Takumar Tales: Pentax 55s - Unsung, Yet So, So Good

"The Planar Killer."

    "It nearly bankrupted Asahi (Pentax)."

    "The Holy Grail of 50mm lenses."

     Three phrases that have never been applied to the unheralded, yet best-selling, Pentax 55/1.8 and f/2 "normal" lenses ;-). But these humble optics did more to establish Pentax' reputation as a purveyor of fine cameras and optics during the 1960s than any other. No, it wasn't through bold (if debatable) statements applied to the lovely, but now relatively scarce, 8-element Super Takumar 50/1.4 released with the Spotmatic in 1964. (Which was quickly replaced in 1965 with a 7-element version using "rare-earth", thorium-treated,  glass to achieve even better performance). Rather, it was through understated, sustained excellence. First introduced in 1958 & 1959 in plain Takumar and Auto Takumar forms, respectively, the 55/1.8 (and its budget twin, the 55/2) would maintain their basic optical formula (albeit with adjustments to the glass types and coatings) through multiple variants, culminating in early K-mount versions, for a two-decade run on the market. So what was so special about these ordinary lenses?   

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