M42 lenses on Pentax MX or the like

[jkjod]

I know you can get an adapter to use M42 lenses on K mount bodies, are there any disadvantages to this? Curious if you have to use stop down metering when you adapt the M42 lenses. Thanks in advance!

Jordan

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Jordan

I use m42 lenses on an MX but prefer them on a canera that has ae exposure.
You do need to work in stop down aperture mode.
With an ae camera, it's easy to focus wide open and then quickly stop down to any desired aperture.
The camera will adjust the shutter as needed.
With the MX, it's all manual so you need to make extra steps to ensure exposure when using the in camera meter.
There are some really great M42 lenses. It's definitely worth the work arounds involved to use them.

Cheers!

 

[jkjod]

Good to know Andy, thanks for the reply.

 

[Oren Grad]

Also, the adapter can be a nuisance to get off the body. I have a Pentax-branded adapter that I obtained around the same time as my first MX body, in 1979. To release the adapter you have to poke a finger tip into a sharp-edged recess and squeeze a clip just so. Can't speak for any other adapters that may be floating around, though.

Although I've had the adapter for more than 35 years now, after some initial experimentation I've hardly used the thing. I do have a set of M42 lenses, but I use those on Pentax screw-mount bodies.

 

[Dwig]

The adapter, as designed by Pentax, is intended to adapt the body, not the lens. You mount the adapter into the body's mount and then screw in a lens. To change lenses you unscrew the lens and then, if the next lens is to be a K-mount lens, remove the adapter from the body.

Also, Pentax designed the adapter for their own lenses, all of which have an A/M switch on the lens barrel. Many lenses from other manufacturers lack the A/M switch functionality and you have to jury-rig a fix to allow using those lenses at anything other than their maximum aperture.

 

[it'sawhat?]

I use m42 on a kmount both pentax it works well for me .I just prefer not having to use a switch to turn the meter off and on. I use a 28 and 55 on the adapted km and 50 with a 135 on the other. Since I almost never want to use the 28 and 135 together it's a very sensible approach for me.

 

[peterm1]

You do need to stop down manually. The best idea is to stick to Takumar (ie original Pentax screw mount) lenses, not M42 mount lenses of other brands. The reason is that all Takumar lenses (I am talking about ones with auto aperture) have an auto / manual switch which you can use for this purpose - just frame, focus, then stop down to the working aperture. The switch is conveniently mounted on the lens where your left thumb can engage it when holding the camera to the eye. Some other brands are not so endowed. Of course you can also use preset lenses which operate in pretty much the same manner. The Asahi Pentax Takumar lens set in M42 is impressive and for the most part performs very well. Later Takumars have better coating of course but this is not such an issue unless you shoot in difficult lighting. Accordingly I use some very early Takumars with success and pleasure.

 

[charjohncarter]

You do need to stop down manually. The best idea is to stick to Takumar (ie original Pentax screw mount) lenses, not M42 mount lenses of other brands. The reason is that all Takumar lenses (I am talking about ones with auto aperture) have an auto / manual switch which you can use for this purpose - just frame, focus, then stop down to the working aperture. The switch is conveniently mounted on the lens where your left thumb can engage it when holding the camera to the eye. Some other brands are not so endowed. Of course you can also use preset lenses which operate in pretty much the same manner. The Asahi Pentax Takumar lens set in M42 is impressive and for the most part performs very well. Later Takumars have better coating of course but this is not such an issue unless you shoot in difficult lighting. Accordingly I use some very early Takumars with success and pleasure.

So do I, my screw mount (42) macro is my favorite. It is a f 4, but so sharp and so 90 degree straight. Great for buildings and structures.

 

[peterm1]

So do I, my screw mount (42) macro is my favorite. It is a f 4, but so sharp and so 90 degree straight. Great for buildings and structures.

I agree. I have this lens and love it.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The best way is to buy a Spotmatic and use the lenses on it. They are dirt cheap at the moment and often come with that nice f/1.4 standrd lens fitted.

Regards, David

 

[PAN F]

I agree. I have this lens and love it.

I have the rare 50mm f4 Macro-Takumar pre-set 1:1 (1964) and it is a very fine performer.Being able to go to 1:1 without having to fit extension rings is very convenient and being pre-set it is ideal to use with digital and I frequently use it with my Samsung NX11 where it becomes a 75mm macro.
The Takumars are fine lenses and are available at very reasonable prices.

 

[peterm1]

I have the rare 50mm f4 Macro-Takumar pre-set 1:1 (1964) and it is a very fine performer.Being able to go to 1:1 without having to fit extension rings is very convenient and being pre-set it is ideal to use with digital and I frequently use it with my Samsung NX10 where it becomes a 75mm macro.
The Takumars are fine lenses and are available at very reasonable prices.

Takumar lenses were the first lenses I really feel in love with and began to collect (as users not cupboard shelf sitters). They were plentiful, high quality and relatively inexpensive. I loved the scalloped metal focusing ring and the way they screw onto the camera which always seemed to me to be exotic. :^). Eventually, after collecting far more Takumar lenses and lens variants than I could ever legitimately use (but never the less did use, often testing out the different variants of the same lens just for the hell of it) I eventually called it a day and stopped buying. It was about then that I saw the preset version of this lens and nearly started buying again. But did not. I still kind of regret it.

Now, while on the subject, here are some scans I made years ago from ancient photo magazines. Readers may enjoy them (I wish I had more)

 

[f16sunshine]

What a club starting up!
I have the later non preset f4 macro takumar in m42.
It only goes to 1:2 but I love it. Beautiful color rendering and so sharp!
Amazing lens for the price.