This was one of the two standard lenses Asahi offered on the Spotmatic, alongside the 50mm f/1.4. Asahi's brochure said the 55mm f/1.8 had been perfected over the years, and Asahi had sold a 55mm f/1.8 since the Auto-Takumar days, before this fully automatic Super-Takumar version. It's 6 elements in 5 groups, focuses to 0.45 m and takes 49mm filters. On a full-frame mirrorless body it's a slightly long normal lens. On APS-C it frames like an 83mm portrait lens, and on Micro Four Thirds like a 110mm. Camera-wiki lists some 55mm f/1.8 Takumars among lenses with thoriated glass, so a warm yellow cast in the photos isn't a surprise. On a plain adapter, set the Auto/Manual switch to M so the aperture ring actually stops the lens down.
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
The 55mm f/1.8 ran through every Takumar generation, from the Auto-Takumar to the Super-Multi-Coated and SMC Takumars, and Asahi's brochure gives the multi-coated one the same 6 elements in 5 groups and 49mm filter. Multi-coated listings show up here too, so read the front ring. Camera-wiki's list of thoriated lenses includes the Super-Takumar and Super-Multi-Coated 55mm f/1.8 without saying which production runs. The 55mm f/2 is a separate, slower sibling that came on the SP500 and SP1000.
Some copies have thoriated glass that has turned yellow-brown, which strong light or UV can fade. Beyond that it's the usual age faults: haze, fungus, oily blades and stiff or dry 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 a Super-Takumar from a US seller, like the $69 delivered one from a 100% seller, or pay $99 for one titled serviced and tested. There are at least 160 for sale and most ask $65–110 delivered, with Japan dealers setting the top of that band while US sellers ask about $60–90. Multi-coated copies share the page, so read the front ring, and some 55mm Takumars have thoriated glass, so a warm yellow cast in the photos isn't a surprise and strong light or UV can fade it. It needs an M42 adapter, with the Auto/Manual switch on M for a plain one or on A with a pin-pushing one, and the model page lists the adapters by camera. Ask for a flashlight photo through the back for haze and fungus, and skip the $187 Near Mint copy from Japan at about 2.2 times the median.
$18.26est. delivered
A no-bid auction at $18 delivered right now, titled with a case, cap and 49mm filter, from a 100% US seller. It will climb, and we'd stop around $60 delivered, where US Buy It Now copies start.
Vintage Pentax Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 M42 Lens w/ Case Cap & 49mm Filter
$69.23est. delivered
A Super-Takumar at $69 delivered from a 100% US seller, under the band, and the front of the glass looks clean in the photo. There's no condition claim, so ask for a shot of the blades at f/8 too.
Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8 MF Standard Lens for M42 From JAPAN
$109.99est. delivered
Titled tested, with the case and front cap, from a 99.6% Japan dealer whose photo says US duties are included. At $110 delivered it's the top of the band, but it arrives ready to adapt.
ASAHI Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 M42 Lens w/ Case Front Cap Tested From Japan
![[Serviced & Tested]Pentax Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 M42 Vintage Glow Sharp 986](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1s4AAeSwdQBpzRwL/s-l500.jpg)
$99.00delivered
Titled serviced and tested, at $99 delivered with free shipping from a 100% seller, inside the band. It's the only service claim on the page.
[Serviced & Tested]Pentax Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 M42 Vintage Glow Sharp 986
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$18.26est. delivered
$9.99 + $8.27 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 5d 1h
Good buy
No bids yet, so the price will climb. Titled with case, cap and filter.
Seller: goto_272
100% positive
Used$69.23est. delivered
$59.99 + $9.24 shipping
Buy It Now$59.99
Good buy
US seller. Front glass looks clean in the photo.
Seller: varietystore8288
100% positive
Used$109.99est. delivered
$89.99 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$89.99
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
Titled tested, with case and front cap.
Seller: hayama.camer.ajapan
99.6% positive
Serviced$99.00delivered
$99.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$99.00
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 and tested. Free shipping.
Seller: cross2069
100% positive
![[AS IS] ASAHI PENTAX SMC TAKUMAR 55mm f1.8 M42 Mount Standard Prime Lens #3617](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/J~EAAeSwCQBpIvXa/s-l500.jpg)
For parts$49.00delivered
$49.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$49.00
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
Sold as is, an SMC Takumar. US copies with no fault noted start near $60 delivered, so it's only worth it if the description names a small fault.
Seller: anatano_film_camera_service
98.3% positive
![[Exc +++++ ] Asahi PENTAX Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 M42 Mount MF Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HzoAAeSw-ABqXc1t/s-l500.jpg)
Used$85.99est. delivered
$50.99 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$50.99
Our take
Dealer grade Exc+++++, with both caps in the photo.
Seller: morning.glory007
100% positive
Used$65.00delivered
$65.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$65.00
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.
Check the seller
Same title as another seller's listing. Compare photos before buying.
Seller: technics1717
100% positive
![Pentax Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8 MF Standard Lens M42 [Near Mint] #3 from Japan](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/k40AAeSwQeNqKUKJ/s-l500.jpg)
Used$187.00est. delivered
$132.00 + $55.00 shipping
Buy It Now$132.00
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.
Priced high
Dealer grade Near Mint. About 2.2 times the median ask, $55 of it shipping from Japan.
Seller: azuleterno
100% positive
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