recommendations for solid M42 mechanical body

[jamin-b]

I have a few nice m42 lenses and want a reliable vintage body with good metering. I am hesitating between mamiya dsx/dt1000 vs. olympus ftl vs. icarex 35 and its descendants in m42. Anyone have some hands on experience to share?

 

[Mackinaw]

Why not put a Pentax on your list?

Jim B.

 

[Spanik]

Got a Yashica TL Electro-X that I like. Batteries that can be found without a problem, mirror lock-up and slow speeds below 1/15 are continuously variable. Just the flash sync connector is at a silly place but there is a normal socket on top so it doesn't matter much.

 

[BW400CN]

I´ve got to many cams / systems that´s why I sold mine - but when I think of M42 and classic / vintage my only option would be a Pentax Spotmatic SP

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo_foto/10756725295/

 

[colyn]

I also have the Yashica TL Electro-X. As good as any Pentax and can be found on eBay cheap.. The battery is commonly found unlike the required mercury battery of most Pentax models.

 

[BW400CN]

I also have the Yashica TL Electro-X. As good as any Pentax and can be found on eBay cheap.. The battery is commonly found unlike the required mercury battery of most Pentax models.

You don´t need a mercury batterie for the Pentax - they accept any 1,5v batterie too!

 

[Mackinaw]

You don´t need a mercury batterie for the Pentax - they accept any 1,5v batterie too!

Yep, thanks to their bridge-circuit. I'm using 1.5 alkaline in my Pentax Spotmatic F and it the meter matches up well with my Gossen Luna Pro-F.

Jim B.

 

[colyn]

You don´t need a mercury batterie for the Pentax - they accept any 1,5v batterie too!

The Spotmatic F uses a 1.5v silver oxide battery but the other Spotmatics use the PX-400 mercury battery.

 

[kknox]

Pentax Spotmatic. You can even pick them up cheap.

 

[BW400CN]

The Spotmatic F uses a 1.5v silver oxide battery but the other Spotmatics use the PX-400 mercury battery.

Nearly right Sir!

the Spotmatic SP uses mecury cells but has a bridge conection that allows to use 1,5v cells as well.

 

[tunalegs]

The Icarex is a beautiful camera, but the metered version has a sort of small and dim viewfinder.

The Mamiya DTL 1000 is a solid but plain looking camera. I don't really remember mine very well, but I feel like it actually had a decent viewfinder/meter. The spot/averaging switch is a neat feature. I've never used the DSX but don't see why it would be any worse.

A friend of mine had a Chinon which had a metal shutter and a solid feel, as well as a pretty good viewfinder, although I never personally owned one.

Then of course there is the Spotmatics.

 

[Greyscale]

Got a Yashica TL Electro-X that I like. Batteries that can be found without a problem, mirror lock-up and slow speeds below 1/15 are continuously variable. Just the flash sync connector is at a silly place but there is a normal socket on top so it doesn't matter much.

All speeds between B and 1000 are infinity variable, between the click stops, not just the slow speeds. I am a big fan of the TL Electro X.


Just the ones that work. by Greyscale3, on Flickr

 

[colyn]

All speeds between B and 1000 are infinity variable, between the click stops, not just the slow speeds. I am a big fan of the TL Electro X.

I bought my first TL Electro-X in 1972 and have used it as well as others I picked up since. I prefer it to even the Spotmatic..

The lens are of outstanding quality too..

 

[colyn]

the Spotmatic SP uses mecury cells but has a bridge conection that allows to use 1,5v cells as well.

Which 1.5v cell are you using? I know you can use a zinc-air 675 with a spacer to power the meter.

None of my 7 Spotmatics will accept the 1.5v cell because of the wedge shaped battery chamber except the Spotmatic F which was designed for this size battery.

 

[D.O'K.]

Pentax SV--solidly made, bright viewfinder and very smooth handling.

Regards,
D.

PS: sorry--as pointed out below, the SV doesn't have a meter.

 

[BW400CN]

Which 1.5v cell are you using? I know you can use a zinc-air 675 with a spacer to power the meter.

None of my 7 Spotmatics will accept the 1.5v cell because of the wedge shaped battery chamber except the Spotmatic F which was designed for this size battery.

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_s400px.htm?s400px,various%20manufacturers,S400PX

That´s the one I used.

The 1.55v silver oxide Energizer E387S is an exact fit.

Read more at: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/...-sp-battery-recommendation.html#ixzz2kvNwksvk
​

 

[colyn]

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_s400px.htm?s400px,various%20manufacturers,S400PX

That´s the one I used.

The 1.55v silver oxide Energizer E387S is an exact fit.

Read more at: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/...-sp-battery-recommendation.html#ixzz2kvNwksvk
​

I am aware of this battery but it does not seen to be available here is the states.

Even though Amazon and others on the internet advertise it even now when I try to order I am told it is no longer available but they can sub a wein cell instead. Sounds like the classic bait and switch..

I mainly use the Spotmatics without metering. My Yashica TL Electro-X uses the PX-28s which is also hard to find so instead I take 4-357 silver oxide cells and shrinkwrap them together..

 

[Pioneer]

Pentax SV--solidly made, bright viewfinder and very smooth handling.

Regards,
D.

I absolutely love my SV, it is truly a jewel of a camera, but it does not have a built in meter. You will need a working add on meter.

The Spotmatic ESII is also a great option but it sounds as if the OP is not particularly interested in Pentax. Fortunately there are tons of options if you want a camera in this mount. The difficulty of course is to get one that can still be serviced.

 

[f16sunshine]

My favorite is my Black Asahi Spotty. Just because she is so damn good looking and I've taken some great images with it. It needs an overhaul though.

An often overlooked camera is the Sears TLS made by Ricoh (the singlet).
I have a black one and a chrome one. Think of it as a M42 mount Nikon F !
Copal Metal Shutter. Heavy strong build. Removable cold shoe.
The two I have have never been overhauled and the shutters and meters are still spot on.
Advance is geared and zippy smooth. It's a surprising performer.
I suppose you could look for the original Ricoh badged version as well. I like the ensignia on the Sears model.
They came with a Tomioka made f1.4/55mm that is a brilliant lens.

pic from a photo.net article (check it out)

 

[pschauss]

Praktica MTL3 - works with an alkaline battery (625A). I has a vertical shutter with metal blades.

Most of my M42 cameras have an issue with light meter where, as you stop the lens down, it tends to read the light which comes in through the eye piece. This causes it to underexpose in bright light situations especially if you are wearing glasses. My MTL3's seem to be less susceptible to this problem.