shorelineae
Finder of ranges
I'm looking for a solid M42 Camera Body to use M42 lenses (non-Pentax, because the Pentax M42 mount is slightly different). These are the options that I've culled together so far:
Are there any other options that I should consider?
Please note I am not interested in options that support the Pentax M42 mount which is a different mount.
Thanks.
- Voigtlander Bessaflex TM
- Voigtlander VSL 1
- Zeiss Ikon Icarex 35S TM
- Zenit TTL or Zenit 122
- Praktica MTL 5b
- Chinon CE 2 or 3 Memotron
Are there any other options that I should consider?
Please note I am not interested in options that support the Pentax M42 mount which is a different mount.
Thanks.
valdas
Veteran
Did you mean Pentax K mount? ... because Pentax M42 is the same M42. I can mount my Pentax Takumar (M42) on Chinon (M42). Unless you mean some subtle differences I am not aware of...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M42_lens_mount
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M42_lens_mount
narsuitus
Well-known
see https://cameraquest.com/slr42ae.htm
That said, my favorite M42 camera is the Canon T90 with a M42 to FD adapter. Manual aperture operation, but it has SOOOOO many features I love.
My 2nd place goes to the Rollei 3003 with M42 adapter, if I want to test 35mm films with same lens and lighting conditions using interchangeable film backs.
of course all Pentax K mount cameras (my favorite the MX) use M42 lenses via the M42 to K mount adapter.
I love the Fuji M42 lenses, but not their bodies.
Stephen
That said, my favorite M42 camera is the Canon T90 with a M42 to FD adapter. Manual aperture operation, but it has SOOOOO many features I love.
My 2nd place goes to the Rollei 3003 with M42 adapter, if I want to test 35mm films with same lens and lighting conditions using interchangeable film backs.
of course all Pentax K mount cameras (my favorite the MX) use M42 lenses via the M42 to K mount adapter.
I love the Fuji M42 lenses, but not their bodies.
Stephen
charjohncarter
Veteran
Yashica made a bunch:
Penta J 6/1961
Reflex 35 3/1962
J-3 2/1963
J-5 3/1964
J-P 8/1964
J-4 4/1965
TL-Super 4/1966
J-7 11/1966
TL 11/1967
TL Electro-X Type 1 10/1968
TL Electro X Type 2 7/1969
TL-E 6/1969
ITS 12/1970
TL-Electro 4/1972
Electro AX 3/1972
FFT 7/1973
But I think except for the very last series of Pentax lenses all should fit any M42 SLR.
Penta J 6/1961
Reflex 35 3/1962
J-3 2/1963
J-5 3/1964
J-P 8/1964
J-4 4/1965
TL-Super 4/1966
J-7 11/1966
TL 11/1967
TL Electro-X Type 1 10/1968
TL Electro X Type 2 7/1969
TL-E 6/1969
ITS 12/1970
TL-Electro 4/1972
Electro AX 3/1972
FFT 7/1973
But I think except for the very last series of Pentax lenses all should fit any M42 SLR.
css9450
Veteran
Ricoh made some M42 cameras if I recall... And they made some for Sears too.
Axel
singleshooter
And Revue, Porst and many further possibilities by using Adapters.
I have Minolta A and Canon EF - Bodies in temporary use with my M42 lenses.
I have Minolta A and Canon EF - Bodies in temporary use with my M42 lenses.
trip-xa
Established
I had a big clunky GAF that I think was a rebadged Chinon. Had a double exposure lever on it which I haven't see elsewhere.
Particular
a.k.a. CNNY, disassembler
I have not used them, but the Pentacon Exa 1b, and 1c, some of which have m42 mount, sure look cool.
Yes, I'd go for a bayonet body with an M42 adapter. Lots of variety and features going this direction...
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
My vote goes the the Chinon Memotron CE-II, which is on your original shortlist already.
A future collectors camera, read the review by Mike Eckman on it, and take my word on the sturdiness of that gorgeous brass body with black paint in Leica M2, M3, M4 quality
A future collectors camera, read the review by Mike Eckman on it, and take my word on the sturdiness of that gorgeous brass body with black paint in Leica M2, M3, M4 quality
Pentode
Well-known
This has not been my experience. All my M42 lenses, Pentax and otherwise, mount correctly on my Pentax, Mamiya, Ricoh and Pentacon bodies. I am not aware of any compatibility issues between any of them. Please expound on this.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I think that the Takumars that were made for the full aperture metering screw mount Pentaxes (Spotmatic F, ES, ES II) will not work with other bodies, and I believe that includes other Pentaxes. These would be the M42 mount SMC Takumars and (I think) Super Multi Coated Takumars.
valdas
Veteran
Hmm, my SMC Takumar works just fine on Chinon CE-3...
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Does the Chinon meter at full aperture? If so, that would explain why the SMC Takumars work on it fine.
valdas
Veteran
Yes, it does.
Austintatious
Well-known
Chinon Memotron CE-3 with split prism screen and aperture priority, what's not to like?
charjohncarter
Veteran
I have one of those later lenses and it works fine on my Spotmatic, but with a Pentax adapter it does not completely seat on my K mount bodies.
Beemermark
Veteran
Mamiya 1000 DTL. Heavy duty camera, spot and average meter, ST, etc. And uses current common Silver Oxide batteries
zuiko85
Veteran
Think there is no difference with M42 mounts. That said another vote for Fujica bodies. Some are kind of loud compared to Pentax but brighter screens and more modern meters than early Spotmatics. Had an early ST701 that was great even though it came from the factory with the mirror rest position slightly out of adjustment so that screen focus did not exactly agree with film plane focus. Took about 20 min. to adjust to '0' and after that it was a really nice camera.
edit; Full confession, no longer have a M42 body, had to pare back the herd to protect my sanity. Still have one M42 mount lens, a Vivitar 55mm f2.8 1:1 macro that works on my old Pen F half frame and my EM10 via adapters.
edit; Full confession, no longer have a M42 body, had to pare back the herd to protect my sanity. Still have one M42 mount lens, a Vivitar 55mm f2.8 1:1 macro that works on my old Pen F half frame and my EM10 via adapters.