Originally released in 1949 in East Germany, the M42 screw mount rose to true global popularity with the Praktica line of cameras. Later adopted and refined by Asahi Optical Company (Pentax), it became known as the Pentax Thread Mount or Universal Screw Mount.
Today, thanks to widespread adapter availability, M42 lenses can be easily mounted on most mirrorless systems.
Takumar lenses—Asahi’s house brand—remain some of the finest vintage lenses available, with stellar optics, unique rendering, and exceptional build quality.
Takumar Naming Conventions
Understanding the differences between naming versions can help you pick the best lenses for your needs:
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Auto-Takumar – Early pre-set lenses, mostly from the late 1950s to early ’60s. Unique character, typically less contrast.
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Super-Takumar – Introduced in the early 1960s. Improved coatings and optical performance.
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Super-Multi-Coated Takumar (S-M-C) – Late 1960s/early 1970s. Added multi-coating for reduced flare and improved color.
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SMC Takumar – Final generation before K-mount switch. Same optics as S-M-C, but often slightly improved coatings and handling.
If price is equal, prioritize newer lenses: SMC > S-M-C > Super Takumar > Auto-Takumar – but note that some “Super” versions still perform incredibly well. Radioactive glass in some 50/55mm lenses may have slight yellowing (can be reversed with UV light).
These are some of the best Pentax (and third party) M42 lenses out there. All prices in US Dollars.
Wide Angle Primes
| Lens | Summary | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Super-Takumar 24mm F3.5 | Solid performer with great color rendering and contrast. Some softness wide open, but sharp by F5.6. | 75 |
| Super-Takumar / SMC Takumar 28mm F3.5 | Surprisingly sharp, punchy color and microcontrast. Great for street and landscape. | 100 |
| Fuji Fujinon EBC 28mm F3.5 | Very sharp, with contrasty EBC coatings. Smaller and lighter than the Takumar 28/3.5. Rendering is arguably more “modern.” Worthy alternative to the Takumar 28/3.5. | 75 |
| Super-Takumar 35mm F2 | Two versions: early 67mm filter thread, and later 49mm. Slight glow wide open, very fast and cinematic. Cult favorite! | 250 |
| Auto-Takumar 35mm F2.3 | Quirky bokeh and glow. Not technically perfect—but revered as an artistic, character-heavy lens. | 450 |
| Super-Takumar 35mm F3.5 | Compact, extremely sharp, and inexpensive. Ideal for landscape and travel. One of the best value M42 wide angles. | 60 |
Winner: Super-Takumar 35mm F3.5 (Value King), Runner-up: Super-Takumar 35mm F2 (for character)
Normal Primes
| Lens | Summary | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Super-Takumar / SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4 | Solid performer with great color rendering and contrast. Some softness wide open, but sharp by F5.6. | 90 |
| Fuji Fujinon 50mm F1.4 EBC | Very smooth bokeh and excellent sharpness by F2.8. Often compared favorably with the Takumar 50mm F1.4. EBC coatings really help with flare resistance. True rival to Takumar 50/1.4! | 100 |
| SMC Takumar 50mm F4 Macro | Surprisingly sharp, punchy color and microcontrast. Great for street and landscape. | 120 |
| Super-Takumar / SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 | Two versions: early 67mm filter thread, and later 49mm. Slight glow wide open, very fast and cinematic. | 50 |
| Fuji EBC Fujinon 55mm F1.8 | Very sharp, smooth transitions, EBC coatings again shine. Less known than the Takumar 55/1.8, but just as good optically. | 80 |
| Mamiya Auto Sekor 55mm F1.8 | These fly under the radar but are well built and deliver a punchy, slightly warm image with good sharpness and bokeh. Often bundled with old cameras. Incredible value pick. | 30 |
| Auto-Takumar 55mm F2 / Super-Takumar 55mm F2 | Quirky bokeh and glow. Not technically perfect—but revered as an artistic, character-heavy lens. | 40 |
| Fujinon 55mm F3.5 Macro | Better edge-to-edge sharpness than some Takumar macros, especially stopped down. Less glow, more clinical. Optical excellence! Hard to find. | 160 |
Winner: Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4, Runner-up: SMC 55mm F1.8 (radioactive but beautiful rendering)
What didn’t make the cut:
- Yashica Yashinon-DS Series (50mm F1.4 → F2). Decent image quality, but these lenses vary a lot by sample and aren’t optically as refined as the Takumars. The 50mm F1.4 version has a cult following, but can be soft wide open.
- Ricoh Auto Rikenon / Chinon / Mamiya-Sekor / Porst / Revuenon 55mm F1.4. Most of these share the same Tomioka optical design, which is very good. Sharp, fast, and with lovely rendering. But sample variation is high. Often branded differently for export. Recommended only if you verify it’s a Tomioka-made version (Most Ricoh, Revuenon, and Auto Sears are).
Telephoto Primes
| Lens | Summary | Price |
|---|---|---|
| S-M-C Takumar 85mm F1.8 / Auto-Takumar 85mm F1.8 | Beautiful portrait lens with dreamy background blur. Sharpness and rendering rival modern lenses. | 300 |
| Super-Takumar 85mm F1.9 | Slightly less sharp than the 85mm F1.8 but still very usable. Lower price makes it attractive. | 200 |
| Fuji EBC Fujinon-T 100mm F2.8 | Sharp, contrasty, and compact. More modern rendering than the Takumar 105mm F2.8. A hidden gem! | 200 |
| SMC / Super-Takumar 100mm F4 Macro | Precision macro lens with wonderful clarity. Slower aperture but very sharp. | 100 |
| SMC Takumar 105mm F2.8 | A bit underrated. Compact and optically solid. Some versions have unique color rendering. | 90 |
| SMC Takumar 120mm F2.8 | Rare and expensive. Great bokeh, decent sharpness. Less value compared to 135mm. | 160 |
| SMC Takumar 135mm F2.5 (v2, 6-element) | Highly sought-after. Sharp with creamy bokeh. Look for version 2 (code 43812, serial 6xxxxx+). Avoid v1 unless on a budget. | 150 |
| Super-Takumar 135mm F3.5 | Great for tight budgets. Excellent performance with a lens hood. Lightweight and compact. | 50 |
| Isco Göttingen Tele-Westanar 135mm F3.5 | Not sharp wide open, but very pleasant rendering when stopped down. Minimalist design. Long MFD makes it creative with macro tubes. | 50 |
| Super-Takumar 200mm F3.5 | Well-corrected long telephoto. Great value. Look for the F3.5 version over F4 or F5.6 unless you’re after lighter weight. | 60 |
Winner: SMC Takumar 135mm F2.5 (v2), Runner-up: S-M-C 85mm F1.8
What didn’t make the cut: Steinheil-München Auto-D-Tele-Quinar 135mm F2.8. Very characterful bokeh, moderate sharpness. German build quality, but some flare issues. Interesting but niche (only if you’re after truly “vintage” rendering). Optically uncompetitive.
🏆 Final Thoughts
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Best All-Around Value: Super-Takumar 35mm F3.5, 55mm F1.8
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Best Performer Overall: SMC Takumar 50mm F1.4 (8-element) or SMC 135mm F2.5 (v2)
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Best Portrait Lens: S-M-C Takumar 85mm F1.8
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Most Unique Character: Auto-Takumar 35mm F2.3
For serious shooters, stick to S-M-C or SMC Takumars for the best coatings and lowest flare.
But don’t overlook older Super Takumars—they often offer nearly the same optics for less money and with a bit more “vintage” character.
Also: see our Best Value Soviet Lens page for even more great options in the M42 screw mount.
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