Legendary Pentax lens series from the 1970s featuring SMC coating, widely used as sought-after vintage glass on film productions today.
Technical Details
The SMC coating consists of seven alternating layers with different refractive indices, vapor-deposited on all air-to-glass surfaces. The lens series includes focal lengths from 17mm to 1000mm, with the 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.9 being particularly known for their exceptional sharpness. The aperture blades are made of six straight segments, creating characteristic hexagonal bokeh highlights. Minimum focus distances vary between 0.45m (50mm) and 9m (1000mm). The lenses weigh between 200g (50mm f/2) and 4.2kg (1000mm f/8).
History & Development
Asahi Pentax developed SMC technology in response to Canon's FD series and first introduced it in 1971 with the Takumar lenses. Previously, the Super-Takumar series used only a single layer of magnesium fluoride coating. The SMC coating was based on interference technology originally developed for military telescopic sights. In 1975, Pentax ceased production in favor of K-Mount lenses, making SMC Takumars sought-after collector's items.
Practical Use in Film
SMC Takumars are primarily used today in low-budget productions and independent films, as they can be adapted to modern cameras via M42 adapters. The 50mm f/1.4 produces a characteristic "glow effect" at wide open aperture due to slight spherical aberration, which is valued for portraits. The 135mm f/2.5 delivers creamy bokeh in telephoto shots. Many cinematographers use these lenses for organic, less sterile imagery compared to modern cine lenses.
Comparison & Alternatives
SMC Takumars differ from modern cine lenses in their less corrected optical aberrations, leading to a more characterful image rendering. Compared to Zeiss Superspeeds or Cooke Speed Panchros, they are significantly more affordable but do not offer uniform T-stop calibration. Modern alternatives like Sigma Art or Zeiss Otus surpass them technically but do not achieve the specific vintage look. For productions requiring an authentic 70s aesthetic, SMC Takumars remain unrivaled.