Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:1.4/50 Camera lens

Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 M42 — Legendary "Zeiss Killer" (Pentax / Asahi Optical Co.)


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About this Lens:
The Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is one of the most legendary fast standard prime lenses ever produced in Japan, introduced by Asahi Optical Co. (Pentax) in 1971 with the brand-new Super-Multi-Coating (SMC) technology — a seven-layer anti-reflective coating that was, at the time, a world-leading achievement in flare and ghost suppression. It is the successor to the earlier Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and the direct ancestor of the SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 of 1972.

This is a 7-element / 6-group double-Gauss design. To achieve its remarkable optical performance at f/1.4, Asahi's engineers incorporated rare-earth glass with an extremely high refractive index and very low dispersion — an early form of low-dispersion optical glass that was state-of-the-art for its time. Over the decades, this rare-earth glass element develops a characteristic warm amber tint. Many photographers and collectors actually prize this tint as a built-in warm filter that adds a beautifully cinematic, vintage quality to color images and rich tonality to black-and-white work. The tint can also be gradually reversed by exposing the lens to UV light over time, if a neutral colour balance is preferred.

Among vintage lens enthusiasts, the f/1.4 Takumar is sometimes nicknamed the "Zeiss Killer" for its excellent rendering and signature character — sharp on-axis even wide open, with smooth, painterly bokeh and gentle micro-contrast at large apertures.

Mount: M42 screw mount (Pentax / Praktica universal thread). Widely adaptable to virtually every modern mirrorless camera system (Sony E, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Leica L, etc.) via inexpensive M42 adapters, and also usable on any K-mount Pentax SLR via the Pentax M42-to-K adapter.


Condition: USED — Excellent +5
Pre-owned with minimal signs of use. Very beautiful cosmetic and optical condition overall. The lens shows the characteristic warm amber tint typical of vintage rare-earth glass elements (see above for explanation).


Serial Number
Please check the photo. (S/N 5048648)


Appearance
Tiny scuffs from normal use; overall beautiful.
Please check the photos for details.


Optical Condition
Haze: No
Fungus: No
Scratch: No
Balsam separation: No
Dust: Tiny dust only
Tint: The lens shows a characteristic warm amber tint from the vintage rare-earth glass element. This is a normal feature of this lens design, not damage.


Functional
The helicoid (focus ring) operates smoothly.
The aperture blades are clean and snap properly at all stops.
The Auto/Manual aperture switch on the side functions correctly.


Bundled Items
- Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens
Only the items shown in the photos are included. Lens caps and other accessories are not included.


Important Notes for Used Items
As this is a used item, subtle imperfections may exist that are not individually described.


Shipping
We ship via Japan Post (ePacket Light). Your package will be handed over to the local postal carrier in your country for final delivery. For high-value items, we may use FedEx or DHL.
We only ship to registered addresses.
We ship within 3 business days after payment.


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Please check with your country's customs office before bidding.
We do not under-declare item values or mark items as "gifts."


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