SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

According provided by SMC lens TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (Ref. 37108) Huge thanks to the store FOCUSFILM (subscribe to INSTAGRAM)... There are many iconic film cameras and lenses to be found there.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN. increase

In short

SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN - a good manual fifty dollars. There is a whole family of such lenses, in which there are approximately 5 main models. I already had an older version on my review - Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN... Personally, I am a great connoisseur and fan of the old Pentax optics (aka ASAHI OPT. CO.), After working with which there are always pleasant emotions.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

All major versions of similar lenses Asahi Opt. Co., Takumar / Pentax:

1.2/50

  1. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.2 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20947, 1975-1984)
  2. SMC PENTAX 1:1.2/50 ASAHI OPT. CO.,JAPAN'GOLD' (7/6, 1981)
  3. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.2 50mm (7/6, 20987, 1984-2004)
  4. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.2 50mm Special (7/6, 2000)

1.4 / 50 (video)

  1. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (8/6, 358, 1964-1966)
  2. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (7/6, 37800, 1965-1971, F/2 in number)
  3. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (7/6, 37801, 1965-1971, F/2 dot)
  4. Super takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (7/6, 37802, 1965-1971, comma after 'CO.')
  5. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37902, 1971-1972)
  6. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37908, 1972-1975)
  7. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20847, 1975-1977)
  8. SMC PENTAX-M 1: 1.4 50mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20867, 1977-1984)
  9. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20887, 1984-1989)
  10. SMC PENTAX-F 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20827, 1987-1991)
  11. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20817, 1991-2023)
  12. HD PENTAX-D FA * 1: 1.4 50mm SDMAW (15/9, 21260, 2018->)
  13. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm Classic (7/6, 2023->)
  14. HD PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 2023->)

1.8 / 55 (video)

  1. takumar 1:1.8 f=55mm Asahi OPT. CO., Japan (6/5, 1958, zebra)
  2. Auto-takumar 1:1.8 f=55mm Asahi OPT. CO., Japan (6/5, 1958-1960, zebra)
  3. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1960, with 'R')
  4. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1960-1962, no 'R', oblique lines of the depth of field)
  5. Auto-takumar 1:1.8/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1962, no 'R', straight lines of depth of field)
  6. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1962, fine ribs, f/1.8 left)
  7. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, before 1965, fine ribs, f/1.8 right)
  8. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37106, before 1971, large ribs)
  9. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37104, 1971-1972)
  10. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37108, 1972-1975)
  11. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 20747, 1975-1977)

2 / 55 (1.9 / 55)

  1. Auto-takumar 1:1.9 f=55mm Asahi Opt. Co.,Japan (6/5, 1958-1959)
  2. Auto-takumar 1: 2 f = 55mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/5, 1958-1959, zebra)
  3. Auto-takumar 1: 2 f = 55mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/5, 34100, 1958-1959)
  4. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, small fins, F/2 left)
  5. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co., Lens made in Japan (6/5, small ribs, F/2 on the right)
  6. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37103, 1962-1973, large ribs)
  7. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37107, additional aperture pins)
  8. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 2 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37109, 1973-1975)
  9. SMC PENTAX 1: 2 55mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 1976-1977)

1.7/50

  1. SMC PENTAX-M 1: 1.7 50mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 20877, 1977-1984)
  2. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20897, 1984-1989)
  3. SMC PENTAX-F 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20837, 1987-1991)
  4. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.7 50mm (6/5, 20907, 1991-2004)

2/50

  1. SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. (5/5, 20677, 1979-1985)
  2. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 2 50mm (5/5, 20697, 1985-1998)

2.2/55

  1. takumar 1:2.2/55 Asahi Opt. CO., Japan (6/5, 1961-1963)
  2. Auto-takumar 1:2.2/55 ASAHI OPT. CO., Lens made in Japan (6/5, 1961-1963)

2/58

  1. takumar 1:2 f=58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/4, 1957-1958)
  2. takumar 1: 2 f = 58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/4, 1957-1958, labeled 'R')

DA (APS-C: 1.4/55 DA* + 1.8/50 DA)

  1. SMC PENTAX-DA * 1: 1.4 55mm SDM (9/8, 21790, 2008->)
  2. SMC PENTAX-DA 1: 1.8 50mm (6/5, 22177, 2012->)

Asahi-Kogaku (M37x1, 3.5/50 + 2.4/58 -> M42)

  1. takumar 1: 3,5 f = 50mm Asahi-kogaku (4/3, 1952, M37×1)
  2. takumar 1: 3.5 f = 50mm Asahi-kogaku (4/3, 1952, , M37×1, pre-set)
  3. takumar 1: 2.4 f = 58mm Asahi-kogaku (5/3, 1954, M37×1, silver)
  4. takumar 1: 2.4 f = 58mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (5/3, 1957-1958, M42)

The lens names in this list correspond exactly to the lens name label on the lens barrel (except for the serial number and/or filter diameter).

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

Main technical characteristics of SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN:

Review Instance Name SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN 6841789
Basic properties
  • M42x1 / 45.5 - common landing thread 'M42'.
  • manual focus only.
  • aperture control ringas well as semi-automatic iris control using the ring aperture and pusher aperture cameras that have it
  • MAN/AUTO - aperture control mode switch
  • SMC (Sopera-Multi-Coated) - multi-layer optical coating
  • lens suitable for full-frame cameras
  • metal casecompact size
  • 37108 - lens version code (printed on the MAN./AUTO switch)
Front Filter Diameter 49 mm, metal thread for filters.
Focal length 55 mm
Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom).
Designed by for film cameras with a frame size of 24 x 36
Number of aperture blades 6 petals. At an intermediate value between F / 1.8 and F / 2.8, the diaphragm blades form an opening with small notches.
Tags focusing distance scale in meters and feet. DOF scale for F / 4, 8, 11 (not explicitly), 16. Label 'R' for infrared operation.
Diaphragm from f / 1.8 to f / 16. The lens has an aperture control ring. The ring has labels for F / 1.8, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. You can set one additional value between each pair of numbers. The aperture ring has a MAN./AUTO switch (auto iris only works on the respective cameras).
MDF 0.45 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 6.
The weight 200 grams (approx)
Optical design 6 elements in 5 groups.

Takumar 55 1.8 optical scheme

The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design. The same optical scheme is used more than early Takumar 55 / 1.8 lenses.
Lens hood Threaded, screwed into the front filter thread
Manufacturer country LENS MADE IN JAPAN (body inscription, lens made in Japan).
Period 1972-1975
Price About 50 USD for used option. Prices for modern Pentax lenses can be see here.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN is well built. The focusing ring has a rubberized insert and rotates approximately 270 degrees (3/4 of a full turn). The movement of the ring is very smooth, oily, pleasant. During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens unit.

The lens creates a valid image. The entire network is already full of information about a nice drawing of these lenses.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

Pictures in the gallery were obtained using Nikon D4 and adapter M42-Nikon F (without lens and chip, without the possibility of focusing to infinity). Photo without processing, converting the original RAW-files with the original utility Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6.

Download / view original photos in RAW format ('.NEF') can be at this link (12 files, Google Drive gallery).

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

 

Sample D40 Photos (DX, APS-C)

My examples on Nikon D40 (APS-C, Nikon DX, 6MP CCD) and adapter M42-Nikon F (without lens and chip, without the possibility of focusing to infinity). JPEG from camera, no processing.

Original photos in JPEG format ('.JPG') can be view / download this link (Google Drive, 20 photos)

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

How to use with modern cameras?

Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.

The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.

For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.

For SLR cameras

  1. Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
  2. NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
  3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
  4. SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
  5. OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.

For mirrorless cameras

  1. SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
  2. OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
  3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
  4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
  5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
  6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
  7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
  8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
  9. SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
  10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
  11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
  12. LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.

If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.

09.12.2021 | News Email | VK | FB | Google+ | Twitter | Youtube

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Comments: 33, on the topic: Brief review of SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN

  • Leonid N.
    09.12.2021 in 16: 52 Reply

    Was an adapter with a lens used when shooting?

    • Arkady Shapoval
      09.12.2021 in 17: 04 Reply

      No, the most common, no lens, no chip, and no focusing to infinity

      • Koba
        09.12.2021 in 22: 07 Reply

        Can you find out at what distance, approximately, it focuses without a lens? Second, does it only seem to me, or should I buy it immediately today? Everyone has heard of this simple, super-cheap and great lens, but these examples go too far. The same Ken Tattooed never tired of praising him! Third - thanks a lot for the review!

        • Arkady Shapoval
          10.12.2021 in 10: 13 Reply

          The farther chapel with a conventional lensless adapter on Nikon SLR cameras is about 1.5 meters.
          There are a lot of similar Takumars, usually versions from 1.4 are more interesting, but Nikon SLR cameras need something with infinity.

          • Koba
            11.12.2021 in 04: 46 Reply

            Thank you very much!

          • P
            11.12.2021 in 11: 06 Reply

            And I, on the contrary, did not like smts takumar 50 1,4 compared to 55 1,8, which is much more interesting in terms of the image and bokehe. And the price of 55k is 2 times less than that of yellowing 50 1,4

            • Arkady Shapoval
              11.12.2021 in 12: 01 Reply

              50 1.4 of the latest variations does not yellow

              • Rodion
                11.12.2021 in 12: 20

                Takumar exactly? Maybe he doesn't turn yellow because he hasn't accumulated F-centers yet? There is some kind of confusion with them, these fifty rubles. Pentax-M 50 / 1.4 is definitely already without thorium - there and on the image quality it is immediately visible))

  • Bogdan
    09.12.2021 in 17: 19 Reply

    Creations yakis sumni, you can do it before the photo session)

    • Arkady Shapoval
      02.09.2023 in 09: 34 Reply

      they just trade futures and are always thinking about hypercycles

  • Vlad
    11.12.2021 in 13: 32 Reply

    That's right, it is assembled perfectly and focuses super softly, you still need to look for those, but as far as the picture is concerned, this Takumar is somehow pale among the near-magicians of the same Pancolar 50mm and Pentacon 50mm that I personally like the picture is much more than this Japanese.

    • Rodion
      11.12.2021 in 19: 21 Reply

      Do you use it on a crop?

      • Vlad
        13.12.2021 in 10: 06 Reply

        a7

  • Old print
    17.12.2021 in 00: 38 Reply

    Incomprehensible old stuff. And a pointless article popularizing fossils.

    • neocortex
      02.01.2022 in 19: 43 Reply

      So send something worthwhile for the review. For example, the new Pentax 16-50 / 2.8 or something similar!

    • Arkady Shapoval
      02.09.2023 in 09: 33 Reply

      I can’t understand, maybe the lens has become worse to shoot after 50 years? Or have classic fifty dollars gone out of fashion? Or now they don’t produce manual fifty dollars? Or are mirrorless cameras lacking focus peaking? Or what is the meaninglessness, what is missing?

    • Alex
      22.01.2024 in 22: 56 Reply

      To start the process of understanding, some initial conditions are usually required... How lucky

    • Alex
      22.01.2024 in 23: 06 Reply

      Old typography, this was for you, if anything... :)

  • Alex
    22.01.2024 in 22: 59 Reply

    I discovered vintage optics; many of the old lenses don’t even come close to their modern counterparts.

  • Hleb
    26.09.2024 in 17: 32 Reply

    Good day!! Please tell me.. I understand (from various reviews) that this “SMC Takumar 55/1,8” on a full frame gives a smooth picture, unlike the “Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55/1,8” which twists the background, like Helios and others??? Although it seems like the circuits are the same for both..

    • Rodion
      26.09.2024 in 20: 39 Reply

      No, you misunderstand – it is the same lens. It blurs the background in a different manner, not like Helios-44 or 40.

  • Konrud
    16.02.2025 in 23: 55 Reply

    Compared to Helios 44M, is there a difference in resolution?

    • Rodion
      17.02.2025 in 00: 35 Reply

      Don't chase resolution - you won't feel it. Chase contrast and even distribution of sharpness - and Takumar is definitely better in this.

  • Konrud
    17.02.2025 in 09: 31 Reply

    Thank you! I have a purely technical shooting - I reshoot my old films in the classic way - I illuminate the film from below with a lamp and shoot with a Pentax mounted on a tripod. The lens is the same Helios through extension rings. Judging by the view through a magnifying glass, the pupils on the film are visible, but on the reshot tub they are almost always blurred.

    • Rodion
      17.02.2025 in 23: 16 Reply

      Well then you need to take a suitable lens for this, and not just any lens. Vega-11U with macro rings, for example. What you are doing is not about Helios or Takumar.

      • Konrud
        18.02.2025 in 13: 24 Reply

        Thank you, I'll try to find Vega! ))

        • Rodion
          18.02.2025 in 15: 46 Reply

          It's very easy and cheap. Shoot with it in a straight position from a distance of ~200-400 mm, it will be ok.

          • Konrud
            18.02.2025 in 23: 06 Reply

            Thank you very much for the consultation! I have already ordered it, they promise to send it in a couple of weeks.

            • Rodion
              19.02.2025 in 00: 45 Reply

              You're welcome, I myself reshot film using a Vega-11 and a crop camera, so I'm not just recommending it.

            • Rodion
              19.02.2025 in 00: 46 Reply

              There is also an Industar 30/5.6 lens from the Elka camera, which is also suitable for these purposes.

              • Konrud
                19.02.2025 in 17: 37

                Yes, thank you, I'll keep that in mind)

  • Alex
    17.03.2025 in 22: 36 Reply

    Tried 55/1.8 with Sony A7II, liked it)

  • Alex
    17.03.2025 in 22: 58 Reply

    Sony a7ii

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