[onlineflyer]

Since I lost out on the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 that was on the marketplace due to insufficient finances, I've begun considering the purchase of a SMC 55mm f1.8 at 1/10 the price. The questions are:

1) Do I need another lens?
2) Do I make the plunge>
3) Which lens, the SMC Takumar or the SMC K?

Oh, the pressure is really on. The decisions one must make in photography.

[aslyfox]

why not, assuming you can do it and make the payments for the bills

[ and perhaps if someone you should ask says yes ]

here are a couple of photos I took through the window of the enclosure at the zoo using the SMC 55 F1.8

[ by the way, I now have the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM as well ]

SOOC

crop and pp

[stevebrot]

3) Which lens, the SMC Takumar or the SMC K?

Same optics...same coating. If you are shooting a K-mount camera, the answer should be obvious unless the SMC Tak is free.


Steve

(...owns the Pentax-K 55/1.8 and Super-Tak 55/1.8...both are excellent, IMHO...)

[aslyfox]

Description:
The SMC Pentax 55mm F1.8 is the faster version of the 55mm Pentax bayonet lens, unique to the K series.

Read more at: SMC Pentax 55mm F1.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[Wasp]

Answers:

1. Of course you need another lens. One cannot have too many lenses.
2. You know you want to.
3. I would take the K mount, because open aperture metering (sort of, just press the green button).

[onlineflyer]

Same optics...same coating. If you are shooting a K-mount camera, the answer should be obvious unless the SMC Tak is free.


Steve

(...owns the Pentax-K 50/1.8 and Super-Tak 50/1.8...both are excellent, IMHO...)

I'm assuming those are both 55mm, rather than 50mm.

What's always confusing is the pf lens ratings. I've seen several instances when two lenses have the same exact optics and one has higher ratings than the other. Then the question becomes is a lens over rated or under rated. I guess it's all subjective but that's where pictures come into play, plus the input from someone who has both lenses.

[boriscleto]

Do you own at least 5 50mm lenses? If not you don't have LBA so don't worry about it.

[stevebrot]

I'm assuming those are both 55mm, rather than 50mm.

Good assumption! I have been ill and my critical eye is not working too well. That said, I do have the Pentax-DA 50/1.8 too.


Steve

[monochrome]

Same optics...same coating. If you are shooting a K-mount camera, the answer should be obvious unless the SMC Tak is free.


Steve

(...owns the Pentax-K 55/1.8 and Super-Tak 55/1.8...both are excellent, IMHO...)

I likewise own both and agree with Steve. For the money the K55/1.8 (assuming you shoot K-mount) is a tremendous value.

[Breakfastographer]

I'm assuming those are both 55mm, rather than 50mm.

What's always confusing is the pf lens ratings. I've seen several instances when two lenses have the same exact optics and one has higher ratings than the other. Then the question becomes is a lens over rated or under rated. I guess it's all subjective but that's where pictures come into play, plus the input from someone who has both lenses.

There could be other factors, though, like the quality of manufacturing during the period and whether metal or plastic parts were used. In my experience, plastic parts do allow misalignment more readily than metal construction, but I'll concede that other folk's samples may be different.

[onlineflyer]

Good assumption! I have been ill and my critical eye is not working too well. That said, I do have the Pentax-DA 50/1.8 too.


Steve

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[stevebrot]

There could be other factors, though, like the quality of manufacturing during the period and whether metal or plastic parts were used.

The two lenses were essentially contemporary to each other and both feature all-metal and glass construction except for the focus grip. The K-mount version inherited the optics from the SMC Tak. As for numeric ratings on this site, the M42 55/1.8 Takumars (as a group) are rated 9.35 vs the Pentax-K at 9.40.


Steve

* The SMC Takumar 55/1.8 was produced from 1972 to 1975 with the Pentax-K 55/1.8 run going from 1975 to 1977.

[Wasp]

Do you own at least 5 50mm lenses? If not you don't have LBA so don't worry about it.

Lemme check:

• SMC Pentax M 50mm f/2
• SMC Pentax M 50mm f/1.7
• SMC Pentax M 50mm f/1.4
• SMC Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 macro
• SMC Pentax A 50mmf/1.7
• Ricoh 50mm f/2

Uhoh...

[onlineflyer]

Overall rating yes, but sharpness, aberrations, bokeh, handling, and value are all rated lower on the K. That is what I was referring to when I said it was rated lower.

[pepperberry farm]

Since I lost out on the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 that was on the marketplace due to insufficient finances, I've begun considering the purchase of a SMC 55mm f1.8 at 1/10 the price. The questions are:

1) Do I need another lens?
2) Do I make the plunge>
3) Which lens, the SMC Takumar or the SMC K?

Oh, the pressure is really on. The decisions one must make in photography.

1) yes
2) see above
3) K over M42, since they are essentially the same lens...

you may also want to consider the K55/2, which is so close...