jorisbens
rff: penguins know why
I use a praktica super tl1000 with takumar 35/2.8 , takumar 135/3.5 , SMC takumar 55/1.8 and a 85/1.5 Helios-40
I now care for the Mamiya DTL 1000 that William used to have, and a Spotmatic F found it's way to me with a 28/3.5 Super Multi Coated Takumar. I added a 50/1.4 and am on the hunt casually for an 85/1.8. I think that will fit my needs, but of course there are hundreds of 50mm m42 lenses which I would like to try out. All in due time.
oftheherd
Veteran
jorisbens said:
Wow, a Supertak 1000mm. I used one of those a few times many years ago in Korea for surveillance. Used my jeep as a tripod and blind.
I own a Fujica ST 901, a couple of Yashica TL Electro X's, and a now non-working TL Super (my first SLR). I don't claim the Fujica ST 801 any more as that has been my daughters since shortly after I bought it for not only itself, but a couple of lenses that came with it. Lenses range from a Spiratone 18mm to a Vivtar TX 300mm, with other TX's, and Fujinons thrown in. Includng the Fujinon 43-75mm, a surprisingly good lens. I also have a Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm lens in screw mount (big, but what a fun lens). I always wanted the 75-150 and the 200mm in the Fuji mount, but don't expect I will ever get them as I don't really need that focal length as it is covered elsewhere in my Yashica FX lenses.
Never owned a Pentax Super Tak myself, but from the office camera I had in Korea, I know they are really good. Of course, the Yashinons and Fujunons are superb also. Strange how they never got the reputation they deserved. I think it was just that the bayonet mount won out. I was and still am not a big fan of the bayonet mount. I used to really like low light photography. I always found it easier to mount a screw mount lens that trying to find an index mark in darkness. Just me maybe.
Uncle Bill
Well-known
Wow, I don't feel so alone. Frank, thank you for the link to your site, I bookmarked it this morning and will look at later when I have more time. A Jupiter 9 with an M-42 mount, now that is really intriguing same goes for the Carl Zeiss Jenna glass floating out there. Well as the saying goes safer not cheaper than drugs. I am attaching shot I took just over a month ago near home with my Asahi Pentax Model K I shot asa 400 Fuji Superia f11 at I think 125.
Bill
Bill
Uncle Bill
Well-known
bmattock said:
Out of curiosity what is the CV Bessaflex like to shoot with?
Bill
R
Richard Black
Guest
Currently between 42mm cameras, but I agree the Jupiter 9 on an SLR is sweet. I have a converter that I can use in on a Minolta X370 and have taken some of my best protraits. Looking for a good Fujica ST701, mine was stolen.
Andrew Touchon
Well-known
I still have and occasionally use my Spotamatic that I bought in 1964. Although it still works fine I think I will schedule it for it's first CLA.
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markinlondon
Elmar user
MY SLR rig is Pentax K-mount, but every time I see a nice Spottie (usually with a 55 f1.8) I have to try to forget where I put my wallet. Why are they so much more appealing than the K bodies?
chug
I wear pants
I have an ME and a KM and the KM is a fantastic camera! Has done me well over the years Infact its is my favourit camera. The ME needs new light seals and is a younger camera compared to the KM. Very good systems
Infact its is my favourit camera. The ME needs new light seals and is a younger camera compared to the KM. Very good systems 
GeneW
Veteran
I grew up using a Pentax H1a and loved it at the time. I hated changing screwmount lenses though and traded up to an Olympus OM-1 when they came on the market. Still using a pair of OM-1's. If the K-mount Pentax had arrived in time, I would probably have stayed in the Pentax fold. Pentax glass is very nice. No regrets, though. The Oly's are also classics.
Gene
Gene
yossarian
Well-known
A pair of Fujica AZ-1s; GAF L-ES2 (Chinon Memotron 2)
Fujinon: 24/2.8; 85/4 SF (Spectacular lens)
Helios 40 85/1.5 (A gloriously aberration-laden lens--one of my favorites)
Chinon: 55/1.7 Macro; 55/1.4
Tamron: SP 28-80; 70-150/2.8 SF
Fujinon: 24/2.8; 85/4 SF (Spectacular lens)
Helios 40 85/1.5 (A gloriously aberration-laden lens--one of my favorites)
Chinon: 55/1.7 Macro; 55/1.4
Tamron: SP 28-80; 70-150/2.8 SF
S
Scarpia
Guest
About two years ago I bought a Super Tak 50mm f1.4 from Adorama ($45.00) for the purpose of using it manually with adapter on my Canon Ti. It yields great results and the diopter adjustment on the Ti certainly helps. This was followed by a Zenit 122 bought from Levine in Boston ($49.95 plus postage) with a Helios 44-7. The camera and lens work just great, unfortunately the Helios won't stop down with my Canon adapter. Last year I saw an advert in the Glens Falls paper for a garage sale in Hudson Falls offering some photo equipment among other things. Picked up a Spotmatic 1000 with a SMC 55mm f2 for thirty bucks. It is also in excellent operating conditon although a bit worn looking. I don't use them much as I tend toward my RF's and increasingly (heresy) digicams, but I sure do love them.
Kurt M.
Kurt M.
S
sockdaddy
Guest
I still use my dad's old Yashica Electro in M42 mount. He bought the camera when my mom was pregnant, to take pictures of me as a child. I keep the camera around for sentimental reasons, but it is actually still a very good performer. I have a series of Super Takumar lenses for it, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 105mm.
The kit is as heavy as my car!
The kit is as heavy as my car!
doubs43
Well-known
oftheherd said:Wow, a Supertak 1000mm. I used one of those a few times many years ago in Korea for surveillance. Used my jeep as a tripod and blind.
I'm pretty sure he was talking about the Super TL-1000 Praktica camera and not a Takumar lens.
Here's a link: http://www.praktica-collector.de/207_Praktica_Super_TL1000.htm
If you scroll down the page, there are pictures of the camera at the bottom.
Walker
Wow, looky all the Pentax M42 users! An H3 was my first good camera, and I now have another just for nostalgic reasons, and a 1958 model K like Uncle Bill's. I also have a Motor Drive Spotmatic that I bought new, and an ES also bought new. Recently added an ESII. All my lenses are Takumars.
I stayed with Pentax into the K-mount series too, with two LX's, two ME Supers, a K2DMD, and an MX. I bought a used 6x7 in 1977 now joined by a second one, plus a pair of Auto 110's too. I think my most expensive new lens was the 75mm f/2.8 Aspheric for 67.
It strikes me as notable that Pentax never made a rangefinder camera like the other major names did.
I stayed with Pentax into the K-mount series too, with two LX's, two ME Supers, a K2DMD, and an MX. I bought a used 6x7 in 1977 now joined by a second one, plus a pair of Auto 110's too. I think my most expensive new lens was the 75mm f/2.8 Aspheric for 67.
It strikes me as notable that Pentax never made a rangefinder camera like the other major names did.
dostacos
Dan
Uncle Bill said:
A Chrome SP. black SP, a chrome S1a, a black S1a, Black ESII a full range of lenses from 28mm wide to a 400MM Novolfex follow focus there is a yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spotmatic/?yguid=197689023 you might check out
anglophone1
Well-known
No longer M42 screwmount [although I started out with 2 Black S1As in the 60s!]
Currently 3 LXes [two with winders], ME super, 2 MXs . 8 primes [17mm fisheye, 18mm, 24mm, 28mm shift, 35mm, 50mm macro, 100mm, 200mm,300mm] 80-200 zoom, 2x converter, all Pentax and all still earning their keep!
IMHO the LX is even better than an F3!
Asahi make good beer too!
Clive
Currently 3 LXes [two with winders], ME super, 2 MXs . 8 primes [17mm fisheye, 18mm, 24mm, 28mm shift, 35mm, 50mm macro, 100mm, 200mm,300mm] 80-200 zoom, 2x converter, all Pentax and all still earning their keep!
IMHO the LX is even better than an F3!
Asahi make good beer too!
Clive
jorisbens
rff: penguins know why
doubs43 said:
Yes, I was (unfortunately) talking about the praktica super TL1000. I really love that camera, but I would trade it immediately for the super takumar 1000mm
dmr
Registered Abuser
anglophone1 said:Asahi make good beer too!
Oh really? I've heard fleeting references to it but I've never seen it here in the States.
Is it really the same company?
R
ray_g
Guest
Uncle Bill said:
It handles well, and balances nicely with the 50/1.4 SMC Takumar (or equivalently sized lens). The viewfinder is probably a stop brighter than the spotmatic F's, and the split prism helps me focus more quickly and accurately. I don't use a flash with it, so the primitive optional flash arrangement doesn't bother me. If you want to, it will take the Bessa trigger winder as well as the side grip.
MJ has a nice user review HERE