M42 to Mamiya 7: Mounting a Super-Takumar 135mm Lens
By Austin Camera | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
The Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 is an M42 lens, so it won't mount on a Mamiya 7. Here's how to use it on mirrorless and what to check first.
Quick answer
You cannot mount a Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 on a Mamiya 7: the lens is M42 screw mount and the Mamiya 7 uses its own bayonet. Use the Takumar on a mirrorless body with an M42 adapter, and keep the Mamiya 65mm f/4 for the Mamiya 7.
Why the Mamiya 7 is the wrong body for an M42 lens
The Mamiya 7 and 7II are rangefinder cameras built around Mamiya's own bayonet lenses, with no adapter path for M42 screw-mount glass. The Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 is an M42 lens, so the two simply do not connect.
That is not a loss. The Mamiya 65mm f/4 is the wide lens made for that body, and pairing it with the camera keeps rangefinder focusing, metering and framing working as designed.
What to check before buying an M42 adapter
M42 adapters exist for most mirrorless systems, but the adapter must match your camera's mount exactly. Confirm the mount name on your body before ordering, and check whether the adapter is plain (manual aperture, manual focus, no electronics) or includes a glass element.
A plain adapter is the safer choice for a lens like this: it adds no optics and keeps the Takumar's character intact. Also check that the adapter has a flange or stop pin so the lens seats at the correct infinity position.
Focusing a 135mm f/2.5 by hand
At 135mm, small focus movements are magnified, so use your camera's focus peaking or magnification rather than relying on the screen alone. Stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 when you need more depth of field, and remember that the aperture ring is manual on this lens.
The long focal length also makes shutter speed matter: keep it fast enough to avoid handshake, or support the camera. These are handling habits, not lens faults.
Step-by-step: using the Super-Takumar 135mm on mirrorless
- Confirm the lens mount: Check the lens barrel for an M42 screw thread. The Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 is M42, so do not try to fit it to a Mamiya 7 bayonet. If the thread does not match your adapter, stop before forcing anything.
- Choose the right adapter: Buy an M42-to-your-mount adapter with no glass element. Match the adapter to your camera's exact mount name, not a similar-sounding one. A plain adapter preserves the lens's optics; a glass adapter adds another surface.
- Mount the lens: Screw the lens onto the adapter until it seats fully, then attach the adapter to the camera. Do not overtighten. The lens should sit flat with no wobble; if it does not, the adapter is wrong.
- Set the camera to manual mode: Enable manual focus and, if your camera has it, set the shutter to release without a lens attached. Set the aperture on the lens ring. If the shutter will not fire, the camera is still waiting for an electronic lens signal.
- Focus with magnification: Use focus peaking or magnification at working aperture, then stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 for more depth of field. Re-check focus after stopping down; depth of field shifts slightly.
- Check infinity and handshake: Test focus at infinity on a distant subject. Keep shutter speed fast or support the camera at 135mm. If infinity will not reach, the adapter's flange distance is off.
Product facts
- Asahi Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 M42 Mount Lens - USED: This used Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 is M42 mount and has been fully tested as working with a 90-day warranty. You get a working manual lens, but you must supply the correct M42 adapter for your own camera body.
Asahi Super-Takumar 135mm f/2.5 M42 Mount Lens - USED - Mamiya 65mm f/4 Lens for Mamiya 7 / 7ii - Used: The used Mamiya 65mm f/4 for Mamiya 7 / 7II is a native bayonet lens with clean optics and front and rear caps included. It is the correct lens for the Mamiya 7 body, so it is the practical choice if that camera is your main system.
Mamiya 65mm f/4 Lens for Mamiya 7 / 7ii - Used
