The first lens a Pentax photographer should highlight is of course the Super-Takumar 1:1.4/50. It is the signature standard element of any brand. In the sixties of the last century, to be exact, in the year of my birth, 1964, Asaho optical company, Japan, wanted to build a lens that could compete with the Carl Zeiss Planar 1:1.4/50, but for a fraction of the price. All possible means were assembled to build it and the first version was an eight element lens that turned out to be so expensive to build it almost ruined Asahi Pentax. They soon reverted to building a cheaper, 7 element version, that was sold until 1975. I was happy to acquire q 7 element version and kept searching for years to find the 8 element for a reasonable price. Finally I was lucky to find one when I was on tour in the US with Cappella Pratensis, in North Adams, MA. I immediately took some pictures of the rehearsal and the garden of the hotel and use it regularly to my great satisfaction.