M42 Lens choices-building up a system

[stuken]

I recently got a Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL in perfect working condition for 10 dollars, and I figure that is a perfect excuse to build up a screwmount system. Past the Pentax options, I don't really know much about screwmount lenses, are there any little jems that I should keep my eye out for? I suppose in order of importance it would go-
sharpest
cheapest
fastest
best bokeh
size

I'm thinking I will ahve 3-4 lenses between 24mm-150mm. So, please educate me in the wonders of the M42 system. Thanks in advance.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Sears 55mm f1.4. My favorite screw mount lens.
Seriously. Made by tomioka. Good sharpness and fantastic on the harder to define variables.

First shot with the lens. Wide open.

A portrait.

A macro using extension tubes.

Also, visit the manual focus forum at: http://forum.manualfocus.org/index.php

 

[jamiewakeham]

Oh grief - where to start?

I'll limit myself to two. The Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f/3.5. An absolutely wonderful bit of glass, incredibly sharp, bokeh to die for, and pretty much free. And the SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4. Serious contender for one of the best SLR 50mms ever, and (whilst not as ridiculously cheap as the 135mm Sonnar) still very inexpensive - maybe £50 for a very good example?

Have fun...
Jamie

 

[willie_901]

The Mamiya-Sekor lenses from the same era as your 1000 DTL are under appreciated. I have a 35/2.8 and a 28/2.8. Both are very nice. I also have a Sears 135/2.8 (also from the early 70s) and it is surprisingly sharp.

The 1000 DTL is a good body. My 500TL still works as new after 38 years.

willie

 

[dexdog]

I have a couple of favorites. Pentax 35/3.5 Super Takumar, just a gorgeous lens. Medium contrast, very sharp.

Other favorite is the CZJ 58/2 Biotar, originally made for the Contax S. Without a doubt, produces the best OOF of any lens that I own. Of course, bokeh/OOF is subjective, but I think that this lens produces better OOF than the Sonnars for the Contax RF. Also dirt cheap, but you have to be willing to use a pre-set aperature. Later lenses with automatic apertures, such as the late 1950s/1960s "zebras" made in M42 also avaliable. I like this lens so much, I use it as a portrait lens on my Canon 40D- it is effectively a 93mm/2 lens on the Canon

 

[vrgard]

In Pentax M42 screwmount, I can personally recommend the 28/3.5, the 50/1.4 and the 105/2.8 lenses. Note that there's lots of discussion on the net about this family of lenses so just do an online search if you haven't already. Good hunting and good shooting.

-Randy

 

[dlove5]

For Pentax, I also recommend the 200/4.0 as well as the 28/3.5 and the 50/1.4. I didn't pav very much for it, but it takes great color pictures. It may be outside the range you mentioned ,but I think it is still worth checking. Your in for a lot of fun.

 

[bmattock]

Shoot, the sky's full of ducks!

 

[shadowfox]

Second the Biotar suggestion. But make sure you try it on the camera before you buy, not all M42 cameras can take that lens without modifications.

The nice thing about M42 is that there are so many around. Some cheap/unheard ones are extremely good. I have a Promaster Spectrum 7 28mm that just refuses to take bad pictures.

In general, most Takumars and CZJ won't disappoint.

 

[NickTrop]

50 - take the Super Tak 1.4 (a brilliant lens), another very good one is the Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.8

35 - Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4, an excellent lens

Short Portrait: Jupiter 9, 85/F2. Outstanding lens - 15 blade aperture w/ delimiter, which I like.

PM me if you're interested in the Zeiss Pancolar 50/1.8 or the Zeiss Flecktogon 2.4. I might be letting these go. Both great lenses.

Downside of M42 is wides at the 24mm and below focal lengths. Not many to choose from, command a premium price.

 

[stuken]

Thanks alot everybody. I think I've set my eyes on the super tak 1.4 50mm, the jupitar nine, and I have still no decided between a 35 or a 28.

 

[ampguy]

I had a great 18mm prime, f3.4 or so, that I sold in the classifieds here, I think it was a Tokina or Tamron that was incredible. I have a Vivitar 35/1.9 that has a K mount attached all the time (I don't have an M42 body), like this one:

http://m42.artlimited.net/lens_detail.php?lid=160

 

[Arvay]

Jupiter 9 and 37A are good enough and cheap.
But you should test them as the quality differs from lens to another

 

[rolleistef]

the Pentacon 135 2.8 has what's considered to be one of the best bokeh ever.
The 50/1.8 Oreston is incredibly sharp and contrasty, it has a different look compared to the 55/2 Takumar (which isn't bad either) but it looks much more "german" or "zeiss-ish" (serious, clean, very well made) for the pictures produced.

 

[peterm1]

I use a lot of Pentax M42 Takumars of various vintages and find them all good, with some I would rate as superb in optical quality (all have great build quality.) If you wish to stick to a single marque, this is the one I would suggest. Most of the lenses are very reasonably priced. Here are a few of my favourites:
- 28mm f3.5 (sharp and contrasty)
- 35mm f3.5 (likewise)
- 35mm f2.0 (also nice but a bit dearer due to its more exotic spec.)
- 50mm f1.4 (sharp with nice bokeh)
- 85mm f1.8 (excellent lens but pricey)
- 105mm f2.8 (Like the nikon equivalent - a lovely lens)
- 135mm f3.5 (sharp and contrasty)
- 135mm f2.5 (very nice - one version of this is sharper than the other but both are good)
- 200mm f4 (excellent lens)

On the other hand if European lenses push your buttons there are also lots of excellent German and russian M42 lenses. This forum has a lot of afficionados and you will learn a lot from scanning its threads. I am not knowledgeable about these lenses but when I have seen images shot with such lenses more often than not I have been very pleasantly surprised.

http://forum.mflenses.com/manual-lenses-f3.html