I inherited a M42 Super Multi coated Takumar 50mm 1.4 Now what for a body?

[raid]

Nowadays you can easily find camera/lens adapters for almost any mounts. I used to use the (excellent) Pentax 85mm/1.8 M42 with an adapter on a Canon FD camera. There is a Canon FD Adapter B by which an FD lens (or modified M42 lens) could be mounted on an LTM camera, or use also a LTM-M adapter to use the M42 mount lens on any M camera.

 

[hap]

Also, read what the manual says about the SMC Takumar 50f1.4. It talks about the previous version of the lens than yours but I would imagine the same applies for your version too.

according what I’ve read this issue applies to 8 element variations only

 

[Mackinaw]

Nowadays you can easily find camera/lens adapters for almost any mounts. I used to use the (excellent) Pentax 85mm/1.8 M42 with an adapter on a Canon FD camera. There is a Canon FD Adapter B by which an FD lens (or modified M42 lens) could be mounted on an LTM camera, or use also a LTM-M adapter to use the M42 mount lens on any M camera.

Canon also made the Lens Mount Converter P, which allows an M42 lens to mount on any Canon FL/FD body.

Jim B.

 

[raid]

Canon also made the Lens Mount Converter P, which allows an M42 lens to mount on any Canon FL/FD body.

Jim B.

This is adapter that I used, Jim.

Pentax M42 lens to Canon FD camera via Lens Mount Adapter P.
Canon Adapter B to mount the lens on a ltm camera
Leica adapter M to go from ltm to M.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

With the low price of Pentax bodies & the high cost of an adapter or cumulative price of Wein cells, I think any classic black Pentax body will do. The 50mm 1.4 is a great lens, especially wide open. If you can get by without an internal meter.... I settled on an S2. I also have a black spotmatic....mssg me if you're interested.

 

[KoNickon]

The Spotmatic F takes one 1.5V 357/44 cell -- very easy to get in any drug store. That, plus the open aperture metering, makes them preferable to the older models in my opinion.

The smaller battery (400 something) for the older cameras you'd have to find at a camera shop. And Wein cells don't last anyway. I think a 394 button cell will work for the older Spotmatics as a replacement for the 400, and they have a much longer life, but I think they are not necessarily available at a drug store. (Too bad Radio Shack is no more -- they always had them.)

 

[p.giannakis]

according what I’ve read this issue applies to 8 element variations only

I dont think so - the manual talks about the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar. The 8 elements one is the Super-Takumar.

 

[KoNickon]

I've tried mounting the open aperture S-M-C Takumars on earlier Spotmatics and they don't seem to mount all the way.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

If you're set on a classic SLR, then a Pentax, of course. On the other hand, there's the Voigtlander Bessaflex. Much more recent manufacture (no battery hassles) and a great shooter, if that's your goal. I believe it was the last camera ever made that has an M42 mount. Review here: Film Friday: Voigtlander Bessaflex TM - the film SLR way ahead of its time: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 

[p.giannakis]

I've tried mounting the open aperture S-M-C Takumars on earlier Spotmatics and they don't seem to mount all the way.

I am going through the camera manuals and i am getting confused. I found the following on the Pentax ESII manual.


So clearly you can't mount an older Super-Takumar on the ESII. Doesn't say anything about the other way around (new SMC Takumar on older Spotmatics).

The manual for the Spotmatic F says...


So in theory, it should work well. Do i understand it correctly?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

There is also a 7-element Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4, uses Thoriated glass. The Super-Multi-coated 50/1.4 uses the same formula, just multi-coated and adds wide-open metering.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

If you're set on a classic SLR, then a Pentax, of course. On the other hand, there's the Voigtlander Bessaflex. Much more recent manufacture (no battery hassles) and a great shooter, if that's your goal. I believe it was the last camera ever made that has an M42 mount. Review here: Film Friday: Voigtlander Bessaflex TM - the film SLR way ahead of its time: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

An excellent recommendation! I have owned 2 Bessaflex cameras. If I was still a film shooter I'd still own them. This is one of them; it was an outstanding camera.

Bessaflex TM with Voigtländer Bessa rangfinder side grip​

 

[hap]

This is adapter that I used, Jim.

Pentax M42 lens to Canon FD camera via Lens Mount Adapter P.
Canon Adapter B to mount the lens on a ltm camera
Leica adapter M to go from ltm to M.

sounds like freeway switching directions in LA.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

An excellent recommendation! I have owned 2 Bessaflex cameras. If I was still a film shooter I'd still own them. This is one of them; it was an outstanding camera.

Bessaflex TM with Voigtländer Bessa rangfinder side grip​

....a $700 camera to mount a $50 lens on .....

 

[hap]

....a $700 camera to mount a $50 lens on .....

i got got ripped off.....75$. Inclusive

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You could look for an Argus/Cosina STL1000. Like a Nikkormat with a screw mount. My OTHER SMC Super-Tak is on one.

 

[MrFujicaman]

The Fujica ST series-ST-605, ST-701, ST-801 and ST-705W are nice cameras and the finders are brighter than the Pentax's. Another camera to consider is the Chinon/GAF/ Sears/ Memoton CE-II GAF LE-S II. Nice finder and auto exposure with any single pin M-42 mount lens. The Chinon CE-3 is a later, smaller version of the CE-II and also can take an autowinder.

 

[hap]

You could look for an Argus/Cosina STL1000. Like a Nikkormat with a screw mount. My OTHER SMC Super-Tak is on one.

Interesting, probably a very good camera and prices excellent. However, I prefer body that guarantees compatibility of open aperture metering.

 

[hap]

There is also a 7-element Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4, uses Thoriated glass. The Super-Multi-coated 50/1.4 uses the same formula, just multi-coated and adds wide-open metering.

I love Thorium glass. nice and warm. For as much radiation I've soaked up over my career a Thorium element is piss in the ocean.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Wide-Open aperture for meter reading means buying a Pentax body with that feature. The Spotmatic F is probably the best choice.