M42 and other old lenses

theboyfold said:
Thanks, I'll have a look into it. I assume it's fairly simple to swap it over with the standard screen?
Click to expand...

Very easy, it comes with a little tool and it takes about 20 seconds to do.
 
I have an M42 Pentacon 29/2.8, Pentax K SMC Takumar 100/4 macro, and OM Vivitar 19/3.8. They are all towards the cheaper end and the 29/2.8 and 19/3.8 are a bit soft in the corners wide open but still a lot better than the 18-55 kit lens I got with my 20D. Stopped down past f5.6 they are pretty sharp and since I use them for landscapes mainly this is no problem. The other great thing about older MF lenses is that the build quality on them is a lot better in many ways than modern cheap lenses. Mine are all metal and even after 30 years they are in excellent working order. Because they are primes they are often much smaller than modern zooms.

In aperture priority mode they are pretty handy as my adaptors have AF confirm so there is just focusing to take care of, and handheld I wouldn't be using them stopped down much anyway.

The 100/4 macro lens is fantastic though, really sharp even wide open and way better than anything else I could have got for £75. I would definately recommend an adaptor with AF confirm, for the extra £10 or so its well worth it.
 
Sorry for taking so long to reply. The one I bought isn't around on ebay now - but this looks a lot like it



Stay away from the metal ring only, 1) focus is closer (no inifinity) and 2) if it rotates on the mount its difficult to get off... :)

On the nikon there is usually a focus confirm in the lower left of the view finder... however I have had hit and miss results as it tends to flicker rather than hold still...

At least with digital you can shot a load and erase those that aren't sharp.

Happy hunting
 
Last edited:
ecniv said:
Stay away from the metal ring only, 1) focus is closer (no inifinity) and 2) if it rotates on the mount its difficult to get off... :)
Click to expand...

As someone that has one of those metal ring converters, I'll point out that like many things, once you've removed it a couple of times, you get used to how it works, and it's no trouble to remove at all. I'm not sure I'd say 'avoid them', as they are generally thinner and less obtrusive, but yeah, they're not as easy to use and you lose infinity of course.

Mine came 'free' with my bellows, I'll probably pick up an adapter with infinity focus correction at some point, since the lenses I have for macro work would be useful for general purpose stuff too. I wouldn't want to put another unnecessary piece of glass between the sensor and subject for macro though, so I'll likely stick to the ring adapter I have for extension tube or bellows use.
 
Goneforagasper said:
PM me with your address Mr Gas and I will send you an M42 - Nikon adaptor it is not one of the more expensive ones but you are welcome to it to have a play around - I have got rid of my M42 lenses so have no need for it - no charge
Peter
Click to expand...

and they say Yorkshire men are as tight as a gnats chuff..:cool:
 
Wow that sunflower pic looks terrific. I love MF lenses and use them on my G3. Voigtlander are a great Leica alternative.
 
Last edited:
manualfocus-g said:
One with my Vivitar 28/2.8:


Photo #6 - Sunflowers in Bagnizeau by ManualFocus-G, on Flickr
Click to expand...

That is a very fine advert for manual focus lenses. I have been well and truly bitten by the MF bug, and now have around a dozen of them, mostly Takumars (I only use the 135 f3.5 for close up work with extension tubes), a Zeiss 135 f3.5 MCS Sonnar and some others.
The best adaptor I have, is one purchased from Ebay for about £7.95, although neither of mine have focus confirm.
If you have an MF lens without a "manual" setting, then there is an easy fix, where you can hold the aperture pin in, thus allowing full manual control over the aperture. The fix is reversible, so you do not "butcher" the lens.

Taken with a Super Takumar 135 f3.5 and 51mm of extension tubes @f8

6191705202_3708e2f895_b.jpg
 
Ah well, one from me.
DSC00653a.jpg


100% crop with exif
DSC00653c.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top