Pentax 50mm f/1.4 Super-Takumar Manual Focus Lens for M42 Screw Mount

The Pentax 50mm f/1.4 Super-Takumar Manual Focus Lens for M42 Screw Mount is a legendary, fast standard prime lens produced by Asahi Optical Co. starting in 1964 for M42 screw-mount 35mm film SLR cameras. Celebrated for its smooth, creamy bokeh and timeless optical character, it remains a favorite among both film purists and digital mirrorless photographers using M42 adapters.

Optically, the lens offers a 50mm focal length with an ultra-bright maximum aperture of f/1.4, delivering exceptional light-gathering capability for low-light environments along with a razor-thin depth of field for beautifully stylized background blur. Depending on the specific production version, the lens uses either an 8-element, 6-group design (the earliest, less common variant, with a 6-blade diaphragm) or a later, simplified 7-element, 6-group design.

As a fully manual lens, both focus and aperture are controlled directly on the lens barrel, with a clicked aperture ring and an automatic diaphragm mechanism coupled to the camera body. The manual focus ring rotates smoothly through its entire range with appropriate resistance, and the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m (approximately 1.5 ft.).

Build quality is all-metal construction typical of Pentax’s respected Takumar lens line, weighing approximately 230-250g depending on the specific version, and measuring approximately 61-62 x 39-41mm. The lens accepts a 48-49mm filter thread, depending on production variant.

As an M42-mount lens, the Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is compatible with Pentax and other M42 screw-mount 35mm film SLR cameras, and can also be adapted to modern mirrorless and DSLR cameras using a widely available, inexpensive M42-mount adapter for manual-focus use.

Key Features
– 50mm f/1.4 standard prime lens for M42 screw mount
– 8-element/6-group or 7-element/6-group optical construction (version-dependent)
– Fully manual focus and aperture control
– Clicked aperture ring with automatic diaphragm
– Minimum focusing distance of 0.45m
– 48-49mm filter thread (version-dependent)
– All-metal construction (approximately 230-250g)
– No image stabilization
– Compatible with M42 screw-mount 35mm film SLR cameras
– Adaptable to modern mirrorless/DSLR cameras via M42-mount adapter