Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2.2 on a Fujifilm X-T20
Lenses can be quite expensive. Most new lenses cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. Many people want to expand their glass collection but simply cannot afford it. A good solution is to use vintage lenses from the film era on your modern camera. An inexpensive adapter will allow you to attach lenses from another mount to your Fujifilm X camera. This is a cost-effective way to add more glass to your current camera kit.
One lens mount that’s common to find is M42 screw mount, which was originally designed by Carl Zeiss in the late-1930’s. Several different camera brands used M42 at one time or another, including Pentax, Contax, Praktica, Fujica, Yashica, Cosina, Ricoh, Zenit, Olympus and others. Most camera manufacturers who used M42 had moved on to other mounts by the late-1970s, but some M42 screw mount lenses are manufactured to this day. Thankfully, your options for this mount are plentiful!
What I love about many of these vintage lenses is that they have exceptional image quality, yet they also seem to have their own unique character. Many modern lenses are precision engineered, which is great, but they lack character. What sets one apart from another is just how precisely it was designed and tooled. Vintage lenses often have flaws, which might seem like a negative attribute, but these flaws sometimes produce unique effects that you’d never find on a brand-new lens. It might be a certain bokeh, soft corners, lens flare–whatever the flaw is, it makes your pictures less perfect, which is the character that is often missing in modern photography. Actor Willie Garson famously stated, “Perfection is the antithesis of authenticity.”
The challenge with using older lenses is that auto-focus and auto-aperture are out the window. You will need to manual focus, which is made easier thanks to focus peaking and focus confirmation, but it is still a skill to learn for those who aren’t used to it. You will have to set the aperture yourself, which isn’t a difficult skill, but if you always use auto-aperture this might take some practice. For some people there will be a learning curve, but I believe that the manual features are actually a help and not a hindrance, since it slows you down and forces you to consider things a little bit more deeply. You also must ensure that “Shoot Without Lens” is selected on your Fujifilm camera, or else it won’t work.
These old lenses are often easy to find for a reasonable price. Some can be expensive, but most are not. In fact, if you shop around, you can get two or three different lenses for less than $100! If money is tight, this is probably your best bet for purchasing additional glass for your camera. Look at thrift stores, antique shops, yard sales, flea markets, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for good bargains. Below are three different M42 screw mount lenses that I have used on Fujifilm X cameras.
Helios 44-2 58mm f/2
The Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 is a Soviet Union lens renown for its swirly bokeh. It’s a knockoff of the Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 that was made in the 1940’s and 1950’s. This lens was mass-produced in Russia for many, many years and can be found for very little money. In fact, mine came attached to a Zenit-E camera that was less than $50. If there is one lens that epitomizes character, this is it, as it has fantastic image quality, yet it can be quirky, often in the best ways possible.
Tricycle In The Woods – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & Helios 44-2
Snake River Fog – Grand Teton NP, WY – Fujifilm X-E1 & Helios 44-2
Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2.2
The Asahi Auto-Takumar 55mm f/2.2 was made by Pentax in the late-1950’s and early 1960’s, and there was a nearly identical lens but with a slightly larger aperture (f/2) that was manufactured into the 1970’s. This is a great prime lens that produces beautiful pictures. It doesn’t have as much character as the Helios, but it makes up for it by how lovely it renders pictures. It’s definitely a favorite of mine! Oh, and I paid $35 dollars for it and the camera that it was attached to.
Welcome To Ogden – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 & Asahi 55mm
Super Moon Illumination – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 & Asahi 55mm
Jupiter 21M 200mm f/4
The Jupiter 21M 200mm f/4 is Soviet Union lens that was manufactured from the early 1970’s through the late 1990’s, and a nearly identical earlier version of this lens was introduced in the late 1950’s. The image quality is nothing short of fantastic, but it’s super heavy and feels like a tank. It’s not something that you want to carry around all day. The Jupiter 21M can sometimes be found for less than $100, so it’s a really great bargain for what you get. It’s a solid long-telephoto option for those on a tight budget.
Layers of Grey – Canyonlands NP, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Jupiter 21M
Endless Canyons – Dead Horse SP, UT – Fujifilm X-A3 & Jupiter 21M
the Endless Canyons pic is truly superb!
Thank you!
Hi there, I bought a year ago the Jupiter 200mm using it with an adapter K&f M42 on my Fuji HX -1 camera.
I have been trying to focus In infinity but nothing.
Have someone more experience or different adapter to fix this problem?
Thank you very much.
George.
It’s either an issue with the lens or the adapter. I would try a different adapter, and if the problem persists, then it’s the lens. I don’t know how to fix it if it’s the lens, but I’m sure it’s possible with tiny screwdrivers.
How have I missed this page until now!!! I’m experimenting with some vintage Asahi lenses and Fotodiox adapters. I have my father’s non-working Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II which after he passed earlier this year, became even more precious to me. My first film camera was a Pentax P3 which I still own.
Earlier this year (2019) I bought an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II on eBay with an Asahi SMC Takumar 55mm f/2, and I have slowly started to re-learn film photography. I picked up a lens adapter and a few more lenses so that I can use these on my Fuji X-T2. My favourite is the Asani SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5, because of the ~ 42mm FF equivalent field of view.
I went into the one remaining local camera shop to pick up a battery for the Spotmatic II and ended up buying a Soligor 35mm f/2.8 Wide-Auto M42 lens for $50. So I have a full set of manual primes – 28mm (~42 mm FF), 35mm (~53mm FF) and 55mm (~84mm FF).
Those are some great lenses! The Asahi 55mm f/2 is such a good one. How is the Takumar 28mm?
I will complete my “review” of the Asahi Optical Co. SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 on Fuji X-T2 soon. It’s taking me longer to write than I expected.
Can’t wait!
My “review” is not as detailed or well written as one of your reviews but it’s complete: https://islandinthenet.com/asahi-smc-takumar-28mm-f3-5/
Thank you for sharing! Great write up, nice pictures. I’m going to look for that lens, see if I can find a bargain.
Ritchie I’ve been reading your site for a while now and never saw this post until today either. I too have a bunch of my Dad’s old Pentax and Asahi lenses. Don’t know why I never thought to use them on my x-t20, what a great idea. Really enjoy your posts, and jpeg settings!
I’m so glad to hear this! I appreciate your feedback and encouragement. Asahi lenses are great!
Hi Tom, do you have a website? I’d like to see what you create with the lenses and the Fujifilm X-T20.
Hi Richie
You probably don’t remember but do you know what recipe was used for Welcome To Ogden photo?
Thanks
Justin
Kodachrome II
https://fujixweekly.com/2018/08/19/my-fujifilm-x-pro2-kodachrome-ii-film-simulation-recipe/