Short Review SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO.

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In short

SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. - a classic manual fifty kopeck piece from a bygone era. The first PENTAX in the 50/2 class. Later it was updated to version SMC PENTAX-A 1:2 50mm, after which the Pentax 50/2 lens series was no longer developed and was displaced by other similar fifty dollars of the 50/1.7 class.

Nowadays SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. First of all, it is interesting for its very compact size and availability in the secondary market. This is a good middling among other similar inexpensive fifty dollars of the past era. At F / 2 resolution is good.

In fact, SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. is the most 'simple' lens among all the other Takumar/Pentax fifty dollars. He has the weakest aperture, few aperture blades, a rather primitive 5/5 optical design, and it is made in Taiwan.

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-A 1: 1.2 50mm + black / silver 'SPECIAL' (7/6, 20987, 1984-2004)

1.4/50

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)
3. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37902, 1971-1972)
4. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 37908, 1972-1975)
5. SMC PENTAX 1: 1.4 / 50 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20847, 1975-1977)
6. SMC PENTAX-M 1: 1.4 50mm ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (7/6, 20867, 1977-1984)
7. SMC PENTAX-A 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20887, 1984-1989)
8. SMC PENTAX-F 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20827, 1987-1991)
9. SMC PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 20817, 1991-2023)
10. HD PENTAX-D FA * 1: 1.4 50mm SDM AW (15/9, 21260, 2018->)
11. SMC PENTAX-FA 1:1.4 50mm Classic (7/6, 2023->)
12. HD PENTAX-FA 1: 1.4 50mm (7/6, 2023->)

1.4/55

1. SMC PENTAX-DA * 1:1.4 55mm SDM (-, 9/8, 21790, 2008->)

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)

1.8/50

1. SMC PENTAX-DA 1: 1.8 50mm (6/5, 22177, 2012->)

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)

1.8/55

1. Auto-takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO. Lens made in japan (6/5, 1958-1962)
2. Super takumar 1: 1.8 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37106, 1965-1971)
3. Super-Multi Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37104, 1971-1972)
4. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37108, 1972-1975)

2/55

1. Auto-takumar 1: 2 f = 55mm Asahi Opt. Co., Japan (6/5, 34100, 1958-1959)
2. Super takumar 1: 2 / 55 Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in japan (6/5, 37103, 1962-1973)
3. SMC TAKUMAR 1: 2 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN (6/5, 37109, 1973-1975)

black-silver 2/58, 2.4/58, 1.9/55, 2.2/55:

1. takumar 1: 2 f = 58mm (6/4, 1957-1958, M42)
2. takumar 1: 2.4 f = 58mm (5/3, 1957-1958, M42)
3. Auto-takumar 1: 1.9 f = 55mm (6/5, 1958-1959, M42)
4. Auto-takumar 1:2.2/55 (6/5, 1961-1963, M42)

The names of the lenses in this list correspond exactly to the inscription with the lens name near the front lens (except for the serial number).

Main technical characteristics of SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO.:

Review Instance Name	SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO.
Basic properties	Pentax K - K mount manual focus only aperture control ring M - compact lens for compact cameras, like Pentax MX. Without full automatic iris control. SMC (Sopera-Multi-Coated) - multi-layer optical coating lens suitable for full-frame cameras compact sizes 20677 - lens revision code
Front Filter Diameter	49 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length	50 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. Petals dark matte At f / 2.8, the aperture blades form a hole with small notches
Tags	focusing distance scale in meters and feet. In meters there are values ​​for: 15, 5, 3, 2, 1.6, 1.2, 1, 0.85,0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.45 meters and an infinity mark depth of field scale for F / 4, 5.6 (not explicitly), 8, 11 (not explicitly), 16, 22 red line-label for working in the infrared spectrum white dot mark mount red dot
Diaphragm	from f / 2 to f / 22. The lens has an aperture control ring. There are marks on the ring for F/2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. One additional value can be set between each pair of numbers (except F/2->F2.8, F/11->F /16 and F/16->F/22).
MDF	0.45 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:6.7
The weight	140 grams (measured)
Optical design	5 elements in 5 groups The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design.
Lens hood	Threaded, screwed into the front filter thread
Manufacturer country	MADE IN TAIWAN (inscription on the body, the lens is made in Taiwan)
Period	1979-1985. Later replaced by SMC PENTAX-A 1:2 50mm (1985-1998).
Price	About $ 50 for used option. Current prices can be look at EBAY. Prices for modern Pentax lenses can be viewed at E-Catalog.

The remaining series of similar Takumar / Pentax lenses use more advanced optical designs with a 6/5 and 7/6 layout. The 5/5 scheme is the most primitive and rarely used by big-name brands.

Assembling, focusing

SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. well assembled. Separately, it is worth noting the small size and diameter of the light filter by 49 mm.

Interestingly: The inscription 'MADE IN TAIWAN' ('Made in Taiwan') is hidden on the retractable rim of the lens barrel (on the trunk). It cannot be seen until you focus on the MDF, but it is still partially obscured by the protruding lens barrel. The rest of these lenses were made exclusively in Japan. Usually next to 'ASAHI OPTICAL CO.' the word 'JAPAN' always appears. In the case of SMC PENTAX-M 1:2 50mm ASAHI OPTICAL CO. one gets the feeling that the manufacturer was ashamed of the inscription 'MADE IN TAIWAN' and added it in the most inconspicuous place.

The focus ring has an anti-slip insert made of very rough material, rotates approximately 225 degrees (5/8 of a full turn). The course of the ring is very smooth, oily, pleasant. During focusing, the front retractable part of the body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.

The lens uses a Pentax K mount and can be mounted on any modern Pentax digital SLR camera with a K mount.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

The pictures in the gallery were taken with a camera Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II (Full Frame, 17 MP) and adapter Pentax K -> Canon EF. Photos in JPEG format from the camera without processing. A CPC PHASE 2 49mm SKY light filter was used everywhere.

RAW '.CR2' original photos can be download / watch this link (15 photos).

Sample photos (APS-C)

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Photos on a cropped camera were prepared by a photographer Natalia (Instagram). Camera used Sony NEX-6 (16 MP Sony Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor) and adapter FOTGA PENTAX K -> SONY E/NEX. All photos are in JPEG format, straight from the camera.

Original JPEG '.JPG' photos can be download / watch this link (15 photos).

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram.