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M42 / Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (7-element)
SHUTTERFILE REFERENCE DATASHEET · M42 · SF-M42-002
Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (7-element)
The standard-setter: the 7-element redesign with a thoriated rear group. Sharper wide open than the 8-element it replaced, and the reason so many M42 kits built around a 50/1.4.
50mmFOCAL LENGTH
f/1.4MAX APERTURE
7e / 6gOPTICS
49mmFILTER
BRANDAsahi Pentax
MOUNTM42
PRODUCTIONc. 1965-1971
MIN FOCUS0.45 m
Lineage: Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (8-element) → Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (7-element) → Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4
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.
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Adapters for this mount
M42 adapters for modern mirrorless bodies
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