M42 kit, zeiss glass the commoner's way

[shadowfox]

Got this camera not long ago and fell in love instantly. This Chinon allows me to use the CZJ Biotar from the Praktica FX without snagging the mirror (which will happen if you try to use it on a Spotmatic, for instance).

And, I have a long forgotten Takumar 200/4 with a lazy aperture when used in Auto mode, but works just fine in manual mode. Guess, what, the Chinon will take it also.

Along with a very unassuming Promaster Spectrum 7 wideangle (28mm/2.8) that came with the body, I suddenly have an M42 kit. For not much TCO. Yaaay! 😀 😀

This photo from the Biotar:

Not bad, eh? 😉

Tell me about your M42 kit or experience.

 

[KoNickon]

Well, I'm strictly an SMC Takumar guy in M42. Absolutely first rate optics on these lenses, comparable with anybody's.

 

[Uncle Bill]

M-42s

M-42s

The only M-42 screwmounts for me are Pentax's are here are two of mine... and I am charter member of a small slpinter cult called the Sons of Takumar.

 

[peterm1]

I have quite a few M42s - almost exclusively Pentax although I have one or two non Pentax lens. The main exception is a 21mm wide angle in M42 made by Panacor, a lens produced by the same company which made Tokina. While I have not found a review on this lens, this brand name appears to have been well thought of generally judging by the comments I have found on various forums. And I can confirm that the lens shoots nicelybased on my own experience. As for the Pentax screw mount lenses, in general I cannot speak highly enough of them. In some cases I even have two or three different versions of the same lens (eg a 105mm f2.8 in early preset version (46mm filter), a later preset version (49mm filter) and a late fully auto version in SMC designation.) How is that for obsessive? But I thought it would be nice to see what if any variation there is (not much in fact.) I am now thinking of getting the very nice and somewhat more rare auto Takumar version of the same lens. But you name it and I own it (well almost.) As a generalisation I would say that the Pentax lenses are sharp and contrasty although they usually need stopping down a little for best results. Some of the German M42s are even better judging by some pictures I have seen on various forums. if you have a taste for these, try this forum which has quite a few comparisons and test shots of a range of manual focus lenses including a lot of M42s.:
http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewforum.php?id=2

I have recently bought a Panasonic digital body which will allow the use of M42 lenses with an adapter and am very keen to give it a try out. One problem with owning lots of old lenses if you only have film cameras is that you often do not use them enough and even if you do, by the time the film is printed, unless you are really into it, and well organised you will forget which lens took which shot.

Uncle Bill, I should add that I think the early pre Spotmatics are about the best Pentaxes you can buy. There is something in their design and functionality which reminds me of the old screw mount Leicas. (Think 111c in SLR ) and thats kinda how I feel about them. They are pretty to look at nice to hold and shoot damn fine.

 

[Trius]

There are screwmount Leica SLRS? Whaaaa??? OK, time to do some serious Google work.

I'm in the market for an Olympus FTL. I only have two M42 lenses -- the Helios M44/2 & the Zeiss Jena 135. They need a body. Since I'm a serious Zuiko guy, I thought an FTL would be appropriate. Can someone help (enable) me?

 

[peterm1]

I like the Olympus FTL. I have seen one in my life and seriously kick myself in he ass for not buying it the moment i saw it.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

😉

Tell me about your M42 kit or experience.

Well, where would I begin? I am an M42 user and abuser: bodies include Cosina 4000S, Praktica MTL3, Praktica Nova 1 (in need of CLA), Chinon CE-3, GAF EL-ES (Chinon CE Memotron) and Mamiya DSX 1000.

The Chinons are probably the best M42 cameras made. They may not have the fancy-pants finesse of Spotmatics, but for actual shooting they are very reliable, loaded with useful features and lack proprietary BS like open aperture metering that was never standardized on the M42 and therefore is of very limited usefulness, unless you manage to hunt down a meaningful selection of single manufacturer's lenses. They have very accurate SPD metering, accurate electromagnetic shutters, aperture priority AE with ALL automatic diaphragm M42 lenses, electromagnetically operated aperture stop down mechanism for manual metering (almost as good as open aperture metering in practice) and large & bright viewfinders. The CE-3 is very compact (inspired by the Olympus OM-1 no doubt). The CE has 1/2000 sec exposure time, very nice viewfinder and double exposure option.

Lenses: Cosina 50/1.8, Cosina MC 135/2.8, Cosina MC 28/2.8, CZJ Tessar 50/2.8, Pentacon (Meyer Oreston) MC 50/1.8, Pentacon (Meyer Orestor) MC 135/2.8, Hansa 35/2.8, Helios 44M-2 (58/2), Porst (probably Chinon or Cosina) MC 35/2.8, Rikenon 24/2.8 & Sun 70-210/4 Zoom. Tamron Adaptall 2 28-70/3.5-4.5 with M42 adapter.

And I almost forgot: Super Takumar 50/1.4. It's a good lens for low available light shooting, but I am not a very religious person and I don't worship the Takumars. 🙄

The Cosina lenses on the other hand are pretty good for their very low price and the same is true with the Pentacon / Meyer lenses. The CZJ Tessar is not that great. As far as Tessars go, the Industar-61L/D (which I don't have in M42 but in LTM) is considerably better. It's quite light though and combined with the Chinon CE-3 it makes a nice light and compact SLR kit. The Rikenon is good like most Rikenons. The Hansa 35 mm f/2.8 is very prone to ghosting without a hood (no MC), but surprisingly sharp even wide open. Corners are pretty soft of course. The Sun zoom is big and heavy, but very decent for a discount brand lens both optically and mechanically and the constant aperture is of course nice.

 

[zuikologist]

Nice collection. Does the Hansa 35/2.8 have an old fashioned, low contrast look? It might be interesting on a DSLR.

FWIW I like the colour rendition of the Takumars/Super Takumars better than most lenses.

 

[shadowfox]

There are screwmount Leica SLRS? Whaaaa??? OK, time to do some serious Google work.

I'm in the market for an Olympus FTL. I only have two M42 lenses -- the Helios M44/2 & the Zeiss Jena 135. They need a body. Since I'm a serious Zuiko guy, I thought an FTL would be appropriate. Can someone help (enable) me?

Earl, I may be mistaken, but I think the M42 mount on the FTL is slightly modified to only accept Zuiko lenses. I hope not, but there's a nagging thought in my mind that I've read about it somewhere, maybe the biofos' site.

Also, your Helios M44 is supposed to be the same design as the Biotar that I have. I'd be curious to see how it performed compared to the Biotar 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

The Chinons are probably the best M42 cameras made. They may not have the fancy-pants finesse of Spotmatics, but for actual shooting they are very reliable, loaded with useful features and lack proprietary BS like open aperture metering that was never standardized on the M42 and therefore is of very limited usefulness, unless you manage to hunt down a meaningful selection of single manufacturer's lenses. The CE-3 is very compact (inspired by the Olympus OM-1 no doubt). The CE has 1/2000 sec exposure time, very nice viewfinder and double exposure option.

Exactly, I personally don't get what's so special about the Spotmatics, I've seen, handled, and shoot with them. No offense to those who are big fans (Bill, love your pictures of the spotmatics, very classy) 🙂

The Chinon CM-3 is the manual version of the CE-3. It is exactly like my OM-1, albeit without the Mirror Lock-up, and not as smooth. But it has the simple, precise operation just like the OM-1. And the viewfinder shows 95% of the frame.

The lenses are the ones that blew my mind, the Biotar is first class.

Dr., no flektogons? 😛

 

[VictorM.]

There are screwmount Leica SLRS? Whaaaa??? OK, time to do some serious Google work.

I'm in the market for an Olympus FTL. I only have two M42 lenses -- the Helios M44/2 & the Zeiss Jena 135. They need a body. Since I'm a serious Zuiko guy, I thought an FTL would be appropriate. Can someone help (enable) me?

Item number: 180176072996

I knew I had a couple of magazine ads from early 1971:

Let the GAS begin...

 

[Trius]

Victor: Thanks. I have an FTL search set up, but it didn't catch that one. I'll have to revise my search terms to make sure it catches all eBay sites. This is a bit pricey, although with lens I suppose it's not bad. Or maybe I'm just cheap! 😉

Will: I think all M42 lenses will mount, it's the open aperture metering that won't work on other lenses. I could be wrong, though.

Here's a shot with the Helios. I used a Mamiya-Sekor 1000DTL.

 

[rpinchbeck]

I have a Helios 44M-4 and a CZJ Biotar. The Biotar right now suffers from an extremely stiff focus helical so the Helios gets to go out for walkies. Sample shot from Helios... surprisingly nice lens.

Russ

 

[Trius]

Yeah, it has a really interesting signature. All my Helios shots were handheld under less than high EV levels. I'd love to get it on a tripod and really see how sharp it can be. Not that sharpness is the be all/end all, but it seems to have a bite that is really good. And colour rendition is good ... really good.

 

[willie_901]

Mamiya-Sekor M42 Lenses

Mamiya-Sekor M42 Lenses

My first "real" camera was a M42 Mamiya-Sekor 500Tl SLR. Just for fun (and because they are inexpensive) I recently picked up M/S 35/2.8 and 28/2.8 lenses. These lenses perform very well. My original M/S 50/2.0 is a keeper too.

One great thing about using a M42 body is the number of interesting lenses to choose from. Don't overlook the Mamiya-Sekor M42 lenses.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Nice collection. Does the Hansa 35/2.8 have an old fashioned, low contrast look? It might be interesting on a DSLR.

FWIW I like the colour rendition of the Takumars/Super Takumars better than most lenses.

Not the ultra-low contrast of 1950s lens designs. Lower than modern lenses of course. It's somewhat out-of-the ordinary lens design for a non-brand name lens: it has .25 meters minimum focusing distance, which was pretty close for a 35 mm focal length lens in those days. I think it's a six element design similar to the CZJ Flektogon 2.8/35; most likely a copy of it (albeit the Flektogon 2.8/35 focuses even closer) .

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

The Chinon CM-3 is the manual version of the CE-3. It is exactly like my OM-1, albeit without the Mirror Lock-up, and not as smooth. But it has the simple, precise operation just like the OM-1. And the viewfinder shows 95% of the frame.

The lenses are the ones that blew my mind, the Biotar is first class.

Dr., no flektogons? 😛

No Flektogons as of yet. They seem to sell for almost as high prices as the Takumars these days. I will probably try to get either one of the 20 mm Flektogons when a suitable offer appears though. The Rikenon 24/2.8 and the Hansa & Porst 35/2.8 are good enough for those focal lengths unless I get a really good deal for a Flektogon. I'm always on a budget and can't buy gear at any cost, or else I don't eat lunch AND dinner 😀 I once won a bid for a Pentacon (Meyer Orestegon) MC 29/2.8 with 11 euros, but the seller disappeared off the face of the Earth before I could purchase it... So I got the Cosinon MC 28/2.8 instead, which is by no means not a great lens, but not p*ss poor either.

 

[David Murphy]

Biotars are fantastic lenses. They were made in a few mounts, but still command pretty good $$. They are probably least expensive in Exakta and Praktina mount. Exakta bodies can be hellishly unreliable -- Praktina's are a little better.

 

[shadowfox]

Got around to scan some of the shots from the 200/4 Takumar on the Chinon CM-3:

Check out the bokeh 🙂

can you tell this is a church? 🙂

Avian Armageddon 🙂

Unfortunately, unless you're using Safari browser from Apple, this particular picture will look very *blah* color-wise. 🙁

 

[Diomedes]

I'm a big Biotar fan. 🙂

Exakta VX1000 + CZJ Biotar 58/2 + Konica VX100 f5,6

Canon Elan II + CZJ Biotar 58/2 + Fuji Superia 400 f2

Exakta RTL1000 + CZJ Biotar 58/2 + Ilford Pan F+

Exakta RTL1000 + CZJ Biotar 58/2 + Ilford Pan F+ f2,8

Exakta VX1000 + Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58/2 + Kodak T-Max 100 f2,8