1:1 version. digicamclub.de
Asahi Super-Macro-Takumar 50 mm f/1.4 335xxxx tested positive, but the lowest of my positive results so far
SMC Macro Takumar 50 mm f/4.0 MFLenses YouTube
Super-Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 231xxx 1.83-1.88 µSv/h (rear element), 0.3 µSv/h (front element) Asahi Optical Co. After approx. SN 1.5 million YouTube
1717437 470 cpm, 4.35 µSv/h (rear element), background level (front element) measured with GM Counting System 975011-1
3199041 81.7cpm, 12.82 µSv/h (rear element) YouTube numbers according to the video (conversion cpm to µSv/h nonsensical)
Super-Takumar 55 mm f/2.0 3221829 ~800 cpm, 7.41 µSv/h Asahi Optical Co. - This lens is the same design as the f/1.8 but has a ring to limit max aperture. YouTube
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f/1.8 8-10 µSv/h (rear element) Asahi Opt. Co.
SMC Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 Asahi Optical Co. YouTube YouTube not all
SMC Takumar 55 mm f/2.0 Asahi Optical Co. not all
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 85 mm f/1.8 5888634 front element only, not measurable at the back
SMC Takumar 85 mm f/1.8 Asahi Optical Co. MFlenses
Super Takumar 6x7 105 mm f/2.4 691xxxx Asahi Optical Co. I tested 3 such lenses using the same Gamma-Scout Geiger counter. Gamma-Scout reads it (691xxxx) much higher than any of my other lenses. Slightly yellow.
? I tested 3 such lenses using the same Gamma-Scout Geiger counter. Two of them, with clear yellowing, tested radioactive. The third one (8259881) did not test radioactive & had no yellowing.
Tele-Takumar 300 mm f/6.3 2953276 ~0.38 µSv/h (front barrel), ~0.5 µSv/h (rear barrel), ~1.5 µSv/h (through the metal lens housing) Asahi Optical Co. Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
? JB Media (archive)
Soligor 35 mm f/2.8 17000xxx YouTube
Steinheil Auto-Quinon 55 mm f/1.9 KE mount
Tamron adaptmatic 24 mm f/3.5 4.37 µSv/hr (front), 0.071 µSv/h (rear)
Taylor Hobson Rank Sopelem 8-26 mm f/1.6 greater than 250 cpm, 1.5 mSv/h Danger C mt. Zoom.
Tokina 21 mm f/3.8 17100658 3.69 µSv/h (front), 0.44 µSv/h (rear) sold as Soligor, Vivitar and others
Topcon RE GN Topcor 50 mm f/1.4 YouTube
Topcon UV Topcor 50 mm f/2 0.283 μSv/h
Yashinon-DX 28 mm f/2.8 0.210 μSv/h Yashica
Yashinon-DS 50 mm f/1.4 0.680 μSv/h Yashica
Yashinon-DS 50 mm f/1.7 0.762 μSv/h Yashica
Yashinon-DX 50 mm f/1.4 1.359 μSv/h (Not all) Yashica
Yashinon-DX 50 mm f/1.8 Yashica. YouTube
Yashinon-DS-M 50 mm f/1.4 0.572 μSv/h Yashica
Yashinon-DS-M 50 mm f/1.7 0.798 μSv/h Yashica. YouTube Not all, earlier version serial 20034462, 0 measured radiation.
Yashinon-DS-M 55 mm f/1.2 1.056 μSv/h Yashica
Yashinon-ML 50 mm f/1.7 Yashica. YouTube Likely, only the older design with 'YASHICA LENS ML 50mm 1:1.7 YASHICA MADE IN JAPAN' writings is radioactive. This version is most probably a rebrand of DS-M 50mm f/1.7.
Yashinon 55 mm f/1.2 0.981 μSv/h Tomioka. Also branded as Cosinon, Chinon, Tominon, Tomioka or Revuenon.
Vivitar Auto Wide-Angle 35 mm f/1.9 28411420 4.6 μSv/h
Vivitar Series 1 28 mm f/1.9
Voigtlander Nokton Prominent 50 mm
Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar 150 mm 16 μSv/h Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972
Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar 210 mm 27 μSv/h Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972
Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar 30 mm 35 μSv/h Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972
Voigtlander Skoparex 35 mm f/3.4 DKL mount
Voigtlander Ultragon 115 mm f/5.5 1.5 μSv/h Voigtländer Large Format Lenses from 1949-1972
Voigtlander Zoomar 36-82 mm f/2.8 5033439 3.1 μSv/h
Wollensak Raptar 28-75 mm f/2.3 YouTube


Super Takumar

Some copies have tested (moderately) radioactive, others have tested not radioactive. Comparison between a hot/a cold one YouTube. There are several confirmed cases of both kinds, overall suggesting that the "hot" lenses are only weakly to moderately radioactive. In particular: mounting them on digital cameras (Sony Alpha 7RII, Pentax K-1) blocks most of the radiation or entirely, while old film cameras (Pentax Spotmatic SP) usually block a significant amount. The non-radioactive lenses have smaller serial numbers than the radioactive ones - the cut-off must be somewhere between s.n. 1338400 (not radioactive) and s.n. 1377428 (radioactive; ~0.57 µSv/h, rear element; ~0.23 µSv/h behind Spotmatic SP; ~0.14 µSv/h behind Pentax K-1).

Although some of the hot 8-element Super-Takumars that may have significantly higher levels of radiation compared to other radioactive ones (e.g. serial 1398520: ~250–270 CPM or ~163–1.71 µSv/h; min/max average measured over ~3h), the radiation is way below the readings of the 7-element version and the later 55/1.8s which are definitely radioactive (test of five 8-element examples (with serial numbers ranging from 106xxxx to 158xxxx) and six 7-element examples with a Gamma-Scout, which detects Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation.).

The versions slightly differ cosmetically, mainly in the fonts used for the focus & aperture numbers (the non-radioactive ones appear to have thinner characters and somewhat 'older looking' fonts). However, there are multiple revisions of the Super-Takumar lenses that cannot be clearly identified due to (presumably) re-use of parts of previous batches. A comprehensive overview of all (most) known different revisions can be found at: Takumar Field Guide. Another source describes an identification by the exact naming order on the name ring (German).

[I quite like Theoria Apophasis - cool guy. But: no good here, sorry. Please list only lenses that you have tested PERSONALLY with a Geiger counter. This is to keep the page reliable, free from conspiracies & myths that abound on the Internet]

Nikkor Lenses tested radioactive (Theoria Apophasis YouTube) and radioactivity measure: There are many comments at the video and different messurements, that could NOT verify any radioactivity! The geiger counter could have some miss calibration.

  • Nikkor AiS 15/3,5 : 187
  • Nikkor AF 16/2,8 D : 185
  • Nikkor AFS 17-35/2,8 ED : 214 (rear)
  • Nikkor AiS 20/2,8 : 194
  • Nikkor-O 2,1cm f/4 : 199
  • Nikkor AF 24-120/3,5-5,6 D : 214
  • Nikkor Ai 25-50/4 : 23 (this should not count as radioactive!)
  • Nikkor AF 28/1,4 D : 225 (front) 215 (rear) Nikkor Ai 28/2 : 211
  • Nikkor 28/2,8 (Nikon 28Ti) : 221 Nikkor AiS 28/2,8 : 178 Nikkor F 28/3,5 : 178 Nikkor PC 28/3,5 : 190 Nikkor F 35/2 : 229
  • Nikkor AiS 35/1,4 : 198 (front) 210 (rear)
  • Nikkor F 43-86/3,5 : 192 Nikkor F GN 45/2,8 : 178
  • Nikkor Ai 50/2 : 178
  • Nikkor AiS 50/1,8 : 178
  • Nikkor F 50/1,4 S : 178
  • Nikkor F 50/1,4 SC : 192 (front) 200 (rear)
  • Nikkor AF 50/1,4 : 191 (rear) 178 (front)
  • Nikkor F Micro 55/3,5 : 178
  • Nikkor Ai MIcro 55/3,5 : 191
  • Nikkor AiS Micro 55/2,8 : 178
  • Nikkor Ultra-Micro 55/2 : 212 (front) 204 (rear)
  • Nikkor AiS NOCT 58/1,2 : 211 (front) 183 (rear)
  • Nikkor AF Micro 60/2,8 : 199
  • Nikkor AF 85/1,8 : 178
  • Nikkor AiS 85/1,4 : 221
  • Nikkor AiS 105/1,8 : 211
  • Nikkor Ai 105/4 micro: 197


Lenses Tested non-Radioactive (by contributors to this page)[]

Vintage lenses that could have been radioactive, but turned out not to be. A bit of good news!

Non-radioactive lenses
Lens Focal length Aperture Serials Notes
Albinar ADG MC Macro Zoom 80-200mm f/3.9 83965938
Asahi SMC Pentax 85mm f/1.8 52285527
Asahi SMC Pentax-FA Limited 43mm f/1.9 0006247 Relatively early Made in Japan version with presumably original "leaded" glass design. Later batches should not be radioactive either.
Asahi SMC Pentax-K 135mm f/2.5 5379584
Asahi Pentax-M SMC Shift 28mm f/3.5 5144203
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 35mm f/2.8 6381843
Asahi SMC Pentax-K 50mm f/1.2 1451004
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 YouTube
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 2596025, 2650094
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/2 4286229 YouTube
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 85mm f/2.0 7708192
Asahi SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 6429171
Asahi Super Multi-Coated Takumar 28mm f/3.5 6138088
Asahi Super Multi-Coated Takumar 35mm f/3.5 7190055
Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 802344 Early version. Examples before approximately 1.5 million are not radioactive.
Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2 Early version. YouTube
Asahi SMC Takumar 55mm f/2.0 8049617, 8119078 Late version.
Asahi Auto Takumar 55mm f/2.2 641779
Asahi Auto Takumar 85mm f/1.8 412250 aperture ring at the front, spring-operated auto aperture
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm f/2.4 8259881 6x7 format
Asahi Super Takumar 105mm f/2.8 2353009
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135mm f/2.5 4968162 5 Element version
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 135mm f/2.5 6407586 6 Element version
Asahi Super Takumar 135mm f/3.5 3088850
Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 135mm f/3.5 4568738
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated MACRO-TAKUMAR 135mm 8468869 6x7 format
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 200mm f/4.0 7161552
Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 300mm f/4.0 6923607
Auto Revuetar 55mm f/2.8 64882
Canon FD S.C. 28mm f/2.8 233953 chrome mount ring
Canon FL 35mm f/2.5 78xxx
Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 YouTube
Canon FL 50mm f/1.4 168xxx
Canon 50mm f/1.8 256884 Leica Screw Mount, late model, chrome-and-black
Carl Zeiss Planar 80 mm f/2.8 1242942 Rolleiflex 2.8D, taking lens: rear element measured at 0.12-0.18 uSv/h. This is in the normal natural radioactive range > no radiactive material in the objective used.
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80m f/2.8 5783145 C-Version, black, for Hasselblad
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.8 555345 Made in West Germany. Rollei QBM
Fujinon EBC 50mm f/1.4 537963 Late version with diamond-texture and rubber focus ring. Warning: Other samples may be highly radioactive!
Helios 44-2 58mm f/2.0 7513556
Helios 44M 58mm f/2.0 8077187
Helios 44M-4 58mm f/2.0 8990138
Helios 44M-6 58mm f/2.0 92621308
Hoya HMC Wide-Auto 24mm f/2.8 211453 also RMC Tokina etc.
Industar 28mm f/2.8
Industar 52mm f/2.8 Industar 61, Leica screw mount, non-L/D (Л/Д) version
Kodak Anastar 51mm f/4.5 Pony 135, Pony 828, Pony 135 Model B
Konica Hexanon 135mm f/3.5 7322086
Mamiya Sekor 55mm f/4.5 74382, 74610 C330 TLR
Mamiya Sekor 65mm f/3.5 5790310 C330 TLR
Mamiya Sekor 80mm f/2.8 672606, 672341 C330 TLR, brown/yellowish coating
Mamiya Sekor Super 180mm f/4.5 84462, 85060 C330 TLR
Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.4
Mitakon Zhongyi II 'Speedmaster' 50mm f/0.95 001525
Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.4 1,15x,xxx Late version. YouTube
Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 8477438 Meyer Orestor Preset aperture non-MC version
Petri CC Auto 55mm f/1.8 691631
Ricoh Color Rikenon 40mm f/2.8 Rikoh 500GX. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured at my sample.
Ricoh Rikenon 400mm f/6.3 10443
Rodenstock Retina-Eurygon 35mm f/4 4203237 DKL mount
Rodenstock Heligon 50mm f/2 2052276 Kodak Retina II
Rodenstock Retina-Heligon 50mm f/1.9 4471524, 4752831 DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
Rodenstock XR-Heligon 50mm f/0.75 9723511 Another sample was measured to be radioactive (see above).
Rodenstock Retina-Rotelar 85mm f/4 4477941 DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
Rodenstock Retina-Rotelar 135mm f/4 4204704 DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
Rodenstock-Rotelar 135mm f/4 3712416 DKL mount. Could be slightly radioactive, but too low to be measured.
Rollei HFT-Planar 50mm f/1.8 1078508 Made by Rollei Singapore. Early/metal version.
Rollei SL-Angulon 35mm f/2.8 12 620 084 Schneider-Kreuznach
Rollei SL-Xenon 50mm f/1.8 11 870 983, 12 081 833, 12 186 091 Schneider-Kreuznach
MC Rubinar makro 500mm f/5.6 080007 Russian telephoto mirror lens
Sankyo Kohki Komura 85mm f/1.4 3563280 Tested non-radioactive despite minor yellowing of the glass
Schneider-Kreuznach Edixa-Curtagon 35mm f/2.8 8900488
Schneider-Kreuznach Edixa-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 8188922
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f/3.5 2216414 Kodak Retina Ia
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar C 50mm f/2.8 4832242 Kodak Retina Ib
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f/2.0 1982005 Kodak Retina II
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 9596917 DKL mount
Schneider Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C 50mm f/2.0 5347221 Kodak Retina IIIC. f/2.8 version is radioactive (see above).
Super Takumar 50 mm f/1.4 1338400 8-element. Many other serial numbers are radioactive.
Sears (Auto Sears) 55 mm f/1.4 253170 M42 mount. See also: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sears-55mm-f1-4.html Tested non-radioactive despite minor yellowing.
Super Takumar 6x7 105 mm f/2.4 8259881 Asahi Optical Co. I tested 3 such lenses using the same Geiger counter. Two of them, with clear yellowing, tested radioactive. The third one (8259881) did not.
Syoptic 50mm f/1.1 E-mount version
Tokina Wide-Auto 35mm f/2.8 708205 also applies to early Vivitar/Soligor auto wide: knurled metal focus ring
Topcon UV Topcor 53mm f/2 54281653 Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
Topcon UV Topcor 100mm f/4 9734009 Tested with Pudibei NR-750.
Vivitar Auto Tele-Zoom 85-205mm f/3.8 22115389
Vivitar Close Focusing Auto Zoom 75-205mm f/3.8 22616531 early Kiron made version, two-ring zoom
Yashinon-DS-M 50 mm f/1.7 20034462 Yashica. Some measured radioactive.
Yashinon-DX 50mm f/1.4 YouTube
Yashinon DX 45mm f/1.4 Fixed lens on the Yashica 1C, Lynx 14-E rangefinder camera.
Yashinon-DX 45mm f/1.7 Fixed lens on the Yashica Electro 35 GSN. Made in Hong Kong.
Zeiss Jena Flektogon Auto 35mm f/2.4 74736
Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f/2.8 5993475 leatherette version
Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f/2.8 9060041 Zebra version
Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8 9093379 Zebra version

Geiger Counters used and methodology[]

Modern, affordable dosimeters which provide quick, useful detection of dangerous conditions/levels, and approximation of cumulative radioactive exposure, such as the GQ GMC 300 or 500+ series, or products from Thermo-Fisher, Radex, Souk, and others are available new. Testing to differentiate alpha, beta and gamma, x rays and neutrons generally requires more expensive equipment, and/or calculation methods.


Links/Sources[]

Community content is available under GFDL unless otherwise noted.