Pentax 55mm f/2 SMC Takumar Manual Focus Lens for M42 Screw Mount

Pentax 55mm f/2 SMC Takumar Lens (M42 Screw Mount)
The Pentax 55mm f/2 SMC Takumar is a legendary, vintage normal-length prime lens utilizing the universally adaptable M42 screw mount and a standard 49mm filter thread. Highly revered by film enthusiasts and modern mirrorless videographers, this lens is celebrated for its incredibly smooth mechanical engineering and iconic rendering capabilities. Featuring Pentax’s famous Super-Multi-Coated (SMC) treatment, it delivers a natural perspective that closely matches the human eye, making it a stellar option for portraiture, street photography, and cinematic video projects.

CONDITION NOTE (WELL USED / VALUE GEAR)
This vintage lens is explicitly graded in Well Used cosmetic and optical condition. It is fully mechanical, thoroughly tested, and priced low to offer an exceptional value for character-seeking videographers, student photographers, or vintage glass collectors.

Optical Condition: There is a heavy accumulation of internal dust particles settled between the vintage glass elements, typical for a lens of this age.

Real-World Imaging Impact: Mechanically, the lens works perfectly—the focus ring operates with that signature, silky Takumar dampening, and the manual aperture blades are snappy, dry, and free of oil. Light transmission remains excellent. In high-contrast environments or when shooting directly into bright backlighting, the internal dust will introduce a soft, low-contrast vintage glow and artistic, unpredictable lens flares. It is perfect for creators looking to capture an authentic, organic “analog” texture entirely in-camera.

Legendary Takumar Optics & Vintage Rendering
Versatile 55mm Standard Perspective: Provides a natural, distortion-free field of view on full-frame cameras. When adapted to modern APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors, it transforms into an exceptional short-telephoto portrait prime (82.5mm and 110mm equivalents, respectively).

Bright f/2 Maximum Aperture: Offers great low-light performance for ambient indoor shooting or night street photography, while producing a beautifully smooth, circular background blur (bokeh) that gracefully isolates your subject.

Super-Multi-Coated (SMC) Technology: Built with Pentax’s acclaimed multi-layer coating formula designed to maximize light transmission and enforce color fidelity—though the prominent internal dust will layer in a distinct, low-contrast vintage character under harsh light.

Auto/Manual Aperture Switch: Features a physical “Auto/Manual” switch on the lens base, making it incredibly easy to open the iris wide for bright focusing before stopping down to shoot.

Sublime All-Metal Mechanical Construction
The Takumar Mechanical Standard: Renowned for having some of the finest build quality in photographic history, this lens features an all-metal chassis and an incredibly smooth, fluid manual focus ring that modern focus pullers love.

Universal M42 Screw Mount Adaptability: Natively mounts to classic M42 SLR camera bodies (like the Pentax Spotmatic). Thanks to its simple mechanical design, it can be adapted easily and inexpensively to virtually any modern mirrorless camera system (Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L-Mount) via basic, uncoupled adapters.

Technical Specifications
Focal Length: 55mm

Maximum Aperture: f/2

Minimum Aperture: f/16

Lens Mount Type: M42 Screw Mount

Filter Thread Diameter: 49mm

Optical Coating: Super-Multi-Coated (SMC)

Focus Type: Full Manual Focus

Aperture Control: Manual Aperture Ring with Auto/Manual Switch

Chassis Build: All-Metal Construction (Heavy internal dust present)