【Top Mint】PENTAX SMC TAKUMAR 55mm f/1.8 for M42 Prime Lens from Japan #E0183

About This Item

Carefully inspected used manual focus lens from Japan.
We specialize in pre-owned cameras and lenses and inspect each item carefully before listing and before shipment.

Appearance

This is a used manual focus lens. It shows light signs of normal use such as minor scratches, scuffs, or small paint wear.Overall, it remains in very good cosmetic condition for a pre-owned item.
Please carefully check the photos for the exact condition of the item.

Condition

The lens has been tested and confirmed to work properly.

• Focus ring works smoothly
• Aperture ring clicks properly
• Aperture blades move smoothly

Please note that this is a used manual focus lens, so minor signs of age or use may be present.
Normal mechanical feel is expected for a pre-owned vintage lens.

Optical System

• No fungus
• No haze or fog
• No scratches
• No balsam separation

The optics are clear and suitable for normal shooting.

Included Items

Lens 
Pentax front lens cap

Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8 M42 Mount MF Prime Lens From Japan #E0183

Detailed Specifications

Brand: PENTAX / Asahi Optical
Model: SMC TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8
Lens Type: Standard Prime Lens
Lens Mount: M42 Screw Mount
Format: 35mm Full Frame
Focal Length: 55mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Optical Construction: 6 Elements in 5 Groups
Diaphragm Blades: 6
Focus Type: Manual Focus
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45m / 1.48 ft
Maximum Magnification: 0.17x
Filter Size: 49mm
Aperture Ring: Yes
Coating: SMC (Super Multi Coating)
Dimensions: Approx. 59 x 38mm
Weight: Approx. 201g / 7.1 oz
Production Period: 1972-1975
Product Code: 37108
Country of Origin: Japan

The SMC Takumar version features a rubberized focusing ring and supports open-aperture metering with compatible Pentax Spotmatic F, ES and ESII cameras.

Camera Store Comment

The SMC TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 is one of the most attractive classic standard lenses from the Asahi Pentax M42 era and remains an excellent choice for photographers who enjoy the distinctive character and hands-on experience of vintage manual-focus photography.

Its 55mm focal length provides a natural perspective that works beautifully for everyday photography, portraits, street scenes, travel, still life, food, flowers and many other subjects. On a 35mm full-frame camera, it offers a slightly tighter field of view than a traditional 50mm standard lens, making it particularly appealing for subject-focused compositions and casual portraits.

One of the major advantages of this lens is its bright f/1.8 maximum aperture. The large aperture provides excellent creative flexibility, allowing photographers to isolate subjects from their surroundings and create attractive background blur. It is also useful for available-light photography indoors and during evening hours.

The optical design consists of 6 elements in 5 groups, combined with PENTAX's famous SMC multi-coating. The lens features a six-blade diaphragm, a minimum focusing distance of 45cm and a maximum reproduction ratio of approximately 0.17x.

Another major attraction of the SMC TAKUMAR series is the classic manual focusing experience. The compact construction, traditional aperture ring and smooth mechanical focusing operation make this lens especially enjoyable for photographers who prefer a more deliberate approach to photography.

Despite its solid classic construction, the lens is remarkably compact and lightweight. It measures approximately 59 x 38mm and weighs only about 201g, making it easy to carry as an everyday standard prime lens. The common 49mm filter size is another practical advantage.

The SMC TAKUMAR represents the final generation of the classic M42 Takumar 55mm F1.8 family. This version was produced approximately from 1972 to 1975 and features the later SMC coating and a rubberized focusing ring. It also supports open-aperture metering when used with compatible Spotmatic F, ES and ESII cameras.

The M42 screw mount also makes this lens particularly interesting today. With an appropriate adapter, it can be used as a manual-focus lens on many modern mirrorless camera systems. Actual compatibility and available functions depend on the camera body and adapter being used.

The SMC TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 is especially recommended for photographers interested in:

• Vintage lens photography
• Portrait photography
• Street and everyday photography
• Travel photography
• Low-light and available-light shooting
• Classic film cameras
• Manual focusing
• M42 lens collections
• Adapting vintage lenses to modern mirrorless cameras

Overall, the SMC TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 combines a bright aperture, compact size, classic mechanical operation and historically important PENTAX design in a highly versatile standard prime lens. It is an excellent choice both for photographers who want to experience classic M42 photography and for collectors looking to add one of the best-known Takumar standard lenses to their collection.

Everything shown in the photos is included in the package.

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Our items are carefully inspected and described as accurately as possible for international buyers.