Pentax 85mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar M42 Lens
The Pentax 85mm f/1.8 is a 85mm f/1.8 lens designed for M42 Screw Mount mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Pentax 85mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar M42 Lens
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Lens Overview — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
Key Features — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.8 Prime: A fixed 85mm focal length with a wide f/1.8 maximum aperture, well-suited to portrait and close-subject work where background separation matters.
Full-Frame Coverage: Projects an image circle large enough for full-frame sensors, with no vignetting penalty on modern full-frame mirrorless or DSLR bodies.
SMC Multi-Coating: Super-Multi-Coating reduces flare and ghosting, delivering improved contrast and color rendering compared to earlier uncoated or single-coated Takumar versions.
M42 Screw Mount: Universal thread mount adapts to a wide range of modern mirrorless and DSLR systems using readily available, inexpensive adapters.
Manual Focus Design: Fully mechanical focus ring gives direct, tactile control with no autofocus dependency — well-suited to deliberate, considered shooting workflows.
58mm Filter Thread: A common filter diameter that makes it easy to add UV protection, ND, or polarizing filters without sourcing specialty accessories.
Lens Specifications — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | M42 Screw Mount |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
Description — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
The Pentax SMC Takumar 85mm f/1.8 is a prime, manual focus lens designed for the M42 screw mount system. It provides full-frame coverage and falls into the telephoto focal length category, making it well-matched for shooting at moderate distances with a pleasingly compressed perspective. The maximum aperture of f/1.8 offers meaningful light-gathering capability and allows the photographer to work with a shallower depth of field when desired.
With no autofocus and no image stabilization, this lens is fully manual in character — suited to deliberate, controlled shooting styles. The 58mm filter thread accommodates a wide range of commonly available filter accessories. Weighing just 310g, it is easy to carry and handle without adding significant bulk to your kit.
The M42 screw mount means this lens can be used on a variety of camera systems via adapters, giving it flexibility beyond its original design era.
Pros — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
- ✓Wide maximum aperture of f/1.8 allows shooting in lower light and enables strong subject-background separation
- ✓Fixed 85mm focal length on a full-frame-covering optic provides a classic telephoto perspective
- ✓Lightweight at 310g, making it comfortable for handheld use over extended periods
Cons — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
- ✗Fully manual focus only — no autofocus support, which may slow down shooting in fast-paced situations
- ✗No image stabilization, so handheld sharpness depends entirely on technique and available light
- ✗M42 screw mount requires an adapter for use on modern DSLR or mirrorless bodies, adding cost and potential flange distance considerations
Videos — Pentax 85mm f/1.8
Pentax Takumar 85mm 1.8 Review My Favourite Vintage Lens — Mark Holtze