K10D and m42 lenses, etc.

[imajypsee]

Is anyone here doing a K to m42 adapter and using your old (m42)screw mount lenses? I bought an adapter B from Pentax online and all I can say is that Pentax is BRILLIANT when it comes to backward compatability. I can meter and get focus confirmation and shake reduction using the adapter. Now I lust for a CZJena Flektogon in 28 or so for the K10D and adapter B.

Here's one with CZ Jena 28 f/2,8 (not a Flektogon)


I have a gallery of some test photos; the Asahi Takumar 35 f/3.5 is by far the sharpest of the lot. However, last summer I bought a cheapy Focal 135 f/2.8 for 8 bucks that does a very nice job.

http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/m42test

I'm also experimenting with the K-A lenses. I used to have a ton of them but gave them away when I went to Canon digital in 2004. The 35-70 f/4 I bought on eBay is a great short zoom with a good close focus.




As for other focal lengths, well... I don't have another K mount body so I'm not sure what I'll buy in K mount lenses. In film slr I use Spotmatic and Mamiya Sekor 1000DTL screw mount lenses or a Leicaflex SL and I just don't see myself buying a film K mount body. I just like messing around with cameras and the K10D is fun to mess around with...

......soooooo......anyone got any favs in the K-A mount? or m42 favs?

 

[imajypsee]

hmmmm

hmmmm

I see ... you need to focus ....😱

Anyhow, I can focus quite well on the K10D with either the m42 or "A" lens(es). Do you not get a focus confirmation on your *istD? (that's one reason I never bought that dang camera; who can say the name!?) I get a red focus "box" with the m42 and a focus "box" and beep with the only A lens I have (at the moment.... ). Who knows, I may have a "beep" with the m42 lenses but I have a short memory....

hey.... hang on a minute.... were you saying I should buy a focusing aid :?)

 

[Paul_C]

The limiteds I love with all my <3

 

[rbiemer]

I like the 58mm/f2 biogon--another CZJ lens!--moderately fast "portrait" length lens on the K10D. Mine is a preset aperture version(maybe they all were? I don't know.) but even that isn't too annoying.
Rob

 

[imajypsee]

focus...what's that?

focus...what's that?

thanks for the replies, folks....I looked at those Katzye thingys and they are spendy!!

Now I'm gonna hafta look at Biogon lenses....😛 don't have any idea what the limiteds have to do with this thread....

 

[Abbazz]

I like the 58mm/f2 biogon--another CZJ lens!--moderately fast "portrait" length lens on the K10D.

That would be the Carl Zeiss Jena 58/2 Biotar (Biogon type is for wide angle lenses). The Russian Helios 44 is a copy of this lens and sells for much more.

Another vintage lens that I find very interesting is the Pentax Takumar 58/2.4. It's the only normal lens for 35mm SLR based on the famous Heliar formula (5 element 3 group triplet derivative). Just like the renowned Voigtländer Heliar lenses (which were designed for medium or large format), the Takumar 58/2.4 is a bit soft wide open but it sharpens nicely at f/4 and offers the smooth out of focus rendering that has become a trademark of this lens type. The 58mm focal length makes it a perfect portrait lens on a crop camera like the Pentax K10d.

The Takumar 58/2.4 was originally released in 37mm screwmount for the Asahiflex camera (you will need an impossible to find adapter to mount it on a modern Pentax). The later M42 mount version is quite scarce, but not particularly expensive, because this is not a highly sought after lens.

Here are a few shots taken with this lens at f/4 on my K10d:

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Bryce]

Pitxu, imajypsy-
I have a *istD-s and just refer to it as my STD.
The focus confirm light works on mine without a beep and doesn't keep me from firing the shutter when it isn't lit. While it is a slightly different model than yours, Pitxu, I'd be surprised if you can't get it to work like that via "custom functions".
Sorry, I only set the thing up a couple of years ago and never looked again.

 

[imajypsee]

thanks abazz

thanks abazz

I really appreciate the information and that Takumar lens is on my list.
Your photos have beautiful color; that's one of the things about the K10D that I really like. Thanks for posting.

 

[cjm]

I love using M42 lenses on my K100D!

135mm f/4 Jupiter 11a:

58mm f/2 Helios 44M:

 

[rbiemer]

I can't even claim a typo for my mistake! Thanks for catching that!
Rob

That would be the Carl Zeiss Jena 58/2 Biotar (Biogon type is for wide angle lenses). The Russian Helios 44 is a copy of this lens and sells for much more.

 

[Abbazz]

I can't even claim a typo for my mistake! Thanks for catching that!

Rob, it can even happen to the smart guys 😀. Check this one:

That would be the Carl Zeiss Jena 58/2 Biotar (Biogon type is for wide angle lenses). The Russian Helios 44 is a copy of this lens and sells for much more.

Of course, the Helios 44 sells for less than the original Biotar.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Kim Coxon]

The Limiteds are the 31mm, 43mm and 77mm AF lens by Pentax and are some of the best produced by Pentax. If you are interested in K mount, I still have some "spare" http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=8496&cat=2

Also if you need any "samples" from a particular Pentax lens either M42 or K mount, let me know and I should be able to produce it for you. I may also be able to help if you are looking for a particular Pentax M42 lens. 😉

Kim

thanks for the replies, folks....I looked at those Katzye thingys and they are spendy!!

Now I'm gonna hafta look at Biogon lenses....😛 don't have any idea what the limiteds have to do with this thread....

 

[shadowfox]

I use M42 lenses on my Olympus E-300 🙂

My favorite is the Biotar, and I just got a Flektogon 35/2.4.

 

[imajypsee]

thanks some more, all youse guys!!

thanks some more, all youse guys!!

Kim: I saw your ad a while back and thought REE-LEE hard on m42 28 f/2 A, but ....and here's where the limiteds come in.... I think I'd just do the AF 31 f/1.8 Limited, though I'm still pondering....

cjm: my goodness that photo of the beach and blowing sand is spectacular!! thanks for the look-see.

shadowfox: I have my eye on the Flektogon 35 f/2.4

and, I'm sorta coming to the conclusion that getting "A" lenses is going to be a real decision since there are plenty of autofocus lenses available from Pentax that would do the job. I guess I'm wanting some really spectacular glass...anyone going for the Voightlanders? Anyone tried the Zeiss Planar (hope that's the right one) for K mount?

and, any pictures would be most appreciated, from all of y'all!

Mary in Florida

 

[mackigator]

I too am wondering about the new Voigtlanders.

In particular, deciding between the Voigtlander SL II 40/2, the
Pentax SMCP-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited, and earlier m42 or A lenses. I'm new to the Pentax line and choosing primes is a daunting task.

Sorry for the slight topic drift ... Anyone care to weigh in on prime lenses with a high quality to value proposition for a K10D or similar digital body? My first buy will be somewhere around 50mm (effective length), give or take, and I'm leaning towards that new CV 40/2 over both the Pentax limiteds (40 and 43). And this will put me a little long but doable at 60mm.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Mary,
There is also a 31 ltd on that list 😉

I haven't tried any of the Zeiss glass yet but I am tempted by the 85/1.4 and the 100/2 Macro when it comes out in K mount. I do have the CV 125/2.8 Macro and that is a fantastic lens. If you want one they are discontinued but you may need to act quickly.

Kim

Kim: I saw your ad a while back and thought REE-LEE hard on m42 28 f/2 A, but ....and here's where the limiteds come in.... I think I'd just do the AF 31 f/1.8 Limited, though I'm still pondering....

and, I'm sorta coming to the conclusion that getting "A" lenses is going to be a real decision since there are plenty of autofocus lenses available from Pentax that would do the job. I guess I'm wanting some really spectacular glass...anyone going for the Voightlanders?
Mary in Florida

 

[Kim Coxon]

The advantage of the CV lenses is that they are Manual Focus if you prefer that. For a "standard" lens on the K10, I would go for the Pentax 31 Ltd. If that is outside the budget, the 35/2 FA is also very good. If you prefer manual focus, look at the 28/2A, the 35/2A and the offerings from Zeiss. (At the moment only the 35/2 is available in K mount but the 28/" should be available soon.)

Kim

I too am wondering about the new Voigtlanders.

In particular, deciding between the Voigtlander SL II 40/2, the
Pentax SMCP-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited, and earlier m42 or A lenses. I'm new to the Pentax line and choosing primes is a daunting task.

Sorry for the slight topic drift ... Anyone care to weigh in on prime lenses with a high quality to value proposition for a K10D or similar digital body? My first buy will be somewhere around 50mm (effective length), give or take, and I'm leaning towards that new CV 40/2 over both the Pentax limiteds (40 and 43). And this will put me a little long but doable at 60mm.

 

[imajypsee]

hmmmm

hmmmm

I was wondering why that photo was getting so many hits😕

how old do you think that old camera is😉?

Hi Mary,
I checked out your great gallery and your focusing seems to be fine.😉
You are rather hard on your models though, I wouldn't call this poor girl an "old folder".😀

http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/91537623



Pitxu.

 

[imajypsee]

I don't see any topic drift

I don't see any topic drift

I'm interested in any and all information regarding lenses on the Pentax (and, at the moment, I'm not considering and upgrade to the K20D; I like the body I have...🙄)

If I were deciding between the Voightlander and the DA, I think I'd go for the Voightlander. Only because the DA is supposedly specific to a digital camera. I think I read somewhere about somebody is using the Pentax DA 40 on a film body, but I have an old brain and I may not have that right.

If you want a great "effective" 50mm lens, get the Pentax adapter B from Pentax imaging and buy the Asahi Takumar 35/3.5 m42. VERY sharp and pretty reasonably priced. Other wise, I'd go for the 31 f/1.8 ltd. If there are "A" mount lenses in the 35 length (not sure about primes, since Pentax seemed to want to do zooms so much back in the day) that would be a good option. I think the only prime I ever owned was a 50 f/1.7. I have the 50 f/1.4 AF that is a spectacular performer. I like it for portraits. And, I recently bought that 35-70 f/4 A mount lens and it's a great close macro lens. Pentax glass seems so much better than most of the Canon lenses I own.

Anyhow, back to the 40: if you want autofocus then the Pentax DA 40 f/2.8. I'll probably go with the 43 LTD at some point for the autofocus.

HTH
Mary in Florida

I too am wondering about the new Voigtlanders.

In particular, deciding between the Voigtlander SL II 40/2, the
Pentax SMCP-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited, and earlier m42 or A lenses. I'm new to the Pentax line and choosing primes is a daunting task.

Sorry for the slight topic drift ... Anyone care to weigh in on prime lenses with a high quality to value proposition for a K10D or similar digital body? My first buy will be somewhere around 50mm (effective length), give or take, and I'm leaning towards that new CV 40/2 over both the Pentax limiteds (40 and 43). And this will put me a little long but doable at 60mm.

 

[imajypsee]

Why.... thank you, Richard

Why.... thank you, Richard

I have the film gallery, and another 3800 mostly digital photos on that site...obsessed is my middle name.
Yes, the viewfinder is dinky on the Mamiya; and the reason I chose the Mamiya was the coupled rangefinder. I do, however, have a Weltax that is zone focusing and I use it as well. I don't know if I've posted any photos I've made with it, though. Ever since I got that Pentax m42 adapter I've been neglecting my film work.
My other medium format is an RB67 that I bought on a whim from a fellow photographer and I like the photos it makes, but it's a beast to lift.

What did you do with your Isolette?

Seriously, I liked your site.
I used to have a folder, Agfa Isolette II, apart from the dinky viewfinder I really liked it a lot. I have no idea of the age of your Mamiya, is the rangefinder coupled?