One of the advantages of choosing a Vintage Pentax SLR is undoubtedly the compatibility of the camera body with all the lenses produced over the years by the parent company.
Pentax in fact adopts the same bayonet mount (K-Mount) as always, with the exception of the old lenses with screw mount (M42), however compatible via an adapter.
Compatibility is made more interesting by the presence of the stabilizer inside the camera body, which in fact makes any optics stabilized, even vintage, and by the presence of some features that make the use of old optics much easier than expected (for example the famous green button that helps in exposure).
But how to choose a vintage lens? What are the models with the best value for money, and what are the abbreviations to take into account?
Best Vintage Pentax Lenses
If your camera lens is dusty, is it not a high-quality lens?
Today we are talking about vintage portrait lenses. Modern equipment makes it easier for photographers to take great pictures. However, they can lack the creative elements and feel of vintage lenses.
While there are many filters and edits that can give a vintage feel to modern images, the best way to achieve vintage-style images is to use vintage lenses.
Best Vintage Pentax Lenses | Comparison Table 2022
Top Quality | 5-Star Picks | Great Prices
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm F/1.4 Prime Lens, Fully Cla'ed, UV De-yellowed | Pentax | Check Price | |
| Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens | Pentax | Check Price | |
| Pentax D FA F2.8ED SDM WR 15-30mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Pentax K | Pentax | Check Price | |
| SMC Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 | Pentax | Check Price | |
| Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens | Pentax | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Vintage Pentax Lenses | 2022 Products Overview
1. Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm
- Includes original caps, including metal front cap
- Professionally serviced for ultimate performance
- UV de-yellowed for ultra-bright rendition
- Legendary Takumar quality
- m42 mount is adaptable to most modern SLR, DSLR, and mirrorless formats
Product Overview:
The Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm F/1.4 Prime Lens is a high-quality and versatile lens that is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is designed for use with M42 screw-mount cameras and adapters and is known for its legendary Takumar quality. The lens has a maximum focal length of 50mm and a minimum focal length of 50mm, making it a normal lens.
This lens has been fully CLA’ed and UV de-yellowed, ensuring that it provides ultra-bright rendition and ultimate performance. It comes with the original caps, including a metal front cap, and has been professionally serviced to ensure it is in top working condition.
The lens is in near-mint condition, with only a small amount of brassing on some of its high points. It also comes with both caps, including a front cap that is not original to this lens.
It’s important to note that this lens is designed for use in the US and that outlets and voltage differ internationally. So, this product may require an adapter or converter for use in your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing. Overall, the Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm f1.4 prime lens is a great choice for photographers looking for a high-quality and versatile lens that can adapt to most modern SLR, DSLR, and mirrorless formats.
- Legendary Takumar quality for sharp and clear images.
- Ultra-bright rendition due to UV de-yellowing.
- Professionally serviced for ultimate performance.
- M42 mount is adaptable to most modern SLR, DSLR, and mirrorless formats.
- Includes original caps, including metal front caps.
- The lens is designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.
- The lens has a small amount of brassing on some of its high points.
- The front cap is not original to this lens.
2. Pentax HD DA 55-300mm
- Short minimum focusing distance of 095 meter PENTAX’s first K mount with electromagnetic diaphragm control system for a quiet sound operation during movie recording
- Diaphragm blades: 9.Rear focus system and PLM (pulse motor), direct drive lead screw system for quite zoom a High speed AF Compact telephoto zoom lens thanks to its collapsible structure
- Weather resistant construction ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colors
- HD coating to optimize light transmittance and minimize reflection Quick Shift Focus System to instantly change the AF mode to MF by twisting the focus ring
- SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease Rounded diaphragm to produce a beautiful bokeh
Product Overview:
The Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens is a high-quality and versatile telephoto zoom lens that is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is designed for use with Pentax KAF mountings and is known for its high-quality optics and compact design.
The lens has a maximum focal length of 300mm and a short minimum focusing distance of 095 meters, making it ideal for capturing stunning close-up images of details that would be typically out of reach when using a standard lens.
One of the key features of this lens is that it is Pentax's first K mount with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system for quiet sound operation during movie recording. Additionally, it has a rear focus system and PLM (pulse motor), a direct drive lead screw system for quiet zoom, and a high-speed AF.
The lens also has a weather-resistant construction, ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colors, and an HD coating to optimize light transmittance and minimize reflection.
The lens also has a Quick Shift Focus System that allows you to instantly change the AF mode to MF by twisting the focus ring. It also has an SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease, and a rounded diaphragm to produce a beautiful bokeh.
It's important to note that this lens is designed for use in the US and that outlets and voltage differ internationally. So, this product may require an adapter or converter for use at your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing.
- High-quality optics for capturing stunning close-up images.
- Compact and collapsible design for easy transportation.
- Weather-resistant construction for use in various conditions.
- Quick Shift Focus System for instant switching between AF and MF.
- SP (Super Protect) Coating to repel water and grease.
- Designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.
- The lens may be noisier during movie recording because of its electromagnetic diaphragm control system.
- The lens may be heavier than standard lenses of similar focal length.
3. Pentax D FA 15-30mm f/2.8
- SDM (Supersonic Direct Drive Motor) :Shoot discreetly with in lens, auto focus motor operation for quick, smooth and quiet performance
- HD (High Definition): Treated with state of the art HD technology; a high grade, multi-layer coating, allowing the user to capture crisp, high-contrast images free of flare and ghosting, even under demanding lighting conditions
- ED (Extra Low Dispersion) glass lens elements deliver clear, high resolution imagery with outstanding edge to edge sharpness throughout the entire zoom range
- WR (Weather Resistant) : Designed with eight specially designed seals to prevent intrusion of water; The lens also features Quick Shift
- With a minimum focusing distance of just 28cm, this lens can capture subjects with a well defined sense of depth
Product Overview:
The Pentax D FA F2.8ED SDM WR 15-30mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens is a high-quality and versatile lens that is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is designed for use with Pentax KAF mountings and is known for its wide-angle capabilities and advanced technology. The lens has a maximum focal length of 30mm, and an angle of view between 111-72° when attached to PENTAX 35mm full-frame SLR cameras, and 86-50° when attached to PENTAX APS-C DSLR cameras.
One of the key features of this lens is that it is equipped with the SDM (Supersonic Direct Drive Motor), which provides discreet in-lens auto-focus motor operation for quick, smooth, and quiet performance. Additionally, it has been treated with state-of-the-art HD technology, a high-grade, multi-layer coating, which allows the user to capture crisp, high-contrast images free of flare and ghosting, even under demanding lighting conditions.
The lens also has ED (Extra Low Dispersion) glass lens elements that deliver clear, high-resolution imagery with outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the entire zoom range.
The lens is also designed with weather resistance in mind, featuring eight specially designed seals to prevent the intrusion of water. It also features Quick Shift, and a minimum focusing distance of just 28cm, which allows it to capture subjects with a well-defined sense of depth. It's important to note that this lens is designed for use in the US and that outlets and voltage differ internationally. So, this product may require an adapter or converter for use in your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing.
- Wide-angle capabilities for capturing expansive landscapes and architecture.
- Advanced technology, such as SDM and HD, for quick, smooth, and high-contrast imagery.
- ED glass elements for clear, high-resolution imagery with outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Weather-resistant design for use in various conditions.
- Quick Shift and minimum focusing distance of just 28cm for capturing subjects with a well-defined sense of depth.
- Designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.
- May be heavier and bulkier than standard lenses of similar focal length.
- May be more expensive than other ultra-wide-angle lenses.
4. SMC Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
- Compact, Standard Lens
- Extremely Large F/1.4 Aperture Allows Extra-fast Shutter Speeds & Wonderful Depth Of Field Control
- Focal Length Equivalent To 75mm When Used On A Pentax(r) Digital SLR Camera Body (1.5x Crop Factor)
- Pentax(r) Super Multi-coating For Very Low Light Loss
- Compatible With All Pentax(r) Film & Digital SLR Cameras
- Only 1.5 inches and 7.8 ounces
- 47 degree angle of view
- Fixed 50mm focal length
- Fully automatic diaphragm
- Lens construction of 6 elements in 5 groups
Product Overview:
The SMC Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 is a high-quality and versatile normal lens that is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is designed for use with Pentax KAF mountings and is known for its compact design and fast aperture. The lens has a maximum focal length of 50mm and an angle of view of 47 degrees, making it ideal for capturing stunning images of a wide range of subjects.
One of the key features of this lens is its extremely large f/1.4 aperture, which allows for extra-fast shutter speeds and wonderful depth of field control. Additionally, it has a focal length equivalent to 75mm when used on a Pentax Digital SLR camera body (1.5x crop factor), which provides a versatile range of focal lengths. The lens also has Pentax Super Multi-coating, which helps to reduce light loss, resulting in high-quality images.
This lens is also compatible with all Pentax film and digital SLR cameras, and at only 1.5 inches and 7.8 ounces, it is lightweight and easy to carry. It also features a fixed 50mm focal length, fully automatic diaphragm, and lens construction of 6 elements in 5 groups. With extra-low dispersion glass and original lens coatings, this lens is superior in contrast, clarity, and edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Compact and lightweight design for easy transportation.
- Extremely large f/1.4 aperture for extra-fast shutter speeds and depth of field control.
- The focal length is equivalent to 75mm on a Pentax digital SLR camera body.
- Pentax Super Multi-coating for low light loss and high-quality images.
- Compatible with all Pentax film and digital SLR cameras.
- Only one fixed focal length of 50mm, may limit versatility.
- May be more expensive than other normal lenses.
- The lens is not weather sealed, so it may not perform as well in harsh conditions.
5. Pentax HD DA 55-300mm
- Short minimum focusing distance of 095 meter PENTAX’s first K mount with electromagnetic diaphragm control system for a quiet sound operation during movie recording
- Diaphragm blades: 9.Rear focus system and PLM (pulse motor), direct drive lead screw system for quite zoom a High speed AF Compact telephoto zoom lens thanks to its collapsible structure
- Weather resistant construction ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colors
- HD coating to optimize light transmittance and minimize reflection Quick Shift Focus System to instantly change the AF mode to MF by twisting the focus ring
- SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease Rounded diaphragm to produce a beautiful bokeh
Product Overview:
The Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens is a high-quality and versatile telephoto zoom lens that is perfect for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is designed for use with Pentax KAF mountings and is known for its ability to get close up on details that would be typically out of reach when using a standard lens.
The lens has a maximum focal length of 300mm and a short minimum focusing distance of 095 meters.
One of the key features of this lens is its electromagnetic diaphragm control system, which allows for a quiet sound operation during movie recording. It also features a rear focus system and PLM (pulse motor) which makes focusing on this lens much faster than its predecessor, making it ideal for capturing wildlife or sport.
Additionally, it has ED lens elements that provide brilliant sharpness and saturated colors and an HD coating that optimizes light transmittance and minimizes reflection.
The lens is also designed with weather resistance in mind, featuring eight specially designed seals to prevent the intrusion of water. Additionally, it features Quick Shift Focus System which allows the user to instantly change the AF mode to MF by twisting the focus ring. It also has an SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease.
It's important to note that this lens is designed for use in the US, and that outlets and voltage differ internationally. So, this product may require an adapter or converter for use at your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing.
- A short minimum focusing distance of 0.95 meters allows for capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Electromagnetic diaphragm control system for quiet operation during movie recording.
- PLM motor for fast and quiet focusing, making it ideal for capturing wildlife or sport.
- ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colors.
- Weather-resistant construction for use in various conditions.
- May be more expensive than other telephoto zoom lenses.
- Not designed for use with full-frame cameras.
- The aperture is relatively slow at f/4.5-6.3
How To Choose The Best Vintage Pentax Lenses | Ultimate Guide
2022
The easiest series to find online
M Series: These are totally manual lenses, therefore without any automatism. They generally have a good build, and all come with an aperture ring.
They are usually found at rather low prices. All models manufactured after 1971 by Pentax are treated with an SMC (super multi-coated) anti-reflective lens coating.
Serie A: Lenses that allow you to keep all the automatisms of your reflex camera (time control and aperture for example), except the autofocus. They generally have a good build, and all have an aperture ring with an “A” (auto) position.
Prices are quite low, except for some highly sought-after models. All models manufactured after 1971 by Pentax are treated with an SMC (super multi-coated) anti-reflective lens coating.
F Series: Lenses belonging to the first generation of autofocus, allow you to maintain all the automatisms of the reflex and are equipped with an aperture ring with position “A”. The autofocus is not super fast and in some cases, it is quite noisy. Constructively speaking, these are fairly robust lenses, but apparently more uncomfortable and awkward than the previous series. The prices are logically higher than the counterparts without autofocus.
FA Series: Lenses equipped with second-generation autofocus, similar to the Fs, vary slightly in construction (I find them slightly more robust) and in external appearance. Autofocus is often quite noisy, but it still depends on the model under consideration. From a constructive point of view, I point out the fact that in the lenses of this series tested the conformation of the focus ring makes, from my point of view, manual focus quite uncomfortable.
Note that some FA series lenses are still in production.
The acronyms adopted by Pentax
- SMC = Super Multi-Coating indicates lenses equipped with the homonymous anti-reflective coating on lenses.
- * = with the asterisk (indicating the “star” series) Pentax indicates the optics of a particular value.
- AL = optics with aspherical lenses.
- SDM = optics with ultrasonic motor.
- IF = Internal Focus (focusing is done by moving the lens inside the lens).
- ED = use of Extra (Low) Dispersion glasses to reduce chromatic aberrations.
- WR = use of lens design (Weather Resistant) which protects the lens from rain and humidity.
What is missing?
In this post, I have deliberately omitted to talk about the DA and D-FA series lenses, as they are lenses designed for use on digital SLRs, and therefore are not to be considered vintage.
The Vintage that I recommend spending little
Especially with the recent presentation of the new Pentax Full-Frame, it could be a good idea, especially for those starting out or on a tight budget, to buy some vintage lenses, which allow you to save while still having excellent quality and still covering the full-frame.
Unfortunately, I have not personally tried all the lenses produced by Pentax (indeed .. to be honest, I have tried very few), but among those, I have tried, I can certainly recommend some, that I find perfect lenses for quality/price ratio.
An economical and quality 50mm
The Pentax SMC-A 50mm f 1.7 is an excellent lens, which is used for around 55-60 euros, the construction is very solid, and the focus (manual only) is pleasant thanks to the very wide and comfortable ring. Since it is equipped with an aperture ring it can be used upside down to obtain macro photos and has excellent sharpness already at full aperture.
For those who want to save money, there is the M version, which is totally manual, or the f 2 version (which, however, I have never tried).
For those wishing to spend a little more, there is the f 1.4 version which is described by all as excellent but has a much higher cost.
A vintage tele-zoom
Another lens that left me extremely satisfied with the value for money is the Pentax 70-210, available both in version A (about 70/80 euros at the time of writing) and FA (about 100/120 euros). It is a zoom with excellent sharpness, which compares well (and in my opinion wins) with the various modern economic zooms, such as the Tamron 70-300 or the Sigma 70-300.
It should be noted that in the FA model the autofocus (which is quite slow) is very noisy.
However, in my opinion, it is a best-buy.
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