SMC Takumar M42 85-210mm?

Darius4522 · 09-14-2007, 06:27 PM

Anyone offer any advice on the quality of this lens, and how well it will work with a screw mount adaptor on a K10D?

coqui · 03-22-2009, 03:25 AM

IT seems that the lens is rare. I asked same question a couple of days ago, and got no response.

John Poirier · 03-22-2009, 10:00 AM

I have one. They are somewhat uncommon, but show up at KEH from time to time. They are enormous and only focus to about 12 feet (originally came with closeup adapter, which also shwos up at KEH) but within those limits are excellent. In its day it was considered remarkably good, with performance equalling prime lenses at all focal lengths.

Last year I did a set of quite careful tests of a number of Pentax zooms, shooting all at f/11 at various focal lengths. I don't care about wide open performance- for that I have primes.

The tests were done with an ist DS. The 85-210 was the best performer of all in terms of sharpness (beat out the A 70-210 by a whisker).

I think the going price is about $150. Unless you can get it for substantially less than that, I think you would be better off with the the optically identical K-mount version of that lens, with the A 70-210, or with one of the better AF zooms.

I use the 85-210 with Spotmatics, shooting black and white.

Acorn · 04-06-2009, 08:22 PM

[I] can confirm all that since I have one, complete in all respects and in mint condition. However, beware of its length altho its very length makes it easy to hold..

09-14-2007, 06:27 PM	#1
Darius4522 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 155	SMC Takumar M42 85-210mm? Anyone offer any advice on the quality of this lens, and how well it will work with a screw mount adaptor on a K10D?

03-22-2009, 03:25 AM	#2
coqui Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 205	Lens advice IT seems that the lens is rare. I asked same question a couple of days ago, and got no response.

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03-22-2009, 10:00 AM	#3
John Poirier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gabriola Island Posts: 619	I have one. They are somewhat uncommon, but show up at KEH from time to time. They are enormous and only focus to about 12 feet (originally came with closeup adapter, which also shwos up at KEH) but within those limits are excellent. In its day it was considered remarkably good, with performance equalling prime lenses at all focal lengths. Last year I did a set of quite careful tests of a number of Pentax zooms, shooting all at f/11 at various focal lengths. I don't care about wide open performance- for that I have primes. The tests were done with an ist DS. The 85-210 was the best performer of all in terms of sharpness (beat out the A 70-210 by a whisker). I think the going price is about $150. Unless you can get it for substantially less than that, I think you would be better off with the the optically identical K-mount version of that lens, with the A 70-210, or with one of the better AF zooms. I use the 85-210 with Spotmatics, shooting black and white.

04-06-2009, 08:22 PM	#4
Acorn New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 6	[I] can confirm all that since I have one, complete in all respects and in mint condition. However, beware of its length altho its very length makes it easy to hold..