Asahi Pentax 50mm f/1.4
The Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is a fast standard prime lens in the M42 screw mount, produced for Pentax Spotmatic-era 35mm SLRs. Designed as a general-purpose normal lens, it pairs a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture with the well-regarded Takumar optical pedigree of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
At UK auction in recent years, hammer prices for the Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 have been modest, with a recorded 2024 saleroom result of £60 — a wholesale level achieved before buyer's and seller's commission. With only one verified sale in the dataset, the lens is worth roughly that figure today for a clean user-grade copy, and it typically sells for a similar price in the auction market, though pristine examples and the early radioactive thoriated-glass version (sometimes nicknamed the "Atomic Takumar") can command a premium when condition and provenance are documented.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D FA* SDM AW | — | — | 0 | — |
| FA | — | — | 0 | — |
| SMC | — | — | 0 | — |
| SMC Pentax-A | — | — | 1 | £69 – £69 |
| SMC Pentax-F | — | — | 0 | — |
| SMC Pentax-M | — | — | 5 | £20 – £58 |
| SMC Takumar | — | — | 2 | £35 – £50 |
| Super-Takumar | — | — | 2 | £60 – £80 |
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.
Prices updated: May 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | £35 | ebay | SMC Pentax-M | |
Title: SMC PENTAX-M 50mm f1.4 Manual focus K mount bayonet lens, Mint!
Description:
In good condition. Any questions please ask Location: Watford, United Kingdom |
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| May 2026 | £58 | ebay | SMC Pentax-M | |
Title: EXC+++ SMC PENTAX -M 50mm f1.4 PK Mount Prime Lens w Orig Caps Spotless Optic
Description:
No scratches/fungus etc. Location: Wells, United Kingdom |
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| May 2026 | £20 | ebay | SMC Pentax-M | |
Title: SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 - Manual Focus K-Mount Prime Lens #9165
Description:
SMC coatings - improved contrast and flare resistance. - Lens Filter. a little Dust inside of lens. No problem. - 8 Blades. No problem, works well. Aperture Blades. - No Separation, works well. Location: Tokyo, Japan, Japan |
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| May 2026 | £46 | ebay | SMC Pentax-M | |
Title: SMC PENTAX-M 50mm f1.4 Manual focus K mount bayonet lens, Mint!
Description:
Serial number 2056828. Location: Knutsford, United Kingdom |
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| Mar 2026 | £80 | Special Auction Services | Super-Takumar | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 76) Title: An Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Description:
An Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens, M42 mount, barrel G-VG, elements G-VG, with front and rear caps |
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| Jul 2025 | £35 | Special Auction Services | SMC Takumar | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 414) Title: An Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Description:
An Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens, M42 mount, barrel G, elements G-VG, with front and unbranded rear cap |
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| Jan 2025 | £50 | Special Auction Services | SMC Takumar | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 335) Title: An Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Description:
An Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens, M42 mount, barrel G, slight paint wear to grip, elements G-VG, with unbranded front and rear |
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| Aug 2024 | £60 | Special Auction Services | Super-Takumar | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 22) Title: An Asahi Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Description:
An Asahi Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 Lens, barrel G, some paint wear, elements VG, with rear cap |
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| Jan 2024 | £69 | Flints Auctions | SMC Pentax-A | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 427) Title: A SMC Pentax-A f/1.4 50mm Lens
Description:
serial no.1004364, body G-VG, optics G-VG, with caps |
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| Aug 2023 | £40 | Special Auction Services | SMC Pentax-M | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 189) Title: A SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Description:
A SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens, barrel G-VG, elements G-VG, with Asahi Pentax front and rear cap |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 sell for at UK auction?
The most recent recorded UK auction hammer price in the dataset is £60 from August 2024, which reflects a wholesale saleroom result before commission rather than a retail asking price.
What is a Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 worth today?
Based on the limited sales data, a clean user-grade copy is worth around £60 at hammer, though dataset coverage is thin and exceptional examples may achieve more.
Why does the price vary between copies?
Value is driven by glass condition (haze, fungus, coating wear), smoothness of focus and aperture action, and whether the example is an early thoriated-glass version, all of which affect what a buyer will pay.