Asahi Pentax SP 500 + Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 Review

1. The Timeless Appeal of the Asahi Pentax SP 500

The Asahi Pentax SP 500 is one of those rare 35mm film cameras that manages to feel both dependable and quietly inspiring. Launched in the early 1970s, this fully mechanical SLR strips photography back to its essentials: shutter speed, aperture, focus, and your eye.

There is no autofocus and no program mode. The meter is simple, the controls are intuitive, and the shutter keeps going as long as you keep winding. That makes the SP 500 especially attractive today for photographers who want to understand the craft rather than let electronics decide everything.

Why film shooters still love the SP 500

The SP 500 sits in a sweet spot: solid enough for serious work, simple enough for beginners. Its M42 screw mount gives access to a wide world of vintage lenses, but the bundled Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 is already a gem.

For anyone coming from digital, the SP 500 acts as a kind of analog mentor. It rewards careful metering, thoughtful composition, and a slower pace — the very things that often get lost in the rush of modern shooting.

On my first day with a fully mechanical SLR, I realized how much I’d been letting automation frame my pictures. Slowing down to meter, set my shutter speed, and focus by hand gave me time to notice background clutter, edge distractions, and light direction. My compositions became cleaner not because the camera improved, but because I finally had to think before pressing the shutter.

2. Inside the Kit: Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 Lens and Optical Quality

The standard kit lens for the SP 500 is the Super-Takumar 55mm f/2, an M42 screw-mount prime that has built a devoted following of its own. It’s compact, beautifully machined, and offers a rendering that many describe as “classic but crisp.”

Optical character and image quality

Stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8, the Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 delivers excellent sharpness across the frame with pleasing contrast. Wide open at f/2, you get gentle softness on the edges and a subtle glow that flatters portraits and gives everyday scenes a cinematic, vintage feel.

Color rendition is warm and rich, while black-and-white images benefit from deep blacks and smooth midtones. The bokeh is generally smooth, especially at closer distances, and the manual focusing ring is famed for its long throw and buttery feel.

Lens handling and accessories

The aperture ring clicks confidently into half-stop increments, and the focus ring’s smooth travel makes precise focus easy, even at f/2. A metal screw-on hood is highly recommended, both to protect the front element and to reduce flare under strong light.

3. Shooting with the SP 500 in 2025

Film photography in 2025 is about choice, process, and sustainability. With the Pentax SP 500, every frame is intentional — and that’s precisely why many photographers are reaching for cameras like this instead of another upgrade cycle.

Recommended workflow for your first roll

• Load a fresh 35mm film like Kodak Gold or Ilford HP5.
• Set shutter and aperture manually — learn exposure fundamentals.
• Use a metal hood for contrast improvement.
• Check light seals before your first roll.
• Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion.
• Test shutter speeds for consistency.
• Ensure lens focus is smooth with no oil on blades.
• Replace light seals if sticky or crumbling.

With a 36-exposure roll, think of each frame as a small project. Meter carefully using the built-in meter or a phone app, then commit. That limitation becomes a creative tool, pushing you to plan compositions instead of shooting in bursts.

Using the Super-Takumar on digital bodies

If you also shoot digital, the Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 can easily double as a character lens on many mirrorless systems via an M42 adapter. On Sony E or Fuji X, for example, you retain that smooth manual focus and vintage rendering, but gain instant feedback from the sensor.

That dual use makes the SP 500 kit even more attractive for hybrid shooters who value both analog and digital workflows.

4. Buying and Maintaining a Second-Hand SP 500

Buying second-hand is not only budget-friendly; it’s also a sustainable way to keep beautifully engineered cameras in active use. When considering an Asahi Pentax SP 500 kit, a careful inspection goes a long way.

What to check before you buy

Start with the basics: look closely at the body for dents, missing leatherette, or signs of impact. Operate the film advance, shutter release, and rewind crank. Shutter speeds should sound progressively faster as you step up the dial, and the mirror should move crisply without sticking.

Open the film back and examine the pressure plate, film rails, and especially the light seals. Deteriorated foam will look sticky, crumbly, or smeared along the door channels and mirror box. While degraded seals are common, they are also relatively easy and inexpensive to replace.

Meter and battery considerations

The original SP 500 meter was designed for mercury cells that are no longer available. Modern 1.35V zinc-air or 1.5V alkaline replacements work, but they may slightly shift meter accuracy. Many photographers simply compensate by rating their film a bit slower or faster, or by cross-checking with an external meter.

Always inspect the battery compartment: surface oxidation can often be cleaned, but heavy, crusted corrosion may indicate deeper issues.

Long-term care and sustainability

Store your SP 500 in a dry place, with the shutter uncocked and the lens capped. Exercise the shutter through its full range periodically to keep the mechanism moving. With minimal care, these cameras can remain reliable for decades, proving that high-quality gear doesn’t need to be disposable.

When you buy used at DutchThrift.com, you’re not only getting a piece of photographic history — you’re also supporting a circular economy where classic camera lenses and bodies continue to make images instead of landfill.

5. Conclusion: Why This Classic Endures

The Asahi Pentax SP 500 with the Super-Takumar 55mm f/2 lens is more than a nostalgic object. It’s a practical, reliable tool that still makes beautiful photographs in 2025 and beyond. Its simplicity teaches fundamentals, its lens delivers timeless rendering, and its mechanical nature frees you from needless complexity.

Whether you’re discovering film for the first time or returning after years of digital, this classic kit offers a grounded way to reconnect with deliberate, thoughtful photography — one frame at a time.

Ready to start your own analog journey? Explore our curated selection of tested analog cameras, matching camera lenses, and essential photography accessories at DutchThrift.com.