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M42 / Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 85mm f/1.8
SHUTTERFILE REFERENCE DATASHEET · M42 · SF-M42-007
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 85mm f/1.8
The portrait jewel of the line and one of the most valuable screw-mount Takumars. Short production, low volume, and a rendering reputation that has never cooled.
85mmFOCAL LENGTH
f/1.8MAX APERTURE
6e / 5gOPTICS
58mmFILTER
BRANDAsahi Pentax
MOUNTM42
PRODUCTIONc. 1971-1975
MIN FOCUS0.85 m
THORIATED GLASS
This design uses thoriated glass: mildly radioactive rare-earth elements that yellow with age. It is a shelf-safe curiosity, not a hazard in use, and a week of indirect UV light largely clears the cast. Expect warm color out of the box and price accordingly.
This design uses thoriated glass: mildly radioactive rare-earth elements that yellow with age. It is a shelf-safe curiosity, not a hazard in use, and a week of indirect UV light largely clears the cast. Expect warm color out of the box and price accordingly.
Before you buy
- Aperture blades: dry and snappy. Oil on the blades is the mount's most common disease and a real repair cost.
- Look through the glass at a light: haze, fungus threads, and balsam separation all announce themselves. Cleaning marks on front coatings matter less than sellers fear.
- Focus ring: smooth, even resistance end to end. Grit or a loose helicoid means a reluble at minimum.
- Thoriated designs yellow with age. A week of indirect UV largely reverses it; factor the cast into what you pay.
- Auto/Manual switch and pin function: the stop-down pin should move freely and the switch should actually stop down.
Find one for sale
This lens on eBay
Listings for sale, all conditions
Buy this lens on eBayListings for sale, all conditions
Adapters for this mount
M42 adapters for modern mirrorless bodies
Shop adapters on eBayM42 adapters for modern mirrorless bodies