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.

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.

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).

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. 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.

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).

 

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)

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).

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.