Asahi Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC
The Asahi Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC is a fast standard prime for the K-mount system, sitting at the top of Pentax's manual-focus normal-lens range. With its f/1.2 maximum aperture and Super-Multi-Coating, it was designed for available-light shooting and shallow depth-of-field work on 35mm SLR bodies. It remains one of the most sought-after fast fifties from the K-mount era, and continues to attract collector interest today.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 50mm f/1.2 SMC have ranged from £130 to £288 across the two recorded sales, giving a midpoint around £209 in 2026. The wider spread reflects how much condition drives value at saleroom level — clean, haze-free copies sell for a clear premium, while examples with optical or mechanical faults tend to sit at the lower end. Buyers should remember these are wholesale auction results rather than retail dealer prices, so what a tidy example is worth on a shop shelf will typically be higher.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | £130 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 311) Title: A SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 Lens
Description:
A SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 Lens, K mount, serial no 1430943, barrel G-VG, elements G-VG, with rear cap |
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| Jan 2025 | £288 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 423) Title: A Pentax SMC f/1.2 50mm Lens
Description:
black, serial number 1435832, barrel G, one aperture blade slightly out of alignment, aperture still works well, optics G with very light haze and |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Asahi Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC worth in the UK?
Recent UK auction hammer prices have ranged from £130 to £288, so most clean copies are worth somewhere in the £200 region depending on glass and mechanical condition.
How much does a Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC sell for at auction?
The two recorded UK saleroom results sit at £130 and £288, with the higher price reflecting a cleaner example and the lower price typical of a copy with cosmetic or optical issues.
Why is the price range so wide for this lens?
Fast f/1.2 primes are particularly sensitive to haze, fungus and oily aperture blades, so the gap between a faulty example and a clean one drives most of the variation in value.
Are these auction prices what a dealer would charge?
No — the figures above are UK auction hammer results, which exclude commission and sit below typical retail dealer asking prices for the same lens in comparable condition.