OT: your favorite M42 SLRs

[Little Prince]

Sorry for this infringement on the understanding at RFF. But since this is my favorite place to ask photo-related questions (not just RF), I'll take the liberty.

I may want to get an M42 SLR for various reasons. Having no previous knowledge of the myriad available models, I'd like your input. Ideally I would like one of the really good M42 bodies as I don't expect to get more than one anytime in the foreseeable future. So put in your vote for what you think is a 'good' M42 body. I expect it's probably a Pentax. I mean 'good' in the usual sense. Nothing quirky or exotic.

That said, I want to be cheap on this one and wont spend a lot, if I do at all. I imagine old Pentax screwmount bodies ought to be reasonably cheap anyway but if that is not the case, may I ask for a middle-of-the-line alternative. A la Nikon FM.

If I wanted to spend, say 300 bucks (US) I would just get the new Bessaflex TM by Cosina as that would give me a good body which is new! But I probably don't.

Don't take this too seriously. It's for some fun projects and it *may* help serve an interesting new acquisition, which will be revealed later 😀. Not RF related though 😱.

 

[wlewisiii]

I used to have a Mamiya 1000DTL that was very good. Got it for cheap from St. Vinnies (~$20) with a nice normal lens. Since that's the only one I've ever used, it's all I can recommend 😀

William

 

[Kim Coxon]

I am a pentaphile and there are many good ones around. The Fujica M42 SLRs arealso very good and generally are co0nsidered to have brighter finders than the Pentax's.

 

[amateriat]

Spiritually speaking, the hometown fave for me would be the Pentax Spotmatic F (with a trio of late-model SMC glass for full-aperture metering, on the side). Second choice would be the new(ish) Bessaflex. Basic transportation, but solid enough, and a nice, bright VF. I don't do much SLR stuff anymore (all I have left is a somewhat-worn Olympus OM-2n), but the Spotmatic has such nice fit and feel, without being a hulk of a camera.


- Barrett

 

[Kin Lau]

I would suggest looking at this site for a good idea of what m42 models are out there and what features they have, http://anusf.anu.edu.au/~aab900/photography/cameras/cameras.htm

Personally, I have a Pentax SPII, Fujica ST701, Vivitar 450/SLD, Zenit EM, Yashica Electro and Practica MTL3. The Pentax & Fujica are very smooth and nicely made. The Vivitar is the most full featured model that still has a mechanical shutter and has a vertical metal shutter, as does the Practica and Yashica.

 

[ray_g]

The Spotmatic F would be a nice classic body. Personally, I would go with the Bessaflex, but you have already ruled that out. If I were to get only one body, I would go with the Chinon Memotron CE-I, CE-II or CE-III (or the GAF equivalent).

The Chinon will let you shoot aperture priority with any M42 lens (except pre-set lenses, of course), has a very accurate, relatively modern silicon photodiode (SPD) meter like the Bessas, and uses a readily available battery. They are well-built and very tough. The finders are brighter than the old spotties, and usually have a split-image and microprism collar, easier (for me) to focus.

They are very inexpensive.

 

[KoNickon]

I agree with the Spotmatic F recommendations -- match-needle and full aperture metering (which means the great Super-Multi-Coated Takumars). I've been toying with the idea of getting one of the earlier Spotmatics, but am concerned about finding a long-lived replacement for those 400 series batteries they take.

An earlier Pentax I'd recommend is the SV (also called the S1a, I think, here in North America). No meter, but there is an externally mounted one you usually can find without too much looking. One interesting feature of the SV/S1a is the self-timer, which is set by turning a ring below the rewind crank.

Don't turn up your nose at the ES, which was the first autoexposure Pentax. It will work without a battery, if that's your concern; it just means there's no metering and you manually set the shutter speeds. (Even with the battery working, the meter will be switched off if you turn the dial off of the autoexposure setting.) I got a well-brassed one a few years ago and I like it a lot. It takes the 28 series or A544 batteries, all of which are reasonably available, even other than in camera stores. I like it better than the ESII, which requires four of the SR44 batteries which go in a very fiddly compartment below the lens mount.

 

[Byuphoto]

I want to vote for the old yashica TL Electro X. I have one that I bought a few years back to replace the one I had stolen in '75. This old camera has never let me down.

 

[nwcanonman]

I have a Pentagon (LTB?) with a sharp 50mm lens off ebay last year for $25. The meter was DOA, but it's a great "kamakazie" camera when going someplace the rig might get wreaked or stolen.
BTW- I'll sell it for the same price I bought it + S/H

 

[former member]

I like the Argus/Cosina STL1000. It is basically a Nikkormat with M42 mount. I've had one since I was 13, in 1970.

 

[JimG]

I'm pretty fond of my Spotmatic, my only complaint is they seem louder then other cameras I've used. Their not for low profile situations, at least not mine.

 

[ray_g]

Don't turn up your nose at the ES, which was the first autoexposure Pentax. It will work without a battery, if that's your concern; it just means there's no metering and you manually set the shutter speeds. (Even with the battery working, the meter will be switched off if you turn the dial off of the autoexposure setting.) I got a well-brassed one a few years ago and I like it a lot. It takes the 28 series or A544 batteries, all of which are reasonably available, even other than in camera stores. I like it better than the ESII, which requires four of the SR44 batteries which go in a very fiddly compartment below the lens mount.

Will the ESII work with dead batteries, too, Nick?

 

[Rob]

I also favor the Spotmatic F with SMC lenses like 28 F3.5, 55 F1.8, 50mmF1.4, 135 F3.5.

 

[dostacos]

Sorry for this infringement on the understanding at RFF. But since this is my favorite place to ask photo-related questions (not just RF), I'll take the liberty.

I may want to get an M42 SLR for various reasons. Having no previous knowledge of the myriad available models, I'd like your input. Ideally I would like one of the really good M42 bodies as I don't expect to get more than one anytime in the foreseeable future. So put in your vote for what you think is a 'good' M42 body. I expect it's probably a Pentax. I mean 'good' in the usual sense. Nothing quirky or exotic.

That said, I want to be cheap on this one and wont spend a lot, if I do at all. I imagine old Pentax screwmount bodies ought to be reasonably cheap anyway but if that is not the case, may I ask for a middle-of-the-line alternative. A la Nikon FM.

If I wanted to spend, say 300 bucks (US) I would just get the new Bessaflex TM by Cosina as that would give me a good body which is new! But I probably don't.

Don't take this too seriously. It's for some fun projects and it *may* help serve an interesting new acquisition, which will be revealed later 😀. Not RF related though 😱.

Honeywell Spotmatic chrome
Asahi Pentax S1a chrome
Asahi Pentax H1a chrome
Asahi Pentax SP 500 chrome
Asahi Pentax S1a black
Asahi Pentax SP black
Asahi Pentax ESII black

as you can see, I am a pentax kinda guy, they are strong and there is a guy that repairs them well and for very little money. lots of spare parts

 

[richiedcruz]

I also vote for Yashica. I have a Pentax and love it, but Yashicas never seem to go for more than $40, and the better ones have mirror lock up and more reliable LED meter readouts.

Richie

 

[Uncle Bill]

I am a Pentax freak:

Model K Asahi Pentax
Black Pentax SV
Chrome Pentax S1a
Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic II

I swore no more bodies, lenses though I am tempted with a 50 macro my techie has in his shop. Must resist gas...........

Bill

 

[julianphotoart]

The Voigtlander "Bessaflex", marketed by Stephen Gandy amongst others, is a great M42 SLR. Unlike any other model, it's NEW so no worries about how it'll work, etc. I have the silver, Topcon-like, model. Absolutely great. Amateur Photographer did a review on this model a few months ago and said very nice things about it.

 

[thmk]

I have the Bessaflex and a really nice Yashica TL Electro X ITS. So another vote for the Yashica if you want to stay on the inexpensive side.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[Little Prince]

Actually I don't know if I need one at all. But it kinda makes sense to me anyway so I think I'll get one. Now you guys have given me a lot of names to research and I have done so. Still, let me narrow down the field seriously by mentioning some preferences.

It would be great if the body offered:

MLU, as close to 100% coverage as possible in finder, interchangeable focusing screens

What matters NOT is:

AE (auto exposure), battery dependency and other features

I'm undecided about open-aperture metering ability. Do you know anything that meets these requirements? My own subjective preference is for a 'classic' camera. So I think I'd like some flavor of Spotmatic. Anyone know the difference between a Spotmatic SP, SPII and F?

Lens combos, etc is not important. Don't plan on getting a lens for it at the moment. Let me also mention that if you think any M42 body is especially suited to macro shooting, please let me know.

Nwcanonman, thanks for the offer but I think I'll pass on the Pentacon for now. I admit I've been tempted by the Contax S, D, etc.. (and Pentacons) before but right now I'm looking for ease of use, reliability and mainstream-ness. My desire is strictly utilitarian (apart from the 'classic' factor).

Running second to the Spotmatics are the Fujicas and the Chinon Memotrons. But I've read about compatibility problems with the Fujica mount on Stephen Gandy's site and reports from many who like the feel of the Pentaxes more than the Chinons. Something on the order of a 100 bucks should be all right. I think I can snag one as I don't care about cosmetic condition.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
You need to move on to the Pentax K mount if you want interchangeable focus screens. None of the M42 had this.

SPII = SP with hot shoe. SPF = SPII with open aperture metering with SMC lenses.

If you more info try my website www.pentax-manuals.com Special Fujica section http://pentax-manuals.com/fujica/fujica.htm

Hope this helps

Kim

MLU, as close to 100% coverage as possible in finder, interchangeable focusing screens

What matters NOT is:

AE (auto exposure), battery dependency and other features

I'm undecided about open-aperture metering ability. Do you know anything that meets these requirements? My own subjective preference is for a 'classic' camera. So I think I'd like some flavor of Spotmatic. Anyone know the difference between a Spotmatic SP, SPII and F?

Lens combos, etc is not important. Don't plan on getting a lens for it at the moment. Let me also mention that if you think any M42 body is especially suited to macro shooting, please let me know.

Running second to the Spotmatics are the Fujicas and the Chinon Memotrons. But I've read about compatibility problems with the Fujica mount on Stephen Gandy's site and reports from many who like the feel of the Pentaxes more than the Chinons. Something on the order of a 100 bucks should be all right. I think I can snag one as I don't care about cosmetic condition.