Smc 55mm/1.8

[axl]

How much is this lens worth in good condition?
I have chance to buy one but it comes with K1000SE (which I'm not really interested in).
Any ideas on the price of the lens on it's own???

TIA
Peter

[gofour3]

This K series lens should cost around 50USD.

[Eaglerapids]

Axl, I think I payed $50 for mine if I remember correctly and it was in great condition. Nice lens.

[monochrome]

About $55.18

[stevebrot]

I paid $45 USD for mine in Excellent condition. Worth every penny, I might add...very nice lens.

Steve

[little laker]

I got my K-mount version for $40.00 Canadian, along with a camera bag, 2 other lenses, and a cheap manual focus body.

In my opinion either the screwmount, or K-mount versions are Must Have's for anyone shooting Pentax. It's on my Sigma more than any other lens.

[raymeedc]

I personally prefer the 55mm 1.8 versions, screwmount & bayonet mount, over the 50mm 1.4. The screwmounts, in particular, are gems (& dirt cheap gems, at that). I have a few, mostly screwmount, each included in the purchase of a camera. Purchased separately, as mentioned repeatedly in this thread, the value would be around $40 - $50.

[Fixcinater]

I got my screw-mount Super version for $35. Rear cap was included, no front cap.

[Eruditass]

How does it compare to the M 50/1.7?

[knyghtfall]

I got mine for US$12 - super tak version. Best deal I've ever gotten on any lens, considering its IQ and slick focusing action.

[Asahiflex]

Originally Posted by Eruditass

How does it compare to the M 50/1.7?

The K55/1.8 is better built (brass focusing helicoid instead of aluminium. And actually I prefer the output of the K55/1.8 over the M50/1.7. In fact I sold my M50/1.7's...

[Steve Beswick]

Originally Posted by Eruditass

How does it compare to the M 50/1.7?

Ah ha! here is where the Tale of Two 50's begin!

(I came across this info third hand, so don't swear at me if I'm wrong)
Legend has it that one day, way back in the late 1970s, something strange happened at Pentax world headquarters. During the K series to M series slimming, the 55mm f1.8 mutated into the 50mm f1.7. That is why the f1.7 and the f1.4 have such a different look. They have completely different optical formulas! It probably explains why they made both for so long.

[axl]

Thanks guys,
looking at the prices in USD makes me want to cry...
$50 means, here in UK it would be around the same in £. That would be still bearable, but as I said, unfortunately it's attached to the K1000SE which I have no interest in. Asking price: £119
There is Pentax SV with M42 55/1.8 for £39. But plus adapter = 59 and I still don't know which version of the Tak it is....
oh well, I'll see

thanks for the replies.

BR
Peter

[Fixcinater]

Axl, it really doesn't matter which version it is. The Auto Taks seem to be just as good, just slightly different, than their Super (and later) variants.

Plus, that M42 adapter could be put to great use when you happen upon other cheap M42 lenses, as you probably will, now that you are looking for them!

[richard64]

Originally Posted by axl

it's attached to the K1000SE which I have no interest in. Asking price: £119
There is Pentax SV with M42 55/1.8 for £39. But plus adapter = 59 and I still don't know which version of the Tak it is....

Peter, I bought a SMC Takumar 55/1.8 a couple of years ago for £25 from eBay and it is a very good lens. I have a early Super Tak 55/1.8 (so it is definitely single coated) and there is a difference in the rendering of the two. You only need to pay for the adapter once, after that you can use it with all the other lovely M42 lenses that your LBA forces you to buy! So I wouldn't add the cost of the adapter to the cost of the lens.

The SMC Takumar is the pre-cursor to the K55/1.8 you mention and I think is essentially the same except for the mount.

£119 for a SMC Tak 55/1.8 (+ a camera you don't want) is too much to spend since you can get the lens for a lot less on its own.

Richard