Stainless steel M42 camera recommendations

F

Forest_rain

Well-known
Local time
6:32 PM
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
322
I'm currently using a Praktica LTL3 body which seems to be made of aluminum. It makes it light but I don't really like the "feel" of the camera in my hand, it feels a little "cheapy" even though I know these cameras are great quality, I really like the feel of the stainless steel body of my Zenit E.

Unfortunately my Zenit E is broken now, so I'd like to pick up another relatively cheap body to play around with, and I don't like the low 1/500th shutter speed of the Zenit. I'd like to use my current M42 lenses although I am open to trying out another mount if I really must, I'd rather use my current stable of working lenses.

Anyone know of a "sturdy" feeling camera, maybe made of stainless steel at least, or possibly a plastic body if it's well made enough.

A working meter would also be nice since I don't like using an external meter.
 
If you want hefty, the Mamiya DSMs are brass, and some even have working meters, and the Chinon Memotrons are likewise (if you get one which meter works you really lucked out). Then of course the excellent Pentax Spotmatics.

But I can't think of a single camera made of stainless steel. They rust.
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
If you want hefty, the Mamiya DSMs are brass, and some even have working meters, and the Chinon Memotrons are likewise (if you get one which meter works you really lucked out). Then of course the excellent Pentax Spotmatics.

But I can't think of a single camera made of stainless steel. They rust.
Click to expand...


What do you mean by Mamiya "DSM"? I'm not sure what DSM means. I was looking at the Mamiya TL and DTL, they seem decent, but wasn't sure what material.
 
Your Praktica is actually made out of plastics but covered with a metallic finish. Try a pre L Praktica with horizontal cloth shutter. These cameras feel like the Zenit E but are better built.
 
I second the Spotmatic, wide range of choices with/without exposimeter. My preference goes to the SV (or even better S1a to lower the investment). ES/ES II if you need an automatic electronic shutter (still keeping few mechanical speeds). Between these two extremities, you can also find nice SP II adding only the meter to the mechanical part. My suggestion goes to the S1a + external exposimeter (phone, sunny16 etc). Compact, sturdy, easy to service.
 
No-one made cameras of stainless steel. I also recommend Spotmatics, very sturdy, yet with a precision feel, chromed brass I think, but most of them need service for the shutter, and the earlier Pentaxes even more so. I think there are some M42 cameras with vertical metal shutters (Chinon? Mamiya?) that might be less needy of service.
If you can live without auto stop down aperture, M42 lenses can be adapted to Pentax K, Minolta SR, Konica AR, Canon EOS and I think FD mounts.
 
I have a few cameras for M42 and you need to consider what you are chasing:

Solid all-metal feel = before 1975 or a K1000.
M42 lens automatic stopdown= M42 camera.
Simple metering: none in camera or a late version Spotmatic. I loathe the early Spotties with a switch but they do work for people that remember to use it. Or a K mount adapted will meter but then you lose the auto stopdown.

For me the meter can be externalised and the early 60s S cameras work well. I have an S3.
 
Depending on the budget I'll agree with the others but add that the later Zenits were nice with TTL metering and so on. They were made up to a while ago (? 2004) but be warned that the last ones to be made had the Pentax bayonet lens fitting and not the 42mm screw thread.


Regards, David
 
I used a Zenit 12XP for years. Still works well but suffers from a lightleak coming from the prism and it is not easy to repair. I also used a Chinon CS a while back - metal, heavy and crude, just like the 12XP. Uninspiring but they did their job.
I would also recomend a spotmatic. Probably the best of the bunch.
Here is mine that i stupidly sold some time ago.


IMG_5847.JPG
 
If you want a well-built, heavy and very durable classic SLR, try a Ricoh Singlex TLS. It might not be made out of stainless steel, but it surely contains a fair amount of solid brass and an incredibly rugged Copal metal square shutter:

ricoh-singlex-tls-35mm-single-lens-reflex-camera-with-chinon-55mm-f-1-7-lens.jpg

Picture credit: https://simonhawketts.co.uk/2016/06/04/ricoh-singlex-tls-camera/

Since this camera has never been fashionable, it's commonly available in good condition for ridiculously low prices.

Cheers!

Abbazz
 
Any Chinon clone - Prinzflex etc .
Clunky copal square [ metal ] shutter , built like a brick , and feels like one .
Cheap and cheerful .
Built of brass which looks cool when the black wears in places .
 
I don't think the zenit is stainless steel -
Just because it's heavy doesn't mean it's quality - especially when talking about eastern european cameras
 
Pentax Spotmatic, but remember what ever you buy might well need aa service, they are all pretty old by now and those old lubricants could well be dried up.
 
My favorite M42 camera is a Canon T90 with a Canon M42 adapter.

Sure, the aperture is manually operated, but you get sooooooo many more features on the T90 than any M42 camera, its well worth that inconvenience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom