Playing With Lenses: As flat as they come: SMC Pentax-M F2.8 40mm

Wednesday 15 May 2019

As flat as they come: SMC Pentax-M F2.8 40mm

Cost: 0$ (average market price $96.81)

There is much to like about this lens... brilliant colors, extremely small, beautifully made. And the fact that my wife got this lens from a friend long time ago. It's still a very much wanted lens, due to it's very small size, explaining the slightly higher cost. It actually was the smallest lens in Pantax portfolio, until they made an even smaller one in 2006 (but without an aperture ring).

As all Pentax lenses of this era, it has smooth focussing and a nice "click" feel of the aperture. Regardless of the size, it comes with the same features and quality of all other Pentax-M lenses. And the small size and 40mm focal length, makes this an ideal street lens. The adapter is actually larger then the lens!. My Sony Full Frame almost looks like a little bridge camera with it.

As mentioned before, colors are amazing. There is some vignetting in the corners, but nothing that can't be corrected in post. It's also not the sharpest lens, but still above average.

This lens has a prime spot in my Pentax collection, but for sure will be used on a regular base. It's just that nice to go out an shoot with. Recommended if you can find one...

To combat partial reflection, Pentax developed chemical coatings for the lens surfaces with minimum light loss. SMC is "a remarkable seven-layer lens coating process that cuts the reflection ratio down to just 0.2% per lens surface. The result is a dramatic improvement in both color fidelity and brightness and the elimination of flare and ghost images."

SMC was patented and first applied in 1971, when Pentax was still making screw mount equipment. The multi-coated lens lines changed from Takumar and Super-Takumar to Super-Multi-Coated Takumar and later on to SMC Takumar. SMC Pentax was used for the newly introduced K-mount lenses. Pentax's SMC is still today considered as one of the best lens coatings on the market.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 40mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: PK
Optics: 5 elements, 4 groups
Blades: 5
Focussing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 60cm
Filter Size: 49mm
Weight: 110g
Length: 18mm
Production: 1976 to 1984
Serial Number: 7314496
Made in: Japan

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