Ultra-compact Pentax 200mm f/5.6 in M42 mount — one of the smallest telephotos ever made.
The Pentax Super-Takumar or SMC Takumar 200mm f/5.6 is a compact telephoto lens in M42 screw mount, offering moderate telephoto reach in the smallest possible package. The slow f/5.6 aperture enables an extremely compact and lightweight design that makes this one of the most portable 200mm lenses ever produced.
Optical quality is adequate for a lens prioritising compactness over maximum aperture. The Takumar multi-coating provides good contrast and flare resistance. At moderate apertures around f/8 to f/11, the lens delivers respectable sharpness. The 200mm focal length provides useful telephoto reach for nature and portrait photography in good light.
Build quality is typical Takumar quality with an all-metal barrel and smooth mechanics. The M42 screw mount provides universal compatibility with virtually any camera system via inexpensive adapters. The remarkably compact dimensions make this lens genuinely pocket-portable — unusual for a 200mm telephoto.
On the used market, the Pentax 200mm f/5.6 M42 is among the most affordable telephoto lenses available for any system. For photographers wanting the most compact possible 200mm reach, or M42 users building a travel kit with minimal size and weight, it provides functional telephoto capability at negligible cost.