squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
But does the CM-3/CE-3 allow you to use late Takumars in auto mode? Or is that a Pentax-only thing? Because if it's Pentax-only, then I already have the cameras I need!
ampguy
Veteran
Yes, the short throw is incredible
Yes, the short throw is incredible
I wonder how Chinon got the gearing perfect for a smooth short throw, while other SLRs, and the Yashica GSN for example have much longer throws.
When I got my CM-5 in the '80s, I had no idea it was a great camera, it was just priced right. Now I've realized the 50/1.9 lens is about equal or better to the Summilux pre-asph on an RF at about 0.20 % the cost!
A while ago I thought my Shutter was jammed as it wasn't closing consistently, and someone here (David Murphy? Greyhoundman?) told me to blow in the back and get old film debris out. I did that, and now it is perfect.
The only cost savings I notice is that the top and bottom are plastic or composite, which may be by design, but it gives it a less pro feel than the metal Nikons.
Yes, the short throw is incredible
I wonder how Chinon got the gearing perfect for a smooth short throw, while other SLRs, and the Yashica GSN for example have much longer throws.
When I got my CM-5 in the '80s, I had no idea it was a great camera, it was just priced right. Now I've realized the 50/1.9 lens is about equal or better to the Summilux pre-asph on an RF at about 0.20 % the cost!
A while ago I thought my Shutter was jammed as it wasn't closing consistently, and someone here (David Murphy? Greyhoundman?) told me to blow in the back and get old film debris out. I did that, and now it is perfect.
The only cost savings I notice is that the top and bottom are plastic or composite, which may be by design, but it gives it a less pro feel than the metal Nikons.
Ted, I'm glad you notice the short-throw advance lever too
Isn't that something?
I lamented the fact that Chinon gave up on producing cameras (and lenses), they have good designers and they don't skimp on quality.
But nowadays all I got is laughter when I showed them the Chinons, a guy genuinely thought it's a copy of Canon made in China... (sigh...)
I have a 28mm/2.8 Chinon lens coming this week, it's dirt cheap and from what I read about it, it's darn good.
P
pshinkaw
Guest
I don't know how the auto mode works on Pentax M42 lenses.
The Chinon M42 auto cameras work by using a very fast reading siicon cell. When you press the shutter release, the lens stops down, the silicon cell reads the light off the focusing screen and sets the shutter speed before the exposure is made. That's why the shutter release feels "hard" It has to have some resistance to slow the action down.
It will work automatically with any M42 lens that will do an automatic stop-down. The only ones that won't work in autoexposure are the manual or pre-set stop-down lenses.
I think Fujica ST901 handled auto-exposure the same way. It had siicon cells and an M42 lens mount. The Fujica is also only 630 grams body weight.
-Paul
The Chinon M42 auto cameras work by using a very fast reading siicon cell. When you press the shutter release, the lens stops down, the silicon cell reads the light off the focusing screen and sets the shutter speed before the exposure is made. That's why the shutter release feels "hard" It has to have some resistance to slow the action down.
It will work automatically with any M42 lens that will do an automatic stop-down. The only ones that won't work in autoexposure are the manual or pre-set stop-down lenses.
I think Fujica ST901 handled auto-exposure the same way. It had siicon cells and an M42 lens mount. The Fujica is also only 630 grams body weight.
-Paul
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
CE-3 will allow you to user late Takumars in AE mode (aperture priority). CM-3 won't.
Which Pentax allows you to do that (AE)?
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
The ES and ESII.
I'm now looking for a CE-4s, the version with the 1/2000 speed...and I'm actually thinking of trying the CE-5.
P
pshinkaw
Guest
The -3 versions were the last M42 mount bodies that Chinon made. the -4 and -5's are K-mount. I presume you were going to move on from M42 to K? If auto exposure is where you want to be, K mounts are a lot more usable than M42. However, if you have an attachment to your M42 lenses your selection of usable bodies gets a lot smaller.
If you are going to K mounts, you might want to take a look at the Pentax K bodies. I have experience with the K-1000, K2, MX, ME Super and MG. The only one that has some problems (as opposed to design limitations) is the K2. It uses a shutter speed setting dial that is located around the base of the lens mount (like the OM's) it and the film speed setting ring tend to bind as the camera gets older. It requires some maintenance to keep it operating smoothly.
Asahi Pentax K-mount lenses generally do not have DOF preview in the lenses like the M42 lenses. It must be available in the camera body. Not all of the bodies have that feature.
If you are going to K mounts, you might want to take a look at the Pentax K bodies. I have experience with the K-1000, K2, MX, ME Super and MG. The only one that has some problems (as opposed to design limitations) is the K2. It uses a shutter speed setting dial that is located around the base of the lens mount (like the OM's) it and the film speed setting ring tend to bind as the camera gets older. It requires some maintenance to keep it operating smoothly.
Asahi Pentax K-mount lenses generally do not have DOF preview in the lenses like the M42 lenses. It must be available in the camera body. Not all of the bodies have that feature.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Funny you mentioned this, soon after I typed that I found a decent deal on an ME Super with 50/1.4. Should be even smaller than the Chinon!
At this point I think I'm good with Pentax camera bodies...
At this point I think I'm good with Pentax camera bodies...
P
pshinkaw
Guest
There may not be a smaller full-frame 35 SLR than an ME Super. I use mine with the Pentax belt clip and the 40mm/2.8 lens. The only shortcoming so far as I am concerned is the lack of a DOF preview switch.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
The MX is IMHO better than the Super ME. If I have only one Pentax body, I think it'll be a black MX or LX. I had one MX once, but sold it to a good home and replace it with the Chinon CE-4s.
Btw, I just added a Pentax SMC Takumar 35/2 into my M42 system. I'm kinda curious about this lens, I read about 50-50 split opinion about it. Hopefully mine is a good copy
Btw, I just added a Pentax SMC Takumar 35/2 into my M42 system. I'm kinda curious about this lens, I read about 50-50 split opinion about it. Hopefully mine is a good copy
P
pshinkaw
Guest
I personally enjoy using my MX over my ME Super and MG, especially since it has DOF preview. However, if you need an aperture preferred auto exposure camera with a manual over-ride capability, the ME Super is the only one of the 3 that can provide those features.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Btw, I just added a Pentax SMC Takumar 35/2 into my M42 system. I'm kinda curious about this lens, I read about 50-50 split opinion about it. Hopefully mine is a good copy
I have the 28 and think it's terrific, but I've read that the 35 is one of the ones with the Thorium yellowing problem. You might have to put it out in the sun for a few weeks...that's where my 50/1.4 screwmount is now!
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Nah, mine came as though it's from the factory, very clean and the only color I can see is the amber coating, no uneven yellow cloudiness. But... only a roll of slide film will be the pudding in this case, mine may yet join yours on the window sill
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Well, my yellowing is not cloudy or uneven, but it's quite a lot more pronounced than the coating ought to be.
You're saying this lens is supposed to be somewhat amber,though?
You're saying this lens is supposed to be somewhat amber,though?
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Yes, if it's shiny and a just a faint of amber, it's the coating. If it's yellow (as in yellow-filter) and not glimmering, it needs a sun bath. Search online for "takumar amber", you'll see a lot of converging opinions.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Yeah, I definitely have some yellow.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Got my ME Super today...I like the feel of it. It is incredibly small. I think I actually prefer the feel of the Chinon, but I'm holding out for a CE-4s for the higher shutter speed...then I'll compare them. The ME Super feels surprisingly sturdy for such a lightweight camera.
Also, I got an SMC M 50/1.4 with it, and holy crap. It is amazing. I took about 50 test shots with my DSLR and they look stunning. Can't wait to try it with some Reala (tomorrow).
Also, I got an SMC M 50/1.4 with it, and holy crap. It is amazing. I took about 50 test shots with my DSLR and they look stunning. Can't wait to try it with some Reala (tomorrow).
Seele
Anachronistic modernist
Sorry for coming in late.
The Chinon CE Memotron series (CE, CE-II and CE-3) were originally designed to by-pass the confusion caused by each maker of M42-mount cameras' own implementation of aperture simulation, required to give full-aperture metering, and giving automatic exposure. The Memotron models used stop-down metering requiring only the standard plunger stop-down pin only.
However the Memotrons were not the only ones which tried this approach. Off the top of my head, Cosina did it with the Hi-Lite EC and Yashica also tried it with the Electro AX.
The Chinon CE Memotron series (CE, CE-II and CE-3) were originally designed to by-pass the confusion caused by each maker of M42-mount cameras' own implementation of aperture simulation, required to give full-aperture metering, and giving automatic exposure. The Memotron models used stop-down metering requiring only the standard plunger stop-down pin only.
However the Memotrons were not the only ones which tried this approach. Off the top of my head, Cosina did it with the Hi-Lite EC and Yashica also tried it with the Electro AX.