How much would you pay for S-M-C Takumar 85mm f1.8

ultraviolet · 04-12-2013, 10:36 PM

Not many of this are in circulation in the used market. If you find one, how much you (collector or user) are willing to pay:

S-M-C Takumar 85mm f1.8 Price

a) 200-300
b) 301-400
c) 401-500
d) 501-up

<Edit> with hood, caps & leather case (if there is any)

Last edited by ultraviolet; 04-12-2013 at 11:52 PM.

vonBaloney · 04-12-2013, 10:41 PM

I'm not in the market, but they generally go for $350-$450 in excellent condition, at the higher end if they have the hood.

Jonathan Mac · 04-13-2013, 01:17 AM

Why can't I see the results?

I voted for the lowest price bracket, but I don't know if I'd really go that high.

Jean Poitiers · 04-13-2013, 02:24 AM

Voted .... can we see the results later ? J

altopiet · 04-13-2013, 02:30 AM

"Be advised that this is a public poll: other users can see the choice(s) you selected."

"The results are hidden"

??

utak · 04-13-2013, 02:32 AM

After two years of following internet sellers and dealers, at the end of last year I finally got a mint condition K85mm (the k mount version of this lens) with original hood, caps, for $428, from Poland. This seemed a reasonable price given the price trend I'd watched on the web.

The Takumar seems to sell for around 10-15% less, a discount that slightly surprises me as the M42 screwmount is more usable for non-Pentax camera/video owners. Perhaps more Takumars than K series lenses were made?

The other question: is this lens actually worth $301-400? To me, yes, if you need the focal length, but anything over that depends on personal preferences, love for that wonderful Takumar feel etc., considering the alternatives. I got the K mount because I use manual lenses actively in the field and need to swap lenses quickly. I've just written a review of the K85, and would say it is a worthy, cost effective alternative to a 77mm and Pentax 85mm 1.4s, and it is smaller and has a more classic feel than a new Samyang 85mm 1.4.

SMC Pentax 85mm F1.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Kerrowdown** · 04-13-2013, 03:08 AM

I voted on the low end, I'm lucky enough to have SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 and I wouldn't want to go that far back in lenses now.

**interested_observer** · 04-13-2013, 04:50 AM

Interesting topic. I have been struggling with a similar question for about a year now. With landscape shooting, I rarely need a really fast lens - f4 is usually fast enough, and I just use a longer shutter speed. I have the Super Tak 85/f1.8 and its an exceptional lens. Recently, there was a photo contest on bridges that I decided to submit to. I was thinking wide angle (planes, bridges and a train in a single frame), but also took my Contax Zeiss 85/f2.8 along (I remounted the lens from the C/Y to K) - and lucky I did, since I wound up farther away than what I anticipated down at the airport. 85mm was the perfect focal length for the location. The real struggle was light in the late afternoon and evening, when the activity was occurring (planes moving under the bridge with the train going overhead) that I was after. Fortunately, I was able to make it all work out at f2.8 using an ISO of 800 - 1600 (faster than what I wanted) on a K5 with some noise reduction in post processing. Afterwards, it finally occurred to me that I should have brought the Tak also, as I could have really used the speed. Aperture speed was the last thing in the world I was even considering being the main limiting factor.

Since, I do landscapes mainly in ambient low light, I have been pondering having both a 70 or 77mm along with the 85mm. I have been considering selling the Tak - and getting either a DA70 or FA77.

utak's observation on the difference in price between the K and M42 mount I think is reasonable. I paid $360 for the Super Tak (hood, case and lens all in exceptional condition).

Over the last couple of years, it certainly appears that the 85-135mm range in primes is pretty much less active for some reason. Lots of activity in wide angle along with normal focal lengths. Then it appears to pick up in the 200 to 300mm focal length range. I am guessing that the 50-135 and 60-250 have the image quality coupled with additional versatility.

**monochrome** · 04-13-2013, 04:59 AM

I was recently outbid for a silver KX with a K85/1.8 attached at $385. The last minute bids were furious, though there was no sniping. I should have sniped. It went for $386.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-13-2013, 05:00 AM

Nothing at all

Honestly,, I have a super tak 85/1.9 which i paid $200 and samyang(vivitar) 85/1.4 which i paid $329 already.

Raffwal · 04-13-2013, 05:15 AM

As much as I'd like to own a 85mm Takumar, having a cheapish Samyang 85mm with A-mode available, I personally wouldn't pay more than some $400 (actually voted even less).

ultraviolet · 04-13-2013, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Why can't I see the results?

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

Voted .... can we see the results later ? J

Originally posted by altopiet

"Be advised that this is a public poll: other users can see the choice(s) you selected."

"The results are hidden"

Result will be visible to every member of the forum at the end of the poll with the choice (names will show up under each price range)

utak · 04-13-2013, 09:07 AM

Interested_observer,

Yes this is an interesting topic, for me because I think there's a 'hidden secret' not always shared by owners of this lens with non-users : its not a very easy lens to produce consistently great images on a cropped digital sensor, across different subjects.

Of the seven Takumars I own from 24mm to 200mm, plus some other manual focus lenses, the 85mm 1.8 is my most 'difficult' lens. Probably more difficult than the notoriously tricky 50mm 1.2. At least with the 1.2 you know the very best results can be achieved by focusing on static objects, playing with extreme DoF and artistic bokeh. (Although, interestingly, the 85mm is really very good at this task too, in some situations better than the 1.2).

However, having spent $428 on the 85mm (see above), I want it to produce great overall results in portraits, with my 11 and 10 year olds playing and other moving objects. Not just static objects, flowers etc. But I end up with so many duds, I am forever thinking I should have gone the extra mile and puchased a DA 70mm, and then I know I'll be wishing I got the FA77mm. The dreaded LBA spiral.

Having said all this, the Takumar/Pentax 85mm has for decades been described as one of the greatest ever lenses made for Pentax, its quite rare, and many people still wish they could own one - hence its premium over most other Takumars. And when owners get it right, the images are very special. About $20 a special image so far in my experience!!! But I do sell some, so that's not bad. It'll be a fabulous FF lens is my hope.

I wonder whether you agree with this?

sterretje · 04-13-2013, 11:07 AM

I have the SMC one and don't use it

And it was donated

I haven't used my Takumars for a while; thanks for reminding me to dust them off.

**interested_observer** · 04-13-2013, 02:05 PM

Afternoon Utak,

We are thinking very alike on this. Several years ago, I was originally thinking about an 85. Wondering what to do - the FA 85 was expensive and too fast for my needs. I was thinking about the CZ at f2.8, but I really did not want to go through the trouble of swapping mounts. Then I saw the SuperTak here on the Marketplace and acquired it. If I were trying to acquire that very lens, it probably would not have happened. Wonderful lens, and it is very heavy (not a problem at all) - just metal and glass - it actually feels wonderful - especially for a 50 year old lens. I tend to wind up shooting in the dark, so with the M42 adapter, I was always fishing it out of the camera to swap lenses (I guess I should just have "permanently" mounted it on the lens). So, I turned around and found a CZ and swapped the mount. Now, I have two fabulous lenses - each with their own exceptionally fine character. Actually even though they are both labeled as 85's one is a bit wider (shorter) than the other.

That is probably why I have not done anything with the 85's. It just seems to be so wrong, and did not feel "right". So, I have just been doing nothing.

Even though I shoot landscapes, I have been picking up longer primes. My other though is to sell off my old kit lenses, along with several 50's that I don't use (M 1.4, M 2, A 1.7) and consolidating with a FA 43 or perhaps the 77 - I can't decide (I can kick that can down the road). I'll always have my Tak 55/1.8 on my Spotmatic II that I have had since 1970 - it will never go anywhere else.

Actually, I have now decided on an approach. The kits and 50s go, both the 85s stay - that feels like the right and best decision. That will make what goes into the bag a much simpler process.

View Poll Results: How much would you pay for S-M-C Takumar 85mm f1.8
$200-$300	24	57.14%
$301-$400	12	28.57%
$401-$500	3	7.14%
$501 up	3	7.14%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

04-12-2013, 10:36 PM	#1
ultraviolet Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 687	How much would you pay for S-M-C Takumar 85mm f1.8 Not many of this are in circulation in the used market. If you find one, how much you (collector or user) are willing to pay: S-M-C Takumar 85mm f1.8 Price a) 200-300 b) 301-400 c) 401-500 d) 501-up <Edit> with hood, caps & leather case (if there is any) Last edited by ultraviolet; 04-12-2013 at 11:52 PM.

04-13-2013, 02:32 AM	#6
utak Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 928	$301-$400 After two years of following internet sellers and dealers, at the end of last year I finally got a mint condition K85mm (the k mount version of this lens) with original hood, caps, for $428, from Poland. This seemed a reasonable price given the price trend I'd watched on the web. The Takumar seems to sell for around 10-15% less, a discount that slightly surprises me as the M42 screwmount is more usable for non-Pentax camera/video owners. Perhaps more Takumars than K series lenses were made? The other question: is this lens actually worth $301-400? To me, yes, if you need the focal length, but anything over that depends on personal preferences, love for that wonderful Takumar feel etc., considering the alternatives. I got the K mount because I use manual lenses actively in the field and need to swap lenses quickly. I've just written a review of the K85, and would say it is a worthy, cost effective alternative to a 77mm and Pentax 85mm 1.4s, and it is smaller and has a more classic feel than a new Samyang 85mm 1.4. SMC Pentax 85mm F1.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

04-13-2013, 09:07 AM	#13
utak Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 928	A 'hidden secret'? Interested_observer, Yes this is an interesting topic, for me because I think there's a 'hidden secret' not always shared by owners of this lens with non-users : its not a very easy lens to produce consistently great images on a cropped digital sensor, across different subjects. Of the seven Takumars I own from 24mm to 200mm, plus some other manual focus lenses, the 85mm 1.8 is my most 'difficult' lens. Probably more difficult than the notoriously tricky 50mm 1.2. At least with the 1.2 you know the very best results can be achieved by focusing on static objects, playing with extreme DoF and artistic bokeh. (Although, interestingly, the 85mm is really very good at this task too, in some situations better than the 1.2). However, having spent $428 on the 85mm (see above), I want it to produce great overall results in portraits, with my 11 and 10 year olds playing and other moving objects. Not just static objects, flowers etc. But I end up with so many duds, I am forever thinking I should have gone the extra mile and puchased a DA 70mm, and then I know I'll be wishing I got the FA77mm. The dreaded LBA spiral. Having said all this, the Takumar/Pentax 85mm has for decades been described as one of the greatest ever lenses made for Pentax, its quite rare, and many people still wish they could own one - hence its premium over most other Takumars. And when owners get it right, the images are very special. About $20 a special image so far in my experience!!! But I do sell some, so that's not bad. It'll be a fabulous FF lens is my hope. I wonder whether you agree with this? Last edited by utak; 04-13-2013 at 09:38 AM. Reason: typos

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04-12-2013, 10:41 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I'm not in the market, but they generally go for $350-$450 in excellent condition, at the higher end if they have the hood.

04-13-2013, 01:17 AM	#3
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Why can't I see the results? I voted for the lowest price bracket, but I don't know if I'd really go that high.

04-13-2013, 02:24 AM	#4
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Voted .... can we see the results later ? J

04-13-2013, 02:30 AM	#5
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	"Be advised that this is a public poll: other users can see the choice(s) you selected." "The results are hidden" ??

04-13-2013, 03:08 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	I voted on the low end, I'm lucky enough to have SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 and I wouldn't want to go that far back in lenses now.

04-13-2013, 04:50 AM	#8
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Interesting topic. I have been struggling with a similar question for about a year now. With landscape shooting, I rarely need a really fast lens - f4 is usually fast enough, and I just use a longer shutter speed. I have the Super Tak 85/f1.8 and its an exceptional lens. Recently, there was a photo contest on bridges that I decided to submit to. I was thinking wide angle (planes, bridges and a train in a single frame), but also took my Contax Zeiss 85/f2.8 along (I remounted the lens from the C/Y to K) - and lucky I did, since I wound up farther away than what I anticipated down at the airport. 85mm was the perfect focal length for the location. The real struggle was light in the late afternoon and evening, when the activity was occurring (planes moving under the bridge with the train going overhead) that I was after. Fortunately, I was able to make it all work out at f2.8 using an ISO of 800 - 1600 (faster than what I wanted) on a K5 with some noise reduction in post processing. Afterwards, it finally occurred to me that I should have brought the Tak also, as I could have really used the speed. Aperture speed was the last thing in the world I was even considering being the main limiting factor. Since, I do landscapes mainly in ambient low light, I have been pondering having both a 70 or 77mm along with the 85mm. I have been considering selling the Tak - and getting either a DA70 or FA77. utak's observation on the difference in price between the K and M42 mount I think is reasonable. I paid $360 for the Super Tak (hood, case and lens all in exceptional condition). Over the last couple of years, it certainly appears that the 85-135mm range in primes is pretty much less active for some reason. Lots of activity in wide angle along with normal focal lengths. Then it appears to pick up in the 200 to 300mm focal length range. I am guessing that the 50-135 and 60-250 have the image quality coupled with additional versatility.

04-13-2013, 04:59 AM	#9
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I was recently outbid for a silver KX with a K85/1.8 attached at $385. The last minute bids were furious, though there was no sniping. I should have sniped. It went for $386.

04-13-2013, 05:00 AM	#10
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Nothing at all Honestly,, I have a super tak 85/1.9 which i paid $200 and samyang(vivitar) 85/1.4 which i paid $329 already.

04-13-2013, 05:15 AM	#11
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	As much as I'd like to own a 85mm Takumar, having a cheapish Samyang 85mm with A-mode available, I personally wouldn't pay more than some $400 (actually voted even less).

04-13-2013, 07:44 AM	#12
ultraviolet Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 687 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Why can't I see the results? Originally posted by Jean Poitiers Voted .... can we see the results later ? J Originally posted by altopiet "Be advised that this is a public poll: other users can see the choice(s) you selected." "The results are hidden" Result will be visible to every member of the forum at the end of the poll with the choice (names will show up under each price range)

04-13-2013, 11:07 AM	#14
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	I have the SMC one and don't use it And it was donated I haven't used my Takumars for a while; thanks for reminding me to dust them off.

04-13-2013, 02:05 PM	#15
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Afternoon Utak, We are thinking very alike on this. Several years ago, I was originally thinking about an 85. Wondering what to do - the FA 85 was expensive and too fast for my needs. I was thinking about the CZ at f2.8, but I really did not want to go through the trouble of swapping mounts. Then I saw the SuperTak here on the Marketplace and acquired it. If I were trying to acquire that very lens, it probably would not have happened. Wonderful lens, and it is very heavy (not a problem at all) - just metal and glass - it actually feels wonderful - especially for a 50 year old lens. I tend to wind up shooting in the dark, so with the M42 adapter, I was always fishing it out of the camera to swap lenses (I guess I should just have "permanently" mounted it on the lens). So, I turned around and found a CZ and swapped the mount. Now, I have two fabulous lenses - each with their own exceptionally fine character. Actually even though they are both labeled as 85's one is a bit wider (shorter) than the other. That is probably why I have not done anything with the 85's. It just seems to be so wrong, and did not feel "right". So, I have just been doing nothing. Even though I shoot landscapes, I have been picking up longer primes. My other though is to sell off my old kit lenses, along with several 50's that I don't use (M 1.4, M 2, A 1.7) and consolidating with a FA 43 or perhaps the 77 - I can't decide (I can kick that can down the road). I'll always have my Tak 55/1.8 on my Spotmatic II that I have had since 1970 - it will never go anywhere else. Actually, I have now decided on an approach. The kits and 50s go, both the 85s stay - that feels like the right and best decision. That will make what goes into the bag a much simpler process.