Pentax · M42 screw mount · From 1971 into the mid-1970s
In 1971 Asahi gave its 50mm f/1.4 a new coat. Working with the American firm OCLI, it applied a coating of up to seven layers, when most multi-coating meant two, and launched the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar alongside the Spotmatic II. Asahi's pitch was more light through the lens, better contrast and richer color, with no ghosts or flare against the light. Around 1974 the name shortened to SMC Takumar and the metal focusing grip turned to rubber, with the glass unchanged. Inside it's 7 elements in 6 groups, focusing to 0.45 m with a 49mm filter. The lug on the back let the Spotmatic F and ES meter wide open, and it does nothing on an adapter. On a plain M42 adapter, set the Auto/Manual switch to M, if your copy has one, so the ring stops the lens down. Some copies carry thoriated glass that yellows with age, so expect a warm cast unless it's been bleached.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a M42 screw mount lens, and its mount sits 45.46 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Thoriated glass
Some or all of this lens’s production used glass with thorium oxide in it, which is mildly radioactive and turns yellow over the decades. The yellow cast shows in photos and fades under strong UV light. Our guide to thoriated lenses covers how to spot it and what sources say about handling it.
Versions
This page covers both multi-coated versions. The Super-Multi-Coated Takumar came first, in 1971, and was launched with the Spotmatic II. The SMC Takumar of around 1974 is the same optically, with a rubber focusing grip where the earlier one is metal. Both are the 7-element design from the later Super-Takumar with Asahi's multi-coating added, so the single-coated Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4, including the early 8-element version, has its own page. Camera-wiki lists the Super-Multi-Coated version among lenses with thoriated glass and says only a few SMC-badged Takumars got it, without naming this one.
Copies with thoriated glass turn yellow-brown with age, which strong light or UV can fade. If you also shoot film, the metering lug can catch on the mount screws of some older M42 bodies such as the Zenit-E. Otherwise it's haze, fungus, oily blades and dried focusing grease.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy an SMC Takumar graded EXC+++++ with caps and a filter, like the $88 delivered one from a 100% Japan dealer, or pay $107 for a US copy titled NM with caps and a filter. There are at least 65 for sale and most ask $100–160 delivered, mostly from Japan dealers, while US sellers ask about $80–120. Read the front ring and grip, since Super-Multi-Coated with a metal grip is the 1971 version and SMC with a rubber grip the later one, with the same glass inside. Ask for a flashlight photo for haze and fungus, expect a warm cast on copies with thoriated glass, which strong light or UV can fade, and skip the $71 copy titled with fungus. It needs an M42 adapter, with the Auto/Manual switch on M on a plain one, if your copy has a switch, or a pin-pushing one instead, and the model page lists the adapters by camera.
$79.98est. delivered
The lowest delivered copy here with no fault in the title, a Super-Multi-Coated version at $80 from a 100% US seller. The one photo is washed out, so ask for clear shots of the front ring and a flashlight through the glass.
Asahi Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar f/1.4 50mm Lens M42 (#21707)
![PENTAX SMC TAKUMAR 50mm F/1.4 MF Standard Prime Lens for M42 Mount [EXC+++++]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RtQAAOSwVkdnYQXX/s-l500.jpg)
$87.98est. delivered
Graded EXC+++++ by a 100% Japan dealer, with front and rear caps and a filter in the photo, at $88 delivered, under the band. Read the description for any faults the grade leaves out.
PENTAX SMC TAKUMAR 50mm F/1.4 MF Standard Prime Lens for M42 Mount [EXC+++++]
$106.70est. delivered
Titled NM with a filter and caps, all in the photo with a Honeywell Pentax cap, at $107 delivered from a 100% US seller, at the bottom of the band. It's the late rubber-grip SMC, so check the grip sits tight in the photos.
Asahi Pentax SMC TAKUMAR 50mm f1.4 LENS M42 MF 8 blade w/ Filter & Caps Japan NM
$141.10+ ship
Titled serviced, and the photo shows the shop's repair report next to the lens, graded EXCELLENT by a 100% Japan dealer at $141 before shipping, which the card doesn't state. Ask for the shipping cost before you offer.
EXCELLENT 【Serviced】 PENTAX SMC Takumar 50mm F/1.4 For M42 Prime Lens
$31.70est. delivered
Sold for parts or repair at $32 delivered from a 99.9% US seller, against about $80 for the cheapest working copy. It's a parts lens, or a repair to learn on.
SMC TAKUMAR 50MM F/1.4 SEVEN ELEMENT PENTAX LENS M42 MOUNT FOR PARTS OR REPAIR
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$79.98est. delivered
$69.99 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$69.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
One washed-out photo. Ask for clear shots.
Seller: tr-2012
100% positive
Used$87.98est. delivered
$71.99 + $15.99 shipping
Buy It Now$71.99
Good buy
Dealer grade EXC+++++. Caps and filter in the photo.
Seller: masahikkamij-0
100% positive
Used$106.70est. delivered
$95.00 + $11.70 shipping
Buy It Now$95.00
Good buy
Titled NM, with filter and caps. US seller.
Seller: madagascal
100% positive
Serviced$141.10+ shipping
$141.10 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$141.10
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled serviced, repair report in the photo. Shipping not stated.
Seller: yamadacamera
100% positive
For parts$31.70est. delivered
$19.00 + $12.70 shipping
Buy It Now$19.00
Project piece
For parts or repair. Late rubber-grip SMC in the photo.
Seller: thephotosource
99.9% positive
Used$71.16est. delivered
$63.17 + $7.99 shipping
Buy It Now$63.17
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled with fungus. Price it as a project.
Seller: erwag-9579
99.8% positive
Used$86.23est. delivered
$71.23 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$71.23
Check the seller
Seller name and feedback weren't on the card, so check them first. Graded Near Mint-.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
![[Near MINT] PENTAX Super Multi Coated TAKUMAR 50mm f/1.4 Lens for M42 From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TxwAAeSwAslqQa0g/s-l500.jpg)
Used$329.98est. delivered
$259.99 + $69.99 shipping
Buy It Now$259.99
Priced high
Super-Multi-Coated, with hood and filter in the photo. About 2.4 times the median ask.
Seller: pearl.japan
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 12, 2026.
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Pentax · M42 screw mount
1964–1971
Thoriated glass
$130–$300 typical ask
Pentax · M42 screw mount
Thoriated glass
$65–$110 typical ask
Pentax · M42 screw mount
What to check →
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