M42 lenses

I liked the Helios 44 (58mm f2) so much I used it for a while exclusively on my Nikons. First on my FG as I could check the DOF via the lens then on my FM. Then I used a damaged sample for a whole year without realizing.
The problem was always with the adapters: The M42 to Nikon (with a lens) worked great with the 58mm but produced very peculiar results with the Jupiter 9. So I started using them on M42 cameras.
There is an Industar 61 L/D for M42 with a deeply recessed front lens (bit like a Micro Nikkor for dirt cheap), Its aperture setting can pe a bit of a pain put I like the results on my Nikon with color film
 
rover said:
Yes, that is the one.
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The adapter you refer to should not be having that problem. It is a problem I have found with very similar adapters made by third-party vendors (where you insert it and then mount the lens, and it just turns and turns). Not to question your statement about it being genuine Pentax brand, but are you certain? The 'clone' ones do not have engraved writing on them, they have printing that says "M42 Adapter" or something like that. The genuine Pentax either say "Pentax" or "Asahi" on the rim, and it is engraved. I ask only because I had the same problems you describe with the cheap clone adapters, then I switched to a genuine Pentax brand (actually bought two, one from eBay and one from Pentax) and that fixed it.

As some know, the often-sold adapters that have a 'lip' around the top do not have the 'spins and spins' problem, but they also do not focus to infinity, so they are good for macro only - most eBay sellers 'accidentally' fail to mention this - or they deny it. But the rear focus distance on M42 lenses is such that the lens base MUST sit flush against the camera body - there is no room for an adapter which protrudes from the lens well.

Good luck! If you still have the problem with the genuine Pentax adapter, I don't know what to tell you - it would seem either the adapter or the camera body has a problem.
 
Raid, the Zeiss Jena Flektagons were in Pentax/Practica mount but the 180 and 300 were in Pentacon 6 mount but came with automatic adapters for Pentax/Practica. Both the 180 and 300 were in big fat barrels, probably so they wouldn't vignette on the 6x6cm negative. When I switched to Hasselblad and Leicaflex I can't say that the optics were an improvement worth noticing. Zeiss Jena knew how to make the glass.
 
very nice Chris

very nice Chris

I just got an F to M42 adapter, specifically for a Vivitar 35/1.9 lens I like a lot.

ChrisN said:
I had an outing today with the dSLR, to get it out of my system before Keith's "one camera - one lens" challenge. 🙂

Here's a shot with a Vivitar M42 200/3.5 - another $20 flea-market lens.

Anyone else like M42 lenses?

1__IGP4648.jpg
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Nice shot of the birds, Steve. And Gordon - nice suitcase! 🙂

The other M42s I have are a Helios 44M (58/2), a Meyer-Gorlitz (how do I get the umlaut?) 135/2.8, a Schneider-Kreuznach 360/5.5, and a Sigma Mini-Wide 28/2.8. The first three are very usable as they are either the old pre-set aperture type or have the auto/manual switch so I can use them on the K20D in aperture-priority metering mode by leaving the lens aperture stopped down. The Sigma lacks either pre-set or auto/manual switch, so will only stop-down with a camera designed for M42 lenses. One day I'll modify it to keep the lens stopped down manually - an easy and reversible modification.

Other than the Pentax and Zeiss M42 lenses, what's worth looking for? What are the "sleepers" amongst the M42 lenses? 🙂
 
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If you can find them

If you can find them

Try out a Vivitar 35/1.9 in M42, filter size is 55mm, forgot the original Japanese maker name, but I doubt there was more than one for this lens.

Also, one I sold, but wish I kept is an 18mm/3.4, Can't remember the brand, either Tokina or Tamron I think. Very little distortion, great build quality.

ChrisN said:
Nice shot of the birds, Steve. And Gordon - nice suitcase! 🙂

The other M42s I have are a Helios 44M (58/2), a Meyer-Gorlitz (how do I get the umlaut?) 135/2.8, a Schneider-Kreuznach 360/5.5, and a Sigma Mini-Wide 28/2.8. The first three are very usable as they are either the old pre-set aperture type or have the auto/manual switch so I can use them on the K20D in aperture-priority metering mode by leaving the lens aperture stopped down. The Sigma lacks either pre-set or auto/manual switch, so will only stop-down with a camera designed for M42 lenses. One day I'll modify it to keep the lens stopped down manually - an easy and reversible modification.

Other than the Pentax and Zeiss M42 lenses, what's worth looking for? What are the "sleepers" amongst the M42 lenses? 🙂
Click to expand...
 
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ChrisN said:
I had an outing today with the dSLR, to get it out of my system before Keith's "one camera - one lens" challenge. 🙂

Here's a shot with a Vivitar M42 200/3.5 - another $20 flea-market lens.

Anyone else like M42 lenses?

1__IGP4648.jpg
Click to expand...

Chris,

The Vivitar 200mm 3.5 (S#28703763) that I have is a very sharp lens...I am the original owner of this lens from 1976...It always had a filter on it and the front glass is spotless...
I recently picked up a couple of Super Takumar lenses (along with a Spotmatic SP) and I love the feel and look of these lenses...
I started with M42 lenses back in '76 and 34 years later I'm coming back to them...
I have...
Vivitar 28mm 2.8
Vivitar 50mm 1.9
Vivitar 135mm 2.8
Vivitar 200mm 3.5
Super Takumar 35mm 3.5
Super Takumar 50mm 1.4
 
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