Pentax (Takumar) Pentax Takumar 50mm f1.4 Heritage

Overview

The Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 was released by the Asahi Optical Co. in the 1960s and quickly garnered a legendary, cult reputation online. The earliest versions used an unusually high number of elements (8) in an effort to one-up Zeiss, who were regarded as the best lens makers in the world at the time. Pentax achieved their goal, earning the lens the moniker 'Planar Killer,' but later reduced the element count to 7 to make continued production more financially viable. A persistent tale claims money was lost on each 8-element unit before the change, though its truth remains unverified. The lens is also famous for being 'radioactive': later iterations were made with thoriated glass (thorium oxide) in the rear element, which improved optical properties but causes a characteristic yellowing or browning over time due to radioactive decay creating 'F-centers' in the glass. Despite internet fearmongering, reviewers with Geiger counters confirmed the radiation is a weak alpha emitter that poses no real danger in normal use—one reviewer even ran a 36-hour test with film in constant contact with the rear element and found no fogging. People love it for its sharpness, bokeh, satisfying all-metal build, and its place in photographic legend.

Verdict: The Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 is a legendary M42 lens beloved for its sharpness, solid all-metal build, and rich history as the 'Planar Killer' that took on Zeiss. It's ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate vintage character and don't mind quirks like a reversed focus ring, a propensity to flare, and (on later versions) a radioactive thoriated glass element that yellows over time. Buy carefully to avoid fungus and oil, and you'll own a genuine piece of photographic history.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Known for its bokeh, though considered a secondary strength; specific qualities are unknown.

Color

Thoriated versions develop yellowing/browning over time that shifts color transmission, correctable via white balance.

Sharpness wide open

Renowned for sharpness, allegedly aided by the thoriated glass in later versions.

Flare resistance

Known for a propensity for flare.

Community Insights

What people love

Legendary sharpness, reinforced by its 'Planar Killer' reputation against Zeiss
Sturdy, satisfying all-metal build that holds up even with chips or dents to the front element and filter ring
Its cult status and interesting trivia, including the radioactive thoriated glass
Bokeh quality, though it's considered a secondary strength
Became a favourite M42 lens for one reviewer despite imperfections

What people dislike

Propensity for flare
The focus ring rotates in a reversed direction compared to most manual focus lenses, which can throw off quick manual focusing
Susceptibility to fungus and oil migration on aged copies (front element fungus, oil on aperture blades)
Yellowing of the thoriated glass over time
Unwarranted fear from misinformation about the radioactive elements

Pro Tips

Be aware the focus ring rotates opposite to most manual lenses—practice to avoid misfocusing
Don't fear the radioactive versions: thorium is a weak alpha emitter absorbed by the camera or rear cap and poses no real danger in normal use
The yellow cast from thoriated glass can be a shooting consideration; some correct it via white balance
Check the red line position relative to the red diamond to identify the rare 8-element version
Even a copy with a chipped front element or dented filter ring can still perform well, so don't dismiss cosmetically imperfect units

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 was released by the Asahi Optical Co. in the 1960s and quickly garnered a legendary, cult reputation online. The earliest versions used an unusually high number of elements (8) in an effort to one-up Zeiss, who were regarded as the best lens makers in the world at the time. Pentax achieved their goal, earning the lens the moniker 'Planar Killer,' but later reduced the element count to 7 to make continued production more financially viable. A persistent tale claims money was lost on each 8-element unit before the change, though its truth remains unverified. The lens is also famous for being 'radioactive': later iterations were made with thoriated glass (thorium oxide) in the rear element, which improved optical properties but causes a characteristic yellowing or browning over time due to radioactive decay creating 'F-centers' in the glass. Despite internet fearmongering, reviewers with Geiger counters confirmed the radiation is a weak alpha emitter that poses no real danger in normal use—one reviewer even ran a 36-hour test with film in constant contact with the rear element and found no fogging. People love it for its sharpness, bokeh, satisfying all-metal build, and its place in photographic legend.

https://allmyfriendsarejpegs.com/2018/09/24/asahi-pentax-super-takumar-50mm-f1-4-lens-review/https://thenoisyshutter.com/2020/12/23/legacy-lens-review-pentax-super-takumar-50mm-f1-4/