Asahi Pentax 83mm f/1.9 · Takumar

{"overview":"The Asahi Pentax 83mm f\/1.9 Takumar is a fast short-telephoto prime from the early M42 screw-mount era, sitting in the classic portrait focal-length band just above 80mm. Designed for 35mm SLR use, its bright f\/1.9 aperture made it a sought-after option for available-light portraiture and indoor shooting when it was current.","market_narrative":"At UK auction, hammer prices for the 83mm f\/1.9 Takumar have ranged from £190 to £320, with the two recorded results producing a midpoint around £255 at saleroom level (wholesale, before buyer's premium). A 2020 sale reached £320, while a more recent 2025 result settled at £190, so today in 2026 a clean, user-grade copy is worth somewhere inside that band rather than at the upper end. Because this Takumar is uncommon, individual condition and completeness drive price, and the limited sample size means a single strong bidder can move the value noticeably.","buying_guide":"Inspect the front and rear groups carefully for fungus, haze and cleaning marks, as early Takumar coatings are softer than later multi-coated versions and scratch easily. Check the aperture blades for oil migration and confirm the iris snaps cleanly, and turn the focus ring through its full range to feel for dry, stiff or gritty helicoid grease. Also look for any sign of element separation at the cemented surfaces, loose or rattling internal elements, and filter-ring dents that can bind the front cell.","specs":"Key specifications derivable from the data are limited to the 83mm focal length, f\/1.9 maximum aperture and Asahi Pentax Takumar branding consistent with M42 screw-mount SLR use.","faq":[{"q":"What is an Asahi Pentax 83mm f\/1.9 Takumar worth today?","a":"Based on UK auction hammer results, recent value sits between £190 and £320, so a typical clean copy is worth roughly £200 to £300 depending on glass and mechanics."},{"q":"How much does an 83mm f\/1.9 Takumar sell for at auction?","a":"The two recorded UK hammer prices are £320 in 2020 and £190 in 2025, giving an approximate midpoint price around £255 before buyer's premium."},{"q":"Why does the price vary so much between sales?","a":"With only a small number of recorded sales, condition of the coatings, aperture and helicoid has a large effect on value, and a single motivated bidder can push a clean example well above the typical level."},{"q":"What should I check before buying one?","a":"Prioritise clear glass free of fungus and haze, oil-free aperture blades, smooth focus action and intact coatings, as these are the main faults that depress the price of early Takumar primes."}],"confidence":40,"reasoning":"Only two sales records and no SPECS or variant data were provided, so confidence is capped below 50 per rule 8."}