OT: Show of hands, who here shoots with Pentax M-42 SLR'S as well as Rangefinders

Another Pentax SLR fan here. Since using a polarizer on a rangefinder
camera is no fun, I prefer to use an SLR when shooting color slides.

Older Pentax cameras and lenses are really well made and a joy to use;
SMC Takumar and SMC Pentax lenses are superb.
I currently own SP-F, KM and ME models.

The SP-F is the final Spotmatic model; it performs open-aperture metering with
SMC Takumars ("ES" mount") and stopdown metering with other M42 lenses.

The KM is much like the Spotmatic-F but uses bayonet ("K") mount lenses.
The K1000 is a cheapened version of the KM.

The ME is almost as small and quiet as a compact rangefinder...

Excelsior, you fathead!
-Chris-
 
derevaun: Thanks for that link. I've thought about that before, but right now I just use it for BW film, so not problem there. Re. the AF mechanism, Minolta will fix it, but I have to send it off to them. 🙁 Right now there isn't any real motivation to send it out as I don't have any pressing needs for AF. Plus, then I wouldn't be able to use my macro lens for a while!
 
Love my SPF which I had sínce new in the 70´s. Togerther with 28, 35, 55 and 135.
It is as good a shooter as my M3 and CL, differences are weight and the mirror bang.
 
In one of Mike Johnston's columns, he praises the 50mm f/1.4 Super-Tak (and SMC version) to the skies, claiming it's one of the best optics of all time -- on a par with a Summicron. I know some of the shots I took with my Super-Tak 55/2 were among my best ever. Beautiful bokeh.

Uncle Bill, you've created a monster here! 😀

Gene
 
I have a Spotmatic F and ES I use regularly; also have an ESII, H1a, S1a and SV. I love the Super-Multi-Coated Takumars -- I have the 24/3.5; 28/3.5; 35/2; 35/3.5; 50/1.4; 50/4 macro; 100/4 macro; 105/2.8; 135/3.5; and 200/4. I'd put these lenses up with anybody's, and they're real bargains these days.

I remember Herbert Keppler in Popular Photography several years ago testing the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4 against a Leica M 50, probably the Summicron. The Takumar was as good and actually a little better. (I know -- one lens, one limited test, etc., but the point is, it's a great lens.)
 
I still have 2 M42 SLRs, a Cosina, which is broken (ebay find, never worked properly, but was too cheap to send back! Came with a nice sharp 28mm Cosina lens.
Next was a Mamiya Sekor 500 DTL, which is one solid camera. Also an extremely cheap ebay find, it dates from I think 1966, and has spot and average metering. Still works too, with a sharp F1.7 50mm Yashica lens
However I have now built a collection around a Pentax ME Super, got tired of trying to see through a dark and dusty Mamiya screen and having to stop down.
Currently have SMC 135 F3.5, 85 F2, 50 1.4, 28 F2.8 and a 24mm Vivitar lens which is my current favourite. Although the 50mm 1.4 is a great lens, it's too close to my RFs to get much use...

-nick
 
doubs43 said:
...The Pancolar is an excellent lens but prone to yellowing. I have three of them and I've given the sun treatment (ultraviolet light) to one. The yellowing is entirely gone now. The Pentacon multi-coated 50mm f/1.8 is also excellent.



Walker
Click to expand...

Hadn't heard about the yellowing problem, thanks for the warning, and the tip about the remedy.
 
Krasnaya_Zvezda said:
Hadn't heard about the yellowing problem, thanks for the warning, and the tip about the remedy.
Click to expand...

The Pancolar used a lens element that has slight radioactive properties. It tends to turn yellow over time. Looking through the lens at a white light source will quickly show the yellowing if it exists. To reverse the yellowing, wrap the lens entirely in aluminum foil except for the back of the lens. Place the back of the lens toward the sun and allow the rays to go in and be reflected back by the aluminum foil. For a seriously yellowed lens it can take many, many hours of exposure to the sun but it will eventually clear.

The same method works on the Takumar lens that also yellow over time.

Walker
 
It was nice to read many stories from Pentax users! I also use Pentax screwmount SLR´s. I have an SP1000, SL and SV with two lens. Those are 55/2 Super-Takumar (it´s a bit strange, it has the coupling for open-aperture metering with SP-F...) and SMCT 85/1.8. I have (and use) more K-mount equipment, but sometimes i like to use these even older machines with B&W film. There is something special in using them, maybe partly because i have learned about camera repairing when i did some heavy overhauling on the SP1000 and SV. I think i´ll get one more m42 lens, a wideangle, so that each body has one lens 🙂

Of course i´d like to have some more bodies as well 🙄 but i´ve kind of decided i´ll not become a collector, and must be able to use reasonably often each camera i have... Some people (sometimes even myself) would think i´m on the edge already... But a Asahi Pentax K would be sooo lovely 😀

Niko
 
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Spotmatic Group? Yes.

Spotmatic Group? Yes.

I just got a Spotmatic body last week. So far i found a S.Takamr 105mm 2.8 for it. But I'm looking for Super Takumar 20mm. One I was watching to bid on is $200+ right now at auction. Sounds like I'm going to have to wait awhile if that's the going price.
 
JimG said:
I just got a Spotmatic body last week. So far i found a S.Takamr 105mm 2.8 for it. But I'm looking for Super Takumar 20mm. One I was watching to bid on is $200+ right now at auction. Sounds like I'm going to have to wait awhile if that's the going price.
Click to expand...

Jim, there is a Spotmatic forum on "Yahoo Groups" that's quite active and a nice bunch much like the folks you find here. They often discuss various Takumar lenses and IIRC the 20mm Super-Takumar is not generally thought of as a particularly good one. Opinions, of course, will vary.

An affordable alternative you may want to consider is the Russian-made MIR-20M. I bought mine new from Kievcamera in Atlanta for (IIRC) $139 brand new. It came with three filters that screw into the back of the lens, covers and a pouch. The attached picture was taken with it.

Walker
 
I used to shoot with a pair of Ricoh SLX-500's, but now I'm a Canon guy. My dad uses them now for his microscope and some field shots of local woodland fungi.

I do have a M42-EOS adapter, too.

I'd like to get an original Pentax, an original Spotmatic, and a Contax S sometime. Could be fun.
 
I have a Spotmatic that is currently undergoing a CLA, and I have picked up a couple of Yashica TL's to tide me over in the meantime.

Just in case no one else has mentioned it, I have to say that Yashicas seem to be really undervalued. I got both of mine for about $20 each off of Eb** I mean, come on, an M42 mount SLR with mirror lock up for $20 😀 😀 If I did not already have the Spotmatic, I may never have bothered to track one down.

Richie
 
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