Pentax 55mm f/1.8 Super-Takumar Manual Focus Lens for M42 Screw Mount Review

The Pentax 55mm f/1.8 Super-Takumar is a classic manual focus lens from the M42 screw mount era, now available in used condition through the secondary market. Originally produced in the 1960s and 1970s, this lens has earned a reputation as one of the better standard primes of its time, offering a fast f/1.8 aperture and the M42 universal mount that adapts to a wide range of modern mirrorless cameras.

At a $36 price point for bargain-grade copies, it represents an affordable entry into vintage glass for photographers seeking a characterful rendering or a budget way to explore manual focus shooting. The 49mm filter thread is standard for the era. Keep in mind this is a used, legacy product with no modern coatings or autofocus, and condition can vary significantly depending on the copy. Adapters are required for use on contemporary camera systems, and some copies may exhibit yellowing from radioactive thorium in early glass formulations.